5 Easy Ways To Stunning Roihuvuori Cherry Blossom Photos

Updated 29.4.2025.

If you’re a client getting ready for your cherry blossom portraits and want everything to go smoothly, this guide is for you: How to Make Your Cherry Blossom Mini Session Stress-Free and Fun.

Have you ever walked past a blossoming cherry tree and been completely overwhelmed by its beauty? The Roihuvuori cherry blossom park in Helsinki does that to me every year.

Every spring I want to bottle up that stunning display of charm and delicacy — hoping my Roihuvuori cherry blossom mini sessions will brighten the inevitable grey winter days for my clients. For me, blooming sakuras have become the ultimate symbol of spring. Even as hanami festivals spread across the world, sakura blossoms somehow keep their original exotic, mystical magic.

Maybe it’s because we can’t take them for granted. One day they dazzle us; the next, they’re gone, swept away by Helsinki’s unpredictable spring weather (hail, wind, and – you know it – even snow).

Since 2011, I’ve been photographing portraits among cherry and apple blossoms, with the Roihuvuori cherry blossom park becoming my favorite backdrop. Every season, no matter how short or cold, taught me something new. And every year, I notice photographers — from beginners to seasoned pros — making the same avoidable mistakes. If you want to take better cherry blossom photos, keep reading!

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing in Roihuvuori Cherry Blossom Park

1. Waiting for good weather
2. Not caring what your model wears
3. Missing the small and big picture
4. You need an alley
5. Bad skills in avoiding crowds

1. Waiting for good weather

You don’t have to wait — and you definitely shouldn’t!
As soon as you hear that the Roihuvuori cherry blossom trees are blooming, grab your camera and go, go, go! Especially if the weather is bad. Rain and even snow can make the delicate blossoms look even more magical.

Plus, if it’s gloomy outside, the crowds are likely home watching Netflix instead of filling up the park. Seize the moody skies!

jump to the top

2. Not caring what your Subject wears

If you, like me during Roihuvuori cherry blossom mini sessions, are planning to shoot portraits, what your subject wears makes a huge difference. You want colors that either complement, match, or harmonize beautifully with those soft pink blooms.

Here’s a super simple way to think about it:

Complement the Cherry Blossoms (Opposites Attract)

Choose colors that complement the cherry blossom pink.
In color theory, complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. For pink, that’s soft blues or cool turquoise shades.
A flowing blue dress, a denim jacket, or a baby blue sweater will create gorgeous contrast against the dreamy pink trees. It’s an easy trick to make both your subject and the blossoms stand out even more!

Match with Analogous Colors (Same Color Family)

If you’d rather keep the whole look softer and more cohesive, choose colors that match or blend naturally with pink — this is called using analogous colors.
Think of shades that are neighbors to pink on the color wheel, like soft violets, peaches, or coral oranges.

White belongs here, too, even though it’s technically not a color. But hey, you know me, I am an engineer at heart.

Wearing matching colors helps my mini session clients look like they belong right in the middle of the Roihuvuori cherry blossom wonderland, making the whole image feel warm, romantic, and peaceful.

Harmonize with Monochromatic Tones (One Color, Many Shades)

If you love a more minimalist or artistic vibe, go for harmonized approach.
This means sticking to either all light shades or all dark shades of clothing for everyone.
Keep in mind: light pink blossoms will show up pale in black and white. So, dress your model in black or dark clothes for bold contrast, or in soft pastels if you want everything to blend into a dreamy, ethereal scene.

jump to the top

Clients, if you’re wondering how to prep perfectly for your cherry blossom mini session, download this guide: How to Make Your Cherry Blossom Mini Session Stress-Free and Fun.

3. Missing the small and big picture

Most people stick to half-body shots. They’re nice — but you’ll want a mix:

• Full-body portraits to show off the whole scene
• Half-body for intimacy
• Close-up headshots for details

The same goes for nature shots at Roihuvuori cherry blossom park. Mix wide angles with dreamy close-ups.

It also translates to nature photography. If you want real landscape photography inspiration, look up the amazing work of Mikael Rantalainen and Lars Kastilan – my gods, heroes and friends.

jump to the top

4. Thinking You Need a Perfect Alley of Roihuvuori Cherry Blossom Trees

Obviously, since I am listing this as a mistake, you don’t actually need an alley. Or a park. Or even a big tree.

Sure, we all dream of ancient cherry trees with Mount Fuji in the background. But even a single branch can be your masterpiece.

This one is shot in Eira against a small cluster of young trees.

This is a single cherry tree amidst grey concrete apartment buildings. Creativity > size of your park.

jump to the top

5. Not Knowing How to Avoid Crowds at Roihuvuori Cherry Blossom Season

Once upon a time, social distancing made it easier. Then Helsinki added vendor carts, live music, and suddenly it felt like all 5.5 million Finns decided to picnic at Roihuvuori cherry blossom park.
Don’t worry — you can still get crowd-free shots:

Shoot upwards

Crouch low and angle your lens up to the sky.

Get your timing right

Mornings, late evenings, and chilly days are your friends.

Work with it

If you can’t avoid people, make them part of the scene and create beautiful documentary-style images.

Haha sorry, I don’t have a good example of those, because the crowds at Roihuvuori cherry park are madder and madder every year and my cherry blossom mini sessions clients are not interested in hanging other people on their walls.

jump to the top

Pro tip for the ones who lasted all the way here: When cherry trees start blooming all around Helsinki, Roihuvuori cherry park often lags a little behind — giving you extra time to prepare, scout locations, and create unforgettable Roihuvuori cherry blossom photos.