Ajaton Joki » portrait

Modern Graduation Portraits

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:07:28 +0000

I really like to break out of the norms and bring modern and edgy lighting to my senior (graduation) portraits. In this case, I had a teen from the High School football team that wanted something unique and interesting – not the same old graduation cap and holding a rose type of portrait.

I used very a modern 3-light type of set up for these two – they are actually the sweetest of people but we wanted to give them much more raw energy in their portraits. I think they accomplished the goal!

He had some great tattoos!

The First Snow

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:12:32 +0000

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!

North Boston – A Family Shoot

admin — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:04:00 +0000

This little girl was sooo sweet! And a beautiful family to boot. A great way to spend an unseasonably warm Autumn in Boston!

Soft and Vintage

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:07:09 +0000

I had a special request for this session: add in some sweet soft vintage to the regular mix of proofs. And I have to admit, when a family has this much love, it is very easy to be a photographer!

Ylioppilaskuvaus – Graduation Portraits In Finland

admin — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:24:15 +0000

I have to admit, I love doing graduation portraits. Having teens as subjects allows me to let loose and really have fun with a session. But more importantly, it gives me a chance to introduce modern graduation portraits in a country still using a 60+ year old style for many session. It’s time to shake up the teen portraits and really show the unique personality and character of the 21st century Finnish graduate!

I’m happy to play with both the old and the new: the traditional white and black graduation cap in a timeless Finnish setting. In this case, a location in the lovely city of Kauniainen.

The Big Picture Workshop Series

admin — Sun, 01 May 2011 20:28:49 +0000

One of my greatest pleasures is working with budding photographers to help them develop their talent and creativity. Over the past 4 years, I’ve been invited around the world to teach natural light portrait photography – from Australia to America to Europe.

This Summer, I am pleased to announce two special workshops, the 29th and 30th that I’ve taught:

The Big Picture Workshop: Australia (click here for more information). At the Surfers Paradise studio of Wild Spirit photography. Limited to 15 only. June 18th and 19th. Note: only 1 seat left before it is sold out!

Surfers Paradise 2009

The Big Picture Workshop: Europe (click here for more information). Limited to 10 only. July 17th and 18th at my studio in Helsinki, Finland.

Tapiola, Finland

The Cusp of Spring

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:58:51 +0000

Between the bits of melting snow, we can actually see ground again! The warm Spring sun means that although there is the white stuff still on the ground, it is warm enough to bring out the Summer clothes.

Of course, with that much golden sun out there, I’m going to take advantage of it! I love the glow and warmth from shooting out in that full sun. It really exemplifies the beauty that is Spring and the emergence from a very long Winter!

Revisiting the Little Red Theme

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:41:37 +0000

Before the snow melted this year, I really wanted to revisit a Little Red Riding Hood themed shoot. Of course, I never want to be too literal and I want to always keep that bit of magic and mystery behind the fairy tales intact.

This was actually photographed alongside a road to a school in the middle of the City of Espoo. These trees were wind barriers along the road but they were also interesting enough that I really wanted to shoot here.

Welcome Little One!

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:25:19 +0000

I am surprised that, unlike other countries in the world, in Finland newborns are rarely professionally photographed. That age is one of the hardest of all children’s portraits to really capture – it takes years of training as a professional to know how to light and shoot a newborn to really capture those soft skin tones and sweet expressions. It’s very rare to get ‘lucky’ and get a very good shot of a newborn – if you don’t get the light right, it’ll never come out beautiful.

I welcome sweet Elise to the world. Here she is, 5 days new in her heirloom portrait finery!

Beautiful SouthWestern Bridal Shoot

admin — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:21:33 +0000

I was very fortunate to shoot bridals for the lovely Cari. Her personality and spirit was inspiring and whether we were setting up a full lighting rig in a dark alley or playing between the columns of an historic turn of the century theater, she gave us her very best!

Thanks Cari – and congratulations!