Interview – Sarah Meurle | Somewhere

Sarah Meurle is a Swedish photographer and skateboarder, here’s an interview we made with her along with a selection of our favorite pictures.

How did you start photography ?

I think my interest for documenting things started sometime when I was 12,13, shooting photos of friends in school and filming when we were skating. My dad was taking a lot of pictures, I don’t know if that had any emphasis on me but I enjoyed watching old family albums and was amazed of how rad my parents used to be.

I never thought of it as a certain time I started shooting photos, but I got more aware of what photography was when I started highschool and read media focusing on photography. I started seeing it in a different way, realizing that I was taking photographs and not just pressing on a button.

Do you remember the first picture you ever took ?

I found a photo of me and the first camera I ever had, when I was five, all I remember of it is that it was a blue totally random – probably some taxfree giveaway camera from Camel, (the cigarette brand), I got it from my dads friend. I can remember holding it in my hand and trying to figure out how it worked. The actual photographs I shot, I don’t know, maybe I’ll find them someday.

How would you describe your style ?

I like adventures, finding places in nature that are appealing or odd. I shoot analog. I enjoy playing around with different cameras and see how it turns out.
Capturing the moment when I see it, plain as it is. I guess it’s a way of expressing myself, feelings, thoughts. Moments I want to remember but also moments that I need to remember.

Who are your favorite photographers ?

Mostly, the names that get stuck in my head are photographers I’ve met personally or have seen exhibitions or held photobooks of. I heard an artist talk with Nan Goldin last month, and Rinko Kawauchi which was really inspiring. My favourite friend photographers are Alana Paterson and Häre Christian and one of the best movies I’ve ever seen is Ashes and Snow by Gregory Colbert. In skate photography my favourites are Sem Rubio, Nils Svensson, and French Fred.

What inspires you ?

Nature, light, feelings, random daily adventures, shooting on film and seeing the result when it’s developed. A lot of things I’m not even sure if I’m aware of them all.

You’re living in Malmö, Sweden, how would you describe it ? How does it influence your work ?

I moved back here 5 months ago, this is where I spent most of my time when I was 14 – 19, I’m from a small place about an hour away from here, but I skated here a lot and I went to highschool here. The inner city is quite small and feels more of a small town where you can’t walk out the door without seeing someone you know. At the moment I’m really enjoying that comforting feeling of seeing familiar faces everywhere.

I’m going to an art school, it’s a pre-educational art photography class for a year. This whole experience is really inspiring. It’s amazing to be able to play around in the darkroom and to have time to work on your own ideas getting feedback with creative people around you.

I’ve been travelling and moving around a lot the past years and now I’m taking some time to reflect and actually look at the photos I’ve shot when I’ve been away. I think that’s a really good thing, to slow down for a while with the whole travel mania. I’m also feeling that I want to shoot more photos of where I’m from and go into myself more than looking outside and at other peoples lives.

Where in the world would be your dream destination to take pictures ?

That’s a good question. The moon? Some wild erupting Volcano on Iceland would be amazing, maybe more for the experience than the actual photos. The fjords of Norway is a location I’ve been wanting to explore for a long time but I haven’t made it there yet although it’s relatively close, will try to make that happen soon.

Out of photography and skateboarding, what are your hobbies/passions?

Collecting Vinyl and finding good music is probably what I spend most of my time on if I’m just hanging out. I like biking around and finding places, just observing what’s around.

What are your Favorite publications/websites ?

I’m on tumblr sometimes or cargocollective just clicking around, I really like http://tonsofland.com/ on tumblr, http://butdoesitfloat.com/ on cargo. Fotografiska s’ facebookpage is pretty good as a daily feed of links. The vintage national geographic on tumblr or instagram is rad.

What makes you happy? And what makes you sad?

Greedy politicians, war, raciscm, the opression of women, all those injustices makes me sad. To think of how this world is falling apart, how the nature is fading away. Not getting any sunlight can also have that effect on me.

What makes me happy? when I find something I’ve lost, like loosing your favourite thing and then finding it after you’ve spent the whole day searching. Or loosing your health and getting it back again. And blueberries. And those special great people.