Hi, I’m Isaía Contreras Holsæter.
I am a multidisciplinary storyteller, a seeker of raw emotion, and a believer in the poetry of life. Through photography, film, music, and writing, I explore human vulnerability, connection, and the fleeting beauty of the in-between moments.
At the heart of my work is a fascination with people and what lies beneath what we first see. I am drawn to stories about relationships, between people, and between people and the worlds they inhabit, and to those moments that reveal something deeply human. I want to create work that moves something in us, invites us to pause, gain perspective, and perhaps see ourselves and others a little differently.
As a photographer, I don’t just capture images; I try to capture essence. Each portrait is a conversation, a space where the subject’s truth can unfold, revealing something deeply personal yet universally relatable. I like to think of my work as existing somewhere between poetry and reality, where emotions, details, and fleeting moments become eternal.
My photographic work was awarded the Vågå Photography Prize by renowned Norwegian photographer Morten Krogvold, a recognition that holds a special place in my artistic journey.
With a multicultural background spanning Peru, Spain, and Norway, and having lived in many different places, I see the universal in the personal and the personal in the universal. This perspective shapes the stories I am drawn to, stories that transcend cultural differences and explore the things that make us human beyond what sets us apart.
My influences range from the evocative portraiture of Morten Krogvold, Richard Avedon, and Josef Koudelka to the unfiltered beauty of everyday life. My approach is intuitive and emotionally driven, blending fine art with a documentary sensibility.
Ultimately, I want to make work that travels. Stories that cross borders and create a sense of understanding and connection. Stories that remind us of our humanity, our warmth, and where we come from.