Kaisu: from okay-looking to beautiful

May 24, 2018

Kaisu Studio Metsän Erika Lindin kuvattavana Helsingissä Muotokuvaus

The first time Kaisu and I were to meet, I was nervous.

Kaisu is an intelligent and ambitious architect – what if I couldn’t give her what she’s looking for?

This nervousness dissipated quickly as soon as Kaisu sat down in front of me. We connected right away and the getting-to-know-each-other-chat that regularly lasts for about 30-60 minutes, turned into a two and a half hour chat between friends.

We spoke about the photoshoot, of course, and Kaisu’s hopes for it. We spoke about Kaisu’s relationship with herself. We spoke about architecture (which is something I’ve been interested in ever since I was little) and its different trends. We spoke about relationships and everything that comes with them.

We spoke about anything and everything, and truly got to know each other.

I left this meeting feeling energized and happy – this is what my job is at its best. The connection that can be created so quickly between people is one of the biggest motivators I have in this job.

Who am I?

Kaisu turned 50 this year.

Which was largely the motivation behind getting photos of herself – “who am I now that I’m turning 50?”.

Kaisu has always led with action, with doing. It’s been important to her to be appreciated and noted for her doing, not so much her appearance.

Now that the appreciation has long come from her work, Kaisu has started to consider her own relationship with her appearance. It’s never been a priority for her nor has she ever considered herself to be beautiful. It also has never been an issue for Kaisu, but come on now, every woman needs to feel beautiful (because we all are)!

Physically Kaisu has changed over the past year after she hired a personal trainer. The personal trainer helped her get rid of the last few kilos from her pregnancies and find the joy in exercise again. Even though Kaisu is now slim and healthy, she still isn’t entirely comfortable in her own skin.

She’s considered herself to be okay-looking but never beautiful.

(You can probably imagine how much I was looking forward to proving her otherwise!)

The magic of the photoshoot

On the day of the photoshoot Kaisu relaxed into the photos fast. Here’s something I admire in Kaisu: she’s used to taking the lead but she knew coming into this process that she needed to let go and this is precisely what she did.

She was on a completely new and unconquered territory for her but she handled it beautifully. She was glowing.

She accepted what came from within. She accepted that this is me, this is how I am and that is good.

We spent hours together photographing, talking and laughing – just like friends!

At the photo reveal Kaisu said to me, with such surprise and innocence:

“I’ve never thought that I’m photogenic, but these photographs are proving otherwise!“

And that’s the bottom line of my photoshoots. I think a lot of people come to me with doubts whether it’s really possible for their own photographs to be beautiful because they don’t believe they’re photogenic. And once they see the photos, they’re genuinely surprised because they think, damn, Erika was right, I am photogenic!

Being photogenic is about being who you are. And as you can see, Kaisu is a gorgeous, beautiful, courageous and confident woman.

So, thank you Kaisu for coming to me and giving me an opportunity to get to know you.

You are such a wonderful, wonderful woman and I have enjoyed our conversations enormously.

—

If you’re interested in being photographed yourself, or would like to ask me something (anything), you can contact me here. I promise I won’t bite ;)

To read another woman’s story who was also used to taking the lead and had to remind herself of letting go of the control during the photoshoot, click here to read Miia’s story and see her photos.

Until next time you lovely person you,
Erika

Portraits of the inspiring Julie Damhus

May 11, 2018

Julie Damhus photographed by Erika Lind of Studio Metsä

It was September 2011, the start of my final year of University in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

For three years I had been dreaming about taking a ceramics class but it was always coinciding with a mandatory class up until my 4th year.

And I’m forever grateful for taking that specific class.

Because you see, there was a girl in my class that I know I was destined to meet.

Her name is Julie.

She is Danish.

From the first day we met, we became inseparable.

Julie was in Vancouver on exchange from her Master’s program of Industrial Design and had also always wanted to learn ceramics.

Turns out both of us fell in love with it and Julie even more so: she now runs a very successful business as a ceramist.

MEET JULIE

In addition to being a business woman, Julie is now also the mother of three amazing children and the wife of a talented carpenter, Soren. She’s a woman I truly admire and look up to in more ways than one.

When she came to visit me in Finland last year, she was struggling with the direction of her company. I made her website and we spoke a lot about what type of content she would put on her site.

It was a conglomeration of pieces she’d designed and while she really loved ceramics, she was afraid of focusing only on that. She had an underlying fear of not being able to make a living with it.

Julie couldn’t have been more wrong! Once she took the plunge, she hit success immediately.

It’s been amazing for me to follow her progress – having been at the beginning just learning ceramics to now doing it as a profession.

I think it’s a wonderful and inspiring example of the things we can accomplish when we follow that which we love to do, learn and study it until we master it.

And Julie is definitely a master in her art.

A lesson learned from Julie

When I say I admire Julie in many ways, it’s not only what she’s accomplished but who she is and how she approaches life and relationships.

Some years ago I was having an issue with my then-boyfriend while I was visiting her and she asked me one question: “Have you talked about your individual expectations towards this situation?”.

No, we hadn’t.

It was one of the biggest revelations for me – how can I be upset or hurt when we have never even spoken about what both of our expectations are.

When we don’t communicate in order to prevent upset and hurt from happening, we end up creating a direct road map to those very feelings.

We, as human race, tend to confuse communication with talking. We talk, talk, talk but we rarely understand or listen. How many conflicts could be avoided if we simply listened to one another.

A friend asked me a while ago: “Do you know anyone who’s in a happy marriage?”. I said yes, and thought of Julie.

Julie and Soren’s marriage is exemplary. I admire them individually and as a couple. I wish you could know them because they’d restore your faith in marriage / relationships / the opposite sex in a heartbeat.

Go ahead and follow Julie on Instagram here. Also go check out her website for ceramic pieces available for purchase.

Thanks Julie for trusting me with your photos!

You’re an inspiration.

—

Here are a few photos of us from last year and the beginning of our friendship:

JULIE AND ERIKA 2017

JULIE AND ERIKA 2011

I love you, Julie! Thanks for coming to my life. It’s much better because of you.

With so much love and respect,
Erika

Gorgeous, strong, sensitive and successful Sini

April 25, 2018

Studio Metsä Erika Lind Muotokuvaus Helsinki

It’s finally time to introduce the amazing Sini.

Sini is a 40-year-old successful interior designer who loves to travel and photograph. Sini has also modelled although she hasn’t specifically liked the way she has looked.

Sini has had it in her head before that she’s fat. This has prevented her from eating in public all the way until she was about 25 or 27. And even though many photographs have been made of her, she’s never felt that any of them represent her – it’s always been a part she’s played.

So she came to me. It was time to make some photographs of the real Sini.

Sini turned 40 last year and has really grown to her own woman. She’s learned to be kinder toward herself, more loving and accepting. She told me how she’s gained 15kg from the time when she previously thought she was fat and is now more comfortable in her own skin than ever before.

This is an example of how external factors really have nothing to do with our insecurities. No external factors can define our worth or understanding of ourselves. It’s simply our mind that creates an illusion of what we should be in order to be enough.

And when we finally reach that goal, we don’t come to any more peace about it. In fact, our mind will have already given us a new goal that makes us believe once we reach that, then we’ll be enough. It’s a vicious cycle, you’ll never win.

The only option is to take control of your mind and start walking down the path to self-acceptance and self-love. It’s the only path that will lead to permanent peace. After all, being loved and accepted is part of our emotional basic needs. Sometimes it just takes us a while to understand that those start within us.

Sini has understood this and you can see that in the way that she carries herself. I’m really happy that I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Sini because she’s inspired me by being who she is. She’s so warm, so kind, so friendly, so empathic and loves to laugh! And actually she has the nicest laugh, which flows out of her quite easily.

You’ll get a sense of that in the photos.

Photos of the real Sini

The photoshoot with Sini went great despite the somewhat cold weather. It’s such a pleasure photographing her and seeing the enjoyment she was also having!

At the photo reveal Sini told me that this is her. She’s in the photos. As her real self.

Yay! Mission accomplished!

—–

Here’s what Sini had to say about the experience:

“After gaining some weight, I had managed to become somewhat allergic to the camera. I was afraid that if someone would capture me in photographs, I’d think I look too big and then I’d start to hate myself and the way I look even though in my everyday life I feel good about myself and the way I look.

This is why I declined opportunities where others could take photos of me, even for work.

I ended up getting photographed by Studio Metsä because I liked Erika’s photos – they have this type of authenticity that I hadn’t seen much. I liked the idea that everyone is beautiful and worth being photographed. Even though I was afraid to see myself the way I am, the real me, I knew that’s precisely what I needed.

The experience was really wonderful❤

The photoshoot was really relaxed and I wasn’t nervous at any point. Erika was so warm and guided me really well with different poses. When I saw the photos myself I thought wow, do I look that good.

I went to other photographers as well but I didn’t think anyone else was able to capture the real me, from the inside and the outside, the way Erika did. Every photo makes me feel something. I even recognized my mom’s mischievous smile in one of the photos, which I’ve apparently inherited.

I got so excited about the photos that I sent them to some modeling agencies in Helsinki (the one I’m in right now is in Tampere) and two out of three told me they’ll take me!

Now I no longer worry if I’m not good enough or photogenic because of my weight. I’m good enough just as I am.

Thank you Erika ❤“

—–

No, thank you, Sini for coming to me, trusting me and through that opening your heart to me. You’re precious, amazing, gorgeous, supportive, warm, loving, goofy, funny and such a beautiful woman. I can’t wait to hear about all the things you end up doing in your life!

You’re a star.

With the warmest of hugs,
Erika

Sunday Pondering: How to make a good life?

April 15, 2018

The Makings of a Good Life - video by Erika Lind from Studio Metsä

On this Sunday, I took the morning and early afternoon to “debug” myself.

That means, I turned off my phone and laptop.

And that led me to making this video.

If you’ve ever been frustrated or even disappointed with how your life is, please watch this video.

I’d love to hear what thoughts arose in you, so please comment here or below the video on YouTube.

Life is in your hands and I hope you realize how empowering that is!

With so much love and respect,
Erika

Brand photos for Taru Hanna

March 22, 2018

I love Taru!

She’s warm and open, so friendly and kind.

And her business, Taru Hanna, is a direct reflection of her cheerful and loving soul.

Taru helps small business owners shine in digital spaces, ie helps them with all their digital marketing needs. This business was born when Taru, along with her family, moved to California. Prior to starting her own business Taru worked in marketing.

She told me how much she loves photographs and actually makes most of them for her own business but avoids being in front of the lens herself. She’d never been photographed before and this of course caused for some nervousness in the beginning.

But Taru was a natural; she relaxed so quickly and really enjoyed being in front of the camera (as you’ll see in photos to come..;))!

TARU HANNA / taruhanna.com

I loved photographing Taru. It’s so rewarding to see the person relax and really enjoy the process.

And this being a person who’d always thought they don’t know how to be in photos, that they don’t usually succeed and now all of a sudden they’re completely natural in front of the lens.

Thank you, Taru, for trusting me, giving me a chance and opening your heart to me. You’re special, so happy and warm, I loved spending time with you. You also have this way of making a person feel like they’re the most important person in the world. That’s very special!

