Lola Akinmade Åkerström, Multi-Award Winning Travel Photographer: B.W.I.E 10th Anniversary Shero

Black Women in Europe Blog™ 10th Anniversary notes:

I picked Lola as a Black Women in Europe Blog™ 10th Anniversary Shero not only because of her enormous photography talent (my Swede was impressed with her camera when he observed it draped around her neck and resting on her baby bump several years ago) but because of her enormous body of work. She’s been to just about every corner of the world, seriously and has been published in everything from National Geographic to the BBC and took a selfie with Sweden’s Crown Princess before selfies were all the rage. I’ve written so many blog posts about Lola’s achievements that I can’t decide which award is the most impressive. I know first hand how amazing Lola’s eyes are as she has made me look magical from behind the lens. And I’m touched this globe-trotting mother of two and trophy wife still wears the stylish girlfriend hat. All I had to do was ask (and follow up a couple of times) with the amazing Lola to create something to mark my anniversary and she did not let me down. Indeed she created something museum worthy and for that I will always be grateful.

I will treasure this expose Lola! Tusen tack.

In Photos: On redefining dreams in Europe

Multi-award winning photographer Lola Akerstrom. — *Multi-award winning photographer Lola Akerstrom*.

Words and photography by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

As a Nigerian-born, Sweden-based self-taught photographer, my dream as a child was to one day see my images grace the pages of National Geographic which opened the world of exploration to me during my childhood. My professional work has appeared in various publications such as National Geographic Traveller, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, Travel + Leisure, Slate, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, and several in-flight magazines, and my photography is represented by National Geographic Creative.

My style is inspired by the conscious act of “listening”. I tend to isolate people or subjects and place almost all focus on them. I make traditionally “mundane” scenes more interesting through isolation. This is something I both consciously and subconsciously do. I observe interactions – how people are interacting with each other, with their environment, and how light interacts with them – to capture a sense of place. This is conscious. The subconscious comes from listening. Because I always try to listen to people and places, I tend to isolate individuals and visually listen to and elevate them. I listen to their verbal and nonverbal stories. I let them tell those stories themselves through my photography. And I strive to dignify them during the process of telling their own stories visually.

I’m always inspired by strong black women who are actively carving their own creative paths despite the challenges we collectively face and are building successful lives and careers for themselves in unconventional ways. Living in Sweden for a while now, I’ve been fortunate to meet so many resilient black women doing amazing things – from entrepreneurs in the beauty and baking fields to performing artists, photographers, filmmakers, fashion designers, authors, and many more. All redefining what it means to be successful by actively pursuing their dreams and passions.