Elegance and sensuality – photography by Solve Sundsbo

Solve Sundsbo is a fashion photographer from Norway who lives and works in London. Solve Sundsbo's works can be found literally everywhere. He has collaborated many times with such fashion publications as Vogue, Numero, Muse, I-D, Love, Dazed And Confused, Visionaire, W Magazine, and also shot advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Alexander McQueen, Swarovski and other brands. And we can say with confidence — his pictures are remembered at first sight.

Elegance and sensuality are two words that can describe the style of this talented photographer.

Sundsbo's compositions are verified to the smallest detail, and the range of artistic techniques is incredibly wide. And thanks to this, the photographer manages to create his own, somewhat surreal world, where the characters transferred to the glossy pages come to life.

Sundsbo's story is as extraordinary as his photographs. He was born in Norway in 1970. There he spent his childhood, adolescence and youth, which were not too different from the events of the life of his peers. The only thing that set Sundsbo apart from the majority was a film camera, which he did not part with in his youth.

Solvay filmed everything in a row, but especially liked to stop the spectacular moments of the descent of skiers. He experimented a lot with dynamics, composition, studied the intricacies of laboratory printing – in general, mastered the profession of a photographer. At that time, he was not interested in fashion photography at all, and certainly did not think that he would ever be able to earn money from it.

However, the passion for photography passed when adult interests began to appear. Messing around with reagents when all friends are having fun with girlfriends at parties was not interesting. At this point, the photo for Sundsbo could have ended forever, if not for one circumstance…

Immediately after school, Sundsbo entered a Norwegian college, but a year later he ran away from there – his creative nature could not stand the boredom of trivial pursuits in an uninteresting business. And then he remembered about photography and decided to try to make a living with it. At that time, he was not yet twenty, and no one believed in him as a photographer, except himself. But, as they say: "knock and they will open for you."

Solve Sundsbo considered that the very happy doors that should open the world of professional photography to him were certainly in London, where he went when he turned twenty. There he entered the London College of Printing, where he studied his favorite business and made useful acquaintances. He continued to persistently "knock", but he was politely refused, pointing out the lack of experience, style, name and other opportunistic attributes.

In the end, Sundsbo got a job as a photographer's assistant–but this photographer turned out to be none other than Nick Knight. Actually, Knight himself did not care who to accept as an assistant. He was bribed by Sundsbo's ease, scrupulousness and unbending optimism – qualities that made themselves felt already at the first meeting.

There was no pathos in the young assistant, and he did his job equally well and without reservations, whether it was deploying equipment or running errands for coffee. Meanwhile, Sundbo, like a sponge, absorbed the wisdom of fashion photography and tried to create his masterpieces, which so far had a place only in his own portfolio.

Collaboration with Nick Knight played not only an educational role in Sundsbo's life, but also helped him to become a photographer. The guru from time to time transferred orders to the young assistant, with which he worked with full dedication. And the result was.

Today, Sundsbo has his own studio in London, where four people work. In addition, he collaborates with the company Art + Commerce, which represents the best photographers, stylists, makeup artists. Among the clients of this company are such names as Steven Mayzal, David Lachapelle, Ellen von Unwerth, Tim Walker and other stars of fashion photography.

Solve Sundsbo is appreciated for his unique style, although the photographer himself insists that he is out of style. However, whatever it was, but even the absence of style is also a style. In Sundsbo's photographs, delicacy borders on refined taste and an exorbitant, unfading idea. He does not shy away from computer post-processing, but often uses classical techniques, preserving the charm of light painting.

Sundsbo's colleagues note his "paranoid" meticulousness in his approach to photo shoots. With the scrupulousness of Sherlock Holmes, he takes into account such little things that no one would even think about. As a result, Sundsbo's work always goes well, and freelance situations are solved by him, like a magician who always has the right card up his sleeve.

Solve Sundsbo created a huge number of images, which, according to him, make up his own "universe". This seems to be true, because only from an infinite continuum, which is probably the consciousness of Sundsbo, such stylish, authentic and vivid characters can constantly "fall out".

Photos of Solve Sundsbo can be found everywhere. These are glossy fashion magazines such as Vogue, Numero, Muse, I-D, Love, Dazed And Confused, Visionaire, as well as advertising companies Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, McQ, Swarovski ... Sundsbo's personal life developed in parallel with his career – just as successfully and fruitfully. The result is a beloved, faithful wife and three children.