How would you convey the story of a child's imagination? They can sometimes feel overwhelmingly confusing to us adults. As a child, I had a very vivid imagination. This comes partly from all the stories I was read by my father, but also from a very open view of the world. I believed many things existed around us that only a select few could actually see. What these things were couldn't be explained by science. Not everything has to be explained or proven by science. In fact, I thought science was a mask for adults to wear in order to kill imagination and to see the world as one-dimensional. I spent the better half of my youth in the woods, just wandering, exploring and creating stories. I didn't care if I was told elves and brownies didn't exist, because I knew they did. If you can't see or hear something, does it mean it really isn't there?

Let's fast forward a few decades. Now I have all the tools I need to show everyone what I imagined on my journeys as a child. Ok they are probably not exactly the same because I'm not longer a child myself, but they're close enough.

One day I was wandering in the primeval forest in Haltiala. This was one of my favourite places and only 15 minutes away from home. I could come here whenever I wanted. It was early in the morning. Leaves were still covered in dew and the air was fresh and smelled like pine cones. I was walking along my usual footpath that zigzagged its way between old pines. Their roots were bare and twisted and they reminded me of goat horns. There were pieces of bark scattered in the moss. I wondered if you could make clothes out of them. Then you could carry the smell of forest everywhere you go.

The path descended to a small opening, which was lined by young birch trees. There were enough holes in the canopy to allow the early morning sun to pierce through. Butterflies fluttered their wings, dancing between the rays of sunlight. On the other side of the opening was a solitary snag, a long-dead tree which had shed its bark long ago. It was grey with age, but wise and full of stories to tell. Its branches were thick and many and they formed something that almost looked like the decorative back of a throne. Perhaps a wise king once sat in this throne.

As you can see, there are so many different ways to interpret what we see around us and we are often so reliant on our senses that we forget to nourish our inner child. The next time you're walking in the forest, open your mind to imagination and you just might experience something incredible.

Credits

Let's not forget all the wonderful people that came to help me make this fantastic story come to life. A million thanks to everyone involved in this project! You were splendid 🙂

Models: Elina & Sofia (children), Jussi (old faun), Janna Tähkänen (playful faun), Michela Kärkkäinen (butterfly faun)
Makeup and hair artist: Anne Hannolainen
Clothing (Fauns): Noora Hannus & Jukka Alasaari
Clothing (white childrens’ dresses): Ria-Noore Haimo-Abionan
Assistance: Said Aqqa, Heli Mattila, Aura Marttinen

The happy photographer after a long shooting day.