Iselin Kristiansen
I work at the intersection between documentary photography, research, and fine art. My practice grows out of a desire to understand – to observe, listen, and translate complex realities into images that invites reflection and empathy. I am drawn to themes such as intersectional feminism, sexuality, queerness, neurodiversity, and human rights within Nordic context. I use photography to question dominant narratives and hold space for stories that might have remained unheard. But not all my work is overtly political. Some images and projects arise from a more intuitive, emotional, and formal place, exploring atmosphere,
perception, and the poetics of everyday life.
Portraiture lies at the core of my practice. For me, the portrait is not simply a representation of a person, but an encounter – a moment of mutual attention, vulnerability, and care. Through portrait photography I seek to explore what happens when power and trust coexist in front of
the camera, and how photographic collaboration can become a site of recognition and dignity.
This approach is central to my ongoing project Conversations on Sex and Work, developed in close partnership with sex workers. Through this work I aim to address the epistemic injustice that historically has silenced sex workers in public discourse. The project combines photography with writing, placing personal narratives within broader social and political frameworks. This particular project was initially conceived as a documentary book in which
the texts are as essential as the images, forming a dialogue between the written word and photograph. The book remains an important part of how I envision the work’s final form.
Photography first entered my life in an intimate and personal way. I rediscovered it when I was pregnant with my daughter, and since then it has been a constant method of
understanding my surroundings, myself, and her. It is a tool that allows me to form connections with the world around me. Over time, photographing my daughter has become a form of dialogue – a language through which we communicate and connect, especially during the transformative years of her adolescence. This ongoing portrait work has shaped how I
think about intimacy, care, and the ethics of representation.
In 2025, I was diagnosed with autism. This has opened a new dimension in my work, allowing me to turn the lens inward – to explore my own perception, sensitivities, and the
ways that my particular sensory system shape my way of seeing and interpreting my surroundings. Through photography, I am currently investigating how my neurodivergent experience affects my relationship with light, patterns, and emotional resonance.
I view photography – and especially portraiture – as both research and repair: A tool for observing, listening, and creating space for complexity and mutual recognition.
I accepts commissions for documentary and portrait photography and I am a member of FFF - Forbundet Frie Fotografer, the professional organization for photographers and camera-based artists in Norway. I am open to new assignments and collaborations.
Contact information:
004746632054
Instagram: @_unbearablelightness_
Support me: https://ko-fi.com/iselinkristiansen
