BIO
Originally from Finland, Merja Varkemaa is a Paris based fine art photographer. A keen observer of urban life, she draws inspiration from timeless street photography but focuses on expressing deeper feelings and emotions rather than documenting the scene. Merja uses city life and architecture as evocative backdrops for the random individuals she photographs. Complementing her urban work, she also enjoys portraiture and capturing the atmospheric moodiness of empty, off-season beaches. Her photographic style is defined by her pursuit of light and shadows, utilizing their contrast and complementarity to enhance the beauty of every moment.
Merja's photography has been featured in publications such as Click Magazine, Shots Magazine, and F-Stop Magazine. She has been selected for several juried group exhibitions, including the Women Street Photographers Annual Exhibition in New York.
Her photography has received multiple accolades, including being a category winner (Street Photography) in the 24th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers in 2024. She has also earned a Gold and Honorable Mentions in the PX3 - Prix de la Photographie Paris in 2023 and 2020. Additionally, she was a finalist in the Lensculture Street Photography Awards 2021 and has been twice named "Best in the category Street" in the annual VOICE Competition organized by Click & Company, where she has been a selected finalist multiple times.
Merja is a member of: