Lotten von Düben (1828–1915) was a Swedish amateur photographer known primarily for her photographs of Sami people taken during two trips, accompanying her husband Gustav, a medical doctor, on research expeditions. Each Lapp sitter posed for a front as well as a profile portrait … but they were not happy. Wrote Gustav: “Immediately on our arrival we had spoken to them about the photography, something they already knew about or quickly came to understand. Yet for a couple of days it was impossible to get them to sit for us, even though we made appointments + sent messengers to fetch them. We put this down to the customary tardiness and indecision of the Lapps, but later heard a different explanation. When we told them we wanted them to wear their festive attire, + that the old women should have their silver ornaments on … they grew wary + withdrew to discuss the matter. They were afraid that if they allowed themselves to be photographed in their costly apparel I would show the prints to the 'big chief' who would then realize … they were richer than they claimed to be, whereupon he would increase their taxes”
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