Gunnar Lönnqvist | |
|---|---|
 Lönnqvist in autumn 1914. | |
| Born | (1891-01-04)4 January 1891 Helsinki, Finland |
| Died | 26 December 1978(1978-12-26) (aged 87) Helsinki, Finland |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Occupation(s) | photographer, businessman |
| Spouse | Ida Järvenpää |
Arthur Gunnar Lönnqvist (4 January 1891Helsinki – 26 December 1978Helsinki) was aFinnish photographer and businessman.[1][2]
Lönnqvist started his career as an atelier photographer, but soon turned into amateur photography.[1][2] He photographed his home cityHelsinki and the surrounding countryside's landscapes and people.[1][3] Lönnqvist also photographed in otherFinnish cities and during his travels in Europe.[1] He is known especially of photographs taken during the battle ofHelsinki in theFinnish Civil War in April 1918. Lönnqvist has won several photography awards inFinland and abroad.[1][2]
Lönnqvist was involved in amateur photography already as a young man. After he finished school he started working in 1904 at photographerDaniel Nyblin's camera accessories shop Suomen Valokuvaustarvikekauppa (Ab Finska Fotografiska Magasinet inSwedish).[1][2][3] Lönnqvist began work as anoffice clerk,copyist andphotographic assistant and also served as the head of the photograph laboratory.[1] In the year 1915 he married Ida Järvenpää (1893–1970).[2] They had 6 children.[2] In 1919 Lönnqvist became theprocurator at Suomen Valokuvaustarvikekauppa and later in the 1920s he became the company's managing director.[1] In 1933 Lönnqvist founded the company Oy Valovarjo Ab[1][2][3] and was engaged as the managing director until the age of 75.[1] The company became the head agency forKodak-products inFinland.[1][2][3]
Beginning from the year 1909 Lönnqvist was actively involved in the Amatörfotografklubben photograph club.[1][2] He was awarded the club's honorary membership.[1][2]
