Mustla Photo Studio Emerges from Factory, Featuring Sandy Beach and Cult Film Ice Cream Counter

In the quiet village of Mustla, Estonia, a former factory building has been reborn as a unique photographic sanctuary, thanks to the vision of photographer Paul Meiesaar. Initially operating studios in Tartu and Viljandi, Meiesaar felt a pull towards a more ambitious project, a sentiment that resonated deeply during the global uncertainties of 2020.

As the world grappled with the pandemic and lockdowns, Meiesaar found himself drawn to the resilience of rural life. The former Narma carpet factory in Mustla became his canvas. "The world was locked down, and nobody knew what the future held," Meiesaar recalls. "At that moment, it felt safest to live in the countryside. So I stayed here."

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The world was locked down, and nobody knew what the future held. At that moment, it felt safest to live in the countryside. So I stayed here.

What began as a simple endeavor to renovate a room with friends, who were also facing work disruptions, blossomed into something extraordinary. Inspired by the cult classic film 'Stalker,' the studio now boasts a surreal, sandy beach and a charming ice cream counter, offering a stark contrast to the sterile environments often associated with portrait photography. This transformation is more than just a creative venture; it's a testament to finding new possibilities and beauty in unexpected places, even amidst global upheaval. It reflects a uniquely Estonian spirit of resourcefulness and appreciation for artistic expression in nature.

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We had to be in isolation, so we decided with friends, who also couldn't get to work or anywhere else, that we would fix up one room here in this abandoned building.