Karina Twiss: Exploring Identity Through Intimate Portraiture
A photographic practice shaped by curiosity, observation, and personal growth
Photographer and director Karina Twiss has built an international career creating emotionally charged portraits and visual narratives. Based between London and Norway, her work combines technical precision with spontaneity, resulting in images that feel both intimate and expressive. Drawing inspiration from people, places, and personal experiences, her practice continues to evolve through constant exploration.
A Personal Approach to Image-Making
Growing up close to nature in Stavanger, Norway, Twiss developed an early fascination with photography and visual storytelling. After working as first assistant to renowned photographer Sølve Sundsbø, she established her own distinctive photographic language, characterized by close-up, textural portraits and a strong sensitivity to atmosphere and emotion.
Her work has been featured in publications including Vogue, Dazed Beauty, Atmos, Elle, Allure, Wonderland, Hunger, and Porter, alongside campaigns for brands such as Dior, Cartier, Cacharel, and Net-a-Porter.
Photography as Self-Discovery
For Twiss, photography is not only a creative profession but also a tool for understanding herself and the world around her. Personal development and artistic growth are closely connected, allowing her to continuously approach new projects with openness and curiosity.
A significant turning point came during the years she spent based in Bali between 2018 and 2020. Traveling extensively throughout Indonesia while developing personal projects, she discovered a more intuitive and independent way of working. The simplicity of improvised locations and minimal production setups reshaped her creative process and reinforced the idea that meaningful work can emerge without extensive resources.
Our Approach
Karina Twiss’ work is driven by a desire for authenticity and a commitment to constant refinement. Whether working on editorial commissions, commercial campaigns, or personal projects, she approaches image-making as an ongoing process of observation, experimentation, and self-realization.
Rather than focusing on a specific political message, Twiss views photography as a way of relating more deeply to both herself and the world around her. Social media remains a practical tool within this process, while the real source of inspiration continues to come from lived experiences, travel, human encounters, and sustained creative practice.
Her collaboration with Collective Oslo is rooted in a shared interest in creating new possibilities and exploring meaningful artistic connections across disciplines.
Artist Reflection
"Being a photographer is a way to understand myself and the world in order to relate better to the world."
— KARINA TWISS
CLIENT
Collective Oslo Talents
LOCATION
London, United Kingdom / Norway
CATEGORY
Photography & Direction
DELIVERABLES
Editorial Photography
Creative Direction
Portraiture
Visual Storytelling
Commercial Campaigns
Personal Projects
Art Prints
International Publications