When Your Heart Is In Italy | Authentic Black and White Photographs From Italy

Karl R. Lilliendahl is an Icelandic photographer and visual storyteller whose work captures the quiet poetry of everyday life. Born in 1972 in the coastal town of Akranes, Iceland, his fascination with photography began in his uncle’s darkroom, where he first experienced the magic of black-and-white images coming to life in trays of chemicals. That early spark shaped a lifelong passion for the medium—one that has remained a constant throughout his creative journey.

Still photography has been a part of Karl’s career from the very beginning, even as he built a successful international path as a cinematographer and producer, working with leading TV networks across Europe and beyond. Whether filming or photographing, his eye has always been drawn to human connection, to the unguarded moments that tell a deeper story.

Lilliendahl’s black-and-white images, especially from his acclaimed series Uno and Italiani, have been praised for their cinematic sensitivity and emotional authenticity. Shot across Italian cities like Rome, Florence, Bologna, and the island of Giglio, his photographs capture fleeting, human moments: a man clutching a newspaper, a nun stepping out of a monastery, or a child caught mid-thought in a crowded piazza. These are not posed portraits or touristic postcards—they are slices of life that speak to the timeless rhythm of Italy and the universal spirit of its people.

Art critics across Scandinavia have highlighted Karl's rare ability to “see” the human condition through his lens, noting that his subjects often appear not just photographed but understood. His compositions blend the spontaneity of street photography with the aesthetic sensibilities of classic portraiture, resulting in work that feels intimate and enduring.

Karl’s work has been successfully exhibited throughout Scandinavia and is part of private art collections around the world. His photographs resonate especially with those who feel a connection to Italy—not only for its beauty and culture, but for the emotional landscape it evokes.

Through shadow and light, stillness and motion, Lilliendahl invites viewers into a world that feels both foreign and deeply familiar.