Wedding photographers in Finland

—Give some advice to a wedding photographer who is a beginner.

—Find your voice. Find out what you want to say through your images. That's more important than a new lens or whatever gear you think will bring your work to the next level. Work your butt off. And don't compare your work to others – that's fruitless and depressing.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—You have very little control, haha. Of course seasoned professionals know how to prep wedding clients to ensure the best photos possible, but in the end weddings tend to take on their own spirit, and as photographers we just follow along picking up the beauty along the way.

—When are you totally satisfied with the results of your work?

—Haha, never. I'm quite critical of my own work and tend to see it through the lens of "what could I have done better". I think I'm more satisfied with my work when I look back on it after a year or so. Then all I see is the story and the memory, and I'm usually quite pleased with what I've been able to preserve.

—Do you make friends with ease?

—I think so. I'm quite at ease chatting with new people, and I can make good acquaintances super fast. But at the end of the day I am an introvert, so letting people get to know the real me, the 'deep down' me, is a bit harder. But I'm exceptionally loyal, and my best friends mean the world to me.

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—As a homesick expat, there's times I wish my current location (Finland) was more like home (Canada). I miss certain food, I miss hearing English being spoken all around me and not having to put so much energy into communicating. I wish my mom was closer.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—You know, a few years ago that list would have been loooooong. But I think in recent years I've been through enough and learned appreciate who I am, as is. I'm working on patience. I'm working on keeping my emotions in check. But it's all growth.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—I think I'm critical of myself, like most people are. But there are some photos of my that I really truly love, and I hope my children look at those some day and have the richest memories of who I was at that point in time.

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—I think that's highly subjective. Yes there's composition, light, technical choices, etc. that set photos apart – but the beautiful thing about this industry is the variety of style and aesthetic available.

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—Does that photographers work resonate with you? Does your heart scream 'yes!!' when you look at their work? Do you get wrapped up in the stories they tell, even though they are not your own? If yes, book that photographer a.s.a.p.

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—I sometimes feel like my job is like catching fireflies. Collecting little bits of light and holding them close. I love knowing the impact that these photos I take will have in years to come.

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—My mom is a wedding photographer and I began second shooting weddings with her when I was 13 years old. I've learned so much from her over the years and she was a huge stepping stone to me starting my own business.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Taking more photos. Trying new things. Failing and trying again. I love to read blogs and watch video courses, but at the end of the day I only commit new skills to memory when using them.

—Do you like travelling?

—I love it! We've got two small kids right now, so it doesn't happen as often as we'd like, but we still take road trips and hike and get out as far as we can as often as we can.

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—I like to think I'm a pretty genuine person. I don't tend hide aspects of myself or my life from the people around me. But I mean, I don't tend to leave the house without pants.

—What would you have preferred to learn before becoming a photographer?

—That being successful in photography is more about business than the photos you take. Being a better business owner has made the world of difference in my career.

—What devices that you own you regret you bought and why?

—I actually have pretty minimal gear. I've believed for a long time that skill and style are more important than gear, so I tend to only invest in the essentials.

—Whom can you name as people you respect and admire most?

—My husband. My mom. Sooo many of our close friends. I've got a pretty incredible group of people surrounding me.Them, and Beyoncé.

—If you have a chance to shoot a movie, what genre will you choose?

—A period drama, for sure. I love imagining what life was like throughout history and the stories that unfolded along the way.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—Reading. Hiking. Playing with my kids. Snuggling with my dog. Taking care of my plants. Drinking coffee. Repeat.

—Whom can you name as a person/people not deserving respect?

—Everyone deserves respect. I think respect speaks more of the person giving it than the person receiving it.

—What key message are you trying to convey with your pictures?

—Life. All of it. Seasons and milestones and memories and the way love tends to knit it all together.

—What makes a photo valuable? What are the key features of a great photo?

—A photo that evokes emotion. Aesthetics are nice and all, but I'll take emotion any day.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Nope. I do a wide variety or portraiture, and also some photography for businesses.

—What is success to you? How can one measure it?

—Balance. Joy at home. Joy at work. Joy in my faith. Joy in my relationships.

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—Jordan Voth. Lauren Scotti. Andria Lindquist. The Kitcheners.

—Cats or dogs?

—Dogs!! Specifically my Great Dane, Lilu.

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—Accounting. That sucks.

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—Be nicer to my parents.

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—Camera... obviously.

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Chips make you fat.

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—Absolutely!!

—Life is great thanks to:

—Jesus.