How to Plan a Memorable International Wedding in the Finnish Archipelago

Are you planning an international wedding in Finland? As many of my clients have been through this task, I thought I’d share some tips on how they have managed to make the experience memorable for both Finnish guests and guests arriving from all over the world.

While our own wedding took place during pandemic and we weren’t lucky enough to have our full circle of friends and family attend the wedding, I’ve been very happily witnessing many weddings for my amazing clients where they were able to get most of their loved ones celebrating in one spot.

Milla & Stuart had their wedding in the beautiful setting of Herrankukkaro in Naantali. It is the home to the world’s largest smoke sauna and in their own words (taken from their website) “in the heart of the archipelago, just a half an hour’s drive from downtown Turku. It is a distinctive conference and recreational center built around a fisherman’s homestead”.

For the night before the wedding, some guests stayed at Naantali Spa where they also had a little dinner gathering on Friday. I was invited to the dinner as well, and as a photographer it was very nice to meet most of the guests ahead of time. As I’m always stressing the fact that you should choose a photographer you’d like to hang out with anyways, and in so many ways chemistry means more than anything else, it means the world to be included as a person and not just as a hired vendor. Before the dinner we had our final meeting to discuss the details of the wedding day, and we went on a little mini shoot adventure near the hotel.

Since wedding days go by so fast, especially with international weddings it makes so much sense to turn the whole weekend into a multi day wedding extravaganza so that you will have more time to chat with your loved ones, and they will have more time to experience everything Finland has to offer.

On the day of the Herrankukkaro wedding Milla & Stuart had organized a bus transportation from the hotel to Herrankukkaro, where guests had time to check in to their cottages before the ceremony started. Having the opportunity to stay where everything happens gives you the opportunity to once again get more out of your experience and extends the celebrations from just the wedding day to the next day as well.

Milla & Stuart both got ready at the cottages at Herrankukkaro, and soon after we headed out for a few portraits of them and their doggies.

While we were taking portraits, guest started to arrive at the ceremony location with views out to the sea. Since it had been quite windy, the original spot near the sea changed to a terrace of one of the old buildings at Herrankukkaro called Mallassauna.

They had planned a very warm and thoughtful ceremony for their Herrankukkaro wedding, including

They walked back on the aisle with guest throwing dried flowers on them.

For the rest of the day & night they had chosen to enjoy local Finnish delicasies with their loved ones and we got to hear lovely speeches while people were enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of this very special venue. Milla & Stuart took a dip in the sea and continued dancing the night away. Guests were able to party without worrying about getting back home right away and the next morning after breakfast, there was a bus taking us all back to downtown Turku where we were able to catch a train back to Helsinki, where most of the international guests continued their journey back home from Helsinki-Vantaa airport.

Here are more photos from their day including special details and inspiration for wedding planning.

Flowers: https://www.flör.fi/
Cake: https://www.tanniset.com/
All decorations handmade by Milla and Laura Hickson
Band: https://piikkikasvi.fi/rosteri/bilebandit/mr-sushi/

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©Johanna Hietanen Photography

Why Wedding Portraits Are Better Taken After the Wedding

Let’s face it, your wedding day is going to be a bit of a blur. Between Uncle Joe’s attempts at breakdancing and your groomsmen’s last-minute “I need to find my other shoe” panic, it can feel like there’s no time to breathe, let alone arrange stress free time for perfect portraits. But what if I told you there’s a way to guarantee stunning photos without the chaos? Yep, I’m talking about post-wedding portraits – and in this case little something I call “The Best Experience Portrait Adventure”.

Post-wedding portraits is for couples who want epic photos without the stress. Plus, they’re a great excuse to get all dressed up again (because honestly, who doesn’t want to wear their wedding attire twice?). Here’s why you should totally consider it:

1. No More Racing the Clock Or Trying To Get More Hours Into Your Day

Wedding day timelines? Unless your wedding starts super early, it can be a bit of a nightmare finding time for everything you want to do and experience without it feeling like you’re rushing through the day. While wedding days have become more relaxed in recent years with couples wanting more time to just hang out with their guests, there are still certain traditions and aspects of the day that take a lot of time, dinner being one of them. By setting aside a separate day for your portraits, you get to wave goodbye to the rush. You’ll have plenty of time to relax, have fun, and actually enjoy the process—because nothing kills the vibe like a someone yelling, “You’ve got five minutes!”

