The Friendships We Make Through Photography
It’s been a while since I took my first photograph, and I always saw photography as a solitary activity, partly because of my own character, or maybe because of a need to have time alone, to escape, to dream away from distractions and people. Strangely, street photography brought me closer to people, closer than any lens ever could.
Social media is a strange thing. We post pictures, our work, to share with people, but many times we share it with strangers. A few likes, a few positive comments. Maybe a person or two we know in real life. The never stopping waterfall of images and internet personalities. In a busy life, with a fulltime job and responsibilities, it used to be more than enough. But is it?
A lot changed when I joined the Oslo Street Photography Collective for my first photowalk in Oslo. The meetup was simple: a few points along the way, join when you want, leave when you want. No ties, no expectations. It took me a moment to gather the courage to go and meet this group of strangers. My imposter syndrome and uncertainty about my decision made me anxious, but then everything felt simple.
I found out that, in many ways, these are people just like you and me. Photographers, dreamers, introverts and extroverts, immigrants and locals, young and old, beginners and experienced shooters, all united by a love for making images. Or maybe by something more?
Very soon, friendships began to form: group photowalks, one on one meetups, invitations, and a sense of community. Internet faces were no longer just pixels on a screen, they were real people.
I teamed up with Photobreak for the first New Year 2026 Oslo street photography walk. Together with Thomas Sandfield and Kim Daniel Vedal, we explored the streets of Oslo using their street photography randomizer app, walking toward Bislet while looking for red and yellow colors and the last bits of Christmas street atmosphere.
Since then, everything has changed. You are no longer a lone wolf, unless you want to be. You begin to understand how fun it can be to spend time with people who share the same passion. Many times it was hard to come home with unique images, but the payoff, exchanging ideas, talking about gear, sharing inspiration, or sometimes simply offering mental support, was something that had been missing.
Many photowalks and a few photo festivals later, I am a proud and supported member of the Oslo street photography community. I still do photography, but I also grow, as a member and as a friend. Without photography, it would never have happened. The hobby that once felt so solitary made me truly social.
Photography kept on giving, and one thing led to another. Meeting Thomas and Kim from Photobreak made me realize once again how good it feels to create something together. In life, I believe everything comes at the right time, maybe at the moment you need it most. So when I received an offer to join Photobreak, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I wanted to be part of it.
So I encourage you: reach out. Say hi to your local photographers. Go for a photowalk together. You never know when next photograph is going to change your life in the most unexpected way.
In this episode, I join forces with Photobreak for an unforgettable winter photowalk through the frozen streets of Oslo, Norway. Together with Photobreak, Thomas Sandfield, and Kim Daniel Vedal, we explore the city in extreme cold, capturing the beauty of Oslo’s icy atmosphere. We visit some of Oslo’s most iconic landmarks, including the stunning Oslo Opera House, the modern MUNCH (Munch Museum), and the striking Akrobaten Bridge. From architectural photography to street photography, we search for strong compositions, leading lines, reflections, and minimal winter scenes.
