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.

“It’s Laundry Day!” / Photosession with Sanna-Maija / Part 1

June 7, 2011

“Toivoisin kuvia luonnossa, aurinkon heleä valo olisi tietysti ihana, mutta sitä ei taida voida tilata. Meri on myös tärkeä. Pidän uimisesta, kivistä ja simpukoista. Pidän sinun kuvissasi eniten niiden tunnelmasta, utuisuudesta, aamukasteesta.” -näin kirjoitti ihana Sanna-Maija sähköpostiini. Kirjoitti kyl paljon muutakin. Perheestä ja ammatista, elämästä, lapsista ja vanhasta puutalosta…kun pyysin. Lähetti kuvankin (pyysin senkin). Emme pystyneet tapaamaan ennen kuvausta kun hän Turun lähellä asuu ja kuvattavaan on aina mukava tutustua ennen kuvausta edes sähköpostivälityksellä etukäteen ja juttelimme puhelimessakin. Ideoitiin teemoja kuvaukseen ja kuvattiin Kivinokassa…ensiksi rannassa ja sitten vielä kartanomiljöössä (nekin kuvat laitan tänne pian).

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Katja väänänen - Ihana tunnelma ja miten loistava idea saada tekemistä mukaan kuviin. Kädet ovat oman kokemukseni mukaan hankalat :) Mutta niille kun löytää tekemistä niin johan on eri juttu :D
Ihanaa päivää Sinulle!
Christina - WOW! These pictures take my breath away, your processing is stunning! Truly amazing! Don’t know if you like giving away your secrets, but if you don’t I’m just wondering how you get these beautiful tones, and how the picture is so bright but not faded?
PieniLintu - Tosi kauniita kuvia jälleen kerran!! <3
Conchi - Incredible beautiful. As allways!!