Collection: Rolf M. Aagaard

Rolf M. Aagaard, born on March 27, 1945, in Risør, is a Norwegian photographer living in Oslo. Aagaard began his apprenticeship with the local photographer Andersen in Risør at the age of 14 or 15, and in 1962, he was hired by the newspaper Tiden in Arendal, where he worked for one year.

In 1963, he was hired by Fædrelandsvennen in Kristiansand, and worked there until 1970. In May 1970, he started as a photographer for Aftenposten, where he worked until 2007.

From 1980 to 1993, he was the regular photographer for the A-maggasinet. Since 2007, he has worked as a freelancer. During his freelance period, he has worked for Kolon Forlag and Gyldendal Forlag, taking author portraits. Many of his photos can be found in everything from school books to art books. He has photographed Norwegian artists for many years.

Aagaard has also photographed members of the Norwegian royal family over many years in various contexts. The first photo of King Olav V was taken in 1962 or 1963.
In 1979, he became the first photographer to receive the Narvesen Prize (now known as the “Great Journalism Prize”).

Aagaard has a wide range as a photographer. In addition to photojournalism, he has been interested in nature photography, with a special focus on snow. He is also passionate about street art, which he documents in Norway and particularly in Barcelona and Berlin, but also in other parts of Europe. He has been instrumental in raising the quality standards in Norwegian press photography. Aagaard has traveled extensively as a photographer over many years, covering large parts of the world.

Rolf M. Aagaard has had the following solo exhibitions:

• Preus Museum, Horten, in 1977
• Nikon International Contest, traveling exhibitions in 1971, 1973, and 1978
• Galleri ACANTHUS, Oslo, in 1981
• Galleri 27, Oslo, in 2002 with photos from Cuba
• Lillehammer Art Museum, in 2003, retrospective exhibition
• Exhibition at Galleri Buene, Risør, in June - August 2005
• Stenersen Museum, Oslo, in 2007, Street Art
• Nordic Light, Kristiansund, in 2007, retrospective
• Collective traveling exhibition New Norwegian Photography II
• Kunsthallen Street Art Norway, 2024 – Discover the Street Art Cultural Heritage

In 2007, Rolf M. Aagaard published the book Street ART I 2007—a collection of street art from various cities both in Norway and abroad, released by his own publishing house.