Where did it all begin?
“A small moment captured in a photograph. A blink of an eye.
An expectation when the strip of paper is still warm in your hands.
You know, even if you can’t say exactly what it will show.
And that’s why it feels meaningful right away.
Muikku was born from a love of photography — not polished and perfect, but a little rough around the edges and always authentic. It is a tribute to something many of us remember but rarely talk about: a way to pause for a moment that might otherwise slip away.
Analog photobooths are a disappearing tradition. Around the world only a few still exist. With Muikku, I wanted to continue that beautiful story — updated for today: modern technology combined with a retro soul.”
— Venla Välimaa, Founder
The first photobooth “Photomaton”, Anatol Marco Josepho, 1925.
What do we believe in?
We believe in photographs that feel something.
Not just images without filters, but emotion, atmosphere, and story.
We believe in moments that last.
A photograph is not just an image — it’s a memory you take with you.
We believe beauty is created in the details.
In the texture of paper, the direction of light, and the glance just before the flash.
We believe in responsible visual culture.
Muikku combines a retro feeling with modern sustainability, without unnecessary excess.
We believe photography belongs to everyone.
You don’t need to know how to pose. Sometimes the best photos happen when you stop trying.
We believe in nostalgia, laughter, and shared images.
This is not just a studio. Muikku is a small time capsule that takes you somewhere familiar and meaningful.
Meet the founder of Muikku
Venla Välimaa - The heart and soul of Muikku
Venla is the founder of Muikku Photo, a photographer and visual aesthetician whose work is guided by a deep love for beautiful images, concepts, and visual storytelling.
She has long dreamed of creating a studio where photography feels personal and meaningful. Before founding Muikku, Venla worked in communications and digital fashion design.
At Muikku, Venla is responsible for photography, branding, and the emotional atmosphere of the studio — making sure that every customer leaves with a moment that feels uniquely their own.
Special skill: Creating a nostalgic atmosphere
Inspiration: Creative people who dare to follow their own path
Where did the idea for Muikku come from? It was born in Berlin and Paris, in old analog photobooths. I fell in love with the moment just before the flash — when you don’t yet know what the final image will look like.I wanted to bring that same feeling back to Finland
What makes Muikku special? It’s not just a product, but a moment. Muikku is a small time capsule — a shared piece of nostalgia and joy.
What do you hope people feel when they step inside the booth? That they laugh, relax, and maybe even see themselves in a new way. That the photo feels genuine, not staged.
What does nostalgia mean to you? For me, nostalgia is a way to pause. It’s not longing for the past, but a way to appreciate what has already happened.
What has been your biggest achievement? That the first machine actually works. Sometimes the most concrete success is simply making the idea real.
What does a typical day look like? In the morning I drink coffee and answer emails. During the day I take photos and build the booth. Sometimes I design visual elements. No two days are the same.
Who supports you behind the scenes? Even though I run Muikku on my own, there are two invisible but important people who make this possible.
What do you hope people feel when they step inside the booth? That they laugh, relax, and maybe even see themselves in a new way. That the photo feels genuine, not staged.
What if you had a slogan? “If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working for it.” It has worked quite well for me during the past year.
