About Me

I’m a 38-year-old nature photographer and wilderness guide from northern Finland. I was born and raised in southern Finland, but I moved to Lapland few years ago for wilderness guide studies and fell in love with the nature around here. My background is in economics, but my passion has always been nature and the amazing beauty that Mother Nature can create.

I started photographing nature and landscapes when I was an exchange student in Malaysia back in 2008. I travelled around Southeast Asia and found a passion for travelling and exploring new cultures. At the time I had a pocket camera which I carried everywhere with me and doing so my interest towards photography started to grow. I have lived in India and travelled around Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America. During the years photography has become the most important thing to guide me through the world. 

I specialize in night landscapes, and I have focused on northern lights and Milky Way for years now. I’ve been interested in space as long as I can remember, and I used to read space related books and articles already in elementary school. One of the reasons I fell in love with the night sky as a child was the infinite size of the universe that opens before our eyes every time we look up. There is something calm and relaxing about the deep space that has always fascinated me. 

As a photographer I try to create a wow-effect with my pictures that makes the viewer stop for a second and take a look at the world around us. In today’s hectic world we often forget to slow down the pace and marvel all the beautiful things that surround us. 

Night sky is something that’s almost invisible in many parts of the world when artificial neon lights and light pollution block the entire sky. I’m happy if I can bring the magic of the night sky in front of people all around the world. 

Join me on my northern light hunts and adventures around Lapland and book a tour through the website. Please feel free to contact me via email through the contact form at any time. 

Hope to see you soon, 

Mikko Ristamäki