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.

Villa Blanco ja sen ihana valo

March 23, 2012

Olin eilen postittamassa ärrällä pääsiäiskortteja kun huomasin lehtihyllyssä uuden Kodin Kuvalehden. Selailin. Ilokseni törmäsin Villa Blancon Kristan ja hänen perheen kotikuviin, johon pääsimme kuvaamaan Jonnan kanssa viime syksynä. Jonna tunsikin jo Kristan entuudestaan ja minä niin innoissaan odotin tapaamista kaimani kanssa. Hih! Kaunis emäntä, kaunis talo ja kauniit huoneet! Kristalla on niin vahva oma tyyli huoneesta toiseen. Mikakin oli kotona. Istuin hetkenaikaa ruokahuoneessa heidän kanssa ja söimme mutakakkua. Krista ja Mika kertoivat haaveestaan. Haluaisivat sijaisperheeksi ja odottivat miten tilanne etenee. Huomasin vastikää Kristan blogista, että heille on nyt tulossa 11v poika. Mahtavaa!

show hide 7 comments

Pirkko - Hei! Ihana valo tosiaan, oi että! Valkoisuus valon kanssa luo niin upeaa tunnelmaa, tummaa puuta unohtamatta. Elämänohjetekstit luovat oman ekstransa. Herkkua! <3
Nina - Mä pökrään, ihana koti!
Onnela - Heippa! Voi miten upea tuon kodin olohuone onkaan…puhumattakaan muista huoneista. Tuo kontrasti olkkarissa oikein kutsuu viihtymään:)
Kiitos, että jaat näitä upeasti otettuja kuviasi, ilo katsella!
Respect - Kauniita kuvia kyllä.
Omalta kohdalta huomaan kuitenkin että olen jo ohi tuon total white -asian. Vaikkapa siitä miten ihana oli monen kuvan jälkeen tullut vanilija-okran värinen kaappi yhdessä kuvassa! Onneksi sitä ei ollut maalattu valkoiseksi, pieni lämmön pilkahdus.
Irina Gurtovenko - Tell me please, what lens do you use? Thank you!
Krista - Dear Irina, I use many different lenses, but mostly Canon 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.2, 24-105mm 4, 35mm 2.8.
Irina Gurtovenko - Thanks you! :) You have very beautiful work! they inspire!