1. Tell our audience briefly who you are and what inspired you to take on photography?
My name Sanni and I’m from Helsinki. What inspires me most are people, light and colours. They create the best mood and emotion in an image.
2. What’s your photographic process, what matters to you when you take a photograph and why?
My photography process is quite spontaneous and driven by feeling. I prefer to go to different places with my camera and and take photos of things whatever catches my eye and feels visually interesting in the moment.
3. Describe the 'one that got away'—a photo you saw in your mind but couldn't capture?
I was walking late at night on Mäkelänkatu in Helsinki when I saw a deer crossing the empty road. It’s a bit frustrating that the deer was faster than me, and I didn’t manage to get the photo.
4. Do you believe in a 'soulmate' camera? Which piece of gear feels like an extension of your body rather than a tool in your hand?
My favorite cameras are the Nikon F3 and, for travels, my top choice is the Nikon EM. Overall, my favourite piece of gear is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens. It’s a ”must-have” for me, and I carry it everywhere.
5. Is there a specific photograph or body of work in history that changed the way you look through a viewfinder? How does its influence show up in your work today?
I can’t think of a single photograph that has changed the way I see photography, but I do find myself inspired by movies and photography exhibitions. They might temporarily shift the way I approach and capture photos.
6. What is the most 'technically imperfect' photo you’ve ever taken that you still absolutely love? What does that say about the importance of gear versus timing?
Once I photographed a wedding where I captured a moment right after the bride’s speech and when she hugged the groom. The photo is partly out of focus, oddly framed, and quite grainy, but it perfectly shows how deeply the speech moved him. It’s one of my favorite photos.
7. When you’re out shooting for yourself, do you find yourself looking for the light first, or the subject first?
The light. For sure.
8. How do you deal with 'G.A.S.' (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)? Does owning more gear make you a better storyteller, or does it get in the way?
I don’t think gear actually makes you a better photographer, but it can definitely give a nice temporary boost to your motivation and enjoyment of shooting.
9. Have you ever had to explain the value of a dedicated camera to someone who thinks a smartphone is good enough to take photos with?
Sometimes I have found myself explaining to younger people, especially those who didn’t experience or don’t remember the film era what makes film photography so fascinating.
10. What is your 'comfort' film stock? The one you load when you just want to enjoy the process without worrying about the results?
11. Every photographer has their resources. Which ones do you recommend for learning more about photography (courses, books, documentaries, workshops)?
There are a lot of photography tips, resources, and courses available online, but personally I’ve learned and improved mostly just by doing and going out and taking photos. At the same time, other photographers and people in general inspire me to keep learning and developing my own way of seeing.
12. What do you value in a camera, why do you select to use a specific one to take photographs with?
I often choose a camera based on its size and where I’m going. When I’m traveling, a smaller camera is more practical and easier to use for spontaneous shots.
13. If you could go back in time what would you like to photograph?
If I could go back in time, I’d probably visit my grandmother’s childhood farm in the late 1800s. I’ve heard a lot about it, but back then no one owned a camera, so there are no photographs of the place or the people who lived there.
14. What part of the photographic process matters the most to you?
The most important part of the photographic process for me is the moment of taking the photo itself. Or then when you get your scans back. It feels like Christmas to see what you have got.
15. If you had to shoot a high-stakes editorial on a single roll of film, which camera-and-lens combo from our current inventory would you trust, and why?
Probably some medium format Hasselblad with 80mm lens.
16. Imagine you find a un-developed roll of film from 50 years ago that hasn't been seen by anyone yet. Before you develop the film, what do you hope is on that roll, and why is that the version of the world you want to preserve?
I hope the roll would have something socially significant, or even something unexpectedly funny that people haven’t seen before today.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sannihei/
Website: https://www.sannihirvonen.com/
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