Tag / Snow

I really do have the best clients – they come perfectly dressed for the best possible images!

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

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.

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!

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!

There is a reason the national flag of Finland is blue and white – and never is that more evident than along the Baltic coastline.

Here, model Heidi Moijanen is wearing a 60 year old Japanese wedding kimono (shiromoku) at a stretch of beach outside of Helsinki.  Hair and makeup was done by Cemille Nismetdin and I was fortunate to have a great assistant in the form of Richard Hernigle.  And he had his hands full not only keeping the lighting rig from blowing away a la Mary Poppins but also keeping the wind-damaged umbrella open enough to spread light onto Heidi.

And Heidi was amazing – modeling to perfection despite gale force winds and a frigid -10c along the sea.  She’s also standing nearly knee deep in heavy snow yet still manages to look elegant.

Oftimes shooting in Winter can be a bit more difficult; but the beautiful soft feel of blues and whites truly make for extraordinary imagery.

We photographed Emma near her grandmother’s house in Espoo this weekend.  It was a beautiful Spring day – full of warm and wonderful sunshine even if the snow has far from melted.

Ajaton Joki Perhekuvaus

Ajaton Joki Perhekuvaus

Ajaton Joki Perhekuvaus

Ajaton Joki Perhekuvaus

When Gary asked me to do his promo pictures, he described his music as being very blue-collar in the vein of Springsteen.  I knew immediately the perfect location:  a factory on the outskirts of town.  Unfortunately for us, it began to snow quite heavily and was cold – -12.  But Gary was a trooper and I had enough weather protection gear to get out at least one full lighting rig for the shoot.  And even better, my fingers did unthaw later that evening and I could use them again!  Big thanks to Gary for braving the cold that night.

Musician Gary Law Promo Images

Musician Gary Law Promo Image

Musician Gary Law Promo Image

Musician Gary Law Promo Image

Musician Gary Law promo images

You can hear more of Gary’s work on his MySpace Music page

I took a trip up to Hameenlinna this week to photograph this brother and sister team.  We even captured some magical images in the crisp snow after the indoor shots.  There’s something spectacular about January – cold but beautiful!

Here’s a sneak peek!

Ajaton Joki: Families

Ajaton Joki: Families

Ajaton Joki: Families