Finland Archives - Marianne Taylor Photography | Portrait & Family Photographer in Cornwall

Interview in Mennään naimisiin magazine

April 11, 2013 · 2 Comments

Towards the end of last year I was interviewed for a Finnish wedding magazine, Mennään naimisiin (Let’s get married) about my approach to wedding photography and Beloved. The issue is now out in Finland, for those who are interested over there. It was truly a strange experience to read about yourself in Finnish, not something that happens too often! Quite fittingly, the article also features pictures of another Finn living and working in the UK, Minna, with whom I did a Beloved session last year.

Mennään naimisiin lehti

Johanna & Sven | Wedding

August 9, 2011 · 24 Comments

To take my mind off the tragic things happening in London at the moment, I thought I’d reminisce over Johanna & Sven’s wedding in Finland. You might remember their engagement session in Richmond Park from last year when they still lived in London. The couple have now happily relocated to Johanna’s native Finland, where their wedding celebrations brought together friends and family from Finland and Belgium, where Sven hails from, but also from the UK where they used to live.

Johanna and her bridesmaids got ready at Sokos Hotel Alexandra in Jyväskylä, where her lovely braided do and beautiful make-up were created by Marika from AK Hius & Meikki Akatemia. Johanna’s stunning gown was custom made and her shoes were Perov by Rainbow Couture, while her jewellery was from Vatne Designs.

The ceremony of Johanna & Sven’s wedding took place in the picturesque Korpilahti Church, which was a beautiful setting for the occasion. It had looked like a lovely sunny day, until exiting the church that is, which is when the skies opened up and the rain started pelting down. That became a bit of a theme for the rest of the day (well, Johanna & Sven did want to include something British in their day… :D), with heavy downpours alternating with bursts of sunshine. It did mean that we got to witness the most amazing rainbow ever, mind. Wanha Voimala, and old power plant in Vaajakoski, made for an unusual and quirky reception venue.

Other vendors I feel I ought to mention were the caterers, Punainen Pirtti, and the florists, Ruusupuu. Another noteworthy detail is that all the pretty stationery was made by Johanna herself with the help of her bridesmaid.

It is always lovely to get to go back ‘home’ and this time it was made even more special by getting to be a part of this amazing day. Thank you Johanna & Sven for having me! Gefeliciteerd!

creative fine art wedding photography

creative fine art wedding photography

Anu & Oka | Wedding

September 29, 2010 · 20 Comments

On a hot and humid Saturday in August (which later turned into the biggest thunder storm I’ve experienced in ages), Anu & Oka got married in Mission Church (Lähetyskirkko) in Helsinki. There were a few especially touching moments about the ceremony, one of these was when the couple read out vows they had written for each other, and another was when a Finnish artist Jippu sang her song ‘Jos sä tahdot niin’ to the couple.

I was originally over in Finland for a few days of holiday, but I couldn’t really say no when these two asked me to cover at least a part of their day. At four hours, this was hands down the shortest coverage I’ve ever provided at a wedding, but I’m quite happy with what we managed to cover in that time.

It was especially nice to have some time for portraits in the park on Observatory Hill (Tähtitorninmäki). I didn’t stay for too long at the reception at Klaus K, but long enough to experience the warm atmosphere that surrounded the small group of close family and friends who were gathered to celebrate the day with Anu and Oka.

I did mention earlier that Oka is a wedding photographer himself. If you’re looking for a photographer with a beautiful classic photojournalistic style (he does travel!), or just want to take a look at some gorgeous photographs, do visit his website!

Thank you Anu and Oka for letting me play a small part in your day. I wish you all the best in your next adventure together! x

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Rakkaus = Love

Anu & Oka | Sneak peek

August 10, 2010 · 21 Comments

I’m back home and currently in the middle of trying to catch up with all the emails and orders I received while away. I do apologise for the slight delay in getting back to you!

On the last day of my holiday I was persuaded to cover the wedding of Anu & Oka (who himself is in my opinion Finland’s finest wedding photographer), and I’m really happy that I did agree to do it – it was such fun being part of Finnish wedding proceedings for a change. Below are a few glimpses from Anu and Oka’s portrait session, more pictures from the wedding will come later, much later…

From the traffic to my site I can see that there are a lot of anxious people wanting me to get on with the processing of a certain French wedding, and I promise I am knuckling down to it! Also, if your French is up to scratch you may have been following the story of this wedding, as told by the bride’s mum. I will share some of my favourites from the day once Elodie is finished with teasing her readers! :D

creative destination wedding photography

How time flies

July 20, 2010 · 4 Comments

Today is the day when three years ago, after 8 years together, we finally became husband and wife. I really can’t believe how it’s been so long since the wedding already… Happy wedding anniversary darling, here’s to many more adventures! x

creative London wedding photography

Photo by the always amazing Johanna Myllymäki.

Grounded

April 20, 2010 · 5 Comments

So I flew to Finland for dad’s 60’s birthday bash last week, thinking this was going to be a very quick trip indeed. A certain inconsiderate Icelandic volcano had other ideas. I was supposed to fly back home yesterday, but here I still am, trying to come up with the best guess on what approach will be the most efficient when it comes to getting back to the UK. Currently I’m re-booked on a flight via Stockholm on Friday, but as the days go by, and air space stays closed, it’s getting more and more tempting to start travelling via ground to mainland Europe.

I’ve been in touch with all the clients who are directly affected, and I’m working on getting things covered for worst case scenarios if the situation doesn’t improve. I do appreciate everyone’s patience with delays when it comes to getting your pictures and albums delivered. Crazy days.

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Päivi & Miikka – Reception | Wedding

July 27, 2009 · 2 Comments

The biggest difference between English and Finnish wedding is the hectic schedule of the Finnish wedding day. There was a dizzying array of quizzes, speeches, dance competitions, singing, reading, games etc. which made sure the Bestman certainly had to work hard trying to keep everything happening on time!

Miikka always used to say his plan was to be married with kids by the age of 25, which means he was somewhat behind schedule. I suppose that can happen when you wait for the right girl though, and I think it’s pretty obvious he has found that girl. Congratulations again, I wish you guys all the best in your life together!

Päivi & Miikka – Ceremony | Wedding

July 26, 2009 · Leave a Comment

First of all, I want to make it clear that if anyone wants to hire me to shoot a wedding in Finland, specifically in the capital area, I’m all up for it – what with it being my native country and all. However, if anyone wants to hire me to shoot their wedding in Juuka, some 8 hour drive from Helsinki, they better make sure they’re someone I consider practically a brother. So when one of my oldest friends, Miikka, asked, of course I said yes.

The weather was gorgeous throughout our road trip to Juuka and on the wedding day. Finland was definitely showing its best and it was lovely to experience a Finnish wedding after all the English ones I’ve been to recently. Despite different traditions and locations, the essence of all weddings is the same and there’s always a heightened sense of that elusive ‘world is a good place’ feeling present, which is what I love most about weddings in general. And this wedding was no exception.

More pictures from the reception to follow…

Päivi & Miikka | Sneak Peek

July 21, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Just a really quick sneak peek from Päivi & Miikka’s wedding in Finland last Saturday. I’m still trying to catch up with emails etc. since returning to London, and I haven’t even started editing this wedding yet. This one shot just caught my eye when I was backing up the files.

I have a pretty busy period ahead of me, with weddings every week until September. Here’s hoping I will find some time to edit and post pictures as well!