Go check out Taru’s business and her services by clicking here. You can also fall in love with Taru by following her on Instagram!

With warm hugs,
Erika

Habits, habits, habits – or just pure luck?

January 22, 2018

Have you ever met a person who’s always happy, smiling, ready to laugh and get things going? They’re active in their lives and seem to always be doing amazing things?

I’ve met plenty of people like that and have always envied them. This is because I’ve always been emotional and sensitive, often feeling “the weight of the world” on my shoulders.

The interesting part about this is, I used to think that people like that were born that way – with a happy-go-lucky, laid-back attitude and nature (and maybe some are). But I never considered that maybe their upbringing, or they themselves, had developed positive habits in order to maximize their levels of happiness.

Maybe there’s no such thing as a happy person, per se. Maybe we are all products of our habits and actions. The people we choose to surround ourselves with, the ways in which we choose to spend our time, what we choose to listen to and watch. Not to mention the way we choose to do things, even little things like getting out of the bed in the morning.

Do we snooze and stall getting up? Do we spring up excited to start the day? Do we wallow in our potential morning-depression? Do we start to exercise? Do we read a book? Do we stay stuck in social media? Do we read emails? Do we read the news?

Can we change?

Maybe everything can be developed. Maybe everything can be fixed. Maybe every little thing can really be changed.

Although I’m a big believer in the impossible I now realize I’ve still had limiting beliefs around what’s inherent in me. That I’m just a sensitive person who feels a lot. That oh well, that’s my role in this world.

Maybe it’s just too damn easy to let ourselves believe there are certain things in our lives and within us that are simply out of our control.

But what if it weren’t so?

What if we could change everything?

What if everything we do, say, feel and think would be in our control?

What if all the tiniest habits we have could be changed?

What would you change?

How do you want to be?

How do you want to feel?

These are the questions we need to ask ourselves. And more importantly these are the questions we need to answer.

Because only when we have a destination, can we figure out a way to get there.

—

This blog post was prompted by a moment in the Helsinki city bus as I sat down thinking about my week. I was flying high all week last week – I had amazing, deep connections with people every day of the week. And it continued to blow my mind how amazing people are.

At the core of human happiness, for me, are true, deep and real connections with people.

So, I was sitting there thinking about how much these connections had uplifted my mood and how incredibly blessed I was feeling. It’s not a feeling I usually feel every day, all the time. And it led me to think about other days in my life when I’m not flying so high, when my mood might actually be quite low.

And then the question became, how can I generate those emotions when it’s just me and I’m not feeling so good. When perhaps my habits weigh me down, when my choices allow only for momentary gain but end up in long-term ill-being.

Our habits begin to play a gigantic role in our lives on those days when we are feeling less than. Our brain attempts to preserve energy so it defaults to already-formed habits when we are feeling low. In order for us to have a better chance of feeling good on a day-to-day basis, we need to form healthy and positive habits that support us even when we are down.

What a simple and beautiful revelation I had sitting in the city bus!

What small change are you going to make?

Thank you for reading.

With so much love, respect and warm hugs,
Erika

Studio Metsä Year in Review: 2017

December 31, 2017

The year of tumult / Studio Metsä Photography

The year 2017 has been one of the most tumultuous of my adult life.

The year of change.

So let’s review.

It was the first full year of Studio Metsä under the concept of photographing women who don’t believe they’re photogenic.

With that came many amazing people to my life that continue to inspire and challenge me (in the best possible way) to this day. Clients that turned into friends. Clients that have touched my heart and soul with their experiences, wisdom and ways of seeing the world.

It’s safe to say that Studio Metsä has the absolute best, most open, optimistic and heart-warming clients ever!

People who are willing to go deep and open their hearts to someone they’ve just met.
People who trust and embrace the world and its people.
People who take responsibility for themselves, their emotions, well-being and growth.
People who want to work for who they want to be.

I’m honoured and blessed to be able to associate with people like that.

This year has at its absolute best been a year of true connection. Connection that goes from heart to heart. Connection that strips us bare, that leaves nothing to hide behind. Connection that brings out our humanity and vulnerability.

Connection like that is rare but it’s what true and real human interactions are made of.

But wherever there’s true and deep connection, there’s also the possibility for experiencing loss as we connect to a place within us that tells us the truth of who we are and what we truly want and need.

In order to grow, we need that connection, those realizations and the pain that may accompany it.

These types of losses teach you to let go. However, I’ve only realized I don’t fully know how to do that.

One of the biggest losses this year has been the passing of my beloved nearly 15-year-old cat. Just looking at the photos I wanted to include here turned me into a wreck. It’s hard to understand and come to terms with.

Some things are not meant to be and it doesn’t matter what I do or who I am, some things will never happen or go the way I’d like them to. And this means, I need to learn how to take a step back and let it go.

It’s generally really hard for me because I don’t like to quit. I’m a problem-solver and it’s difficult for me to accept that there are certain problems that I can’t solve.

So. In the year of 2018, I shall learn how to let go. How? I have absolutely no idea.

But I recently came across this little piece of writing that perfectly summarizes how I hope to grow in 2018:

“I no longer force things.
What flows, flows.
What crashes, crashes.
I only have space and energy for the things that are meant for me.”

But now, a summary of 2017 for Studio Metsä:

Highlights of the Year

YLE PERJANTAI – Interview // Only in Finnish

ME NAISET-magazine photoshoot with five women
(Also in Finnish)

Click below for the full article.

KD Magazine Interview
(In Finnish)

Click below for the full article.