2. Pick Your Dream Spot – ANYWHERE!

Always wanted photos on a cliff overlooking the ocean or in a magical forest? Or possibly even in another country? With post-wedding portraits, you can go full fantasy mode without worrying about logistics. Forget rushing back for dinner, speeches or the first dance—you’re free to pick the most breathtaking locations, even if they’re hours from your wedding venue.

3. Let Your Creativity Run Wild

Want to wade into a river, climb a tree, or maybe recreate that iconic scene from Titanic? Go for it! (Just, you know, skip the iceberg.) When the wedding day is behind you, the pressure is off, and you can get as artsy or adventurous as you want. This is your chance to let your personalities shine in every shot.

4. Ditch the Wedding Day Stress

Wedding days can be… a lot. From the moment you wake up, it’s a whirlwind of nerves, schedules, and people asking, “Where should I sit?” By saving your portraits for later, you can be fully present on your big day, soaking in every moment without worrying about when you’ll squeeze in photos. But don’t worry – we will always take a few portraits so that you can remember exactly how you looked like on your wedding day!

5. Weather? No Problem

Rain on your wedding day might be “good luck,” but it’s not great for photos, although there’s always ways to work around it – or better yet; embracing whatever comes. With a post-wedding session, you can play the long game and wait for perfect weather. No more stressing over clouds or wind if you don’t want them to be the star of the show—you’re in control. Or maybe it’s the other way around; maybe you want the storm and the dramatic skies, and that’s very much okay too!

6. An Excuse to Rock Your Wedding Outfits Again

Seriously, why only wear that gorgeous dress or sharp suit once? Pull them out for round two and relive the magic—without worrying about spilled wine or frosting mishaps. Bonus: you can go wild this time because the dry cleaner’s got your back.

7. Turn It into an Adventure

Love hiking, camping, or chasing sunsets? A post-wedding session is the perfect excuse to do something fun together. Imagine wandering through the Finnish archipelago, climbing to a mountaintop in Norway, or even roasting marshmallows by a campfire in some cool national park. You’ll get epic photos and memories to match—win-win!

8. Capture the Real You

Without the chaos of the wedding day, you’ll feel more relaxed and natural. No forced smiles or stiff poses here! Just the two of you, being your quirky, adorable selves while I’ll work my magic. We will probably laugh a lot too.

Ready to give The Best Experience Portrait Adventure a chance?

Your wedding day is just the beginning, and your portraits should tell the whole story. By choosing to take them (for the most part) after your wedding day, you’re giving yourselves the chance to create something truly unique—from jaw-dropping backdrops to intimate, laughter-filled moments. Whether you’re scaling a cliff or cuddling under a starry sky or northern lights, these portraits will be a beautiful reflection of your love and adventure together.

So, ditch the timeline and take the scenic route. Your post-wedding portraits will thank you (and so will future you, when you’re flipping through your album).

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

The Ultimate Guide to Planning Elopement in Norway

Planning an elopement in Norway is an exciting and intimate way to celebrate your love, and especially Norway, with its stunning landscapes and magical atmosphere, is a perfect destination! Whether you’re dreaming of exchanging vows beneath the Northern Lights, up on a mountain, beside a beautiful waterfall or on a majestic fjord, Norway offers endless opportunities for a memorable elopement. Here’s some things you need to know to plan your perfect day.

1. Choosing the Perfect Location

Norway’s diverse landscapes provide countless options for your elopement. When choosing a location, consider the time of year, accessibility (sometimes roads might be closed like Trollstigen is during 2024), and whether you prefer a secluded spot or somewhere more accessible to guests if you’re including some of your loved ones. Some popular choices include:

• Geirangerfjord: A UNESCO World Heritage site with breathtaking views and waterfalls.
• Trolltunga: A stunning cliff offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
• Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock): An iconic cliff with a flat top, perfect for stunning photos.

BUT… I highly suggest you not picking any of them. Why?

Since some of the most popular destinations listed above can get super crowded during the peak times of the year, consider choosing something less popular but still as amazingly beautiful! During many visits to Norway I have come across some truly spectacular hidden gems I would be delighted to share with you. If you still wish to elope in some of the more popular destinations, it’s usually always possible to find a secluded spot somewhere nearby if not in the exact location. For example while Geirangerfjord is SUPER packed during the summer months especially, driving up the mountain brings you closer to amazingly beautiful secluded spots where you might want to exchange your vows if you still want to stay in the area. The photo above is taken near the Geiranger Skywalk which offers beautiful views to Geiranger from 1500 meters high.

Some larger areas I’d consider…

• Lofoten Islands: Known for their dramatic peaks, sheltered bays, and vibrant fishing villages. It’s large enough to find secluded spots even when it’s crowded with tourists, but in the recent years Lofoten Islands has become more and more crowded due to its popularity and exposure especially via social media.
• Jotunheimen National Park: A magnificent destination that offers stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and numerous outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts and adventurers. Very easy to get close to beautiful locations by car and offers numerous spots nearby to get away from crowds.
• Lyngen Alps: A majestic mountain range located in Troms, Norway, characterized by its dramatic peaks, deep fjords, and breathtaking landscapes. While Blåisvatnet (also known as Blåvatnet) might be extremely crowded at times, the area offers many accessible and less crowded spots with equally beautiful little lakes.
• Jostedalsbreen National Park: This stunning destination is perfect for nature lovers, offering breathtaking views, challenging hikes, and a unique experience in the largest glacier on mainland Europe. The best thing is that you can access beautiful spots around the glacier and little more secluded areas like Suppehellebreen
• Hardangervidda National Park: The largest national park in Norway with an impressive landscape, offering numerous trails for hikers and incredible viewpoints, as well as a rich wildlife that can be observed there.

Whatever you end up choosing, please keep in mind that the most spectacular nature spots usually require more or less hiking and effort to get to, especially if you wish to have a more secluded location all to yourself. The hidden gems are hidden gems because they’re not as accessible and popular. In case you’re not willing to hike, the good news is that there are some amazing locations near roads too and some less crowded attractions near magical places like the edges of glaciers. If your heart is set on the tourist attractions, consider choosing a time of the year that isn’t as crowded.

2. Getting legally married or choosing a symbolic ceremony

To legally marry in Norway, you’ll need to complete a few important steps well in time:

• Submit Required Documents: These include birth certificates, passports, and a certificate of no impediment to marriage.
• Application for Marriage License: Submit your application to the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) well in advance.
• Approval and Ceremony: Once approved, you can have a civil ceremony at the magistrate’s office or a church wedding. Alternatively, many couples choose a symbolic ceremony at their chosen location and handle the legalities beforehand or afterwards. Some officiants are willing to travel to your chosen locations but please note it might be hard to get someone in a more secluded spot where hiking is involved.

More detailed information can be found from SKATTEETATEN website about the legal requirements.

While the idea of getting legally married in Norway might sound tempting, with all the paperwork required it’s no wonder that many couples end up tying the knot in their home countries either before or after the elopement and opt for a symbolic ceremony. With symbolic ceremony you can have the ceremony almost anywhere since you don’t have to worry about saying “I do” in a courthouse, church or a location where an officiant agrees to travel to. It will be one less thing to worry about which frees up stress – and aren’t you really wanting to elope partly because it’s less stressful? I can promise you that the feelings and emotions will still be there and having a symbolic ceremony won’t take anything away from the experience or make it feel less real.

3. Hiring Vendors

Working with amazing vendors can help make your elopement seamless and stress-free. While I will be helping you with every step of the way and finding the perfect vendors for you to choose from if you need help with this part of the planning, it’s good to think beforehand what you might want included in your day. Some of these things might be:

• Videographer: A videographer will most likely add another layer to your experience. I do know some amazing videographers around the world I will be able to recommend.
• Officiant: If you are opting for a symbolic ceremony, there’s usually people you can hire to prepare a speech for you if you want to add something resembling an official ceremony. This might limit the options for locations for the ceremony, as it is harder to find people willing to travel to the most secluded locations. If you are including family and friends in your elopement, someone in your circle might be an excellent choice to prepare an emotional ceremony speech for you and “officiate”.
• Florist: Flowers are a beautiful part of any wedding day and a seasoned professional will be able to prepare something for you that compliments all your plans and chosen locations. Think about what type of elopement you’re planning; if you’re planning on hiking a lot, flower crown might make more sense than carrying around a bouquet for example.
• Hair & Make-Up Artist: Some couples opt for a more relaxed DIY style for their elopement, but it doesn’t mean you can’t go all in and pamper yourself with something that will last the whole day – or if you’re opting on a multi-day adventure, even a different look for different days.
• Activities: Elopement doesn’t have to be just a quick visit to a courthouse or vows exchanged in a beautiful location followed by some portraits. How about a helicopter ride to see glaciers? A private ride on a boat? A tour to go see the Northern Lights? Sauna next to stunning fjord landscapes? Imagine how you want your elopement to be like starting from the morning you wake up. What do you want to see and do?

