WHO?
Sami Kero (b. 1979) is a Finnish photojournalist who works for Helsingin Sanomat, the biggest subscription-based newspaper in Finland. He has covered international conflicts and crisis around the world, for example in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Haiti, Israel and DR Congo though most of his daily work takes place in peaceful Finland.
WORKSHOPS, TEACHING
Sami has given some photography workshops and street photography workshops. Sami speaks annually at University of Tampere about crisis journalism.
PRIZES, FAME AND GLORY
2022 Picture of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
2022 News picture of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
2021 Suuri journalistipalkinto, vuoden juttu
2018 2nd prize in Daily Life / Story, Istanbul Photo Awards
2018 Portfolio of the year in Fotofinlandia
2017 Visa d’or International Daily Press Award
2017 Reportage of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
2011 Picture of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
2008 Picture of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
2006 Picture of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
2005 Reportage of the year by The Finnish Association of Photojournalists
EXHIBITIONS
2023 Avanto – Ice Hole, Mobile Sweat – Festival of Cool, Toronto, Canada
2022 Avanto – Ice Hole, Jacksons Lane, London, UK
2020 Avanto – Ice Hole, DLR Libraries, Dublin, Ireland
2019 Avanto – Ice Hole, 12 Star Gallery, London, UK
2017 Avanto – Ice Hole, Visa d´or festival co-exh. Perpignan, France
2017 Avanto – Ice Hole, Cafe Saima, Savonlinna Finland
2012 More towards nothing, co-exhition, Laboratory, Hki
2011 There and back, Lappeenranta and Kesälahti, Finland
2010 Class reunion, joint exhibition, Gallery Jukka Male
STUDIES
Degree from photography in Lahti Institute of Design (2005).
Studies at University of Jyväskylä (journalism).
Media2021 studies in Sanoma academy (March 2012 – December 2012)
WHY?
“Life is not about significant details, illuminated a flash, fixed forever. Photographs are.”
– Susan Sontag, On Photography