A little while ago I talked about the ‘Friluftsliv’ collection here on the blog, which is a collaboration I did with the lovely Emma Lavelle from the Field and Nest blog. Emma shot these magical winter photographs on her trip to the natural landscapes that surround Oslo, Norway.
In these photographs, Emma captured her fascination with friluftsliv (free air life), which is a Norwegian concept that is all about spending as much time outdoors while embracing the weather – rather than hiding away indoors during the winter months, wrapping up warm and heading outdoors to admire the landscapes.
I decided since the weather is changing and temperatures are getting colder, it would be nice to do a little interview with Emma, which you can find below. I’m also hosting a giveaway on my Instagram this week, where you can win the entire Friluftsliv collection for you and your friend, so go have a look !
Your photographs are very much themed around the different seasons, does this inspire you and what would be your favorite season ?
I always feel inspired by the seasons, and make a conscious effort to theme my photography around them. I love scrolling through my Instagram feed and watching the seasons change through my photography – looking back over my photos always makes me realise that the seasons change so subtly. I love the end of summer/beginning of autumn for example – when the dahlias are in bloom, the sunsets are more vibrant and the first signs of autumn begin to appear. My favourite season is summer, as I love nothing more than basking in the sunshine and wild swimming in lakes or the sea. However, my favourite season for photography is definitely autumn with all its rich, warm hues.
When did you first get into photography ?
I remember my parents giving me my first point-and-shoot camera when I was around 11, and I’ve been interested in photography ever since. I really got into it in my twenties though, when I first discovered blogs and Flickr and used to spend hours on my laptop, saving my favourite images. I bought my first DSLR in 2013 and taught myself how to use it.
Your were inspired by the Friluftsliv concept when capturing the beautiful images of the collection, is this something you try to live by mostly when travelling in winter or also while at home in England ?
I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible all year round. Obviously, this is easier during the warmer months when I’ll even take my laptop outside to work in the garden. During autumn and winter, I aim to head outside at least twice a day for a long walk in the hills or through the woods. I believe that there is no such thing as bad weather – just unsuitable clothing. As long as you’re wrapped up warm and stay dry, being outdoors is just as wonderful in the winter months. Over the past few years, I’ve visited the Nordic countries during winter to immerse myself in friluftsliv. I love heading north to walk in the snow, but my absolute favourite winter travel experience is sledging in Norway.
Any special tips to stay warm when enjoying the winter outdoors ?
Always wear sensible clothing, worrying more about keeping warm than how you look. When I visit Scandinavia in the winter, I wear neoprene salopettes with thermal layers underneath and a pair of snow boots. Also remember to wear waterproof clothing and stay dry – if your clothing gets soaked through you will soon be shivering! If you keep yourself moving, on a hike or participating in another outdoor activity, you’ll help to keep yourself warm.
Can you tell me a little bit more about your life on the countryside and your way of living ?
I live in a small town in the Pennines in the middle of England, in a house that backs onto the woods and has views of the hills from every window. We moved here last year in search of a slower and simpler life. I love to walk my dog and have bonfires in the woods behind our house and head up into the hills at weekends. In summer, I walk up the steepest hill to swim in the lake at the top – in winter, the lake freezes and I plan on heading up here to photograph the frozen waves. The town we live in is bustling with creativity and has a strong community spirit. There are wonderful ventures, such as Incredible Edible who plant fruit, vegetables and herbs all around the town for everyone to pick as they please. We’ve also been experimenting with growing our own food in our garden, although that is very much a work in progress.
What value does travel have to you and how often do you go on a trip ?
Travel is very important to me, and I like to see new places as often as possible. I’m always most inspired during and after a trip, and also find travelling a great way to relieve stress and remind me to slow down. I usually plan four trips abroad each year, as well as spending plenty of time exploring the U.K. I’m trying to fly less, and have several ideas for trips I can take in Europe by train next year.
Take a look at the Friluftsliv collection in my webshop here.
