I’m a photographer from Estonia, fascinated by capturing the unseen and unspoken through both stills and video. My work explores the fleeting moments and emotions that are hard to grasp, but impossible to forget.
ABOUT ME
I’m Liina Salonen, a photographer from Estonia, now living in Ragusa, Sicily. I’ve always felt like I’ve had a camera in my hands for as long as I can remember. I started at 12 with my first camera phone, snapping photos of whatever caught my eye. Then my big brother introduced me to a photo-editing program, and suddenly everything clicked. I went from simple snaps to playing with layers, colors, and textures, creating images that were sometimes a little wild, sometimes just a little polished. It was like discovering a secret language, one that allowed me to tell stories and express myself without words.
Self-portraits became my first true love. It was just me, my phone, and the endless possibilities of retouching and exploring who I was. Those moments were like therapy, a way to process everything I couldn’t say with words.
Behind the Scenes: Portraits and Makeup—Your Photographer and Unofficial Makeup Artist!
I graduated from Pallas University in Tartu in 2022 with a degree in photography. My work blends portraiture, fine art, and documentary photography, often focusing on those fleeting moments and subtle emotions that are hard to grasp. My graduate project, Lucky to Be Here, is a short documentary about ballet dancers in Tartu. Filmmaking had always interested me, and that project opened up a new world. I realized how much I loved the fusion of photography and videography—the way motion, sound, and image come together to tell a deeper story.
Work & Projects
In addition to my creative work, I’ve taught photography at Tartu Vocational College and Luke Mansion in Estonia and mentored aspiring photographers through an Erasmus+ project.
My client work spans weddings, family portraits, and promotional videos, always focusing on connecting with the subject to capture their true essence. I’ve also created videos for personal projects and alongside my self-portraits, exploring the unique magic that sound and movement can bring to a story.
What I’m Into
Nature plays a central role in my life and work, offering me peace and inspiration whether I’m hiking, running, or simply spending time in the woods. My landscape photography connects this love for nature with my passion for capturing moments. Self-portraiture is another deeply personal form of expression for me, allowing me to process emotions and thoughts that words can’t convey. At the heart of everything I do is storytelling. Whether I’m photographing a wedding, a baptism, or just a family’s everyday moments, I love capturing the little details that tell the bigger story. And it’s not just the joyous moments that inspire me. I’m also drawn to the more challenging stories of loss, or struggles that need to be heard. I aim to capture the beauty and depth in every narrative.
Other Passions
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me hiking, dancing like no one’s watching (because they’re definitely not), or getting way too into puzzles and crosswords. I also spend a suspicious amount of time with my two cats, cleaning (yes, really), and getting way too excited for Christmas lights and cozy vibes.
Roadtrip in France
First Solo Exhibition in Sicily!
Where I Am Now
In the spring of 2023, I moved to Ragusa, Sicily. It was supposed to be a short stop while I figured out where I wanted to settle in southern Italy. But then… I fell in love. The warm weather, the vibrant culture, the food (don’t even get me started), and the light—it's pure magic. Now, I call this beautiful place home. A woman from one of the coldest countries in the world has found her place in this warm, sun-soaked part of the Mediterranean.
Exhibitions & Projects
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Mitote (2020) – Solo Exhibition: Experimental Self-Portraits
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The Inbetween Land (2021) – Solo Exhibition: Landscapes of the Tatra Mountains
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500m Above Reality (2019) – Solo Exhibition: Landscapes of Southern Europe
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The World Through a Pinhole (2019) – Student Exhibition: Pinhole Photography
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In Bloom (2021) – Solo Exhibition: Mixed Media Collages & Still Life
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Paus (2020) – Group Exhibition: Featured Photo from The Inbetween Land
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Constellazioni (2024) – Group Exhibition: Self-Portrait Series, Modica, Sicily
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All Natural (2024) – Solo Exhibition: Landscape & Self-Portraits, Modica & Ragusa, Sicily
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Persephone (2024) – Photography Project with Chiara Rizza, Exhibited in Turin, Italy