Simon Strömqvist – Östersund, Sweden

 

Simon Strömqvist

 

I am a photographer drawn to the quiet beauty of natural light, the intimacy of landscapes, and the emotional depth found in human presence. My work often explores the narrative interplay between people and places – how a face, a gesture, or a trace of movement can evoke the story of a landscape, and vice versa.

Photography, to me, is a form of travel – both outward through the world and inward through thought and emotion. I seek moments of stillness and connection, often found during walks or solitary journeys where something unexpected can appear. I’m drawn to natural settings, ambient light, and analogue methods that allow imperfection and texture to surface.

Based in Östersund, Sweden – where nature is always within reach – I carry my camera wherever I go, not in search of the perfect image, but of something quietly truthful. A photograph that captures my interest is one that leaves room for wonder – that asks more questions than it answers.

 
 

Whispers of the Nordic Wild - A photographic journey through Swedish folklore and forgotten presences

Kvisten – The Breath of Askefroa Deep in the forest, where the ash trees grow close and quiet, some whisper of Askefroa – the restless spirit of the ash. Once a year, she must be honoured, or the trees begin to rot from within. But some say that if you approach softly, in the stillness between dusk and night, you might feel her breath against your skin – a chill that doesn’t touch the leaves.

Ledkryss – The Path of the Lantern Man When the mist clings to the marshes, a flickering light may dance at the crossing of paths. Follow it, and you may be lost. The Lantern Man, it is said, was once a soul without rest – now he wanders, luring others away from the safety of the known. But listen closely: in his flickering song is a warning – not all roads are meant to be taken.

Stubben – The Giant’s Refuge They say the giants once walked these woods – before they fled the coming of men and morning light. This moss-covered stump, ancient and cracked, is believed to be the mouth of a hollow where one remained. Perhaps he or she sleeps still, curled beneath the roots, where time runs slower and memory lingers in the soil.

Stammen – The Birch Offering The birch stands pale and steady in the forest’s shadow – first to awaken, last to let go. In old belief, the birch is sacred: a healer, a purifier, a gentle shield. Tie a ribbon to its trunk, whisper your sorrow, and perhaps the spirits will carry it with the wind.

Stenvaka – The Giant’s Vigil Among the mossy boulders rests a silence that feels older than time. Stenvaka is said to be a giant, turned to stone for breaking an ancient vow, or for staying too long under the rising sun. Though motionless, he still watches. Some say the stone shifts slightly in the night – just enough to remind the forest that it remembers.

 
 

Simon`s Photographs (excerpt)

 
 

Whispers of the Nordic Wild

A photographic journey through Swedish folklore and forgotten presences

Shooting with Delight ART 400 film brought me closer to something I’ve always sought in photography: presence. There’s a slowness in analog that allows me to listen och see the light. These images were taken during long walks in the forest, where I often feel that something is watching – not with menace, but with memory. Swedish folklore has always lingered in my imagination, and this series is my attempt to let those stories breathe again, frame by frame.

None of these images have been digitally edited or retouched. They were simply developed and scanned – preserved just as they were captured.