How I Got Into photography (and why I still love it today)

Where It All Started

Hey there! I’m Rene Põder, a photographer living in Estonia and this is the story of how I stumbled (and sometimes faceplanted) into photography.
I grew up in Narva, then moved to Tartu for high school. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint exactly when photography became part of my life—it just sort of happened. I’ve always had some kind of camera around, and what started as a casual hobby gradually turned into something bigger.

Early days, from 2018. Photo by : Sulev Lange

Learning the Craft

In the early days, I was obsessed with landscapes and nature. I spent hours figuring out every technical detail about my camera—settings, lighting, composition, all that geeky stuff.
But soon enough, portraits started catching my interest.
Photographing people felt exciting but also terrifying. Where do you even start? How do you pose someone? What do you say? And what if I mess up?

Looking back, I wish I’d jumped in sooner. I genuinely can’t remember my first paid shoot (probably blocked out due to trauma, haha), but every time I dig up those old photos… let’s just say they’re humbling.

Fun fact: From day one, I’ve shot exclusively with Nikon cameras—yep, proudly part of the “Potato” gang, as the internet lovingly calls us.

Proud member of the “Potato” gang

Finding My Style

In the beginning, I tried to shoot everything — events, products, you name it.
But I quickly realized that being a jack-of-all-trades wasn’t for me. I wanted to specialize in what actually made me excited to pick up my camera.

Growing up near the sea, beaches have always been my happy place. There’s something about the sound of the waves and the calm energy of the coast that just feels right.
That’s why today, beaches are one of my favourite places to shoot — whether it’s portraits, lifestyle sessions, or swimwear. I love creating natural, relaxed images that make people feel confident, comfortable and like their best selves.

Today, I focus mainly on portraits, lifestyle, and swimwear photoshoots.
What I love most is working one-on-one with people to create something visually striking and personal. It’s not just about taking a pretty picture — it’s about creating an experience and a memory.

Always Learning and Improving

Even now, a big part of my work happens off-camera — constantly learning and improving.

Whether it’s studying posing techniques, experimenting with new lighting setups, scouting fresh locations or just finding small ways to make shoots even smoother, I’m always working on becoming a better photographer and a better creative partner for the people I work with.

One of my recent photos from 2025

Planning for the Best Results

When it comes to shoots, I believe preparation is everything.
I love doing my homework beforehand — building moodboards, chatting with the model to align on the vibe, finding makeup artists and stylists to collaborate with.
The more detailed the planning, the better the results. Every single time.

Thanks for reading a little bit about my journey. I’m excited for what’s ahead — and if you’re thinking about booking a shoot, or just want to chat creative ideas, my inbox is always open :)