Started my studies to become a certified Life Coach (Graduation in April 2018)
Realized men struggle with the same insecurities as women do and have started the process of expanding my services to include men as well
Photographed a man!
Created and held an amazing workshop in Copenhagen, Denmark with the incredible Danish Line Bram, a sexologist and Love Coach
Travelled to Brussels for an amazing photoshoot
Held my first Instagram Live which went so incredibly well, I felt so blessed and grateful!
Created a video series about insecurities that begins airing January 2018
Expanded the newsletter into twice monthly
Was interviewed by Aino-Kuutamo Uusitorppa for her new book Valtavan ihana
Created free wallpapers for your phone (“I am enough”, “I am beautiful”, “I am inspiring”
Photographed only in Finland for the 2018 Wall Calendar
Went full-on with video, making videos for clients and some even for social media!
Embraced the rapper/hiphop artist that’s been hiding inside of me
Held my first-ever Instagram contest
And probably much more that I can’t think of right now

So, to all of you who have been a part of Studio Metsä’s journey this year, I THANK YOU.

From the bottom of my heart I say, thank you.

You have been a crucial part of the growth and development of this business.

What I hope and wish for you for 2018 is experiences, adventures and people that test your boundaries, push you a bit further than you’re comfortable going, show you exactly how magnificent you are, and how incredible life is.

I wish you a year full of love.

True and real love.

With love and hugs,
Erika

Viola glowing in the golden hour

October 1, 2017

Viola Nygren Studio Metsän kuvattavana Helsingissä

Introducing Viola.

A woman so openly herself that you immediately feel the liberating freedom of being your crazy self as well.

From the moment we met, conversation flew easily and the more we spoke, so did the giggles.

Viola has a pure heart of gold (which is why it was only fitting we did the photoshoot at the golden hour!).

When we met and set out to make photographs for her new and improved blog, and new business, we were both on the same wave length about the type of photos we were seeking: something approachable, natural and professional.

Viola has just started her own business, Tmi Viola Nygren, where she helps small business owners create content for their audiences. She is a wonderful writer and loves to create.

Viola & the photoshoot

On the day we met later in the evening to catch the beautiful golden hour rays.

Viola relaxed into the photos quickly and was a total natural! It’s pure joy to be working with people who are so willing to try out different things and have lots of fun doing it.

The bridge we photographed on was about as busy as they get with constant traffic in the form of bikers, runners, walkers and moms with their strollers. I love how photography allows us to create pretty much any kind of a scene we want. With the right angles and timing, photography becomes a way to build dreams.

Also, Viola stayed surprisingly calm and collected in the midst of all of that getting up and sitting back down!

The beauty of photographing outdoors

What’s really wonderful about photographing at sunset and twilight is the difference in light. Right before the sun goes down, as we all know, the light is beautiful and warm, luscious and soft. And as soon as the sun has disappeared into the horizon, the light turns colder with amazing pastels.

This allowed us to make photographs with a very different feel to them.

Warm summer night turns into a cool winter-y setting.

AT THE PHOTO REVEAL

For many, it’s strange to be looking at photographs of themselves made by someone else.

I suppose in the world today most of us are accustomed to being in control of our photos. Either they’re selfies where we have 100% of the control or they’re photos made by someone close to us where we can see the photo immediately in order to decide whether it’s good enough and/or what we can do differently for the next one.

But when you trust a professional to photograph you, you give them a chance to get to know you, to see you, to capture you… Just. As. You. Are.

This is where the real beauty of the person comes out.

When you stop controlling it and you just are. You laugh, you smile, you’re serious, you look away, you look down, you move, you live.

The living, breathing, dancing you.

It’s your soul that shines through in the photographs.

Just as it does here in Viola’s photographs.

I bet, when you look at these photographs, each and every one of you can attest to the description of Viola I gave earlier on in the post. Right?

It’s in her smile, in her body language, in her eyes – it’s in who she is.

Viola wrote a beautiful blog post about this experience so you should go check it out on her blog. It is in Finnish, but perhaps, again, Google Translate can give you a helping hand! ;)

If you have any content creation needs, she’s your gal. She’ll be the nicest and funnest person you’ve ever worked with.

Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

And if you have any questions about photography or anything at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Until next time lovely,
With hugs,
Erika

Unique Ella in the Rhododendron park

August 20, 2017

Ella Haagan Alppiruusutarhassa Studio Metsä Erika Lind

It’s not every day that I get to photograph such a delicate young lady as Ella.

Ella had her confirmation camp this summer and her mother decided to gift her with a photo shoot. Ella herself is also interested in photography which she clearly has an eye for since her photographs are gorgeous, serene and delicate – just like Ella herself.

The photo shoot was in the beautiful Rhododendron park in Haaga, Helsinki. Despite Ella being a bit shy, she was incredibly relaxed and willing to try out even the weirdest suggestions I had :P

It all went great and I’m so happy that Ella’s mother united us. I look forward to seeing where Ella’s road will take her!

Until next time lovely,
With hugs,
Erika

Miia and her life-long adventure

August 13, 2017

Oh, Miia!

Miia is starting a new adventure in her professional (and personal) life and needed photographs to represent the new her. She connected to my concept of accepting yourself and loving yourself as you are so she contacted me.

I was excited to work with her because it was a bit different from what I normally do. And it seemed from the beginning that Miia and I were on the same page.

I went to do the photoshoot with her in Brussels, where she was located at the time, and we had an amazing time.

We spent a lot of time talking and by the end of it, I had a pretty clear idea of what she was looking for.

Let the adventure begin

The day of the photoshoot was glorious. We started off at her beautiful apartment and moved on out into the city.

Something I really appreciated and admired about Miia was her approach to the entire process.

