Our Guides – Passion for nature

Adventure in wild nature – Safely guided by a professional

 

Our team consists of three professional nature photographers, united by their passion and respect for Finland’s wilderness. We work and move in nature year-round, knowing its secrets inside out. We’ll safely guide you close to nature, sharing fascinating stories about wildlife and the environment. Together, we’ll create authentic, unforgettable experiences – and we’ll enjoy every moment with you! Find our contact details here.

Our guides

Eerik Lehto

Entrepreneur, guide, nature photographer

I am a nature photographer, entrepreneur and IT professional from Kuusamo. I moved to Kuusamo a few years ago when the northern nature, pristine fishing waters, and breathtaking landscapes captured my heart.

My passion for nature photography began years ago, capturing birds and landscapes. With my camera, I’ve traveled the world, from the Far East to Africa and from the Persian Gulf to the Barents Sea. In 2022, I honed my professional skills at the Kuusamo College’s nature photography program, which opened the door to entrepreneurship and networking with industry professionals. My dreams came true when I had the opportunity to establish my own nature-based business and a wildlife observation and photography site with an exceptional team.

I serve as the CEO and a guide at Taiga Bear Kuusamo. I also manage our website and handle administrative tasks.

My photos are captured using Nikon equipment, with a range of lenses from wide-angle to super-telephoto. You can find me on Instagram under the alias @Eikka71.

Jarmo Manninen

Entrepreneur, guide, nature photographer

I am a nature photography professional from Kuusamo. I have lived in Kuusamo for fifteen years and I am orginally from southern Finland.

Nature and nature photography have been with me since my youth. Landscape and wildlife photography are my favourite subjects. My passion is to record the most natural and untouched areas of the nature of northern Scandinavia.

I teach nature photographers and have nature photography courses throughout the year. I occasionally participate in nature photography competitions, resulting in 17 award-winning images in the Finnish Nature Photography of the Year competition.

At Taiga Bear Kuusamo Oy I work as a guide and trainer, and I am also responsible for the planning of photographing and building facilities.

 

Tapio Seppälä

Entrepreneur, guide, nature photographer

I am a nature photographer from Kuusamo and I have been inspired by photography since I was young. I have worked for a long time in a local nature photography company and have assisted many of Finland’s leading nature photographers.

In the early days, I shot with a film camera, but I’ve moved on to modern digital cameras, which allow me to shoot a wide range style of video and still images. Especially spring has been always a busy time for me as a photographer, with the arrival of migratory birds and big show of nature as the mating display period of the grouses and capercaillies.

I have studied video and photography at the Sámi Education Instutute, and at Kuusamo College’s Photograper programme and Nature Photographer’s Professional Skills programme. During the training, the opportunity to become a nature entrepreneur came up and we founded together Taiga Bear Kuusamo Oy.

At Taiga Bear Kuusamo Oy, I am responsible for the design and maintenance of photographing facilities and buildings, and of course I also act as a guide

I shoot mainly with Canon equipment, and over the years I have purchased a number of different cameras, lenses and photographing equimpent.