4. Planning Your Itinerary & Timeline

While eloping typically means a more intimate and less structured day, having a loose itinerary makes sure everything goes smoothly even if you’re including different activities or having a multi-day adventure. Some things to consider:

• Getting Ready: There’s something intimate and special about getting ready together, finding comfort in the excitement you’re sharing. At the same time, getting ready separately might build different kind of excitement for the moment when you finally see each other all prepped up for the day. It all depends on how you want to do it; the beauty of eloping is that you will get to do everything just the way you want. Think about the perfect morning and picture what it will look like.
• First Look: Capture the moment you first see each other in a breathtaking setting if you opted to get ready separately. There’s many ways a first look can be arranged; some opt for a traditional walking up to the other one and tapping on their shoulder and them turning around, others exchange letters and read them while standing further apart (near a corner or something that blocks them for seeing each other) and coming together after the letters are read. Some hold hands before seeing each other. Some just straight up walk to each other.
• Ceremony: Whether you have opted for a more traditional ceremony with an officiant or want a symbolic ceremony by exchanging vows by the two of you, or are including a few loved ones in a small ceremony, there’s no right or wrong way of doing it. There’s just your way. If you are planning on including loved ones, I wholeheartedly recommend a multi day option for your elopement. This way you don’t have to cramp everything into one day – because what’s the point of eloping if you’re going to be stressed about all the activities anyway? One day could be dedicated for your loved ones and the other day (or rest of the trip) is dedicated to quality alone time together. Norway might be a small country compared to many other countries, but it has many amazing places to explore. You could decide to spread your days between different parts of the country and explore the many sceneries and activities Norway has to offer. Maybe have a ceremony in one location for loved ones, exchange vows on top of a mountain the next day or the previous, and go for a more relaxed adventure on the third day.
• Portraits: The beauty of adventure elopement is that you can get a variety of portraits in different settings and only the sky is the limit. The lakes, fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, mountains and rocky cliffs by the sea offer an unlimited amount of different scenery to choose from. If you want something urban included, there’s bigger cities and smaller idyllic towns you can include in your adventure. By including more than one day in your elopement, you could get more engagement type of portraits in casual clothes, portraits on the actual wedding day and those super relaxed day after type of photos on the third day.
• Celebration: Plan a special meal or activities to celebrate, whether it’s a picnic, a dinner at a local restaurant, or a cozy evening in a cabin or a different kind of a meal in a tent on top of a mountain or near a waterfall. I speak from an experience when I say that wine tastes so much better when drinking it next to a glacier! Just imagine how much better a glass of champagne tastes like.

5. Embrace the Weather

Norway’s weather can be unpredictable at times, so it’s important to be prepared for all conditions. Pack layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy shoes. Embrace the beauty of the chosen season, whether it’s the nature coming alive in spring, midnight sun in summer, the vibrant autumn colors, or the chilly & snowy landscapes in winter. Depending on your plans, it’s best to choose a dress that is easy to carry and move with and is made out of materials that can take a little bit of rough weather or stuffing it into your backpack.

6. Travel and Accommodation

Plan your travel and accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re eloping in a popular tourist season. Consider:

• Flights: Major airports include Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. Many smaller airports offer variety of places you can fly to.
• Transport: Renting a car will give you the flexibility to explore remote locations and even most of the tourist attractions like Lofoten Islands. I would say it’s basically impossible to get a good grasp on the country and everything there is to see without a car. Not only are the best remote parts of the country only really accessible with a car, sometimes the distances between locations are long and in between you is also bunch of ferry rides.
• Accommodation: Choose from cozy cabins, boutique hotels, or even traditional rorbuer (fishermen’s cottages). Norway has many amazing little huts and cabins in very scenic locations.

7. Making it Personal

An elopement is all about celebrating your unique love story. Incorporate personal touches, such as writing your own vows, bringing family heirlooms, or planning activities that reflect your interests as a couple. This day is all about you, so make it as personal and meaningful as possible. Don’t get stuck on what you SHOULD do; think about what you WANT to do. There’s no rules when it comes to eloping.

