Capturing the beauty of Stockholm

Stockholm may not be the sort of place you come for two weeks of sunbathing, but the Swedish capital’s natural beauty and historic charm make it an easy place to fall in love with. City-break tourists flock to soak in the atmosphere, while an increasing number of people from all over Sweden and the world are making it their home.

Beautiful buildings in a multitude of colours reveal a history that goes back centuries, and the waters of Lake Mälaren, glittering on a sunny day, are never far away from any corner of the city. It's no surprise that Stockholm has won its fair share of hearts, from visitors in town for the week to fifth-generation Stockholmers.

"Stockholm is a very beautiful city, with all the water surrounding it, and we think it's fun to be able to sell lovely photographs, and gift products of our own design, that hold better quality than your run of the mill souvenir shop," Ylva Bengtsson, founder of Motiv Stockholm, tells The Local.

Motiv Stockholm offer high quality black-and-white prints of the city, as well as a variety of other products that show Stockholm from its prettiest angles. Everything from tote bags to fridge magnets bearing photos of the city is available for the souvenir shopper looking for a more unique gift.

Clearly, the company fills a much-needed space, as the sole store offering such a wide selection of Stockholm photographs.

Motiv Stockholm was founded in 2006, and as the five-year jubilee approaches, it now has ten employees manning the online shop and the two stores, one in Arlanda Airport, and one on Karlavägen in the city centre. The company also has plans to expand further.

"It's fun to see that we've created a loyal clientele that likes our products and returns to our stores," says Bengtsson.

Bengtsson was inspired to found Motiv Stockholm after travelling in Ireland and South Africa, where she went to souvenir shops to stock up on beautiful prints of the two countries.

"We thought it was strange that nobody was offering black-and-white photographs at reasonable prices in Stockholm, and so decided to start up the company," she explains.

Whether you're a tourist headed home from a vacation in Stockholm, or an expat who's lived here for years, these photographs offer a souvenir to remind you of your time in the city.

"Our target is everybody who likes Stockholm, and wants something to remember Stockholm by. For instance, it's a popular present for expatriates returning home after a few years in Sweden," explains Ylva Bengtsson.