Krista Keltanen is a Finnish photographer and I came across her beautiful interior shots on one of my late night Scandi blog browsing sessions – strictly interiors I may add and totally G-rated.
Her photography feels quiet, deliberate, feminine and composed. No action shots, crazy filters or wonky horizon lines anywhere. It’s honest and simple and very Nordic.
I’m sure it’s something to do with the often harsh weather, the rugged landscape and lack of light for months on end that makes Scandinavian photographers want to capture every last sliver of natural light when it is available.
I was intrigued by her work and contacted her for a short interview which despite being a mother of three she happily agreed to.
TELL US HOW YOU GOT INTO PHOTOGRAPHY IN GENERAL AND THE FIELD YOU’RE WORKING IN NOW.
I bought my first SLR in 1994. I started to shoot film and I was so excited. At this time I mostly photographed for fun… summer holidays, nature, flowers. My father and uncle are both amateur photographers and I had the opportunity to spent time with them in darkroom. I think it was the first spark. I started to study photography in 2002. At the same time I began to work as a freelance photographer. I visited many advertising agencies with my portfolio. It was the time before social media. You had to meet people face to face and show you photos.
I’m totally in love with interior photography and work with interior journalist & stylist Jonna Kivilahti. We shoot homes for Finnish magazines as well as commercial shoots for different companies and we have an agent Living Inside in Italy who sells our home features all over the world. In England our home features has been published in The Simple Things and Country Living and also in Elle Decoration Country.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECTS AND WHERE DO YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE?
Favourite subjects are interiors and different kind of commercial shoots. I also feel very comfortable to photograph people, especially kids.
A LOT OF MY READERS ARE MUMS, MYSELF INCLUDED, AND WE ALWAYS STRUGGLE TO FIT EVERYTHING IN. HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO HAVE A GOOD WORK/LIFE BALANCE?
I don’t 🙂 As a freelancer there are always things to do. A couple of years ago I worked incredibly hard and I was so tired all the time. Then I made a conscious decision to stop and put my life in order. I don’t book my calendar full any more and I don’t edit photos at the four o’clock in the morning and I also spend less time on social media.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
Light. Nature. Interior. Children. Magazines. Conversations. Books. Photographs. Art. Travel.
DO YOU READ ANY BLOGS? IF SO, WHICH ONES?
Wishwishwish, 79 ideas, whatkatieate
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR WORK?
I like blogging. I do have a business facebook account where I post inspirations. Instagram is my favourite. I find social media is a good tool to find people who have some same interest as you.
I LOVE YOUR INSTAGRAM FEED. WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITES?
My favourites are all I follow at the moment, but to mention a few names: anne_parker, _jillthomas and saipua.
Thank you Krista!
MORE INFORMATION & PHOTOGRAPHY | Krista Keltanen
BOOKS | 12 x koti, Mekkotehdas