Photographer Mikko Lagerstedt works to capture simplistic and atmospheric photographs of the land. (Mikko Lagerstedt)

Finnish describes photography as a part of his identity. The 33-year-old has been a photographer since December 2008, spending his years capturing beautiful views of the night sky and early morning in Scandinavia.“I love to capture simplistic and atmospheric photographs,” he told weather.com. “There is a certain feeling I want to convey to the person looking at them. These might change depending on the image, solitude and loneliness are among the most common emotions I want to capture.”These emotions are best evoked on foggy mornings and clear nights, two weather conditions Lagerstedt prefers for his photography.“The final rays of light at the end of the day to starlight in the night all have a certain feeling I find intriguing and by capturing those moments, I’m always closer to capture a story I enjoy,” he said.For his work, Lagerstedt is always looking to experiment with new elements, such as long angles, long exposures and exposure blending. His creativity doesn’t always stay within one frame, “sometimes the visions of [his] photographs include multiple exposures to capture the elements how [he] wants.” The result? Stunning images of the night sky that look surreal.

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He especially likes to capture “unique-looking landscapes.” “Certain aesthetics appeal to me when I shoot at night,” he said. “It’s a lot about the mystery of long exposures.”To prepare for these shoots, Lagerstedt conducts thorough research to scout locations and prime shooting times. He uses online tools like Google Maps and national park sites for information. “Occasionally I drive around and look for places that look interesting,” he said. Though he doesn’t use a specific method of framing his subjects, he works to balance elements in the foreground and far away elements in the background.Lagerstedt’s photo process changes according to the season. For example, in the summer, he tends to stay up the whole night to catch the sunrise. In the winter, he prefers shooting at night.It takes discipline to be dedicated to the art of photography, especially when one lacks the motivation. “Sometimes it’s hard to find motivation, but for me capturing photographs is a part of my identity,” Lagerstedt said. “Of course there are times when I’m uninspired to go out, but then I know that it’s good to take a small break or just force myself to go out and usually it works out well.”For more of Lagerstedt’s work, visit his and .