What was it that first made you want to study BA (Hons) Fashion Photography at LCF?

I had heard really great things about the university in general. Before applying to LCF I was studying contemporary art-based photography but decided I wanted to learn more about commercial photography, fashion and design instead.

Before learning about photography I had studied Economics and Marketing at my local University in Vaasa, Finland. Looking back at my interest in economics and marketing I notice it is very similar to what I am doing now as a Fashion Photographer; selling a product / a lifestyle, capturing the consumers attention as well as tapping into their buying behaviour. Only now, I am exploring it from a creative and visual point of view instead of filling out paperwork and simulating marketing theories.

When did your interest in photography begin?

I got into photography relatively late actually. Not until I had turned 18 years old. At that time I was completing my obligatory military service (9 months) in the Finnish National Army at a military training camp in the southern parts of Finland. I was very lucky to be given a desk-job at the army base and therefore I didn't have to do much training out in the forests or go out on any stupid training exercises for that matter! I had a camera with me and I used to walk around the military base taking photographs of interesting things I found in the environment and documenting stuff going on around me. It was very interesting and first and foremost it kept me busy, making the time in the military pass more quickly.

Did you go on any work placements or get involved in any industry projects as part of your degree? If so, could you give us a bit detail about what you worked on?

Didn't do any work placements per se. But I did start working independently as a freelance photographer during my final year at College. I strived to produce my university work in such a manner that the material could also be published in fashion magazines, which I contacted independently. This helped me make a smooth transition from producing university assignments to professional work.

What did you do after graduating?

After earning my Bachelors Degree I moved to Copenhagen, Denmark to start up my own business and work as a freelance photographer. I immediately got commissioned to work on a PR kit for the car manufacturer Lexus' retailer in Denmark. It took some time and networking with fellow creatives before I was commissioned to produce a special fashion story for the Danish men's fashion magazine Euroman. I shot an 18-page editorial for the magazine's 16th year anniversary issue. It was the longest fashion story ever published in Euroman's history. A month later, in February 2009, I got my first cover with the same magazine and have since continued a healthy working relationship with them.

Due to my success shooting men's clothing I continue to be approached by men's fashion magazines. I didn't deliberately intend to shoot mostly men's fashion. It's a mere coincidence really. I do enjoy doing it but would also like to shoot more on the women's side. Thankfully I have recently been commissioned by two popular, worldwide distributed women's fashion magazines to produce a few editorials over the next 6 months. Two of these will be shot in Tokyo later this autumn/winter.

I understand that you had a big break after some of your work was spotted on Showtime. Could you tell us a bit about your experience with Showtime and how it helped you?

Not long after being listed on Showtime I received an email from a freelancing New York-based art prints dealer enquiring about a few works of mine. She (Anne Trouillet Rogers) had spotted my Showtime portfolio and redirected herself to my website, where she'd been quite impressed with her findings. This was in June of 2008.

Over the next months Trouillet Rogers and I kept in regular contact, then one day she suggested I should get in touch with her London-based colleague, Georgie Gerrish (fineprintshop.co.uk). A month later or so in September of 2008 I flew to London to meet Gerrish. I presented my portfolio to her and some artist proofs that I had made using a new printing technique I had recently discovered called UV Inkjet Printing - a technique in which the image is digitally transferred onto an aluminum plate in a tattooing-like manner. During the meeting Gerrish showed a great deal of interest towards my work and helped me arrange my first ever solo exhibition in Spring 2009.

To help promote the upcoming solo exhibition Georgie Gerrish invited me to a joint exhibition, The London Original Print Fair hosted at The Royal Academy in April of 2009. Once again I flew in from Copenhagen with artworks on aluminum plates under my arm. It was a great honor to be able to exhibit my work next to such great artists as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, David Hockney and Damien Hirst to name a few.

I have since hosted my first solo exhibition 'Mirror Universe' at Vyner Street Gallery. It has been a great experience. Following the much appreciated response of my East End exhibition I'm pleased to announce that I have been invited to open yet another show. This time it is the The Crate gallery in West London, Notting Hill that will be hosting a two evening event which will feature a set of handpicked photographs from the same body of work.

What or who inspires you most?

I like graphic elements in general but I find inspiration from a lot of different things. Not only past or present photographers but also surrealist art, film, architecture and the decay of it. I tend to look for graphic elements and geometric tensions in my surroundings. It is the lines and elements, juxtapositions and everyday contrasts that are interesting to me.

Any industry tips for our current and future students?

I would warmly encourage current students to take the leap from the safety of the university environment and strive for getting your foot into the working world as soon as possible. Work proactively and don't take your teachers' word too literally. They can definitely help steer one in the right direction but at the end of the day it is important to remember what the critics tell you is only that person's opinion. Others may not necessarily feel the same way about your work. Be true to yourself.

What are your aims for the future?

In the last year I've managed to lay down pretty good building blocks for continuing a successful career as a fashion- and fine art photographer. So far I've never assisted any photographer. I believe there to be valuable knowledge out there available for those who have the opportunity to assist a top class photographer. I'd wish to try that out also. Being able to learn from a top class photographer's daily workflow would be a great privilege. There is so much to learn apart from simply the taking of a picture.