Mikko Largerstedt, a fine art photographer, captures hauntingly beautiful night-time landscapes in low light conditions. Patient, technically astute and deeply rooted in Nordic nature, Mikko has an eye for the spectacular. He first pointed his lens at the stars almost 10 years ago having taught himself the craft. We caught up with the Finnish night crawler to hear his freelance story.
What made you pick up a camera?
My first inspiration to start photography came to me when I was driving to my relatives cabin and after a rainy summer day. The sun was about to set, and the fog was rising from the field. The combination of sunshine and fog looked so magical that I then told to myself that I want to start capturing these magical moments.
Photograph: Mikko Largerstedt
What's so great about being a freelancer?
Doing what you love and making a living out of it.
And what keeps you up at night?
What keeps me awake at night is photography! I spend the darkest nights outside photographing stars and the Milky Way.
The thing that worries me is whether I am being true to myself and my style of photography. It's the question that is hardest to answer in this modern era of photography. You get so much inspiration spam via social media and other platforms that it's sometimes hard to be true to yourself.
Photograph: Mikko Largerstedt
Tell us about your style.
Why do you use Social Media?
Social media is one of the main places people find my work. The main benefit is to get noticed by companies and art buyers.
Photograph: Mikko Largerstedt
How carefully to you plan your posts?
I don't plan my account much. I try to select photographs I find interesting or unique and post them.
You've nearly 200k Instagram followers. Any tips?
Photograph: Mikko Largerstedt
What's your opinion on the photographer industry at the moment?
What's in the pipeline for you?
Photograph: Mikko Largerstedt
