Riku Hasari
1. Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
Hi! I'm Riku Hasari, a 41-year-old photographer from Hameenlinna, Finland. I'm a freelance photographer mainly focused on photojournalism.
2. Where did you study photography?
I studied cinematography at Tampere University of Applied Sciences from 2008-2012.
3. Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
A clumsy photo of a bird with my parent's camera!
4. What equipment do you use?
Depends on what kind of photoshoot I have, but mainly the Canon R6 camera and 1-2 flashes with color filters or gobos.
5. What do you hope to achieve?
Money, money, money - just kidding! I hope to achieve my own style which people will recognize.
6. What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
Kindly words from colleagues.
7. What inspires your unique storytelling?
I have some masters that I follow: one is Jake Hicks, and another one is Finnish photographer Jetro Stavèn.
8. What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Experimental, bold, and unique.
9. Congratulations! As the winner of the Global Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
Thank you! It is one step closer to my ultimate goal.
10. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 Global Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
The photo I took was part of a portrait series of a new CEO. I wanted to try something new, and I came up with this result.
11. How has winning an award developed your career?
Increases my self-belief.
12. Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Jake Hicks, Jetro Staven, and Lassi Puhtimäki.
13. What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
Be brave, and don't follow others' style.
14. What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Practice, practice, practice, and find your own path.
15. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Go with the flow. Don't stress too much.
16. How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
Ah! I don't use social media at all. It just makes you feel that you don't know anything. Photography is a very open art, you can achieve a masterpiece with low-budget equipment if you have a clear goal in your mind.
17. Which THREE (3) friends/peers would you nominate to participate in the next Global Photography Awards?
18. Which THREE (3) peers, within the photography industry, would you nominate to be a judge in the next Global Photography Awards? (You may include yourself within, and please include the email addresses)
19. Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Thanks to Global Photography Awards for the opportunity to showcase my visual stories on this global stage!
