Beyond the Lens: My 2026 Travel and Photography Philosophy
Is one blog post a year too rare? 🫣
Man, I’ve been lazy with the writing. But I definitely haven’t been lazy with the camera.
My last post ended with the goal to "take me beyond Estonian beaches," and I’m happy to say it’s happening. This July, I’ll be shooting under the Mallorca sun.
Building a photography business in a small market—especially in a niche like swimwear and lifestyle—is a challenge. It hasn't always been easy, but I’ve kept my focus on improving the craft every single day. Slowly but surely, the vision is coming together.
What’s happening in 2026
So far, the year has delivered some incredible shoots. Summer is already almost fully booked (just a couple of spots left!), and I’m ready to put all my effort into these upcoming sessions. My goal this year is a massive portfolio improvement.
The Mallorca trip in July has been a huge project. I’ve been working on it since last December—scouting locations and finding the right models from all over the Europe. It’s been a lot of work, but making those global connections has been awesome.
But don’t worry, I’ll still be squeezing everything out of the Estonian beaches this summer, too. 🌴
It’s going to be busy.
Why “only” 15 photos?
I wanted to touch on something I get asked about sometimes: “Why do I only offer 15-25 photos in my packages when others offer way more for half the price?”
It’s a fair question. To answer it, you have to look at what happens outside of the actual shoot. For me, a photoshoot doesn’t start when I click the shutter. It starts with location scouting, moodboards, and consultations to lock in the exact vibe the client expects.
When we actually get to the beach, I don't believe in 15-minute "express" shoots. Before we even start, we chat. We get comfortable. That alone takes 10 or 15 minutes. Everyone needs time to relax before the best shots start to happen.
During the shoot, I am your eyes. Whether you’re a pro model or it’s your first time in front of a camera, it’s my job to guide your posing and make sure you look your absolute best. You can’t rush that.
The Art of the Edit
Then, there’s the retouching.
In today’s AI world, "perfectly smooth" skin is the fastest and cheapest way to retouch. It might look good on a tiny phone screen, but on a big screen or in print, it looks like plastic.
High-end retouching takes time, skill, and years of practice. For me, it’s an art to keep the details—like real skin texture—so the photo looks clean and beautiful without screaming "Photoshop."
I choose quality over quantity every time. I’m not the photographer who will shoot ten people in a week just to get them out the door. I’m focused on the experience and the final, high-level result.
I hope this explains a bit more about how I work and why I do things this way.
That’s it for now. We’ll see if it takes me another year to write the next one! 🫣😄
