Laura Lempola - Short guide for crushing down an empire

"I've made my choice, you make yours, this weapon has got a voice"

To make a long story short, I’m currently (and mostly) a concert photographer, trainee promoter, Photoshop-geek, devoted Nikonist, part-time fool, freelance-anything and all-around jack of all trades.

Ones who stick around me a little longer are bound to notice that most of what I do are in some ways related to music and music business; I work at one of biggest live music clubs in Finland (hence the gig photography), do promotional photography and other promo materials and bulletins for bands, and most importantly I’m inspired by music. Well, d’uh, of course, what were you thinking?

Aaaanyways, as a photographer, I’m still developing my style. In gig photography I’ve lately started to find my own way, but in other fields I’m more or less in Sahara without a map. I guess there still shows some echoes of the influence from my three greatest heroes in photography; Joonas Brandt, Vesa Ranta and Terhi Ylimäinen.

So no, no Robert – effin’ – Capa, Caj Bremer, Anton Corbijn or any of the “great” ones, since it’d be friggin’ pathetic to even mention them. Of course I appreciate them to no words, but I’d rather mention as my idols some people that really have influenced me in some ways. In fact, if you want only one reason for why I study photography in the first place, you can put all the blame on Vesa Ranta. Whenever I want to get myself back to the basics, I go to see photos from his site. And yes, I’m a total sucker for black and white photography and traditional darkroom. 

Damned artsypants.

Oh, and by the way, the name is Lene L.

Photos by Laura Lempola

Central Ostrobothnia Culture Institute

www.myspace.com/fromlenewithl

www.wix.com/lene_l/portfolio

Laura Puukangas - Photography in the blood

I like portrait photography. I also photograph a lot by myself.

I have photographed about 3 years now. Before I just loved to edit pictures until I happened to end up studying here in Kälviä Culture Institute and fell in love with photography. 

It has been 3 years since I came here and I wouldn’t change those years for anything else.

Photos by 

Laura Puukangas

Central Ostrobotnia Culture Institute

Mira Perälä - Self Reference, Sentimental Decadence

Aside from traveling around the globe and never graduating, I sometimes actually take photos.

I'm in love with my Holga n120 and other old film cameras. I enjoy capturing the moment on the film, just like it is. No photoshop or other editing. That's why I never really got into digital photography.

I hope I can travel even more in the future, and capture all of my adventures on film.

Photos by 

Mira Perälä

Central Ostrobotnia Culture Institute

mira.perala(at)kpedu.fi

Minna Ranto - Seize the day

I’ve been interested in photography for a long time. I decided to take a chance and applied to our school Central Ostrobotnia Culture Institute.  I didn't know the place nor the people when I first arrived, but I have been here now for almost three years. I haven't regretted a day.

I have experience about working in a photography studio. We had our 10 weeks work practice that I spent in a photography studio called Studio Fotodesign. While working there, I got to take lots of studio pictures and I also did a lot photo editing. 

I really like working in a studio.

Outside the studio work I like taking documentary photos and portraits. I documented my sister's wedding last summer and I'm currently working for a band. I'm doing their promo shoots, cd covers and other artwork for their first cd. I also document their live performances. 

At the moment I hope that I'll get accepted to Lahti University of Applied Sciences where I would major in photography.

Photos by 

Minna Ranto

Central Ostrobotnia Culture Institute

minna.ranto(at)gmail.com