Arvida Bytröm is a Swedish-born artist with a passion for photography, music, and modeling. Her photos are ethereal in nature, casting light and vibrant colors on the subjects she chooses to exhibit. Her work is exhibited globally and in curated shows in London, Stockholm, and Denmark. A digital nomad, Arvida works from London, L.A. and Stockholm.
Her clients include Nasty Gal, Monki, Wonderland Magazine, Lula Magazine, Vice, amongst several others.She has modeled for Urban outfitters, Nasty Gal, Top Shop, Monki, i-D, Richard Kern, and Valerie Phillips. Her work has been featured in Nasty Gal, i-D, Dazed and Confused, Nylon Magazine, the British Journal Of Photography, BLINK magazine, and Elle Japan.
How did you become a photographer?
Arvida Bytröm: I’ve been taking photos since I was about 14 years old. When I was 16, I started to get commissioned by a magazines. When I was 21 I moved to London and then things kind of popped off even more.
Photo Credit: Arvida Bytröm
How would you describe your style or aesthetic?
A.B.: Pinky femme with subtle, queer thoughts.
What kind of narratives or stories do you like to convey through your fashion photography?
A.B.: It depends on the shoot!
Photo Credit: Arvida Bytröm
Photo Credit: Arvida Bytröm
What makes a good picture stand out from the rest?
A.B.: I am pretty particular about composition and am trying to loosen myself up a bit about that. There is no one recipe for a good photo. A good photo can look different in a billion ways and is very subjective. It is fun to find a frame of reference to explore what you like in a photo. I usually like it with hints of pastel and not too much clutter.
What would you cite as your inspirations behind your work?
A.B.: I find inspiration on the internet and tumblr, growing up wanting to be a princess and the struggle of feeling trapped in gender expectations.
What is it like when you model and get in front of the camera instead of behind it?
A.B.: It can be kind of boring! It is kind of like hanging out with people though. If I like the person shooting me it can be cozy and cool. Sometimes there are a lot of photos that need to be taken and then it is more stressful and formal. But, I try not to complain. It is a luxury because I don’t have to go to a day job and sometimes it involves some very lovely people.
What would you say is your favorite piece of your own work and why?
A.B.: I made this with Maja Malou Lyse last year.
And this video I made for my amazing friend, Rina.
Ameera Khorakiwala is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College where she majored in Art History and South Asian Studies. She loves to read, travel and find the perfect lighting for her Instagrams. A lifelong inhabitant of Bombay, India, she is particularly interested in reading and writing about Indian art, politics and history.
