Jo Straube (1983)
Photojournalist based in Oslo, NorwayI work on long-term documentary projects and a range of photographic assignments. With a background in photojournalism, I have mainly done editorial work, like reportage, portraits and news photography, but I also take on commissioned work.
My book The Norwegian Library, a photographic documentary about Norway’s public libraries, was awarded The Most Beautiful Book of the Year in Norway in 2018.
Several of my personal projects have explored democracy and its changing conditions. I have driven thousands of miles across Norway to document hundreds of public libraries, seeking to understand the state of an institution that plays an important role in maintaining an informed public.
When I visited Iceland in the aftermath of the financial crisis, I wanted to understand how a country that had until recently been widely admired was dealing with the consequences. In Myanmar, I photographed people involved in and affected by the country’s democratic transition, seeking a more nuanced understanding of the changes taking place beyond internationally recognised figures such as Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Over the past decade, I have also produced exhibitions on commission. Since 2021, I have worked with text, click the link if you want to see a collection reportage and portraits, mostly where I combine photography and writing.
Work
2025 – Staff photojournalist at Forsvarets forum
2024 – 2025 Temporary staff photojournalist at Fagbladet
2021 – 2024 Staff phtojournalist at Jakt & Fiske
Clients: Nobel Peace Prize, Oslo Pix film festival, Film fra Sør, Dagbladet Magasinet, Dagens Næringsliv, Bergens Tidende, New York Times/International Herald Tribune, Bloomberg Businessweek, Stern, The Verge, Politiken, D2, Verdens Gang (VG), Aftenposten, Magasinet Plot, Morgenbladet, 360 Magazine, Naturvernforbundet, Kommunalbanken, Veterinærinstituttet, Buskerud Bonde- og Småbrukarlag, Sosialistisk Venstreparti, Venstre, among others.
Education
Master's degree in Journalism, Oslo University College, 2017
Bachelor degree in Photojournalism, Oslo University College, 2010
Internship in Bergens Tidende, 2009
Photography, Lofoten folkehøgskole, 2004-2006
Comparative politics, University of Bergen, 2003-2004
Philosophy and linguistics, University of Oslo, 2002
Books
«Det norske biblioteket» (”The Norwegian Library”), Bergen Kjøtt, 2017
Exhibitions
«13 forsøk på kontroll», group exhibition, galleri 69, June 2025
«The Norwegian Library», solo exhibition, Galleri Lille Kabelvåg, April 2018
«The Norwegian Library», Traveling exhibition, 2017-2019: Odda, Oslo, Sandnes, Trondheim, Ski, Kirkenes, Sandefjord, Lørenskog, Bergen, Tysvær, Ål, Bærum, Nesna
«Dreams of a democracy», permanent outdoor exhibition. Skrova, Lofoten (sops.no)
«Dreams of a democracy», november 2015, Oslo University
«Livsløp», group exhibition, Oslo 2013 and 2014
Group exhibition at Nordic Light 2010, Kristiansund
Group exhibition at Nordic Light 2009, Kristiansund
Foto8 Summershow 2008, London
Awards
Fagpressens forsidepris, Fagbladet / André Martinsen, 2025
Hederlig omtale, Fotoprisen, Fagpresseprisene, 2024
«Innertieren», Fagpresseprisene, 2023
1. pris foto, Snusprisen / NJ Akershus, 2023
Årets vakreste bok 2018: Årets vakreste bok + Årets vakreste foto/kunstbok (by Grafill).
Picture of the year Norway 2012, 2nd prize News
Picture of the year Norway 2010, 2nd prize Foreign Documentary with "Meltdown Iceland"
Picture of the year Norway 2009, 1st prize Daily Life in Norway
Gullkalven 2009: Diploma (photography)
Gullkalven 2008: Gold (ambient) and Silver (photography)