Valtteri Hirvonen

Wilderness photographer and Canon Ambassador Valtteri Hirvonen braves some of the toughest conditions imaginable in his work. Widely recognised for his dedication to his craft, when it comes to capturing his powerful and dramatic images he isn't fazed by temperatures of -35°C.

Valtteri's adventurous streak and love of nature developed during his childhood in North Karelia in Finland. "If I think back to growing up, I only remember being outside, so I have a special bond with nature," he says. "It always inspires me.

"My family are very outdoor-orientated. It didn't matter if it was raining or freezing, we'd still be out walking or skiing. It was second nature to me to be out all day, every day, and I still feel that way."

Valtteri enrolled in photography school back home in Finland, but left after the first year, and in 2008 began assisting photographers at a news agency instead. "The pace at school was much too slow for me," he says. "I was hungry and I wanted to evolve my skills much faster.

"I built up a name for myself with the agency and it evolved naturally from there. We travelled all over Europe and I got to see all kinds of things. It was so important for me to be given more and more responsibility. It was really fun – even better than I could have imagined – and I'm so thankful I was given the opportunity to learn so much."

Today, Valtteri travels the world capturing stills and video for a range of international brands and he has worked on commercial campaigns for Ferrari and BMW. The most challenging part of his job? Carrying everything and surviving – which is why choosing the right kit is key.

"I take a lot of photos in the mountains and the Arctic, and sometimes the temperatures are -35°C – that's when you get picky with what you're shooting," he says. "So, I'm also really choosy about what kit I take because I have to carry food, water and clothing. I know my camera gear so well and I can visualise beforehand what setup I need."

As for the future, the adventurer feels privileged to be able to combine his love of the outdoor world with photography – and to still be enjoying it so much, more than a decade after starting. "I feel so happy that I still love what I do, and that I'm still learning," he says. "I know that I have chosen my profession well. Whenever I get back to nature with my camera, I don't have to force that – I'm at home."

How would you describe your photographic style?
"I would say I combine documentary and commercial styles. I have a technical background, but I also like to shake that off every once in a while. I sometimes like to be anti-technical and do the complete opposite! I'm always inspired by nature and landscapes, so that shapes my style too."

When did you begin to explore videography?
"When I was a child, my dad used to take lots of videos documenting my childhood and we used to watch those a lot, and so I always knew video's power for triggering memories. The move for me happened when the Canon EOS 5D Mark II was released. That changed the video world. When clients heard that was something I could do, I started to work more with video and it slowly evolved from there. Today, I shoot 60% video and 40% stills."

What would you say are the key elements to successful wilderness photography?
"Just get outside and go to places you know at different times of the day and in different weather – even if it's misty or there's a storm. If it's a beautiful day, it's not necessarily anything special. It doesn't give you that spectacular photo. If you go out when it's stormy and the sun is setting, that's when you find those special moments. That's also when you get inspiration to discover more places to achieve those kinds of pictures. Don't underestimate how the weather can affect the mood. Visit places when nobody else wants to go there."

What is next for you? Which ambitions remain unfulfilled?
"I want to get better at videography; there's a huge difference in how stories are told compared to stills photography and I'm keen to learn so much more about this. Storytelling is my biggest ambition now and I want to tell stories that matter, about nature and global warming."

"You never know where your next job is coming from, so be nice to everyone! Even people in seemingly small roles on a particular production can be key in other situations, so never underestimate anyone. Also, speak your wishes out loud because there is always someone listening. That's something that happened for me many times. You may think it's too much, but someone will be listening and will make it happen for you."

Instagram: @valtterihirvonen

Website: www.valtterihirvonen.com