In Focus: Nathalie Constantin
Nathalie Constantin is one of the most exciting photographers to recently join the Kolla community. Originally from Southern France, Nathalie now calls Stockholm home.
We wanted to learn more about this talented expat, and connect with the person behind the remarkable photos.
How did you roll into the world of photography and Stockholm?
I was always fascinated by beauty in all its forms and tried to capture it as good as I could. As a very young child, I used to collect beautiful pictures, loved to draw and paint. When I was nine, I asked my parents for my first camera. Since then, I have been photographing almost daily.
In the same time, I always had a deep interest in the Nordic countries, their landscapes and traditions. My German mother has probably influenced me in this direction... 2005, I visited Stockholm for the first time and it was love at first sight! 2009, I left France to move here and eleven years later, I am still in love with the Venice of the North.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Howell
In what ways have your photos created a deeper connection for you to Stockholm?
In my search for new viewpoints and angles, I have walked absolutely everywhere in Stockholm city. As a result, I now know every street and district and their specific atmosphere.
What motivates you to document Stockholm through your photographs?
After 11 years in this city, I still feel very fortunate to live and work here and can’t get tired of it. Even if I have already seen and captured almost every single detail, I am still able to find new angles and compositions. On top of that, depending on the season and the weather, it will never be exactly the same picture.
What is your starting point when you head out to photograph the city?
It depends on the weather/season and how much time I have. When I am in a hurry, I stay in Kungsholmen where I live and can shoot some street scenes or views from Sankt Eriksbron or Västerbron. If there is no wind, I like to capture still waters and reflections along Norrmälarstrand, Kungsholmsstrand and Långholmen. If I have more time, I go to the City Hall and continue to Riddarholmen and Slussen (which are perfect viewpoints to capture the sunrises and sunsets). My favourite moments are foggy mornings but they are sadly too rare in Stockholm.
Photo: To the City Hall!
Describe a person who you see hanging your photography art proudly in their home.
I love painters like Kandinsky, Macke and Chagall. My photography is partly influenced by these wonderful artists and therefore quite colourful and dreamy. A person who would like to hang my work in their home would probably be someone who shares the same love for Stockholm and the same taste for its enchanting beauty.
Photo: Frosty Södermalm
Can you tell us what you are working on right now?
I have always loved to travel but because of Corona, I have been staying mostly in Sweden for a year now. This forced limitation gave me the great opportunity to better discover Stockholm’s surroundings, especially its Natural Reserves, and other parts of Sweden as well (Dalarna, Västra Götaland, Öland, Österlen, Skåne…). In the same time, I am trying to improve my technical skills. I still have a lot to learn in this area but it is an enriching journey!