The Morning Dip

What began as a project photographing Swedes wearing bathrobes, in the small coastal village of Torekov, has evolved into a deeper examination of my own heritage and relationship to a country where I lived as a child and now spend every summer. In Sweden, Torekov is known for its local pier, “Morgonbryggan”, so called for the popular tradition of a daily morning dip in the sea. Nearly all locals are avid disciples of this sacred ritual which can be both solitary and social. There are unwritten codes of behavior associated with this activity, including the selection of one’s wardrobe. Time stood still as I fell into my own ritual around photographing the morning dip with a large format camera. As a result, this project became less about the end result and more about the process and repetition. Over time, my interest in photographing this summer community has expanded, and the subjects have become a part of my journey beyond the morning dip. By picturing them, I am gaining insight into a community that, slowly but surely, I have entered, and into my complex identity as a Swede.