The Beautiful and the Strong Can Exist at the Same Time!
Being seen can be scary. I know that from my own experience. But I also know how powerful it feels when you do something that scares you – despite the fear. The journey to where I stand today, in front of others as an inspirer and speaker, has been long and full of different phases.
From Hiding Behind the Camera to Stepping Into My Own Light
As a child, I was very shy. Even as a young adult, I didn’t believe I was worthy of attention. Or perhaps it was more that attention scared me. Too often, it had been the wrong kind of attention, something I simply wanted to protect myself from.
Maybe that’s why I originally became a photographer. It was easy to hide behind the camera. It felt safe there: you are present, but outside the spotlight. Through the lens, the world felt manageable, and I could focus on bringing out the beauty in others while remaining invisible myself.
Gradually, I began to dare to be seen. It didn’t happen overnight, but step by step. First, I dared to be in photos myself, then on video, and eventually to speak in front of an audience. It required conscious choices and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. Through that process, I slowly began to believe that I am valuable too and that I have the right to be seen exactly as I am. That realization has become one of my greatest strengths, and it is the courage I now want to pass on to others.
Ihana Elämys – More Than Just a Name
At Ihana Elämys Oy, we are two strong and inspiring women: myself, Niina Stolt, and my colleague, business partner, and close friend Mirkku Merimaa. We are entrepreneurs, photographers, inspirers, educators, and speakers. In many ways, we are very different, but what unites us is a deep belief in the goodness of people.
We believe that anyone can achieve anything with the right support and encouragement. We want to be that support, helping people shine, whether in front of the camera or in their professional lives.
The word “beautiful” or “lovely” is often seen as soft, feminine, or even weak. But we chose to place it at the heart of our business and combine it with photography. To us, “beautiful” is a powerful word, and everyone gets to define what it means. It can mean strong, vulnerable, joyful, deep, or radiant.
Strength and beauty do not exclude each other, they can exist at the same time. And very often, they do. Beauty can be a source of strength.
When Values Align: Ihana Elämys & VoimaNaiset
When I discovered VoimaNaiset events, I immediately recognized the same values we hold: authenticity, courage, inspiration, and collaboration. I reached out to Jannica and said we should talk and that there was definitely potential for collaboration, even if I couldn’t fully define it yet.
I believe I can speak for both of us when I say that after one hour of conversation, we were both truly excited! It’s rare to find a partner whose values and vision align so seamlessly. We agreed that I will be photographing events in Helsinki, Lahti, and Turku, and many more collaboration ideas are already in the works.
Why Is Women’s Empowerment Important?
We chose to partner with VoimaNaiset because we believe that investing in women’s networks, visibility, and empowerment is essential in today’s working life. Too many of us still carry that shy girl inside, the one who fears attention or questions whether she is enough.
We want to help create a space where every woman dares to be seen. In our company culture, this shows in everyday work: we help people find their inner light and make it visible through images. When one woman dares to step forward, she opens doors for others.
I truly believe that this collaboration will create something meaningful. I look forward to meeting all of you and capturing the moments where strength and beauty come together.
See you at the events!
Niina Stolt,
Business owner, photographer & speaker,
Ihana Elämys Oy