Personal

I enjoy doing concept shoots and was pleased to find a great model and make up artist to help me achieve my vision for this image.

Model:  Veera Lehtonen / hair and make up: Nina Laitala

One of my greatest joys as a photographer is being able to create vacation photos that inspire me.  Here, in the beautiful Cape Cod village of Falmouth, a cool June evening tells the story of our vacation by the ocean this year.

I greatly welcomed a bohemian themed shoot in the awakening Finnish forest this weekend.  There is only scattered snow in shaded areas left and the blueberry bushes are just starting to bud and open.

The snow is finally receding in Helsinki and we emerge once again to the promise of a beautiful Finnish Summer.

AAnd even with a bright sky, I love that warm Spring sunshine.

I love the Steampunk genre and couldn’t wait to get out and shoot some of my antique Victorian clothing collection. Everything except the goggles is antique – the dress itself dates to 1881, the trunks to the turn of the century, and the surveying equipment to early last century.

I was fortunate to have model Angel Goa, who ended up being the perfect size and height for the styling of the shoot.  She fit the ensemble perfectly, without need of bustles or pins.  An antique Finnish top hat and veil in the back, along with welding goggles and steampunk costume goggles, completed the ensemble.

Make up/hair beautifully done by Anu Hämäläinen at sostylish.net.

With some backgrounds added in:

I was fortunate to have seasoned international model Pyry available to shoot in vintage WWI gear in the Ajaton Joki studio this week.  We scruffied him up a bit to give a bit more of a battle worn but still defiant look, which he easily brought to the table.  Make up/hair ably done by Anu Hämäläinen at sostylish.net.

Winter always means plenty of studio work.

This shoot featured a vintage 1930s era bias cut velvet dress with a long train, a vintage head piece, and even vintage shoes correct to the era purchased from a great store across the street from Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

Modeling the ensemble is Angel Goa and make up/hair ably done by Anu Hämäläinen at sostylish.net.

Today, I thought it would be fun to do a shoot that really showed just how beautiful Finland is in Winter.  If I could design a postcard of an amazing Winter wonderland, then these are what I’d submit as the artwork.

Presenting a 9 year old Finnish girl, her reindeer, a book on antique Finnish maps, and a beautiful snowy day in January.

It took half the Winter, but we finally saw snowfall here in Helsinki.

The light and scenery is so exquisite this time of year.  Soft and light and lovely.  We’re fortunate to have a mild Winter – not too cold for tea parties with friends!

I am booking up quicker this year for Autumn sessions.  I have limited availability on weekends and I’m completely booked from October 15 through November 15 for Christmas sessions.   If you’d like an Autumn session in Finland, I recommend booking as soon as possible to ensure better choices for dates/times.