I'm an Estonian born photographer living in Helsinki, Finland.

I bought my first SLR camera in 1994 after graduating high school. I started with shooting film and I was so excited. At this time, I mostly photographed for fun; mainly summer holidays, nature and flowers. My father is an amateur photographer and I had the opportunity to spend time with him in a darkroom. I think it was the spark that ignited my passion. I started studying photography in 2002 at VVI (Visuaaliviestinnän Instituutti) in Tampere, Finland.

I really liked my photography teacher and I think he is the best teacher I have ever had. At the same time I began to work as a freelance photographer. I visited many advertising agencies with my portfolio. It was the time before social media, you had to meet people face to face and show your work.

I’m totally in love with lifestyle, portraiture and interior photography. I'm sure that my eye for interior photography developed after I started to work closely with interior journalist and stylist Jonna Kivilahti. We have been and are still shooting homes for Finnish magazines and commercial shoots for different companies. After many great projects and a steady success here in Finland, I am happy to see the growing interest towards my photography in other countries. I am very thankful for that! My experience in lifestyle photography has also lead me to publish six books.

My signature style is feminine, deliberate, composed & feels quiet.

I am happily married with three children and I am always inspired by the sea, sand and stones. I am also a big fan of cherry blossoms, paintings, poetry, autumn rain and flying kites on a windy day. I enjoy meeting new and interesting people, learning from the different experiences of life they bring.

My life’s most important milestones… my children! They “teach” me every day how to become a better person and am incredibly thankful to know them.

Photographer John Saxton once said: “I think a good photograph reveals not only what is in front of camera -the subject; but also what is behind the camera - the photographer.” I try to remember that when I’m holding a camera.

DESTINATIONS…LAMMASSAARI

September 30, 2013

tai oikeastaan matkalla Lammassaareen pitkospuita pitkin. Kiivettiin myös lintutorniin ja ne kaislat – pidempiä kun me. Kiitos iskälleni kohteen vinkistä kun aamulla ihmettelin hänelle, että minne me menisimme retkelle, jonne olisi lyhyt ajomatka, mutta silti jotain uutta.Yle Teema lähetti eilen illalla dokumentin Jason Becker:Not Dead Yet. Jos luulee, että toivoa ei enää ole, niin sitä onkin enemmän kun mitä osasit kuvitella. Kosketti ja syvältä.

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hannamaria - Todella kauniita kuvia :) Ärsyttää kun nykyään ei tule melkein koskaan itse kuvailtua vaikka intoa olisi. Jotenkin ei tule otettua kameraa mukaan, mikä on harmi :(

hannamaria
http://hannamariav.blogspot.fi
Niina - usein kierretty tuolla Lammassaaressa, ihanaa! Harmi vaan kun viimeksi talvella hokasin, ettei koiria saa viedä saareen :( Ainakin ennen pitkospuita oli koirakieltokyltti. No, lintutornissa tuli ainakin käytyä ja muuten Arabianrantaa jäällä tarvottua koirulin kanssa – ja muun poppoon.

Ihanat kuvat :) Niin mahtavaa kun teillä tuo teinijengikin mukana, meillä ei kyllä enää poika meidän mukaan lähde :( Ollaan liian noloja hänelle ;)
Sharon - Beautiful pathways, love the way the wooden path looks and the expanse of countryside, so different to England.
kaari3 - Tämänkaltaisia foto-safaareja on kiva tehdä. Raitista ulkoilmaa, kävelyä ja upeita kuvia. Kannan aina pientä Cannonia käsilaukussa joka paikaan, just- in- case!