She knew herself, how she usually behaves and what goes through her mind. She knew she needed to control those thoughts and patterns.

Miia knew, being a visual person, that she’d have an urge to control the photoshoot and as those feelings arose, she kept telling herself to let it go. She’d hired me to do the visuals and she had to trust me.

When she told me this after the photoshoot, I never would’ve guessed. And I was beyond impressed that someone could know their own pitfalls and work so diligently to avoid them as they arrive.

When we had the photo reveal, she told me she always wanted to have this elegance about her, but didn’t think she did.

Until she saw the photographs.

It was so interesting because that elegance was one of the first things I noticed about her, even before we met. It’s always been in her, without her even realising it.

In addition to that, Miia had also never considered herself to be beautiful.

Something that also came as a surprise to me.

I mean look at this woman!

Beautiful and elegant Miia

You can follow her journey through

Thanks for finding me, Miia, and for giving us a chance to meet and become friends! It’s been an absolute pleasure to get to know you.

I look forward to seeing where this adventure leads you!

With so many hugs,
Erika

Satu and the struggle with her teeth

August 6, 2017

Satu photographed by Studio Metsä in Helsinki Finland

When Satu and I sat down to have our face-to-face getting-to-know-each-other-chat, I knew her and I would get along just fine.

She had been emailing me for a while and shown such openness and trust towards me long before we’d ever met.

This always speaks so highly of people: when they’re willing to be vulnerable and candidly open.

Satu was that from the get-go.

She’s had a tough past but she’s learned a lot.

Satu is now 54 years old and proud that she’s come a long way from how she used to be.

However, she still doesn’t enjoy being in photographs.

The fear about photography

Her main concern are her teeth. She doesn’t like them and she definitely doesn’t like seeing herself smile or laugh in photographs.

She specifically remembers this one photograph where the shadow falls on her face in a way that accentuates her teeth. And she strongly dislikes that photograph. That’s also one of the reasons why she hasn’t liked being in photographs anymore.

Although I thought, “but there’s nothing wrong with your teeth!”.

And this is usually how it is.

It’s not really ever about our physical appearance, because truthfully, we can all find something in us that we don’t like.

But it’s about how we look at it.

I like to say that the way you see yourself is not the ONLY way to see you.

What a comforting idea, isn’t it!?

There are people out there in the world, some that you know, some that you don’t, that look at you and admire you for those precise qualities you think are horrible.

But let’s do it anyway!

On the day that we were having our photoshoot, the sun was out and it was a totally gorgeous day.

She told me straight-up-front that she’s nervous.

That’s okay. It comes with the territory.

I like to start the photoshoots slowly, to let my beautiful clients get used to it.

We did a little relaxation exercise and started off sitting next to the water.

Satu was amazing!

She got the hang of it so fast and I could visibly see her relax.

Later she told me how positively surprised she was about my ability to make her relax. She was so nervous, she wasn’t sure I could!

And that’s really the number one thing: to relax.

But it’s my job to relax you in front of the camera. And I work so hard to do that.

Sometimes it works especially well –>
(Haha! I just love her in these photographs.)

The entire time I spent with Satu was amazing. She’s an incredible woman and I’m so happy and privileged I got to meet her, get to know her and photograph her.

Once she saw the photographs of her teeth exposed, she actually liked them. “Oh, they don’t look so bad at all!”

Thank you, Satu, for reaching out to me and for baring your soul to me.

With so many hugs, and much love,
Erika

Mari + Helsinki + Sun = Joy, joy, joy

June 11, 2017

Voimaannuttava kuvaus Helsinki Studio Metsä Erika Lind

Until next time lovely.

With hugs,
Erika

Don’t dream your life, live your dream

June 8, 2017

I have a question for you: What would your life look like if you had no fear?

Someone once asked me that and I haven’t been able to forget about it ever since. It’s that powerful.

And I’d highly encourage you to take a moment to take that question in and really think about it.
What would your life look like if you had no fear?

What would you be doing?
What kind of person would you be?
Where would you live?
Where would you work?
What kind of person would you be married to?
What type of a lifestyle would you have?
What clothes would you wear?
Grab a pen and some paper and write down the answers.

Allow yourself to dream. Let your mind wander and be free. Forget about what’s “realistic” and write down your wildest dreams.

Do that now.

Go ahead…

(I’ll be here. Waiting. No rush.)

…

How did that feel? What did you write? How does that life look like? How do you look like?

We’re never too old to dream. And we’re never too adult to believe in those dreams.

Have you ever looked at someone and thought wow, I wish I had her/his life? I wish I were like her/him? What’s the next thought that comes to your head preventing you from believing it’s possible for you too?

We’re not born this way. Most of the things in us and our lives at the moment are learned. We learn to behave in a certain way, to think in a certain way, we even learn to believe in a certain way. Some people learn more beneficial thought and behaviour patterns than others, but we all have the power (and freedom!) to change them as adults.

If there’s something you really want in your life, you can have it. You just have to figure out what’s stopping you.

Hit reply and ponder about it in an email to me!

Happy dreaming and remember… “Don’t (just) dream your life, LIVE your dream!”

With so much love and hugs,
Erika

The Love of a Mother

May 14, 2017

The mothers I know and have photographed all share one thing: worry.

Worry that

they’re not doing a good job
they’re not able to give their child what they need
they’re not perfect
they’re not enough.

That’s mother’s love. This worry comes from the depth of a mother’s love.

I don’t have children myself, but every mother, mine included, tells me it’s love like they’ve never experienced before. It’s something inexplicable.

When you feel such strong love, when you know you’d do anything for this child, when the child is your world… how can there be anything bigger? How can anything else possibly be better?