8. Enjoying the Moment

Lastly, remember to enjoy every moment. The beauty of an elopement is its intimacy and simplicity. Take time to soak in the stunning scenery, enjoy each other’s company and celebrate your love in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Planning an elopement in Norway can be an incredibly magical and unforgettable experience. With a bit of preparation and a heart full of adventure spirit, you will create a day that beautifully reflects your unique love story surrounded by some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. Don’t hesitate to reach out, if you’re looking for an elopement photographer who specializes in creating amazingly personalized experiences and will be there with you every step of the way, making sure you can just focus on enjoying your elopement experience to the fullest!

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

Adventure Elopement Photographer Europe

2024 goals. More adventures, more elopements. More wedding days that don’t ask “how should our wedding day look like”. Days filled with activities catered to who you are as a couple. Not just pretty landscapes but meaningful moments and places where you can return to for anniversaries. And if you’re still looking for your own adventure elopement photographer in Europe, I’d love to be considered. The beauty of choosing someone like me is that you won’t have to plan your day alone! I will be helping you with every step along the way. All the way from choosing a location to finding vendors & activities and planning a timeline that guarantees a stress free experience. The Best Experience.

It can be adventure shared between just you two. Or an intimate ceremony with those closest to you followed by a day or two of adventures. That’s the beauty of wedding days; they don’t have to be limited by ideas of how they’re supposed to be like.

And the perfect thing is, even if you decide to have a bigger wedding, you can still have that elopement kind of a feeling by either actually eloping before the bigger celebration or celebrate getting married by spending some much deserved quality time with your new spouse – just like Cristina & Henry did after their beautiful wedding day in Cantacuzino Castle in Romania.

We woke up early next day and headed back to the beautiful area of the castle and after went on a mountaintop adventure in the Bucegi mountains. We were all so tired, but it was SO worth it!

When you’re ready to plan your own best experience, head over to check out examples of wedding collections & elopement collections I have to offer and contact me for more information.

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

Destination Wedding Photographer in Romania

Once upon a time, while the world was still going through the C word, I got to live my dream of being a destination wedding photographer in Romania. Cristina and Henry’s wedding was postponed from 2020, but finally heavens aligned in 2021 and they were able to gather most of their loved ones from all around the world and celebrated in a historical Cantacuzino Castle in Busteni, Romania, a country where Cristina is from.

How it started…

When Cristina originally contacted me in 2019, she told me that she saw my work years ago somehow and started following me on Facebook. She had already decided back then that I’d be her wedding photographer even when there wasn’t any plans for a wedding. It makes me truly honored when I hear something like that. And even though it was sort of terrifying to travel as someone, who couldn’t wear a mask without getting terrible anxiety and panic attacks, nothing could’ve stopped me from traveling all the way from Finland to Romania… Not even a bear that was spotted roaming the streets nearby my hotel and the venue before the wedding day and during!

If you’re planning for your own dream wedding day, you can draw some inspiration from this beautiful wedding story. No matter where you’re getting married, as a photographer it’s so inspiring for me to witness different traditions and see that in the end, it’s always about the love you share and your connection. The basics always stay the same; there’s the ceremony and the party. But the way you decide to make them and everything else in between happen is up to you, and there’s nobody who can tell you what is the right way to get married. Make your wedding day look like YOU.

I know as a photographer I should probably niche down to either weddings or elopements, but the truth is I love both equally as much. And the recent years have shown me one thing; the huge benefit of taking your portraits on another day and spending quality time with just your new spouse. Don’t worry, like you can see in these photos, I always take a few portraits on your actual wedding day too… but as you will see from the story of the next morning when we went up the mountains for a little adventure (called The Best Experience Portrait Adventure), why not pamper yourself with a little peace of mind, knowing no matter happens on your wedding day, there will still be another stress free adventure waiting for you?

But for now, let’s dive in to the story of the wedding day of Cristina & Henry

Makers of the wedding

Venue: Cantacuzino Castle
Church: The Royal Church of Busteni / Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God
Videography: LensMedia
Wedding Planner: Ioana Manciu
Event concept & flowers: Contessina Events
DJ: Claudiu Ciobanu
Pianist: Daniel Nehoianu
Folk dancers: Pro Dance Studio

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

Sometimes life takes you to roads you probably shouldn’t have chosen. Instead of regretting the decisions you made, choosing to learn from those mistakes makes you wiser and stronger.

