Haagensen was self-aught as an etcher, taking it up in 1924, some time after his marriage to Audrey Bussel. Many years later she wrote an article about his prints for the Journal of the R.E. commenting that “atmosphere interested him rather than detail…”. Haagensen worked directly into the copper, either outdoors in front of his motif, or in the studio from memory or imagination. There were no preparatory drawings. He sought “Spontaneity – lively line – freshness…”. Haagensen as a child and young man often accompanied his father on sea trips to Norway. Norwegian consul in Grimsby, Haagensen senior was Norwegian by birth. He was a boat owner and imported timber from Norway.