MOTHER – THE MOST IMPORTANT

Mothers: I’m proud of all of you. It’s not an easy job, yet you do it, and make it look easy. You’re doing the most important job in the world: raising the next generation. Be proud. Be happy. Encourage and support yourself (and other mothers).

Give yourself time to grow and develop, to relax and restore. You deserve it.

While being a mother is the most important job, it’s also important to remember that underneath it all, there’s still you.

It’s okay to spend time by yourself. It’s okay to pamper yourself. It’s okay to focus on yourself every now and again. Because when you recharge your batteries, you have so much more to give to your child(ren) and others close to you. It’s a gift you give to others when you take care of yourself.

So don’t be shy. Don’t be too modest.

You deserve pampering.

You deserve relaxation.

You deserve you-time.

Take it. And enjoy it.

Happy Mother’s Day!

You make this world a better place. Thank you.

With so much love and appreciation,
Erika

Seven truths to challenge yourself with

May 4, 2017

In honour of it being May 4th today, I decided to bring on the wisdom of Yoda. If you’ve never seen any of the Star Wars movies, I’d highly recommend watching at least the first trilogy. And if for nothing else, watch them for the wisdom.

I was never interested in these films until a couple of years ago I was practically forced to watch them. After the first film, I was sold.

So without further ado, here are a couple of reasons, from Yoda himself, why you should watch Star Wars:

Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.

Luke: I can’t believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail.

You must unlearn what you have learned.

Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.

Do or do not. There is no try.

You will find only what you bring in.

Named must your fear be before banish it you can.

Are you convinced yet?!

If not, I hope that at least some of Yoda’s wisdom hit home to you. After all, they’re universal truths about life and I hope they will inspire you.

May the 4th (ie. Force…) be with you!

Until next time lovely,
With hugs,
Erika

Lotta N. – a.k.a. Super Woman

April 30, 2017

Studio Metsä valokuvaus Me Naiset yhteistyö

Lotta is a Super Woman.

She’s educated, married, has four children and still continues to work – all in the ripe old age of 34. And yet she still experiences inferiority. This is a feeling she doesn’t want to pass on to her children which is what’s pushing her to seek solutions. And that’s how Lotta ended up taking part in the challenge I had with the Finnish women’s magazine Me Naiset.

Lotta was bullied at school which left marks in her self-esteem. Although she’s had many successes in all areas of her life, they still haven’t been strong enough to conquer the underlying feeling of inferiority.

The photoshoot with Lotta was relaxed and pleasant. She’s calm, respectful and friendly, and it’s easy to be around her. She has gorgeous, sparkly eyes and amazing cheek bones and smile. Lotta is also tall and carries herself beautifully. All in all she’s a gorgeous, beautiful woman. And it was a pleasure to photograph her.

Thank you, Lotta for the application and for an opportunity to get to know you. I hope that the experience will keep bringing a smile to your face for a long time to come and that the photographs will function as a reminder of your bravery, determination and inner strength. Because you’ve got so much more of it than you think.

THE EFFECT OF BULLYING

Bullies rarely understand the pain they’ve caused since their actions are usually sparked by their own pain. This is when the pain they’re causing others functions as a cover for their own pain although in reality it only worsens it.

Basically it’s this idea of “if you can’t lose weight, make your friends fat.”

Unfortunately not all bullies ever wake-up to realize the consequences of their actions nor to regret them. Thus it’s pointless to be waiting for an apology that might very well never come.

Forgiveness is something that should be done for your own sake. It no longer has anything to do with the bully. Forgiveness heals you. It helps you to get rid of bitterness and hatred, both of which only work to diminish joy in life.

There’s a reason why they say that

resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

FORGIVENESS

A good start for forgiveness is writing a letter. You’ll use this letter as a way to write down all of the things this person did to hurt you. After that, you’ll write down all of the good things that has followed it. And end it with forgiveness. You won’t mail this letter so feel free to destroy it.

Repeat this exercise, if not daily, then every other or third day, until you start to notice that the feelings of bitterness and hatred have begun to diminish and peace has begun to take their place. This is a long process and definitely won’t happen over night, so please don’t expect that. Stay focused and consistent and you’ll start seeing results.

This person no longer has any power over you. They cannot hold onto you anymore. But with bitterness you hold onto them. You’ve made a choice to give them power. Make a different choice now. Choose freedom. Choose joy. Choose love and peace.

Hit me up with a message by clicking here and let me know what kind of trust issues you’re battling with!

Until next time lovely,
With hugs,
Erika

Ever feel like you’re failing at life?

April 27, 2017

DISCLAIMER: This blog post is a result of the questions that arose for myself and my life after having watched an amazing interview (which I’ve linked at the end of the post).

—

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re failing at life?

Knowing the food you consume isn’t really good for you, but you do it anyway, because well, it’s too desirable not to?

Knowing that sitting by the computer or tv or any other device for longer periods than you’re on your two feet is really bad for you but you do it anyway because well, what else are you supposed to do?

Knowing that you really need more sleep and in appropriate times but that you’re always willing to compromise on it first hand?

Or,

wondering how you got to where you are now when all you want is to be elsewhere?

Dreaming of all the things you want yet not lifting a finger to achieve them?

Moping around in your home not knowing which way to go, walking aimlessly only to return back to the couch or bed or whatever cushioned surface you have available in your house?

When did we become like this, I ask?

I see my life flash in front of my eyes and I’m not even dying.

What have I done? What have I accomplished? Where am I going? Am I going anywhere?

Why, but WHY, do I put myself through this hot mess when I know I could fix it?

