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.

Elli / C.Hagelstams Bokhandel

July 9, 2011

Ellillä olivat olleet rippijuhlat päivä ennen kuvauksia. Nämä siis ovat Ellin rippikuvat. Pikkasen ihanan erilaista, ei ollut ruusua…mutta ruusun sijaan olikin niiiiin monta kirjaa. Ellin äiti Mimmu kirjoitti, että “Elli rakastaa kirjoja ja valokuvausta, kukkia ja leipomista, Helsinkiä ylipäätään, meidän mökkiä, koripalloa, kahviloita, Martta-koiraa”. Poimin sanat: kirjat, Helsinki ja Martta. Pyörittelin ideaa kirjoista mielessä, mutta vasta viime hetkellä keksin Hagelstamin liikkeen kuvauspaikaksi ja ystävälliseltä myyjältä saimmekin luvan kuvata siellä hetken. Ihana! Tapasin silloin Ellin ensimmäistä kertaa. Ihastuttavan herkkä ja kaunis tyttö. Martta koira liittyi seuraamme rannassa…hän omalla suoloisella olemuksella hurmasi minut ja jopa nauratti, kun kokeili napata hampaillaan rantaan tulevia aaltoja…Martta oli niin innoissaan siitä!

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Anu - Voi mahtavuus miten ihania kuvia!!
Katja - HUIKEITA – mielettömän hyviä – kuvia ja kuvattava(-t) on niin parhaita!
elli - iso kiitos kuvista krista! :-)
Henna - Ihania kuvia jälleen kerran!