Biography

Sigga Ella, born in 1980 in Akureyri, Iceland, is an Icelandic photographer based in Reykjavik. She graduated from The School of Photography in Reykjavík and has taken part in two of Mary Ellen Mark´s workshops, first in 2012 as an intern and in 2014 after receiving a grant from IFTA to attend as a student.

Sigga Ella is a member of FÍSL, Icelandic Union of Contemporary Photographers.

Selected Clients & Commissions

  • The New York Times - Editorial photography for multiple features on Iceland and Greenland (climate, travel & culture, 2021-2024)
  • The Guardian - Documentary & portrait assignments across culture, politics, environment and social issues (2023-2025)
  • Die Zeit - Portrait & environmental photography feature on Icelandic salmon farms (2024)
  • Frankfurter Allgemeine Quarterly (F.A.Q.) - Editorial travel & culture feature.
  • Selvedge Magazine - Multiple editorial assignments (2017-2021)
  • NRC (Netherlands) - Editorial photography for two feature stories on life and tradition in Vestmannaeyjar (2024).
  • NPR - Portrait & documentary photography for COVID-19 feature on Dr. Alma D. Möller (2020)
  • Condé Nast Traveler - Feature story: Iceland qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World cup.

Selected Features & Publications

  • CNN - Feature on First and foremost I am
  • BBC News Magazine - Feature on First and foremost I am
  • The Huffington post (First and foremost I am)
  • Daily Mail
  • Museé Magazine
  • Gehirn & Geist (DE)
  • Wow air inflight magazine (IS)
  • British airways inflight magazine (UK)
  • Reykjavik Grapevine (IS)

Books

  • 2016 “First and foremost I am” Published by Portfolio. The series features 21 portraits of people with Down syndrome accompanied by a personal text from each participant.
  • 2014 “Bloodgroup” Limited edition. Photos of the electronic band Bloodgroup which were taken over a two year period, from 2011 to 2013.

Exhibitions

  • 2022 - FÍSL, biannual group show at Korpúlfsstaðir, Reykjavik
  • 2019 - FÍSL, biannual group show at Korpúlfsstaðir, Reykjavik.
  • 2017 - Heim & Jóhannsson. Listasalurinn Bragi, Akureyri. Akureyrarvaka.
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. Poland. International Art Meetings in Elblag, Poland.
  • 2015 – Międzynarodowe Spotkania Artystyczne. Elbląg, 19-21 listopada
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. Denmark. Aarhus Independent Pixels (AIP). Aarhus kunstakademi.
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. Akureyri. Listasumar. Salur myndlistarfélagsins.
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. Torshavn, Faroe Islands. Íspakkhúsið.
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. Warsaw festival of Art photography. Galeria Obok.
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. The Reykjavík museum of photography.
  • 2015 – FUR. Eggert feldskeri, Skólavörðustíg 38, Reykjavík Iceland, Winter light festival.
  • 2015 – First and foremost I am. Populus tremula, Akureyri Iceland.
  • 2015 – Bloodgroup. Populus tremula, Akureyri Iceland.
  • 2014 – First and foremost I am. Gym & tonic, Kex hostel, Reykjavík Culture Night.
  • 2014 – First and foremost I am. Sólheimar (Iceland) Cultural festival Iceland.
  • 2014 – First and foremost I am. Hafnafjordur (Iceland) Sportshall, in connection whith The International day of Downs syndrome.
  • 2014 – First and foremost I am. Graduation exhibition. Nesstofa, Reykjavík.
  • 2014 – Bloodgroup. Graduation exhibition. Nesstofa, Reykjavík.
  • 2013 – Baldvin. Arion Banki, götusýning. Reykjavík.
  • 2012 – Portraits of Icelandic collectors. Final exhibition in The School of Photography.

Contact Info

Email: siggaella |AT| gmail.com

Phone: (+354) 822 1612