Per Sollerman

Per Sollerman chose the benefits of a freer life, with the sky as his roof, over career and stress. Meet the Lundhags friend who works and lives with his ever-present interests.

The short answer to the question of who Per Sollerman is would be something like this: a photographer, and someone deeply curious about learning more about forests and gardening.

The slightly longer version is that Per grew up in Sweden, but moved to Norway in 1987 to work as a bartender and club manager in Oslo. Around the turn of the millennium, he built two event companies and worked with large-scale communication strategies and event solutions, both nationally and internationally.

But it was toward the end of the 2000s that his gut feeling led him in a completely different direction. Per had long been passionate about photography and decided to step off the career ladder and commit fully to life as a photographer — a natural choice, since he had always been photographing. During his first professional years, he worked exclusively with food photography.

And from there, it simply continued. Per’s approach to photographing food early on leaned toward the documentary. Less about food on a plate, more about the stories behind it. The farmer’s work in food production. The chef’s world and relationship with ingredients. From soil to table, in many ways.

Of course, this alone is not why Per is a Lundhags friend. He is also a devoted outdoor person, all year round. Growing up in Falun, Sweden, with skateboarding, rollerblading, and a DJ spirit — perhaps as a reaction against expected team sports and skiing — Per eventually found himself in environments where climbing, diving, and kayaking took over. And what about skating on natural ice? That is probably how most people recognize Per’s outdoor life today.

“Moving to Norway sparked my interest in everything you could do with the sea and forests just around the corner. I simply became curious about the frozen element. After buying skating equipment, I connected with the local enthusiasts skating long distances around Oslo — a fairly small group at the time. I was fortunate to meet some of the most passionate and knowledgeable people in Eastern Norway.”

“No two days on the ice are ever the same. Ice is dynamic and constantly evolving — always changing. The deep black ice you encounter one day can be something entirely different just a few days later. That means you always have to approach the ice as something you have (literally) never encountered before. I used to climb a lot, and there are many parallels to onsight climbing.”

When talking about nature experiences, Per often returns to the calm they give him — and the almost magical, healing effect a walk in the forest or a day on the ice can have.

“I have consciously chosen to be kind to myself and to do what stimulates and engages me. As a freelancer, I have the opportunity to work with what genuinely interests me. By exploring and learning more about what I’m involved in, I’ve found greater joy in my work.”

“Whether I’m out skating, skiing, paddling a packraft, or walking through the forest with my dogs, I feel the energy and calm slowly returning. It makes me more present and focused.”

Fact box

Age: 60
Occupation: Photographer
Three essentials: The dogs, the family, and the cabin by the Oslofjord
Motto: “Everything you do, is done.”
Favorite garments, autumn & winter: Ocke MS Jacket and Pants
Favorite boot: Padje Light Trekking Boot Mid — both in summer and as an everyday city boot in winter. On the ice, my Guide BC boots are unbeatable.