Why are we so conditioned to behave like robots, just resting on waves, floating, not fighting?

Even though we are in constant fight or flight mode, we do neither, we only live through the constant distress. WHY?

How did our cultural and societal expectations of life become so passive and unsatisfying, not to mention, down-right deadly?

But the most important question is, how can we reverse all of this damage?

How can we change the course of our lives and realise that we have control, that we can change, that we can actually, really, really, really, in all honesty, CHANGE OUR LIVES?

Our bodies are mechanisms, living beings that we treat poorly every single day and then we blame and punish them for acting out, for showing symptoms of poor treatment. And we stuff our bodies with more bull-crap because we’re conditioned to believe they are the solution.

Truth is, it’s not until we rise up to the challenge, take responsibility, stop the self-pity and START DOING that we will be healed.

—

This entire blog post is a result of having watched a truly life-altering interview of a Holistic Psychiatrist Kelly Brogan.

I’ll add the interview here so you’ll get a chance to challenge yourself as well.

It starts now.

Are you ready?

Until next time lovely, let’s believe in ourselves, trust ourselves, give ourselves love and care, and trust ourselves, deep down we know what’s best for us.

With much love and many hugs,
Erika

Päivi finding a way to love and accept herself

April 23, 2017

Päivi Helsingissä Valokuvaaja Erika Lind Studio Metsä

The fourth woman to be photographed for the Me Naiset project was Päivi.

Päivi is a 44-year-old woman who’s always battled with her appearance. Päivi told me she’s always had issues with her weight, whether they were imagined or real. She hasn’t been able to relate to her appearance in a healthy way and has found it difficult to wear make-up or color her hair.

The way you see yourself isn’t the only way to see you

Päivi avoids being in photos by always having a camera in her hand. This nearly always guarantees her escape from photos. However, at times there are people who also have the same strategy and have managed to catch Päivi in some of their photos. When Päivi sees the photo, her party mood goes down immediately. She’d felt beautiful but seeing the photo tells her otherwise.

Sound familiar?

Päivi hoped to get some new-found insight into herself through this photography experience. She hoped that photos made by a professional could reveal sides of her that she likes and through that grow her self-esteem and self-confidence. These are the very things I hope to be able to resurface.

Because the way we see ourselves is rarely the same way others see us. Of course it’s obvious that when we look at the same face and the same body day in and day out that some type of criticism will start to emerge. This is precisely why I feel it to be so crucial to have a second opinion. To have a chance to see ourselves through someone else’s eyes.

It gives us the possibility to see the good in us and to focus in them, to learn a more positive and loving approach to ourselves, leaving behind the much too nagging negativity.

In this photoshoot:
You open a door that allows you to see yourself in a new light,
You give the photographer a chance to show you yourself through her eyes,
You give yourself room to love and accept yourself as you are.

The experience with Päivi’s own words

“Having ended up being photographed by Erika was a chance. I went through all the thoughts in my head which I shouldnt: ‘Even the countryside fences will laugh at me if I’ll be photographed and the photos end up in a magazine. It’s ridiculous that a woman of this size, appearance and age will have photos made of herself, wouldn’t it be better to just hide in the corner and pull a blanket over my head. This will stigmatize me.’ I looked at the photos Erika had made of women who’re afraid of the camera and I felt infinite inadequacy: they’re all beautiful, I’m not.

On the day of the photoshoot I rapidly forgot about self-criticism. I didn’t even get a chance to be nervous. I also didn’t think of my appearance. Erika and I walked and talked and photography came on the side. A photographer’s job is really demanding. In order to be good, it’s not enough to know how to use the camera. It’s much more important to be able to really see the person you’re photographing. I felt like I was with a friend and friends never want to harm each other. The photoshoot was very natural – actually it wasn’t even a photoshoot, but instead a meeting between two people, two women.

I was nervous to see the photos, because deep down inside I had the same old thought: how can anyone make beautiful photos of me when I’m not beautiful. I had planned to look through the photos, compliment them and then forget all about them. But when I saw the photos, I suddenly found myself thinking these photos are good. These photos feature a beautiful woman. I’ve looked at the photos many times and thought of myself and my appearance. When I look in the mirror, I see my weight and other flaws. When I look at the photos I see a sweet, laughing, attractive woman. And yet, the same woman is in both the mirror and the pictures, she is me.

One photo sessions of course isn’t enough to entirely fix a skewed way of thinking formed by years, or even a lifetime, but it has opened up a door to a different way of thinking. I’m a relatively level-headed person despite everything and I have recognized that the way I think isn’t right, yet I haven’t managed to get over it. Now that I’ve been looking at the photos Erika made of me, I’ve dared to think that I can be beautiful even if I have flaws. The camera doesn’t lie, or at least Erika’s doesn’t. So why wouldn’t I believe it?

The photoshoot, the photos, the entire process has helped me. It’s wise to face your fears. You won’t become beautiful by standing in front of the mirror and speaking to yourself nastily. It won’t make you lose weight or become prettier. It’s worth it to look for the good and beautiful in everything, but especially of the one thing you’ll be living with for your entire life = yourself! I’ve always admired women who carry themselves beautifully. I want to be one and these photos has helped me in it.”

Photographing Päivi and spending time with her was easy-going and fun. Päivi is a really heartfelt, beautiful and warm person. Her gorgeous eyes sparkle and her smile lights up her entire face. Päivi is intelligent and kind, who has a lot to say and to give.

Thank you Päivi for applying for this project and thank you for giving me a chance to get to know you! I hope these photos will continue to remind you of the importance of kindness, love and appreciation towards yourself. You’ve faced a fear, and exceeded your own expectations, that is a reason to celebrate!

