Can you share a bit about your background and what initially drew you to photography, particularly focusing on pregnancy and motherhood?


I’ve always been drawn to photography, and my biggest inspiration was my grandmother. Every time I went to her place we would spend so much time with her albums and she would tell me so many different stories, and I remember that from a really early age that I could feel how important photography was. It was a tool for us as a family to keep people alive somehow, through the images and the stories. 

When I became pregnant, I used it as a tool to understand how much it would affect. I was unplanned pregnant at the age of 25, and I had no clue what I was about to enter. I tried to understand as much as possible how motherhood actually is, and therefore I contacted a lot of mothers to photograph them. Then I realized that mothers have maybe never actually been seen by the society, and I wanted to capture how much it actually takes to be one. Therefore I choose to focus on pregnancy and motherhood, so more mothers hopefully will feel seen somehow and that they can feel the power that is within them.

How has your own journey through motherhood influenced your photography and the themes you choose to explore in your work?


It has been the most important influence for me. It was because of that I started out with mothers as my main focus. It was when I entered my own journey through motherhood, all of the highs and lows, the layers of everything, that I felt the urge to document it with my camera.

You’ve participated in the VOGUE festival and discussed the poetic truths of home and motherhood. Can you elaborate on the key messages you conveyed during your talk?

First of all, that was such a peak in my career as a photographer. My key messages was that I longed for a community during my pregnancy and postpartum, and then I found EyeMama project - all of sudden I was in one. It was a real full circle moment when we were on that stage as a group of mothers that all longed for the same - community.

Loneliness and the need for community during postpartum can be significant challenges. How do you address these themes in your photography and discussions?

Whenever I photograph mothers, especially those who have a newborn, I take my time with them and check in with them. Asking them questions to make sure that they also feel seen and heard. That is vital to me. Loneliness and especially the feeling of being lonely as a mother when you don’t have a community is a slippery slope that can turn into so much more. But when the mother is taking care of, then the child also is taken care of. It starts with her. Therefore I talk a lot about it, created matrescence circles and had exhibitions so more people could talk about their own motherhood experience. In that way, I can contribute to make mothers feel less alone.

What are your hopes and aspirations for your photography career as it relates to capturing the experiences of mothers and families?

My hopes and aspirations are that it will sparkle more conversations about the topics around early parenthood.

Balancing work as a photographer and being a mom can be tough. How do you manage to find that balance in your daily life?

It is really hard indeed. I’ve always been a person who is very passionate when I love what I’m working with, but to balance my urge of being creative and motherhood has been hard. And since I became a single mom, it got even harder.

I’m trying to seek out help where I can find it, but also being transparent with my clients has been the most important part to keep my balance. I’m so grateful that I’m able to work with so many patient people that have a deep understanding for things that will take more time compared to a photographer who isn’t juggling motherhood also. As cliché as it may sound, but doing things that are directly connected to my physical health such as yoga, breathwork and more is also super important for me to keep my balance.

Vulnerability is often a part of the motherhood experience. How has your self-perception changed before and after becoming a mother?

Vulnerability is indeed a keyword for my own motherhood experience. I went through my darkest time in my life after I gave birth to Gabriel. Since his birth didn’t unfold as wished and I was left with massive traumas, my self-perception changed drastically. I had to drag myself out of a deep postpartum depression, and be more vulnerable than ever. Now I feel better than I have in a very long time, and being vulnerable and accepting how much it actually affects you to become a mother was something I had to fully surrender to.

What concerns or challenges have you faced in your journey, both as a photographer and a mom, and how have you navigated them?

I went full freelance when Gabriel was 1.5 years old, and that was a really hard decision to make. I had to put a leap of faith in myself, which at that time, felt really foreign. To put myself and my own work first. Looking back, I’ve never regretted that I did.

But I’ve been facing a lot of concerns on how to make everything go around, especially now as a single mom. I’m fortunate to have a very good group of friends around me that feels like family and they have been the best support system throughout the transition of becoming a freelance photographer and a single mom, both in just a couple of months. My challenges are often related to the fact that I don’t feel like I have enough time, and I keep doubting myself in all aspects of life. Thoughts such as “oh I should have used more time now with Gabriel, focusing on our relationship because time flies by and he grows up so fast.” or work related where I feel like I forget emails, DM’s and all because I'm overwhelmed.

I try to navigate it all by accepting that I chose this for me and Gabriel, and I’m happy that I’m able to have such a colorful experience in life that is full of love - in both motherhood and as a photographer.

You mentioned using your camera as a means of communication. Can you explain how photography helps convey the messages you want to share about motherhood?


Photography has always been the most impactful way for me to remember something. If it was someone's face, a story that someone told me or even if I had to learn something at school. To use visual expressions, such as photography, is a tool for me to understand motherhood better. Not only from my own experience, but also others. To capture the essence of a mothers strength, and to communicate it through photography are the messages I want to share.

What are your thoughts on maternity wear? How do you believe it can better serve mothers during their pregnancy and postpartum periods?

It is so important to have good maternity wear in your wardrobe during pregnancy and especially postpartum. If you find something that is fashionable and feels good on your body, then you feel ten times better with yourself. Even though it is a time where you feel like you don’t have as much time to prioritize yourself, then investing in maternity wear will be a way to give yourself some love.

You’ve been nominated for the Plan International Norway Girls' Rights Award 2024. How does this recognition impact your work and your message about motherhood?

That type of recognition was exactly what I needed to keep going with my work and it gave me a boost of inspiration to continue.

What advice would you give to new mothers about embracing their journey and using creative outlets like photography to express their experiences?


My advice would be to take the photos, give yourself time to breathe, and remember that rest is vital. If you want to express yourself by using your own creative outlets, let them flourish and nurture your soul. Don’t think, just be in it and play around.