Elina Simonen (1975) is a fashion and portrait photographer based in Helsinki, Finland.
Simonen received her Bachelor of Arts in 2001 at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in London. During her time in England, Simonen was named by Marie Claire as one of the most talented young photographers in Britain.
Simonen has since established herself as one of Finland’s elite photographers. She has built an international career working in advertising, fashion and portrait photography. Her clients include Vogue Italia, The Sunday Times Magazine and The Independent among others. Her work appears regularly in numerous Finnish fashion and lifestyle magazines.
Simonen’s strengths include her cinematic use of natural light, her creative use of flash and studio lights. Or as Vogue Italia put it: “Sharp and tender at the same time, the images [of Simonen] reflect the colors of sidereal dusks and dawns.”
Whether working with the Finnish Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi or capturing rising talent like supermodel Kirsi Pyrhönen, Simonen’s photographs reveal her passion for fleeting moments and the challenges they pose. A master in the art of portrait photography, Simonen uses her innate talent to connect with the subjects to create unique images.
In addition to her work, Simonen explores her creativity and vision in various exhibitions and artistic projects. She was one of the founders and editors of the London-based photography magazine, Falter.
Since 2010 she has been working on a new innovative project, Magazine People A-Z. Her goal is to document a vanishing culture and capture the influencers behind independent fashion magazines – and the celebrity fans of these magazines.