How I photographed cinema talents at Karhupuisto Film Festival
Photographing Cinema Stars in Helsinki: Case Karhupuisto Film Festival
When Mete Sasioglu, CEO of Sons of Lumière and producer of the Karhupuisto Film Festival, reached out to ask if I could set up a pop-up studio at the festival’s headquarters on Hämeentie, I jumped at the opportunity. The mission: photograph international and local filmmakers visiting the festival throughout the week, alongside the core festival team.
I wanted to craft a visual identity for the shoot that reflected my own warm auteur aesthetic—cinematic and gritty, without feeling like a overly polished studio environment.
The Concept: Red Velvet Curtain, Raw Texture & 1960s Vintage Glass
The visual anchor for the pop-up studio was Karhupuisto FF's brand-red backdrop, reminiscent of a classic theater curtain. Rather than pulling the fabric completely taut, I intentionally left it relaxed and textured. The subtle folds and imperfections added depth, character, and a photo-booth-like energy to the portraits. I also layered two different fabrics to give the setup a relaxed, multidimensional feel.
To enhance the soft, cinematic look, I shot the portraits using 1960s vintage lenses. The unique character and rendering of vintage glass infused the digital imagery with rich tone and an organic, analogue feel.
The lighting setup was engineered to serve both portrait photography and video interviews simultaneously:
- Key Light: To create a soft yet directional semi-hard key light, I used a continuous fixture (Aputure LS 60x) bounced off a silver reflector.
- Fill Light: A speedlight paired with a shoot-through umbrella softened the shadows just enough.
- Background Light: A second speedlight placed on the floor separated the subject from the backdrop and accentuated the texture of the red curtain.
The continuous light also worked seamlessly whenever Mete interviewed the filmmakers for social media clips on set.
The Challenge: Delivering Portraits Before Guests Walk Out the Door
Speed and complete workflow control are everything in a pop-up studio environment. With guests operating on tight schedules, I implemented a high-efficiency "shoot-and-edit on the fly" workflow:
- The Shoot: A brief, intense portrait session lasting about 5–10 minutes.
- Real-time Editing: While Mete interviewed the filmmaker, I curated and edited the images on location right away.
- Instant Delivery: Guests received fully polished, high-res portraits directly to their phones before leaving the venue. On average, editing a final shot took around 30 to 60 seconds.
One of the highlights was a quick portrait session with Sakari Kuosmanen. Known for his iconic roles in Aki Kaurismäki classics like Shadows in Paradise, his presence and expression were captured in a matter of seconds.
Results & Key Takeaways
- End-to-End Production: A high-end pop-up studio deployed seamlessly right in the heart of festival headquarters.
- Perfect Brand Alignment: Karhupuisto FF's visual identity combined with 1960s optics created a cohesive, cinematic body of work.
- Rapid Delivery: International and local talent received finished, edited portraits straight to their phones before heading to their next event.
- Dual-Purpose Setup: The lighting rig seamlessly supported both still photography and concurrent social media video interviews.
Looking for a Pop-Up Studio for Your Event or Brand?
High-end portraiture and visual brand content don't need weeks of complex logistics or massive film crews. I handle large-scale productions, live event photography, and technical studio setups with speed, precision, and a distinct aesthetic—whether for film festivals, corporate events, or brand campaigns.
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