Morten Qvale
Morten Qvale launched his career in 1983 by founding TIQUE, Norway’s first fashion magazine. He went on to collaborate with legendary photographers such as Bill King, Terence Donovan, and Guy Bourdin, before establishing himself as an international fashion photographer in Paris, New York, London, and Milan.
Renowned for his technical precision and exceptional print quality, developed through decades of collaboration with Jon Cone, Qvale created campaigns for brands including Oscar de la Renta, IBM, H&M, Audi, and Reebok. Since 1999, he has dedicated himself to fine art photography, now
Morten Qvale, born in Norway in 1957, discovered his passion for visual expression after an early career in sports, where he competed nationally in kayaking and won silver and bronze medals. Educated in the graphic arts industry, he founded Tique in 1983—Norway’s first international fashion magazine—which brought him into close contact with legendary photographers such as Bill King, Guy Bourdin, and Terence Donovan. Inspired by Ansel Adams, Qvale developed a distinctive photographic style defined by tonal precision, detail, and timeless composition.
By the 1990s, Qvale was established as an international fashion photographer, working in New York, Paris, London, and Milan on campaigns for global brands and features in leading magazines. In 2013, he opened Qvale Galleri in Oslo, later joining forces with Fineart in 2019 to lead Scandinavia’s largest photography program. Here, he has curated exhibitions with world-renowned photographers, including Albert Watson, Ellen von Unwerth, David Bailey, David Yarrow and Patrick Demarchelier.
Qvale’s own work, spanning fashion, portraiture, landscapes, and automotive photography, has been exhibited across Europe and the United States, and is represented in several major private and institutional collections.
Racing Cars
Morten Qvale’s fascination with racing cars began in childhood, when his older brother took him to his first races. From that moment, he was captivated by speed, design, and the personalities behind the machines. He spent years following the legends of the 1970s and 1980s through magazines and broadcasts, learning the names and stories of the top drivers.
In his Racing Cars project, Qvale approaches each vehicle as a portrait, capturing its character, presence, and subtle expressions. Rather than focusing on motion, he isolates moments of stillness, allowing the viewer to feel as if the car itself is speaking.
The series encompasses contemporary Formula 1 events in Monaco and Las Vegas, as well as historic races and celebrations, including the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Here, racing heritage and design innovation converge, allowing Qvale to frame both endurance icons and classic prototypes in a timeless light.
Drawing on decades of experience in fashion and fine art photography, Qvale emphasizes composition, tone, and detail, elevating each car from machine to sculptural artwork. Racing Cars celebrates not just speed, but design, history, and the enduring spirit of motorsport.
Morten Qvale’s 400-page book Qvalified chronicles his remarkable career in photography, fashion, and art. In addition to his work behind the camera, Qvale has directed numerous advertising campaigns and music videos.
His photography has been featured in solo and group exhibitions worldwide, including Shot in a Tent (2000), Kunsthuset (2005, 2007), Myaopia (2014), Oslo Paris (2015), The Great West (2018), Qvalified Exhibition (2021), Mountain Life (2024), and Icons & Racing Cars (2025). The book reflects his creative journey, spanning fashion, portraiture, and fine art, and highlights his unique vision and storytelling.