David Dusengimana wears a design by Alex Fiston, combining a Ghana-inspired collar, Cameroonian detailing and Congolese-style trousers. Kyaka refugee settlement, western Uganda, February 2025. For Tekoja.

Jussi Sorjanen, Artistic Director of Espoo City Theatre, in his office four months into his tenure. December 2024. For Kansan Uutiset.

Minja Koskela, six days after her election as chair of the Left Alliance, in the Yellow Salon of the Parliament House. Helsinki, October 2024. For Kansan Uutiset.

MP Teuvo Hakkarainen on the bed of his Helsinki flat, formally registered as a sauna — an arrangement that became national news, given that MPs’ housing allowances depend on their primary residence and whether they keep a second home in the capital r — MP Teuvo Hakkarainen on the bed of his Helsinki flat, formally registered as a sauna — an arrangement that became national news, given that MPs’ housing allowances depend on their primary residence and whether they keep a second home in the capital region. Helsinki, September 2018. For Uutissuomalainen.

Art student Eeva Rajakangas, environmental activist with Extinction Rebellion and singer in the band Vimma. Combining art and climate activism gave shape to feelings that had earlier been paralysing. Helsinki, April 2021. For Ylioppilaslehti.

Journalist and author Paula Tiessalo at Katajanokka. Helsinki, June 2020. For Helsingin Sanomat.

MP Paavo Arhinmäki, former Minister for Culture and Sport, tries to get onto the football pitch of his childhood, now fenced. He has written a book about supporting the Finnish national team. Helsinki, April 2021. For Kansan Uutiset.

Lucia Hankiala, 6, plays in the yard of an apartment block with two Tikru tigers; her sister Sofia, 5, in the foreground. Tikru has been Lucia’s bedtime toy since she was a baby, and helped her through years of affective seizures. Pirkkala, July 2020 — Lucia Hankiala, 6, plays in the yard of an apartment block with two Tikru tigers; her sister Sofia, 5, in the foreground. Tikru has been Lucia’s bedtime toy since she was a baby, and helped her through years of affective seizures. Pirkkala, July 2020. For Helsingin Sanomat.

Sámi artist Outi Pieski. Helsinki, August 2026. For Beyond Noise.

Sámi artist Outi Pieski. Helsinki, August 2026. For Beyond Noise.

Disability activist Sam Brandt-Smal in their customised wheelchair. With few aesthetic options offered for mobility aids, Brandt-Smal sources colour and pattern elsewhere. Turku, September 2025. For IT-lehti.

Author Monika Fagerholm in her writing room in Ekenäs at the end of a long day. January 2021. For Klassekampen.

A portrait is a few minutes of trust with a stranger.

I try not to spend them turning someone into a type — the scientist, the CEO, the survivor — because types are interchangeable and people aren’t. I’d rather work with what’s actually in the room: how someone sits, where they look when they stop performing, what they can’t help doing. That’s what carries the story.

See the rest.