“…There’s something special about being out witnessing those quiet, powerful moments. It’s like capturing a feeling, not just an image…“
Judge of our 2024 Landscape Photography Award (open for entries until the end of the month) Stockholm-based Tobias Hägg (also known as Airpixels) captures breathtaking imagery that showcases the majesty of some of the most beautiful places on earth.
His passion for photography was ignited by a desire to capture the beauty of his surroundings from a unique perspective. Growing up in Sweden, surrounded by stunning natural scenery, he says he was always “fascinated by the vastness of the outdoors and exploration,” something that evoked a unique feeling and emotion, which he wanted to convey through his lens.
“It wasn’t just about seeing a lovely scene, it was about capturing the feelings and sense of a moment.”
In the natural landscapes of his homeland, Hägg found a fitting muse. Even now, all these years later, he still returns to what he calls “The Swedish Wilderness,” the rural locations around where he grew up: vast forests and lakes filled with quiet, untouched beauty that resonate deeply with him, offering “a sense of peace and connection that’s hard to find elsewhere.”
However, Hägg initially had no plans to pursue photography seriously. Yet, driven by his love of nature and a desire to share his experiences with others, he continued to photograph prolifically, and, by 2014, his talent had begun to gain the recognition it deserved, allowing him to dedicate himself to photography full-time.
Since then he has traveled to some of the most beautiful corners of the earth. From the karst-filled regions of southern China to the iceberg-dotted coastal waters of Greenland (one of his favorite locations to shoot), the rugged canyons of the American West, and the vast, dune-filled deserts of Namibia, Hägg brilliantly captures the majesty of these incredible landscapes, paying tribute to their beauty and scale.
“What makes these places special isn’t just their visual beauty but the feelings they evoke: the sense of isolation, serenity, and awe. As a photographer, these places allow me to tap into that and try to capture something that goes beyond just a landscape. It’s about conveying the emotions and atmosphere that make these places truly unique.”
Often shot from an aerial perspective, – allowing him to reveal the vastness and form of the landscapes more effectively, his images are breathtaking – perfectly framed and composed painting-like compositions that display an extraordinary eye for light, color, and form.
Of course, capturing such imagery requires planning, travel, and organization. However, while Hägg says he “usually has a general idea of the kind of images he wants to capture,” he always leaves room for intuition, staying open to the moment and allowing things to “come to him naturally.”
“Nature is unpredictable, and that’s what I love about it. While I may have a vision in mind, like a particular composition or lighting, I find that some of my best shots come from being spontaneous and letting the environment guide me.”
Over the years, Hägg’s reputation has grown exponentially, earning him numerous awards, accolades, exhibitions and a wealth of commercial work for leading global brands. Yet, despite his success, his practice remains deeply rooted in the same love of the natural world that first inspired him in rural Sweden all those years ago.
“What draws me to landscape photography is how it allows me to connect with nature and share its beauty with others. There’s something special about witnessing those quiet, powerful moments. It’s like capturing a feeling, not just an image. For me, it’s a way of showing people the world in ways they may not have seen before, and hopefully inspiring them to appreciate and protect these incredible places.”
A sentiment we at The Independent Photographer echo wholeheartedly.
All images © Tobias Hägg