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Sweden in Pictures 2012

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 08:00:17 +0000

Personally, 2012 was a blessed year in many ways starting with the birth of my daughter. I’ve gone through my photo archives and put together the gallery below that shows what Sweden looked like through my lens in 2012.

This is also my last post as photoblogger here. It’s been an incredible ride from a two-month initial contract that lasted two years. I’ve been able to explore and experience so many places, cultural traditions, and lifestyles all over Sweden.

To those of you who’ve loyally followed this photo blog, left inspiring comments (Special thanks to Monica-USA!), and experienced Sweden through my lens – the good, the cool, and the boring – I want to say a huge “Tack så mycket!”

For those interested, you can follow my personal projects and musings at www.lolaakinmade.com and @LolaAkinmade.

January

View more photos from January.

February

Took February off to welcome my daughter.

March

View more photos from March.

April

View more photos from April.

May

View more photos from May.

June

View more photos from June.

July

View more photos from July.

August

View more photos from August.

September

View more photos from September.

October

View more photos from October.

November

View more photos from November.

December

View more photos from December.

You can also check out Sweden in Pictures 2011.

Happy New Year / Gott Nytt År!

Winter scene around Centralbadet

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:00:35 +0000

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Centralbadet, Stockholm’s popular bath house, sauna, spa, and rejuvenation center has been running since August 1904 (that’s 108 years!) and remains an iconic fixture right off Drottninggatan.

Selling trees at Medborgarplatsen

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:17:58 +0000

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I hardly put up Christmas trees though I’ll probably need to start doing so now that there’s a kid in the house.

Dotting squares, street corners, and neighborhoods all over Stockholm are small Christmas tree (julgrann) vendors with freshly cut pine trees for sale.

Here’s one such vendor camped out at Medborgarplatsen (Citizen Square) in Södermalm.

Christmas lights along Drottninggatan

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:00:12 +0000

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A few Christmas lights lining Stockholm’s main pedestrian street Drottninggatan.

Candied apples and festive goodies around Stockholm

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:14:22 +0000

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The smell of caramelized almonds wafting through the air definitely puts me in the holiday spirit.

Dark days around Gamla stan and Slussen

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:17:34 +0000

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I often tell my friends that Stockholm is at its most photogenic during long summer days.

I fully take that back now.

Christmas market at Sergels torg

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:27:56 +0000

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While it may not be as atmospheric as Gamla stan’s own Christmas market, hanging around Stockholm’s center at Sergels torg still puts me in the holiday spirit.

Celebrating Saint Lucia Day

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:52:18 +0000

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One of the highlights of December besides Christmas is the celebration of Saint Lucia Day. Kids and adults alike wearing crowns of light and dressed in flowing white robes add an ethereal presence to the cold dark winter.

LaChapelle exhibit at Fotografiska

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:06:32 +0000

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My friend Kendra and I recently checked out artist David LaChapelle’s edgy exhibition, Burning Beauty, at Fotografiska – one of Stockholm’s highly popular museums. It’s said to be his largest exhibition, taking up the entire museum which was shut down for a couple days just to install his work.

Stockholm under white blanket of snow

Lola Åkerström - Photo — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:24:38 +0000

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Was out and about today taking a few snow shots of the city and everything looks so clean and pristine right now.