Northern Rituals ( Youth Of helsinki )

In my Northern Rituals (Youth of Helsinki) I am trying to show the inner process of a human soul while a person turns from a child into an adult – just like Alice in Alice in Wonderland. A process of breaking through something which is very difficult to explain. I try to photograph it at the same time as I try to see into the soul of the person while this change is taking place in front of me. "When I can see your soul, I will paint your eyes." The first picture is always about the break through & the change inside the person. I photograph these in natural light either in the evening light of the summer or in the darkness of the winter using my vintage lenses to achieve more of a film-like feeling. To me Modigliani is the greatest portrait painter. I am trying to follow his footsteps concerning the idea of seeing the soul. When I see It I paint the Eyes. I call myself a Paintographer and I am painting with light. Using my vintage lenses to achieve more of a film like feeling. I use time to receive the inner feeling of a person that I am looking for and many times this ends up in strange shaken pictures which then are perfect for what I am looking for. Always shot hand held.