First Love

Thrilling, intoxicating - sometimes a little too much. First Love is a portrait series capturing young people experiencing love for the very first time.

It aims to open windows into the lives and experiences of its subjects, highlighting the diversity of first love and challenging narrow portrayals of youth and emotion.

The series is my response to the chaos of the wider world: a meditation on how love, trust, and intimacy can flourish even amidst uncertainty. It frames first love not only as personal transformation but also as an act of resilience and hope - a quiet rebellion against the harshness of life.

The photo series was supported by the Patricia Seppälä Foundation. It was published in Helsingin Sanomat and Perimetro, and exhibited at the Rotterdam Photo Festival.

The project is ongoing and will continue during an artist residency at Villa Karo in Benin in the fall of 2026.