“I’m normally shy about getting photos taken but Johanna was so friendly I was put at ease on the day and it was like being around an old friend.”
“You either love Johanna’s style or you don’t. If you love it, then no one else in Finland is good enough.”
Hello, I’m Johanna Best
—all wrapped in one woman.
Adventures near and far.
Connecting with nature.
Stress free experiences.
Being beautiful just the way we were created.
Dress: Peltodresses
You have found your person if you are looking for someone who…
Believes your story deserves to unfold naturally, without rush or pressure
Whether that means taking your portraits after the wedding day or spending a relaxed evening capturing your connection, I’m here to create space for real and authentic moments to happen.
Sees the profound value in photographs beyond their surface beauty
Having lost my parents withing a span of just a few years, I know firsthand that photos become our most precious possessions—tangible pieces of memories that connect us to moments and people we cherish.
Brings more than 15 years of experience documenting love while still treating every couple’s story as unique
Since 2008, I’ve dedicated my life to capturing celebrations of all kinds, from intimate elopements to evolving love stories through maternity sessions for past wedding clients.
Believes in breaking free from wedding “shoulds” and creating celebrations that truly reflect who you are
Your day doesn’t need to fit anyone else’s expectations and I’m here to support whatever vision feels authentic to you.
Knows the healing power of nature and adventure
Whether we’re chasing sunrise in the mountains or finding quiet moments by the sea, I believe in creating experiences that refresh your soul while capturing your connection.
Values quality over quantity by taking on only a limited number of couples each year
This allows me to pour my heart into each story I tell, making sure you get my full attention, creative energy and dedicated support throughout our journey together.
The lady behind the camera
THE ADVENTURER
THE FAMILY PERSON
THE PAST BRIDE
MY STORY
Your photography experience should feel like you—filled with meaning, adventure, and the little moments that make your love story unique. You deserve a photographer who doesn’t just capture how it looked but how it felt. The quiet glances, the deep belly laughs, the way your partner’s hand fits perfectly in yours.
That’s why I do this.
My love for photography started with my dad’s old film camera. He’d take it on wilderness adventures & fishing trips, returning with stories of golden sunrises and peaceful waters. I’d bury my face in his down sleeping bag, breathing in the scent of forest and campfire, imagining the beauty he had seen. That’s when I learned—photos aren’t just pictures. They hold stories. They take you back. To this day, the scent of his sleeping bag still one of my favorite scents in this world. Whenever I’m looking at photos of him, I still feel that scent lingering around me.
But it wasn’t until I got married the first time that I truly understood the power of photography. I don’t have many photos from that wedding because I didn’t knew documentary wedding photography even existed, and that regret still lingers to this day. I know what it’s like to wish you could freeze a moment in time—to hold onto it, to relive it.
That’s why I became a wedding and elopement photographer. So that you never have to feel that same feeling of loss.
When my now husband Jesse and I planned our intimate pandemic wedding, I felt firsthand how stressful planning a wedding day can be. The details, the logistics, the unexpected curveballs like my maid-of-honor getting exposed just a few days before the wedding — it can all feel overwhelming even for a small non-traditional wedding like ours.
But what we have now is amazing photos, and it feels amazing to be able to go back and remember how everything felt.
What makes our wedding photos even more meaningful is that those photos are the last photos of my mom and dad celebrating with us. But when I’m looking at our photos, I can still remember how it felt like when they hugged me. I can feel them, I can hear them laugh. Life is a neverending set of hard lessons to learn, but losing them made me really realize how important my work as a photographer is. We never know when is the last time we get to spend time with the people we love, and the photos we have of them will be cherished and loved forever. I walked away from the experience knowing how important the photos I create are and I’ve never looked another wedding day or photo session the same way again.
However you decide to get married, I’ll always be here rooting for you to design an experience that truly reflects you, because while a wedding day might not be the most important day of your life, it will be one of the most special ones. You deserve to have an experience you truly, utterly and 100% enjoy.
When I’m not behind the camera, I’m hiking forest trails, knitting wool socks, lifting weights, listening to music and spending time with my two cats, Sylvi & Nads. And more often than not, I’m on a video call with my American husband, Jesse. A long-distance relationship has taught me that it’s the smallest moments that mean the most—the inside jokes, the little gestures, the times we read the Bible or pray together, or the rare occasions that we get to spend physically together. Those are the moments that feel like home. Those are the moments I never want to forget.
The same is true for your story. Years from now, when you look at your photos, you won’t just want to remember how everything looked like—you’ll want to feel everything all over again. That’s why I don’t just capture moments—I capture their meaning & soul, so you can return to them time and a time again ❤
This isn’t just about photos. It’s about giving you something you can hold onto forever—the laughter, the tears, the quiet in-between moments that make your love story yours. If that’s the kind of photography experience you’re dreaming of, I’d be honored to help you tell it.
The Best Part of My Job? The Incredible People I Get to Meet!
Great photos happen when you’re having fun—and trust me, we will. Whether it’s me cracking a terrible joke, tripping over a rock (purely for comedic effect), or hyping you up like your biggest fan, my goal is to make you feel completely at ease. You’ll laugh, you’ll forget the camera is even there, and you’ll walk away with memories that feel just as good as they look.
I’ve been where you are
We celebrated during the pandemic so it added a level of stress that luckily you won’t have to go through, but no matter what went “wrong”, we had the most special intimate wedding day surrounded by my family, Jesse’s family on Facebook live and a cozy cabin with twinkly lights to keep us warm.
Experiencing this completely changed how I approach wedding photography. I know firsthand how overwhelming planning can feel, and the last thing you need is added stress on your wedding day. I used to simply show up and capture the moments, but I realized that by supporting my couples through the process—helping them avoid common pitfalls and create a timeline that truly works for them—I could make their entire experience more seamless and enjoyable, and it will result into better photos as well. Now, I’m not just your photographer; I’m here to make sure your day feels effortless, meaningful, and completely true to you.
Photos by Jouni Hietanen Photography
Where you’ll find me when I’m not photographing love
The Simple Life
When I’m not working, I’m mostly spending my time with the cats and my husband, spending time in nature either by myself or with friends, riding a bicycle, knitting wool socks, listening to music, playing Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes or lifting weights at the gym. As a Type 1 diabetic staying active is important, but balance is important when juggling with owning a business, staying healthy and dedicating time for our long distance marriage.
Does this feel like the perfect match?
It would be amazing to hear about you and your story ❤
This website is dedicated to my parents and their memory ❤
You made me who I am today and because of your love I have courage to create my own story in life.
My mom, Leena, who supported me in everything I did. Bought all the wedding magazines I was featured in. Prayed for me and was always there for me.
My dad, Jouko, who made me the adventurer I am today. Who stayed up tracking my flights whenever I was going somewhere. Who always lended a helping hand when I needed one.
