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Charlotta
@charlotta__
Landscape photographer based in Sweden
I had been searching for a way to start my own business, where I could be my own boss and create freely my own vision for the future. Until I picked up a camera though, I couldn’t find the way. I was just searching around without moving forward; it made me feel empty and I struggled to find meaning in life. This changed immediately when I started to capture my experiences. Of course I took photos with my phone, but that didn’t enlighten much within. It was when I bought a camera just before going on a trip to Berlin that pushed me on the right path. I told myself to take at least one picture a day, inspired by so many photographers on Instagram sharing their experiences immortalized in an amazing photo, doing what they love.
"It ended up to be many more photos and I was instantly hooked. I started to learn all the specifics of the camera and basics as I continued shooting."
"In the beginning it was travel pictures and sharing my lifestyle. As I progressed through my first year, I started adding gear as I wanted more complex photos and capture the essence of what I saw and experienced."
A Zeiss lens for my smartphone, a tiny tripod and then my first ‘real’ camera, quickly switching from auto to manual. I just wanted to get better and better and as I improved I started to explore what I could get out of my talent. Could I combine it with my vision for my life? And how could my passion take me there? I began traveling just for a photo, spending nearly every hour of my time away from my normal job with my camera. I had found the perfect match – I had found what I wanted to do. I could capture the essence of my experiences, live my love for nature and adventure.
"I could create my own vision of my future. And I could get paid for all that. So I decided to take some months off at my fixed job to focus on my photography and to realize this dream."
"I started roaming here in Sweden, I live in a nice area and I felt the desire to capture this area as nobody has done yet, show the region through my eyes. Not better, but distinct. New. And differentiate myself that way."
After I had shot quite a bit in Sweden I started traveling too. I also reached out to local photographers and as I travelled abroad, and so became part of the community on Instagram, which has been a huge support. I obtain lots of inspiration and energy from the community, from photographers abroad but also from many talented locals here in south Sweden and my town Malmo. I think what unites us in essence is the love for being outdoors, for discovering places many never visit and finding something unique to capture wherever you are. For me it is often the journey to find that unique spot, the adventure, and the emotions that rush through your body that make it all so special and addictive.
"My goal is not to reach 'top photography spots’. I prefer going somewhere and then just walk around and climb up or down to find other spots, places that are different."
I want it to be adventurous up to the level that I sometimes end up thinking “why did I do this!” I get lost – no signs, no paths. As a travel and adventure photographer you really need dedication to get some photos, you cannot follow the normal timetable or tracks. I remember one of my first big photo trips in the middle of winter 2017, to the Lofoten. I was a real newbie in landscape photography and found myself in undiscovered territory, with meters of snow and just a few hours of daylight. It was a thrilling adventure, with incredible landscapes, bitter cold and timorous wind. I was completely lost at least once, and I felt I had discovered the end of the world, or Santa’s wonderland.
"I got hooked on this type of travel to get that perfect photo and to capture the essence of a place. From this arose a desire to combine my interest in travel with showcasing the beauty of nordic landscapes."
"Being exposed to the north’s nature is just something out of this world."
There’s sun between 10 am and 2pm, besides that, it’s dark. You don’t see much when going on adventures and the weather doesn’t make it easy for you. There’s a lot of wind and cold, which makes managing your camera almost impossible with frozen fingers and the wind so strong you can’t keep the camera still, or even open the door of the car to start with. Driving is challenging and even dangerous due to the conditions. It often happened to me in the Faroe Islands, the Lofoten or Iceland that the circumstances were so ridiculous that afterwards I wonder “how did I do that!?” It’s crazy, but it’s the rush of adrenaline in these kind of circumstances that make it happen. I feel like it is my mission to make the most impossible places accessible to other people by means of my photography, so they can have a complete idea of what the world looks like, its diversity and experience it through my shots.
"I tend to edit my shot according to my experiences and the circumstances so they convey the feeling; dramatic, adventurous and impactful."
By throwing myself into these new or harsh circumstances I learnt that anything is possible if you are willing to do the work – no matter how tough it gets, you get out there again. In many occasions when you have a goal, it’s much harder to reach than you think it is, and that’s why you have to love the craft. Even on the days when you want to throw your camera into the ocean, you find the motivation to keep pushing yourself to get what you want, or at least try and therefore get better in your craft. It is part of your professional and personal growth.
"When you want something, you will find the way to do it, but the willingness has to be strong enough to defeat the barriers."
"Doing photography has built my belief in myself and that utter solitude is not loneliness - it’s being at peace with yourself and comfortable."
Also, photography helped to become much braver and hard skinned than before. I’m working harder now for what I want, but the sense of achievement is immense when I reach a goal. I am much more determined now, and less scared to fail. In summary I am more fearless. I think that is what I would like to share with everyone…Believe in your own style and goal, you can achieve much more than you think when fear isn’t holding you back. Be honest to yourself and fight these fears deliberately, it’s worth it! And remember that you don’t have to be a famous photographer to be able to create great photographs. You get much further with being brave, determined and passionate.
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