As hard as 2018 was, looking back on the images created makes me super proud. There were days filled with so much anxiety. So much I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to go through with the weddings or portrait shoots. But look at what I created! What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger… and an artist that truly creates art with her heart. If there’s anything I’ve learned from 2018 it’s that personal struggles do not need to reflect the level of your art. You can still be an amazing wedding and portrait photographer. I’m always 100% there for my clients and I cannot thank everyone enough for all the opportunities to create.

A huge thank you goes to Jouni as well. For co-shooting a wedding with me at Villa Smeds, driving me to Hotelli Punkaharju and Koli National Park for weddings. He also completely rescued me by second shooting a wedding at HSS Restaurant when anxiety took over me and was my dedicated driver for amazing portrait shoots at Porkkalanniemi as well. Thank God for friends

Time to look forward

I know this review, as well as reviews for 2020/2021 have been making their way here longer than usual and I’ve neglected my website for a years. But here I am – BACK AGAIN! It feels so good to have a new name, a new logo (by the talented Alejandro Gómez / Lovely Savage). It’s the same old Johanna but finally looking like herself and I promise, I won’t just disappear again

Take a look at what 2018 had in store for me either by watching the slideshow below or scrolling to see the images :)

P.S. There’s still openings for weddings and portrait shoots for 2023 (summer months are getting booked sooner so contact me soon) and I am now officially open for 2024 bookings as well. I am located in Saunalahti, Espoo and am available wherever adventure takes us

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

2019 was hard but in many ways my best year. It was the year of healing and a year of love. It brought me the love of my life (for real this time lol), restored my faith in love and God and even if I still have wounds from the past, they’re more like scars now. There to remind me that all that glitters isn’t gold… but when you believe, you will see the sunshine after rain.

There hasn’t been a year that hasn’t made me grown as a photographer and even though my learning curve isn’t that huge, 2019 showed me who I really am, what I enjoy and most of all it made me trust my own wings. I traveled across Finland and documented so many amazing wedding days and adventures after weddings. I met clients who welcomed me with open arms, challenged me to be the best I can be and who I connected with. There was a ceremony on a tram in Helsinki, many weddings on islands around Helsinki (Suomenlinna, Lonna, Liuskasaari), a backyard wedding, and in general water and travel was the theme for 2019. Cannot wait to blog more from last year :)

I took a leap of Faith and took a trip to see an American guy I met on Instagram. Even if my previous long distance relationship wasn’t that pretty, there was something about this person that made me believe things could be different. When he walked towards me at the airport, something just clicked and I knew this was it. The way he walked, the way he hugged me. Everything was just natural and in that moment I knew I loved him. I probably knew that even before we met, but because of my experiences I was trying to downplay my feelings so that I wouldn’t get hurt again. I truly believe God sent him in my life. It’s just… something I cannot explain. I know it’s cheesy but he is my other half. I know I’m a complete person on my own but he adds to everything just by being who he is. Not a day has gone by that we haven’t talked on video, not a day has gone by we haven’t said “I love you”. Right now I’m sitting on his bed making this blog post and it’s our 8 month anniversary today. Next week I have to go home and it’s breaking my heart already, but I know we’ll be okay. Always and forever. And even after that.

I’m capable of so many things and 2019 showed me I’m stronger than I thought I was. Thank you and welcome 2020 :)

2020 is a big year for me since I’ve had this business of mine since January 2010. There are still many dates available for this year; for weddings, engagements, elopements, adventure sessions, family sessions etc. so please contact me if you’re still looking for an awesome photographer <3

Here’s my 2019 as slideshow and photos :)

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

I’ve been overly critical of myself in the past and I still have my moments. That’s why it has always been super hard for me to be on the other side of the camera, putting my trust into someone else when I cannot control the angles. At some point I realized I just have to let go. I will NEVER look like a perfect model with her photoshopped body and at this point in my life I don’t even want to look like that because I know how fake that is. I have lines, I have cellulite, I have a lovely little stomach that might never be flat, my shoulders are wider than my hips and I will probably never find jeans that are perfect for my stomach and my legs. But that’s okay, because I’m a real person, not a mannequin.