Did Päivi’s thoughts feel familiar? Why do you avoid being in front of the camera? Send me a private, confidential message to me here – I’d love to hear from you!

With a lot of love and hugs,
Erika

Salla – the gorgeous burlesque dancer

April 16, 2017

Salla Helsingissä valokuvaaja Studio Metsä

Salla is a 26-year-old burlesque dancing mother who used to be bullied.

She feels good in her own skin as long as she doesn’t have to see any photographs. Because in the photographs she only sees “a bouncy backside, a jelly belly striped by pregnancy and thighs full of cellulite”. Her acne scars make her not want to go out without make-up and selfies are always very controlled and photoshopped.

Acne scars – a part of her uniqueness

Because of beauty ideals (which I just recently wrote about here) we have expectations as to what we should look like in order to be considered beautiful. One thing on this impossible list is a smooth, nearly porcelain skin.

The scars from her acne as well as from having been bullied have followed Salla to this day, both figuratively and literally. When she was younger, Salla suffered from acne which has left scars on her skin. She is ashamed of them and always wears make-up in an attempt to cover them.

But would Salla be Salla is she didn’t have the scars?

Just as our emotional scars shaped us to the person we are today, so do the physical ones. They tell a story of her experiences which have made her this emphatic, loving, kind and living being. The scars on Salla’s face work only to strengthen her unique beauty.

And that she has a lot of.

She’s absolutely gorgeous.

“I felt critical about the close-up photos, but Erika made me believe in my beauty by saying that even the scars are a part of me. I cried when I realized how cruel I am to myself.”

Burlesque re-building self-esteem

Nowadays Salla dares to get on stage in revealing clothes as a burlesque dancer and feels attractive and sexy. When she’s on stage, Salla becomes another person – she’s more confident, daring, even audacious. On stage Salla feels she can let go of the stress and self-esteem problems and feel free.

She’s grateful to burlesque for lifting her self-esteem. Now that she’s been dancing for a couple of years, she notices how much her self-esteem has grown during this time, despite the fact that she still has trouble looking at photos of her shows. All she can see in them are “problem areas”.

But clearly something in Salla’s soul is so much stronger than those problem areas to make her go back to the stage time after time.

As I was photographing Salla, I asked her to make some movements that she would during a performance. As soon as she began, she became confident Salla. It was incredible to see. There was an immediate shift in her eyes and in her entire body.

Our self-esteem always comes from within even though it’s visible on the outside. It’s not about what we wear or how we look like, but how we carry ourselves.

When we start to pay attention to our inner well-being and speaking strength to ourselves, it starts to show on the outside: we walk differently, we’re able to look at strangers in the eye longer and smile at them. It’s so much easier for us to be when we understand that all of us are equal. No one is better than us, nor are we better than anyone else.

We are all enough, loved and important just as we are.

Connection points to your own emotions?

Did you find connection points to your own feelings/thoughts/fears? Have you felt that you’d like to change them? Use this form to send me a confidential message and let me know what types of emotions you go through. Together we can figure out solutions for building a better, and happier, future. Because it’s possible for you just as it is for anyone else.

If you’re not ready to contact me directly yet, that’s completely fine: You can order my newsletter which comes to your inbox once a month. This way you’ll stay up-to-date with what’s going on with Studio Metsä (and you’ll probably see some inspiring text as well ;)). You can order the newsletter from the bottom of the page.

Thanks to the lovely Salla, thanks Me Naiset. And now to you, my lovely reader, thank you for reading.

I wish a wonderful Sunday!

Until next time lovely,
With warm hugs of strength,
Erika

P.S. Remember that you’re exactly who you tell yourself. So make sure those words are loving and positive!

Why beauty ideals suck. Hard.

April 13, 2017

Today I wanted to talk to you about beauty ideals and to start things off, I’ll tell you a little story:

One summer when I was 14, I was spending time with a friend of mine who lived in another town.

She was friends with a girl that both of us thought was really beautiful and we’d always admired her.

One day when she was surrounded by a group of people, we looked at her and wondered what it would feel like to be beautiful.

It was the type of genuine curiosity that would have shown anyone nearby how little we thought of ourselves.

We, just like Päivi, simply believed we were not in her category. Nor would we ever be.

It just wasn’t in the cards for us.

Photo courtesy of http://impossiblebeautystandards.weebly.com/

The absurdity of beauty ideals

Now, let’s stop and take a second to think about this.

What’s wrong with this type of thinking?

EVERY. SINGLE. THING.

Why?

Because

our value isn’t dependant on our appearance
beauty is not just one type
if we aren’t all beautiful, what are we?
true beauty comes from the inside
external factors do not equal happiness.

There is a common misconception that someone we think is beautiful (and may I remind you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder) would have it all – confidence, health, love and happiness.

A friend in Canada put it aptly when he said that a gorgeous person has simply “won the genetic lottery”. But so what? If they don’t have the personality to match, what good is their gorgeousness?

It’s an inside job

Who we are, how we are and how we feel, starts from the inside.

We may try to find confidence, love and happiness from external sources but on that road we will always fall short. If we rely on external sources for validation, permission, acceptance, we will never find peace or happiness because we aren’t in control of it.

External validation can’t and won’t last. It exhausts the people around us, it exhausts our relationships and it will never build us a sustainable life. We will always feel empty and lacking.

And WE ARE! when we expect others to tell us our worth.

The only person we can rely on to do that, to validate us, to believe in us, to build us up when we fall, is ourself.

Only we are in control of what we think, say and do. We aren’t able to control others, nor should we. When we take responsibility for ourselves and for our own happiness, we have a chance at building a healthy life for ourselves and for those around us.