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.

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

—I think they should first check the portfolio, then get to know to the photographer and then adjust the package to meet their needs.

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—I think wedding photography in Finland will follow the trends of US and central Europe a few years behind. There will be more demand but also more photographers, hobbyists and pros alike.

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

—I think quality is of course a one element and I maybe the real value is it's message for future generations. That it is bound to a time and place to tell something of those two things and a subject.

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Maybe Hannes Heikura, but since he passed away and probably would have not liked to shoot with me...I answer some very high end fashion photographer, not any particular favorite.

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—It could be one of Fingerpori comic strips, It wont translate well to english. :( You can view it from here: pbs.twimg.com/media/BlM…

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—Well, there's a lot to worry with different world crisis, but of course I always worry about my family and hope they are safe and healthy.

—What mistake in your professional experience you treat as the biggest one?

—I left my mobilephone on during my very fist hobby wedding shooting and you can guess the rest. Very teaching lesson.

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

—One way to measure it could be the trust of your past, present and future customers. The way they talk about you.

—What person in your life is your muse & source of inspiration?

—This is a tough part, but if I look at a business point of view one could be Varusteleka's Valtteri Lindholm.

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

—I think though the usual route. I was a hobbyist whom friends asked to shoot weddings. Later I decided to study photography and went pro.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—I'd like to think that really high quality photobooths and boudoir (morning gift) photos will be more popular in near future.

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

—Nothing special, just everyday clothes, hygiene things and camera/mobile devices depending on a trip.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—Working hours, combining documentary and portrait shooting in a same day, lots of social interaction.

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

—I do not try to be very politically moving or something like that so it very much depends on a photo.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Besides of looking and different pics and reading stuff I try to keep up a hard self critique.

—What moment in your life you treat as the most significant one?

—When I was a kid a get to be on a large airplanes cockpit while landing, that was kinda cool.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—Good light, right moment and composition. Making the small things meaningful in the photo.

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

—Maybe 170 parabolic umbrella (a huge one) is a bit over a top without my own studio. :D

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—Actually tomorrow I have a 12h wedding gig, so I think I'll go and shoot that. :)

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—I like to watch movies, build speakers and have a good meal in a good company.

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

—The combination of human interaction and technique, art and science.

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

—The fact how bad I was at the moment and the amount of work to come.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—I like it in here, Petäjävesi, but New Zealand could be one option.

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

—Do your first works as an assistant to a experienced photographer.

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—I think this is the third time a have to answer hatefulness. :)

—Do you like travelling?

—Yes, story is the last part that makes a moving photograph.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—Hehe, I'd like to think everyone can be photogenic. :)

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—This one's a bit hard, I do Fear it might be Putin.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Unrespectful behaviour in church/wedding ceremony.

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—I try to be above hate, with more or less success.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Vesa-Matti Loiri could be an interesting model.

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—I think liked person is usually also respected.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—New people and progression as a professional.

—Life is great thanks to:

—Arnold already answered to this in the 80's.

—Is there anything in your work that you treat as prohibited "tricks"?

—I'd start with anything illegal, unmoral.

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

—Practice more before doing any paid work.

—What thing is the silliest one you've ever agreed to do?

—Mmmmaybe i'll leave that as a secret. :)

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—My working room could be a lot cleaner.

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

—Light, subject, composition and story.

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

—I'm not sure that has ever happened.

—Do you make friends with ease?

—I think i'm a medium friendmaker. :)

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—Maybe Xander from Buffy-universe.

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

—Hard to name anyone particular.

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—I think they were kinda nice :)

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Again, rude and hateful people.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—I could do a bit more sports.

—Imagine aliens come to our planet. You are the first human they meet. What would you tell them?

—Probably some gibberish. :D

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

—Maybe too tight schedules.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—I think odds are good. :)

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

—Mean and hateful people.

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

—Romantic side. :P

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—Yes, i think so.

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

—COME ON ROCKY!

—How do you deal with criticism?

—With care. :)

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

—Niche drama.

—Do you believe in the superstition that a photo replicates the soul of the pictured person?

—Nope. :)

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—Nope.

—Cats or dogs?

—Both!

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Nope