Racing at Strömsholm
The day before
Last Saturday I packed my camera and headed off to Strömsholm to photograph the Swedish Grand National 2026 – and what a day it turned out to be!
The rain came down in spells, the horses flew over the fences and the crowd brought every bit as much style as the race itself.
But let me start from the beginning, because my little photo weekend actually began the day before.
Before I’d even had a chance to think about horses, I took a stroll through town with my camera.
You know how I love everyday life, and this time I got caught up in the street artists along the pedestrian street.
It had to be black and white all the way through – that timeless feeling suits street photography so well.
On top of that, I managed a quick shot of Bosse’s craft, taken on the fly as I came up from the stairs after sitting and chatting with him down in his studio.
But the big day was of course the next one – so let’s head out to Strömsholm.
Photo contest: Stockholm by Camera – Click here
Scandinavian Photo Scandinavian Photo Photo contest: Stockholm by Camera. Every Saturday at
12:00–14:00
Free to take part
Meet in the store’s work lounge
The week’s theme is chosen together
1 hour out shooting
Then the participants vote for the winning shot together
Drop-in, no registration needed
Young, Inspiring and International: LOBA Emerging Talent
On top of that, German photographer Serghei Duve won the Newcomer award in 2025 with the photo series “Bright Memory”.
In the project he explores his family’s connection to Transnistria.
📷 LEICA M11-P · Summilux-M 1:1.4/50 ASPH. · f/9.5 · 1/3000s · ISO 1600 · 50mm · 2026-06-13
Grand National 2026
Before the start – the calm before the storm
Once there, a lovely sense of anticipation hung in the air.
Before the starting signal, the horses and riders stood ready and focused, and the tension rose by the minute.
And then it kicked off!
The jumps are the real highlight for me as a photographer.
When the horses throw themselves over the fences with full force, you have to be in the right place at the right moment – and honestly, that’s exactly why I go there.
What’s more, several horses sometimes took the fence at the same time, and then there was real drama: twigs flying and horses each in their own phase of the jump.
Swedish Grand National 2026
When the rain poured down
As if the fences weren’t enough, the weather really set in.
The rain came pouring down – but even so, it gave me some of the day’s most beautiful photos.
The drops glowed against the dark background and gave an almost cinematic feel.
The lone rider against the misty forest is the one I’m most pleased with.
Almost painterly, if I say so myself.
Swedish Grand National 2026
The crowd – just as much fashion as horses
But a day at the races isn’t only about horses – it’s just as much a show of style.
Everywhere you looked there were fine hats, tailcoats, floral dresses and even a gentleman in full Scottish kilt, complete with sporran and top hat.
And right in the middle of all the elegance, a pair of dungarees popped up here and there, of course.
It’s precisely that mix that makes the atmosphere so lovely and relaxed.
📷 LEICA M11-P · Summilux-M 1:1.4/50 ASPH. · f/5.6 · 1/1000s · ISO 3200 · 50mm · 2026-06-13
Festivities
The home stretch
After laps and fences, the decision drew near.
Down the home stretch the winner pulled away from the field while the crowd cheered along the whole fence – despite the rain and all the umbrellas.
Swedish Grand National 2026
The win and the prize ceremony
And finally it was clear who had taken home the Swedish Grand National 2026.
The winner lifted the silver cup high toward the blue-and-yellow flag, surrounded by the whole team, and the mood at the prize table was at its peak.
It turned into a long, wet and absolutely wonderful day at Strömsholm.
Days like these are exactly why I love having my cameras with me – there’s always something to capture, whether it’s raining or shining.
Thanks for this time, Strömsholm!
Leica Camera News – Click here
Julia Nimke Photography as experience – not documentation
Nimke stresses that she doesn’t photograph to “show what a place looks like”, but to capture the feeling of being there.
She looks for small, often imperfect moments.
It’s the details and the mood that make a photo personal.
The photos become memories, not just documentation.
With the camera in hand she slows down, sees more and notices things others walk right past.
Jaime Fernandez de Bernabé
Jaime Fernandez de Bernabé is a photographer known for his ability to capture the sublime in both people and places.
His style is often marked by a timeless aesthetic where light plays the leading role.
Here are a few distinctive traits in his work:
Style and Aesthetic
Handling of light: Fernandez de Bernabé is a master at using natural light to create drama and depth.
His images often have an almost painterly quality that brings to mind classic portrait painting.
Minimalism: There’s a purity to his compositions.
By stripping away unnecessary details, he lets the viewer focus entirely on the subject’s emotional expression or the inherent character of the place.
Black and white vs.
Colour: He moves comfortably between monochrome images that emphasise texture and form, and colour photography where the palette is often muted and sophisticated rather than loud.
Subject areas
He covers a broad spectrum, but certain themes keep recurring:
Fashion and Lifestyle: He has worked with major magazines and brands, where he manages to combine commercial professionalism with an artistic touch.
Portraits: His portraits often feel intimate and honest.
There’s a sense that he captures an “in-between-the-moment” look rather than a stiff pose.
Travel and Architecture: He documents places with an eye for symmetry and for how human structures interact with their surroundings.
Why he stands out
In a time when photography is often about quick consumption and filters, Fernandez de Bernabé’s work feels considered and slow.
There’s a technical precision to his craft, but it’s the emotional resonance in the images that makes them linger with the viewer.
“His images aren’t only about what’s visible, but about the atmosphere created in the space between the lens and the subject.”
Photos from today’s adventure
