This photo was taken during a cold winter day in Ruka-Kuusamo, Finland. I wanted to capture the serene beauty of these reindeer in their natural environment without disturbing them, so I used my 85mm lens to maintain a respectful distance. This allowed me to zoom in and capture the intricate details, like the frost clinging to their fur and antlers, while keeping the scene intimate and undisturbed.

The soft, overcast light of the Nordic winter provided perfect, even illumination, enhancing the muted tones of the snow-covered landscape and the reindeer’s coats. The fence in the background and the snow-laden tree trunks frame the composition, drawing attention to the reindeer while giving context to their environment.

I loved how the natural resilience of these animals came through in the image—the way they calmly grazed despite the biting cold, their thick fur and sturdy antlers a testament to their adaptation to these harsh conditions. The tags on their antlers hint at the human connection, possibly from local Sami herders, adding a subtle narrative to the shot.

Taking this photo felt like a quiet moment of connection with nature, and I’m glad I could document it in a way that respects the animals and the peacefulness of the scene.