Gabi Kirellos delves deep to find the true essence of Norway’s Capital Oslo, through the lens of street photographer Marius Foss Haugen.
Oslo is no longer the overlooked Scandinavian capital it once was.
Norway’s capital now has a population of more than 720,000 people, while Greater Oslo has passed 1.1 million residents.
Areas such as Bjørvika have transformed the city skyline with projects including the Oslo Opera House, the MUNCH museum, and the Barcode district, while Oslo repeatedly ranks among Europe’s greenest and most liveable capitals.
Yet despite the rapid modernisation, many of Oslo’s older neighbourhoods have retained a quieter identity. Districts such as Kampen, Vålerenga, Sagene, and Tøyen remain defined by narrow streets, wooden houses, local cafes, and a slower rhythm that feels removed from the busiest parts of the city.
These are the areas street photographer Marius Foss Haugen repeatedly returns to.
Marius Foss Haugen
His early beginnings in Oslo
Street photography is often associated with fast-moving crowds and chaotic city life. Haugen’s work moves in the opposite direction.
His photographs focus on stillness, atmosphere, reflections, and small human moments that most people pass without noticing.
Photography entered his life early and remained there ever since.
“I was born in Oslo in the early 1970s, but I grew up about half an hour south of the city. My interest in photography began when I was 14 years old, and since then, a camera has been an important part of my life.”
Even decades later, the city, particularly the neighbourhood where he was born, continues to shape the way he photographs Oslo.
“Even though I moved away from Oslo as a small child, I often return to Kampen, the neighbourhood where I was born. It is a small and charming area on the east side of the city. Perhaps it is a sense of belonging that draws me back. Whenever I walk through its streets, I often find both inspiration and a strong connection to the city.”
Taken in Tøyen, this photograph emerged from waiting and observation rather than spontaneity. “This photograph was taken in Tøyen, in one of the pedestrian-friendly streets on Oslo’s east side.” The contrast between darkness and light initially caught Haugen’s attention. “What first drew me to the scene was the contrast between darkness and light. I stood there for a while waiting, and when the couple walked into the frame, it felt as though they were moving out of the shadows and towards something brighter.” That transition became central to the image itself. “That is why I gave the photograph the title The Next Street Is Brighter.” “To me, the image is about hope and about continuing forward, even when we do not know what lies around the next corner.”
Why Oslo Is One of Europe’s Most Unique Cities for Street Photography
Unlike many European capitals, Oslo combines dense urban life with immediate access to nature.
Around two-thirds of the municipality is covered by forests, parks, lakes, and protected natural areas, while the Oslofjord remains central to everyday life during the warmer months. Residents can take public transport directly into Nordmarka, the vast forested region north of the city, and still return to the city center later the same day.
For Haugen, that contrast is one of Oslo’s defining qualities.
“I love many cities, but Oslo offers a combination that is quite unique. You have the fjord, the forests, and beautiful hiking areas right on the city’s doorstep, while at the same time Oslo has developed enormously over the past twenty years, both architecturally and culturally.”
Still, the modern developments are not necessarily what attracts him most as a photographer.
“What I love most are the smaller neighbourhoods. Areas like Kampen, Vålerenga, and Sagene feel intimate and human in scale. When I go out photographing, I am often drawn to these places rather than the city centre.”
That balance between historical neighbourhoods and newer architecture continues to shape the way he experiences Oslo.
“I also appreciate the contrast between old and new. Areas like Bjørvika showcase modern architecture, while neighbourhoods such as Kampen, Sagene, and Vålerenga still carry a strong sense of history. This variety makes Oslo an exciting city both to live in and to photograph.”
How Marius Foss Haugen Approaches Street Photography in Oslo
Street photography is often associated with crowded intersections, dramatic movement, and fast reactions. Haugen approaches the genre differently.
“Many people associate street photography with fast-paced moments and constant activity. I have always been more interested in the opposite. I look for stillness, small stories, and moments that can easily pass unnoticed. For me, photography is almost a form of meditation. It is about slowing down, observing, and being present.”
Oslo’s older districts naturally support that slower approach.
“Oslo suits this way of working very well. The older neighbourhoods offer quiet streets, beautiful apartment buildings, and small corners where time seems to slow down. I can stand in one place for quite a while, patiently waiting for the right person or the right atmosphere to enter the frame.”
Although he photographs nature, portraits, and urban environments, it is everyday life within the city that interests him most.
“I photograph nature, portraits, and urban environments, but it is the small stories found within the city that fascinate me the most. In a hectic world, I try to show that quiet moments still exist around us. Perhaps it is someone walking from one place to another, lost in their own thoughts.”
Some of Haugen’s photographs move away from the streets entirely and into quieter indoor spaces. “Sometimes I find myself drawn indoors when photographing. The light becomes different there than it is out in the streets, softer and more intimate.” What interested him most about this particular scene was the emotional distance between the people sharing the same space. “What caught my attention in this scene was how the people appeared to be together, yet at the same time completely alone. They share the same room, but each person is living within their own story.” The atmosphere immediately reminded him of Edward Hopper’s paintings. “When I took the photograph, I actually thought of Edward Hopper’s paintings. I wanted to capture that feeling of quietness between people and the invisible stories that surround us every day.”
The Oslo Neighbourhoods Marius Foss Haugen Photographs Most
Choosing a favourite image is difficult for Haugen, but one photograph continues to stand out personally.
“It is difficult to choose a single favourite photograph, but one image that means a lot to me is called Togetherness. The photograph shows an elderly couple walking together through soft light. What I love about it is that it contains a story we will never fully know. Who are they? Where are they going? What have they experienced together throughout their lives?”
“The viewer is invited to imagine the rest.”
The same neighbourhoods repeatedly appear throughout his photography.
“As for places to photograph, I often return to Kampen, Vålerenga, and Sagene. These neighbourhoods have character, history, and a human scale that suits the way I like to work.”
The underrated area of Oslo
When asked which area visitors and photographers often overlook, Haugen immediately points toward Vålerenga.
“Without a doubt, Vålerenga.”
“This old working-class neighbourhood has preserved much of its history and identity. The small wooden houses, narrow streets, and old gates create a unique atmosphere.”
“For photographers looking for something other than modern glass buildings and busy shopping streets, Vålerenga is a wonderful area to explore.”
The neighbourhood is also home to his favourite restaurant in Oslo.
“In Vålerenga, you will find a restaurant called Smia, which is probably my favourite place to eat in Oslo.”
“The restaurant is located in a former horse stable from the 1800s and is surrounded by the neighbourhood’s characteristic wooden houses. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, and during the summer you can enjoy your meal in a beautiful little garden.”
“Smia is also located next to Vålerenga Park, a place I often visit both with and without a camera.”
Why Reflections Continue to Fascinate Oslo Street Photographer Marius Foss Haugen
Reflections remain one of the recurring themes throughout Haugen’s photography.
“I have always been fascinated by reflections and mirrored surfaces. They show us the world as it is, but at the same time not quite as it is.”
For him, reflective surfaces create a certain emotional distance between the viewer and the subject.
“When people are photographed through reflections, they often become slightly dreamlike. We can see them, but we never know their full story.”
That uncertainty is precisely why he continues returning to this style of photography.
“Perhaps that is why I keep returning to this type of photography. Reflections remind me of how we meet one another in everyday life. We see each other, but so much remains hidden beneath the surface.”
I truly agree with Marius. Oslo is a hidden gem for photography, there are so many inspiring spots for a photographer.
I have relocated back to Nordics after years abroad, and have been waiting to get back to Norway to photograph the wonderful nature and unique architecture.