I’M A freelance photographer and writer based in Sweden. I primarily work in the Middle East and most recently focused on the conflict in Syria. I work mainly for Scandinavian magazines and weeklies, but occasionally I write for publications in Europe and South Asia.
I received an MA with distinction at Westminster University where I studied photojournalism. I also earned a BA in Human Geography from Lund University. My professional focus is on long-form storytelling, where I develop detailed, episodic narratives of human interest stories in conflict or troubled areas. My work has been on exhibit at the Foto8 Summershow and Nepal Art Centre.
This was my bag for working in Syria. Less is more. I take that saying wherever I go. I travel light, and over the years realized that for the photography I’m interested in making, there’s no need for more than what I have. My legs are my zoom, and keeping a light pack makes it easier to move around when needed. Of course the equipment might get broken or stolen and I don’t have an extra body on the inside, so I keep an extra on the border.
My one tip would be that baby wipes are the best thing for this type of work, perfect for cleaning when there is no water. Whatever equipment you have is great, but without research beforehand and proper preparation, it won’t mean much.
View more of Pernin’s work on his site.
And of course all the electrical cables needed to plug in the equipment 
1The Frontline Freelance Register (FFR) is a representative body for freelancers, created and run by freelancers. It is an independent, ring-fenced entity which sits within the Frontline Club Charitable Trust with membership open to all freelance journalists working in conflict or foreign reporting. The FFR’s core objective is to support the physical and mental well-being of freelance journalists. In a world where staff jobs and fully paid foreign assignments are increasingly scarce, foreign and war reporting is dominated by freelancers, many of whom are deeply committed professionals doing outstanding work. At the same time, many of these freelancers lack the institutional support and the financial means to adequately manage the challenges of operating in dangerous environments in the long term. They also lack organised representation, often leaving them at the mercy of powerful media groups. FFR aims to help freelancers by providing them with a forum, a representative body, and a critical mass to face some of these challenges.