Ola Billmont

Sweden

Photo: Ola Billmont

Ola is a photographer and entrepreneur based in Stockholm with a passion for analog photography. His photos have been featured in several solo and group exhibitions as well as international photo publications. Ola’s first photo book and dream project ”En dag på travet- A Day at the Races” portraited one of the world’s most prestigious trotting races Elitloppet in Stockholm and he is now working on two new books.

Q&A

How did you start with photo/video?
I just love the process of analog photography as much as the character film gives you. It is impossible to mimic film digitally.
How would you describe your style?
I am not a shy person, but I think I produce photos with a bit of quirkiness and humour.
What inspires you?
So many photographers! For example Alec Soth, Paul Graham, Mark Steinmetz and many more. I also buy a lot of photo books.
What is your dream shoot or project?
I have finished one book and am about to make two new ones. I have shoot three years at the October Fest in Munich and I got a serie about raggare (a Swedish greaser subculture know for their love of hot rod cars and 1950s American pop culture) that now is complete.
What is your best advice to others that want to develop as photographers?
Experiment, try different equipment until you find a result you can define as yours. Then start a project shooting in your own style.

What is in your bag?

What is the most important in your bag?
My film, especially the exposed ones.
What cameras do you use?
I shoot medium format (6x7) with two Voigtländer Bessa's and a Rolleiflex for my black & white. Then I use a 8x10 field camera, a Tachihara from 1981.