I don’t remember exactly where I was—somewhere along a gravel road in ural Österlen, that soft, golden corner of southeastern Sweden where the light always seems to land just right.

That’s where I met this pig. We noticed each other at the same time.I stopped walking. He (or she?) paused mid-snuffle. There was a shortmoment where our curiosities met halfway. I raised my camera slowly, expecting a quick exit. But no. The pig stood its ground and gave me full permission for a portrait. Eyes squinting, snout tilted, the sun catching just enough of the wiry bristles to create a gentle glow.

It’s soon time to return to Österlen. This is, in my opinion, the best time of year to experience it. I already have a curated collection of 350+ images from this part of Sweden. So after this trip, there is no doubt in my mind that I’ll have enough to create a book about Österlen.