Photographer Hildur – Photographs of Rovaniemi and Lapland from the early 1900s

Hildur Larsson’s biographical exhibition features around 300 historical photographs from Rovaniemi and Lapland. Opening in September 2025, the exhibition explores the life and work of Hildur Larsson (later Sammallahti), who worked as a photographer in Rovaniemi in the early 20th century. The exhibition offers insight into her career as a professional photographer as well as her role in documenting the everyday life of her family.

Produced by the Regional Museum of Lapland, the exhibition tells the story of photographer Hildur Larsson (later Sammallahti) and her life in early 20th-century Lapland. Born in Sweden in 1882, Hildur ran a photography studio in Rovaniemi from 1905 to 1916. Her work took her across Lapland as she served as a photographer for the forest product company Kemi Company and as a correspondent for the newspaper Helsingin Kaiku.

In 1916, Hildur married forester Eelis Sammallahti, and the couple moved to Sieppijärvi in Kolari. Later, with their three children, they relocated first back to Rovaniemi in the late 1920s and eventually to Helsinki, where Hildur passed away in 1952. She continued photographing throughout her life, capturing everyday moments of her family after her professional career had ended.

Through the exhibition, visitors are offered a window into life in Rovaniemi and Lapland in the early 20th century, as well as into the profession of photography itself. The Regional Museum of Lapland holds an extensive collection of Hildur’s photographs, along with personal items and archival materials related to her life and work. The exhibition features around 300 of her photographs and also showcases correspondence between Hildur and Eelis, as well as Hildur’s photographic equipment. Studio and domestic interiors help create a vivid portrayal of Hildur’s life and that of those close to her. Many of the materials and images on display are being exhibited at this scale for the very first time.

The exhibition is part of the Regional Museum of Lapland’s 50th anniversary programme.