Meet the girl behind the lens

Hello there! I'm Merja, a fine art street photographer based in Paris, my adopted home and constant muse. For me, city streets are an endless canvas where light and humanity create fleeting, magical moments. While Parisian life provides the main part of my portfolio, my work also includes a wanderlust dimension with images captured during my travels with my family.

For me photography is all about seeing light and feeling it

My style is rooted firmly in natural light. I don't chase the perfect setup; I chase the perfect light. Light and shadows are my main motivators, breathing emotion and drama into my images. Photography is an exercise in visual awareness; observing and feeling light's impact on the scene.

I wasn't born a Parisienne, but I have become one by adoption. My relationship with the City of Light began at the age of 18 when I first visited it. Decades later, Paris continues to surprise and delight. I still find countless little marvels and poignant moments every day; the nonchalant elegance of a passing person, a walk in a busting neighborhood. Yet, this authentic Paris also comes with real nuisances, like surviving the notorious Metro line 13 commute. It is this complex blend of the sublime and the mundane that I strive to reflect in my street photography.

The Enduring History of Paris

As you walk these historic streets and gaze upon the magnificent architecture, take a moment to imagine the countless people who have done the same before you.

They have come and gone, yet Paris remains here, still vibrant and thriving. It is a privilege to be a part of this ongoing story and contribute to its evolution in my unique way.

random facts about me

I used to be an avid reader, but lately, I find it hard to carve out time for a book.

I know, it’s an excuse!

Instead of studying my huge collection of books by the masters of photography,

I often get lost in the rabbit hole of photo forums and social media.

I have a great passion for food. I love cooking, eating, and dining out. I recently completed a CAP cuisine (certificat d’aptitude professionnelle, a French vocational culinary training) and my desk is surrounded by a mountain of cookbooks. Half my salary goes toward kitchen gadgets!

VIVE LA CUISINE!

My favorite pastime is sipping wine, either while people-watching at a café or at home while editing my images.

When commuting in the metro, I love visualiZing all the images I could take if I were invisible, or had the nerve.

My secret vice is binge-watching British & Scandinavian series.

I also love going to the cinema. With a yearly subscription, I usually see at least one film a week, a luxury of city life with three cinemas within a walking distance of my home. I tend to prefer small European or Asian films over big blockbusters.

Lost in translation

My native language is Finnish, which I rarely use here in France, except with my son or my family on the phone.

I speak better French than I write, which is why I prefer to write in English. Please excuse my approximative English at times! 

I sneeze in a funny way

 enough of me - let’s get back to photography