Nowadays I feel mostly good about myself, but of course there are bad days when I just want to hide from the world and I can go through every single piece of clothing I own and end up not leaving my home because I’m convinced I look like shit. But that’s okay too, because life cannot be perfect all the time. It’s okay to feel bad about silly superficial things, because it will pass. And then you will laugh at yourself and move on. And eventually you stop buying clothes that “flatter” you and buy clothes that you love instead and clothes that make you feel good.

This trip was overall super crazy and emotional and a new beginning for me. It was the first time I had courage to go on a journey all by myself to a land far far away… Of course I had tested my wings by going to Germany in 2014 and to England in 2017, but I’ve always had issues trusting myself enough to really travel alone for longer periods of time. But I knew I had to make it happen. And then the trip changed my life in ways I never knew could be possible.

See… the friend I was referring to in my earlier post isn’t just my friend anymore. I ended up finding my heart in Canada. (EDIT: That ended badly ;))

So, to say that these photos have a special meaning to me is not saying enough. These photos tell a story of a person who is in the middle of the weirdest times in her life, someone who has started to accept herself as the person who she is, not as the one she always thought she SHOULD be. Following her heart, trying to leave her overthinking brain behind. I have to admit, I miss that hair but I don’t miss how annoying it was to have. My own hair is nothing like that but for some reason (maybe it comes with acceptance) I like it more because it’s naturally me… umm well at least mostly naturally me. Since I don’t really feel like I’m a blonde, going brunette is something fake that feels real.

It was only fitting that I saw these photos for the first time when I was back in Canada again, sitting on sofa in my (well, our) lovely little AirBNB apartment after waking up with a smile on my face. I started browsing through them and immediately started smiling more widely. Then I got to the part where I started crying because I realized how far along I have come in my journey of self acceptance. To even say that I love these photos is probably something I’ve never thought I’d feel when looking at photos of myself. I sat there flipping through the photos for a long time and it made me realize how important it is to trust and let go.

So, a HUGE THANK YOU to amazing Chelle for these memories of my new beginning 

It was meant to be, two Fjällräven backpack owners coming together in perfect harmony!

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

But now that I’ve heard this awesome thing at a wedding, I would like to make it known that if you for some reason are a huge Star Wars or Game of Thrones fan and will be including anything from those two universes in your wedding; LET ME BE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER! This list could go on and on but basically if there’s anything game related or nerdy or anything like that, I’m your perfect candidate for a wedding photographer. So let me make this blog post a little bit Google friendly now – you can just skip to the next section. NERDY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER. STAR WARS WEDDING. GAME OF THRONES WEDDING. *Fingers crossed*

This wedding among other rainy weddings is a proof that even though you have to ditch your plans for portraits, you can still make indoor portraits super awesome. And if and when it stops raining, just take a little break from all the partying and let me do my thang later! ;) And I mean, there is something about rainy wedding days. Feels like everyone is kind of closer… focusing on things that matter in the end like people, having fun and making your wedding day as awesome as possible.

So, now that my dear website finally let me upload this photo extravaganza (hey, I blog way too many images but I just don’t care anymore – I’mma do what I want!), go ahead and see some of my favorite moments and photos from this awesome rainy autumn wedding that took place last September at Kulosaaren Casino.

Bride’s dress: Victoria & Vincent (Glamour Lahti)
Groom’s suit: Tiger of Sweden
Bride’s hair : Qhair
Makeup by one of maid of honors
Rings: Kultasepänliike Montin
Flowers: Helmivillakko
Print products: Makea Design
First portrait location: Talvipuutarha

©Johanna Hietanen Photography

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ’cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me

Kesha – This Is Me

———

But you know what’s not awesome? Taking EPA fish oil and tasting it in my mouth while eating my favorite cheese. Yikes. Note to self, next time I’m blogging – none of that please.

And yeah – another bride who made her own dress and looked like a goddamn queen wearing it! This was one of the steamiest days (literally) of the summer but even though I kinda don’t like when it gets really warm, it was still an awesome day. It’s a good experience going through photos from the past and seeing them so differently than while editing. I’m overly critical of the photos I take of others and of the photos I take of myself, and I will probably always be. It’s both a good and a bad thing – and I’m definitely doing my best to let go of the perfection part of it which has always just slowed me down. So no more of that! If I like a photo, it’s a keeper. If something annoys me about it, I’m tossing it away. It’s all about gut feeling from now on. That’s how you put work out there that looks like you. Thinking about how you SHOULD do something never is the answer.

©Johanna Hietanen Photography