Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Jokinen.
Hi Michele, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first became interested in photography after I took a basic black and white 35 mm photography course at a community college – complete with film and darkroom print processing. I first explored old copper mining ruins in the rural U.P. of Michigan, where I grew up, and dabbled in some nature photography. It wasn’t until I began photographing people that I developed my true passion and talent.
I freelanced a bit for the local newspaper in Houghton, Mich., and eventually spent two years as the paper’s chief photographer before attending journalism school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. During my graduate school years, I landed a number of photojournalism internships at newspapers in Bay City, Mich., Duluth, Minn. and Milwaukee, Wis. I was in love with photojournalism, but it was tough to make it in the industry, were job opportunities were few and far between. Following school, I worked as a staff photographer for the Rochester Post-Bulletin in Rochester, Minn. from 2007 to 2012. A couple years into the job, I relocated to south Minneapolis and continued to work at the paper despite a 80-mile commute. After three years of this killer commute, I left the position to become a stay-at-home mom and work on developing my business – SisuPhoto.
Sisu is the Finnish word best define as “determination, perseverance or strength of will in the face of adversity.” I figured it was easier to remember than Jokinen Photography, and I’m proud of my Finnish heritage. And of course, the concept of sisu is certainly one we can all appreciate and hope to achieve.
SisuPhoto focuses on wedding, family and senior photography services with the tagline – capturing the beautiful chaos of your life. As a photographer I like to capture reality in front of my lens and tell my clients’ true to life stories. I’m not big on filters or clichés. I love images with interaction and emotion that demonstrate the nature of relationships between people, and strive to photograph portraits that reveal a person’s true personality.
In 2023 my photographic career took a new turn as I began a job working for the Minnesota legislature, first as a session-only photographer for the senate and then as a year-round photographer for the house of representatives. After ten years as a stay-at-home parent and small business owner, it was quite a shift to be working full-time, raising two kids and working on SisuPhoto sessions when time allowed. Working at the Capitol is exciting, as I get to cover everything from committee meetings, floor sessions, press conferences, rallies and other events. The job has rekindled my love of photojournalism. Meanwhile, my SisuPhoto sessions balance this legislative work, as it serves to cleanse my creative palate. The vast variety of photography I shoot, between my full-time job at the Capitol and working with families, weddings and seniors, is very fulfilling and satisfying. I feel grateful to find myself where I am today as a professional photographer and I am still often amazed that I get paid to do this kind of work!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Giving up photojournalism was very difficult for me, but it was the right choice due to circumstances. One of the toughest parts was adjusting to life as a stay-at-home parent. An attribute that made me a good photojournalist was my extroverted nature, as I loved being around people. Going from working in a bustling newsroom and covering a wide variety of events and news stories to being home alone with a two-year-old was a shock to my system. It was also very difficult to dedicate time to work on SisuPhoto business while chasing around a toddler. But through the years, I built up a client base and developed a solid business.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Capturing the beautiful chaos of your life – that is SisuPhoto’s tagline and overall philosophy. I know first hand the challenges of working, raising a family and trying to keep your sanity through it all. I strive to capture the true personalities of my clients with my camera. My favorite images are the candid moments that capture emotion and interaction, laughter and joy – the kind of images that warm your heart.
I have many families that come back to me each year for photo sessions and it has been so fun to get to know them and watch their children grow up. I’ve had the wonderful experience of photographing a couple’s engagement, wedding and then family photographs through the years. I’m so happy my clients trust me to document so many special moments of their lives.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There is so much to love about the Twin Cities. As a photographer who does not have a studio, I spend a lot of time working in the parks of the Twin Cities and metro area – some of the best in the country. I’m grateful to have access to them and they serve as a wonderful background for many of my family and senior sessions. Some of my favorite parks and areas to shoot in include the Lyndale Peace and Rose Gardens, Minnehaha Falls Park, Como Park, Mears Park and the Stone Arch Bridge area. Sessions during the winter can be a bit trickier, but I love photo sessions at the Guthrie Theater and Union Station. Many locations lend themselves to both nice natural spaces and interesting architectural spaces. I am always up for trying new locations for photography, too, and am happy to cater to whatever my clients are searching for.
I love living in Minneapolis and working in St. Paul, as I get to see the similarities and differences between the two cities. Both have vibrant cultures and great and diverse restaurant scenes. I just wish I had more time to explore the vast array of interesting activities, places and foods!
There’s really not much I dislike about our cities – aside of course from social issues I sadly do not have much control over.
Pricing:
- Family Session – 1 hour = $250.00
- Senior Session – 1 hour = $250.00
- Weddings – 3 hour min. =$300/hour
- Events – 1 hour = $250.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sisuphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sisuphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SisuPhoto
