Erika Larsen – Photographer from Michael Kasino on Vimeo.

Writer Scott Bowen first met Erika Larsen while on assignment covering an ice fishing contest for Fortune – Small Business in Walker, MN. On True/Slant, Erika and Scott join forces once again to discuss the fullbright project Erika has been working on for the last year, “Sami, The People“.

Here is an exerpt from the interview:

“I first met professional photographer Erika Larsen when I was on an assignment for Fortune – Small Business magazine in February 2008. She and I, and our videographer, FSB photo editor Katy Binder, went to Walker, MN, to spend time with about 17,000 revelers at the annual Eelpout Festival, a huge mid-February party minimally disguised as an ice-fishing contest. That story ran in the last issue of FSB this December, and you can read it on-line here (it’s now content for CNNMoney.com).

The second day in Walker, out on the 36-inch-thick ice of Leech Lake, the temperature at daybreak was -20 F. I was wearing every thermal layer I posses and a snowsuit rated to -40 F. I was doing o.k., but it was not easy, and all I was doing was interviewing people. Larsen often took off her gloves and face-covering to operate her fabulous 4×5 field camera. She showed such aplomb about her work in those conditions that she seemed to possess a deep Nordic endurance.

So I was not surprised to find out that she is half Norwegian, and I was also not entirely surprised but gladly impressed to learn back in 2009 that she had won a Fulbright grant to venture to Sweden to live among Sámi reindeer herders.

I managed to catch up with her, on-line, while she took a break from her fieldwork in Sweden, and we conducted an interview via e-mail. (Note: All photos here copyrighted to Erika Larsen Photography.)

1. What first generated your interest in the Sámi?

I wanted to live with an original hunter-gatherer-herding society in order to understand the primal drive of the modern hunter today. I also wanted to learn about natural plants, foods, and remedies that existed in the arctic landscape.

I should specify I am living exclusively with Sámi reindeer herders and my Fulbright project is only focusing on that part of Sámi culture. About ten percent of the Sámi are herders. There are also coastal Sámi, who fish, and Sámi of other lifestyles who also speak a different language.

2. In the beginning, with your Sámi host family, did you experience any moments of culture shock?

Not really. I think I was very open to learning about the Sámi culture and lifestyle and never went expecting things were going to be anything like my life in the U.S. There was an inevitable period of comparing and contrasting what I was accustomed to, in terms of lifestyle, but this has greatly tapered off.”

See the rest Erika’s interview with Scott Bowen on True/Slant.

In March 2010, in honor of Women’s History Month, Humble Arts Foundation in association with Affirmation Arts will present its second edition of 31 Women in Art Photography, a five-week exhibition celebrating 31 of the most innovative women in new art photography. The exhibition, curated by Charlotte Cotton and Jon Feinstein, will present an eclectic mix of new talent, culled from open submissions. 31 opens at Affirmation Arts in New York City on Saturday, March 6 during The Armory Show 2010.

The exhibition includes photographs by Erica Allen, Amelia Bauer, Claire Beckett, Gilda Davidian, Jessica Eaton, Naomi Harris, Carmen von Kende, Anna Krachey, Yvonne Lacet, Erika Larsen, Jessica Mallios, Alison Malone, S. Billie Mandle, Paula McCartney, Rachelle Mozman, Yamini Nayar, Sarah Palmer, Kristine Potter, Heather Rasmussen, Justine Reyes, Lisa Robinson, Irina Rosovsky, Sasha Rudensky, Victoria Sambunaris, Robin Schwartz, Emily Shur, Brea Souders, Rachel Sussman, Kirsten Kay Thoen, Carson Fisk Vittori, and Ann Woo.

An Exhibition Curated by Charlotte Cotton and Jon Feinstein

Press Preview: Thursday, March 4, 12 – 6 p.m.;

R.S.V.P. kate{at}hafny.org

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 6 / 6 – 9 p.m.

After Party: Saturday, March 6 / 9 p.m. – midnight

R.S.V.P required for opening reception and after party: rsvp{at}affirmationarts.com

Exhibition on view: Saturday, March 6 – Saturday, April 10, 2010

Location:

Affirmation Arts Foundation

523 W. 37th Street

New York, NY 10018

(212) 925.0092

affirmationarts.com

Gallery hours: Mon – Thurs, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Erika Larsen’s photographs of the Eelpout Festival in Walker, Minnesota were featured in the December 2009 issue of Fortune Small Business.

Flak Photo features a selection of images contributed from the online photography community celebrating the spirit of the winter season.  Published weekdays through Friday, January 15, 2010, today’s selection is by Redux photographer Erika Larsen, from her series Sámi, The People.

Sámi, or Saami, translates to ‘The People.’  They are an indigenous tribe who live in northern Scandinavia, in the Arctic Circle region.  The Sámi live in the largest area in the world and are bound by a strict adherence to the traditions of reindeer herding and live a nomadic lifestyle based on the migration of these animals.

Flak Photo is a daily photography website that celebrates the art & culture of photography. Produced by Andy Adams, the site highlights new series work, book projects, and gallery exhibitions from an international community of professional photographers and online contributors.

Erika Larsen photographed Jenny Crain, who was hit by a car during a run in August 2007 and now serves as inspiration for her friends and family, for the November 2009 issue of Runner’s World.

Erika Larsen autumn fashion shoot was featured in the November 2009 issue of IL Magazine.

Erika Larsen photographed Redbook assistant art director, and cancer survivor Danielle White, for the November 2009 edition of Redbook.

Erika Larsen’s photograph from American Youth was featured in the July/August 2009 issue of Adbusters.

Erika Larsen was interviewed for Nymphoto. You can read the full length interview at Nymphoto.