bio



Erik Ljung (b. 1983) is a Milwaukee, WI based photographer and filmmaker. Born and raised in Northern California, he has developed a keen interest in the vernacular architecture of the Midwest and its relationship to cultural identity. His camera focuses on buildings and places that are harbingers of a fading cultural identity that has given way to the uniformity of corporate gentrification. The result is photographs that are exquisitely crafted documents of our built environments and are captured with a sense of nostalgic reverence. The photographs also tend to arouse a sense of mystery and intrigue about these places and the types of people who may, or may not have inhabited them.


In 2010, Erik received recognition for a series of photos he took while shooting his final roll of kodachrome en route to the last processing plant in the world, Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas. The series garnered local press, national recognition, and an exhibit featuring 20 photographs made during the trip.


Erik has been photographing professionally since 2004, and has worked in various forms of photography including, but not limited to, Photo-Journalism, Documentary, and Editorial assignments. Erik’s personal work has been exhibited in museums and galleries nation-wide and published in numerous magazine and newspaper publications.


Erik is available for assignment locally and also available for travel / extended assignments.




Clients:
- The Pabst Theater / Riverside Theater / Turner Hall Ballroom
- C3 Presents
- Wisconsin Foodie
- Manpower
- Kohl’s
- Open Pantry
- Milwaukee Film
- Milwaukee Magazine
- Alverno Presents
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center
- The Pablove Foundation
- The Iron Horse Hotel
- Company B Brand Marketing
- Ellingsen Brady Advertising
- Nomad World Pub / Lowlands Group
- Historic Milwaukee Inc.
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
- OnMilwaukee.com
- UW-Milwaukee
- 91.7 WMSE
- Ex-Fabula
- Convenience Store Decisions
- American Marketing Association Magazine
- San Diego State Hockey
- Touring Performers ( Rosebuds, The Moth, Widespread Panic, Strand of Oaks, .357 String Band, Jaill, Altos, Hello Death )

Published:
- Wall Street Journal - “Lost Love Letters Versus VHS Footage”
- Milwaukee Journal - Sentinel
- M Magazine: Milwaukee’s Premiere Lifestyle
- Milwaukee Magazine
- Shepherd Express
- Photo Technique Magazine
- UW-Milwaukee Post
- Riverwest Currents
- Bayview Compass
- The Daily Aztec (San Diego State)
- Third Coast Digest
- Pitchfork
- Stereogum
- The A.V. Club
- OnMilwaukee.com
- California Rubber


Honors / Awards:



Speaking Engagements

  • October 6, 2012 - Milwaukee Film Festival - Works in Progress Forum

  • August 14, 2012 - Coalition of Photographic Arts (CoPA) Member’s Schmooze

  • May 20, 2011 - Portrait Society Gallery - “Death of Kodachrome” discussion with Erik Ljung



Films: