In the little town of Orivesi, nestled in the heart of Finland, the summer season always brings special kind of excitement.
As we were on our routine grocery shopping trip, we couldn’t help but be drawn to the colorful circus posters announcing the arrival of Tähti (the Star) lining the road.
We knew exactly what we were going to do the following Wednesday evening. We arrived at the circus grounds early to ensure we didn’t miss a single moment. The circus ringmaster, Samir, greeted us warmly and gave us green light to explore with the camera. We had the privilege of going behind the scenes to document the performers as they prepared for their acts.
When the show was on, navigating the pitch-black backstage area was not a small feat. Standing there in complete darkness, with the performers hurrying past, I couldn’t help but wonder how I could capture anything with so little light available. Everything turned to fine in the end.
About Markku Lahdesmaki
Born in Finland Markku Lahdesmaki discovered his passion for photography at an early age, opening his first studio in his hometown of Tampere by the age of 21. He soon moved to London, where he gained experience as an assistant before establishing his own studio there. Eventually, his career took him to Los Angeles, California, where he continues to thrive. Markku’s photography spans from painterly, artistic imagery to intricate, technically complex composites.
His work has taken him across the globe, collaborating with both American and European clients, including GE, Nike, Adidas, Apple, Nokia, Microsoft, Toyota, Honda, Sony, and Gillette. A dedicated creator, Markku balances a steady flow of personal projects with commissioned work for leading advertising agencies. His photography has received international recognition, earning accolades in prestigious competitions such as the Clio Awards, Epica, Cannes Lions, AOP Awards, New York Festival, Communication Arts, APA, IPA, and PX3. [Official Website]
