Valerie Phillips is one of my favorite photographers. She captures the spirit and energy of all the people in her photographs. Looking beyond the exterior, she creates a story with a bold and vibrant edge.
‘I Had a Dream You Married a Boy’
Valerie Phillips
I have known Arvida since 2012 when a mutual friend decided we had to know each other.
I’ve known her as an artist, photographer, influencer, model, friend.
At the beginning of 2020, Arvida and I talked of going on a road trip through her native Sweden to shoot new work together.
When the pandemic made that impossible, we decided we would shoot it over wifi. Skype and FaceTime.
Arvida in the suburbs Stockholm, me in London.
She took me into dark fairytale forests, while I sat on my bed in Kentish Town directing her, drinking coffee my boyfriend made downstairs in our kitchen.
It was fun going virtually to the supermarket in a Swedish shopping center, Arvida filling her cart with groceries she had to translate for me. I accompanied her through lockdown life – we walked her dog Pedro, made breakfast, took a bath, ran around in nature, tried on clothes and danced around the house. And I never left mine.
We are seldom together in person for long, but what I like best about our relationship is how we always communicate in the exact same way, regardless of human touch or tech.
—
Photography: Valerie Phillips @wynterinspace
Model: Arvida Byström @arvidabystrom
