‘Elska Akureyri’, the fifty-fifth book in the Elska series, a project about showcasing diverse LGBTQ+ communities around the world, is out now. This latest issue showcases a selection of local men from Iceland’s northern ‘capital’, Akureyri, presenting them through a blend of intimate photography and honest storytelling.
“Iceland has always been close to my heart, and making an issue in Akureyri has been a long-held dream,” says Elska founder Liam Campbell. “My first solo trip outside my home country at the age of eighteen was to this country, and it came to shape my adult life and my future career. The accepting society encouraged me to come out when I returned home and the stunning landscapes inspired me to make my photography hobby into a career. I also named the magazine that’s been the centre-point of my work with an Icelandic word — ‘Elska’ means ‘love‘ in that language — and I have made this concept of love a guiding force of my art… My goal is for readers of Elska not to lust after or admire my subjects, but to utterly fall in love with every one of them, just as I do.”
“When I started my project in the second half of 2015, Iceland was one of the first places I visited, making Elska Reykjavík the third issue. It became my best-selling book and held that title for many years,” continues Liam. “Since then, I’ve dreamed of returning to make another issue, but because I never repeat cities for Elska, and since the country’s ‘second city’ Akureyri has barely 20,000 inhabitants, I feared it would be impossible to find enough guys willing to take part. But when the ten-year anniversary of my Elska project approached, I decided to try anyway. The results were not only positive but triumphant! I found a local community who welcomed me with open arms. They also gave me some truly memorable moments, like the first gay farmer I’ve ever photographed, the second trans man brave enough to bare all and my first ever three-way photoshoot! To have achieved this in Akureyri proved that this little city is truly remarkable.”
Elska’s format is half dedicated to photography and half to writing. The photographic component includes revealing shoots of the participating men in their city streets as well as in their homes, both with and without clothes. The text component is formed around these shoots, based on extensive diaries taken after meeting each subject, including conversations shared with them. From this, readers can get to know each of the men who are part of this book and get a sense of what it’s like to be queer and live in this very small and very special city.
Elska Akureyri is available in a collectible print book or in a downloadable e-book. In addition, the companion e-zine Elska Ekstra Akureyri is available, containing hundreds of outtake images and assorted behind the scenes notes. The publications are available for order online as well as from a select group of shops around the world. Ordering information and details of the subscription service can be found on the Elska website: www.elskamagazine.com.
