I was born in Iceland to a Finnish mother and an Icelandic father. In the mid-1990s, I moved to Finland to study photography at Svenska Konstskolan i Nykarleby. I later continued my studies at TAIK (the former University of Art and Design Helsinki), where I was admitted in 1998 to specialize in fine art printmaking and various printing techniques, including polymer gravure, gum print, and offset printing. I graduated in 2002. During my studies and in the years following my graduation, I worked part-time as a teacher in several institutions. I primarily taught black-and-white printing, studio practice, and preparatory courses designed to equip students for higher education and professional roles requiring photographic expertise. Teaching has given me valuable insight into guiding students, maintaining workshop environments, and supporting creative development. Alongside my teaching career, I worked for many years at Hufvudstadsbladet, initially as a photographer for their weekly magazine and later as one of the main photographers at the news desk. Since 2014, I have worked as a freelance photographer, covering news assignments as well as studio photography, including portraits, food, architecture and product photography. My broad experience—both educational and professional—has given me strong technical competence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. A few years ago, my partner and I purchased an old house in Sipoo, which we are currently renovating. This project has further strengthened my practical skills and hands-on approach—qualities that are valuable in a workshop environment. I am a social and responsible person with a strong work ethic, and I would be highly motivated to take on the role of Workshop Master. While my Finnish language skills are currently basic, I have successfully worked and communicated in multilingual environments throughout my career. My professional life has largely taken place in Swedish- and English-speaking contexts, but I am actively improving my Finnish and am fully prepared to continue developing my language skills.

Karl Vilhjálmsson

I was born in Iceland to a Finnish mother and an Icelandic father. In the mid-1990s, I moved to Finland to study photography at Svenska Konstskolan i Nykarleby. I later continued my studies at TAIK (the former University of Art and Design Helsinki), where I was admitted in 1998 to specialize in fine art printmaking and various printing techniques, including polymer gravure, gum print, and offset printing. I graduated in 2002. During my studies and in the years following my graduation, I worked part-time as a teacher in several institutions. I primarily taught black-and-white printing, studio practice, and preparatory courses designed to equip students for higher education and professional roles requiring photographic expertise. Teaching has given me valuable insight into guiding students, maintaining workshop environments, and supporting creative development. Alongside my teaching career, I worked for many years at Hufvudstadsbladet, initially as a photographer for their weekly magazine and later as one of the main photographers at the news desk. Since 2014, I have worked as a freelance photographer, covering news assignments as well as studio photography, including portraits, food, architecture and product photography. My broad experience—both educational and professional—has given me strong technical competence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively. A few years ago, my partner and I purchased an old house in Sipoo, which we are currently renovating. This project has further strengthened my practical skills and hands-on approach—qualities that are valuable in a workshop environment. I am a social and responsible person with a strong work ethic, and I would be highly motivated to take on the role of Workshop Master. While my Finnish language skills are currently basic, I have successfully worked and communicated in multilingual environments throughout my career. My professional life has largely taken place in Swedish- and English-speaking contexts, but I am actively improving my Finnish and am fully prepared to continue developing my language skills.

Available to hire

I was born in Iceland to a Finnish mother and an Icelandic father. In the mid-1990s, I moved to
Finland to study photography at Svenska Konstskolan i Nykarleby. I later continued my studies at
TAIK (the former University of Art and Design Helsinki), where I was admitted in 1998 to
specialize in fine art printmaking and various printing techniques, including polymer gravure, gum
print, and offset printing. I graduated in 2002.
During my studies and in the years following my graduation, I worked part-time as a teacher in
several institutions. I primarily taught black-and-white printing, studio practice, and preparatory
courses designed to equip students for higher education and professional roles requiring
photographic expertise. Teaching has given me valuable insight into guiding students, maintaining
workshop environments, and supporting creative development.
Alongside my teaching career, I worked for many years at Hufvudstadsbladet, initially as a
photographer for their weekly magazine and later as one of the main photographers at the news
desk. Since 2014, I have worked as a freelance photographer, covering news assignments as well as
studio photography, including portraits, food, architecture and product photography.
My broad experience—both educational and professional—has given me strong technical
competence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently as well as
collaboratively. A few years ago, my partner and I purchased an old house in Sipoo, which we are
currently renovating. This project has further strengthened my practical skills and hands-on
approach—qualities that are valuable in a workshop environment.
I am a social and responsible person with a strong work ethic, and I would be highly motivated to
take on the role of Workshop Master. While my Finnish language skills are currently basic, I have
successfully worked and communicated in multilingual environments throughout my career. My
professional life has largely taken place in Swedish- and English-speaking contexts, but I am
actively improving my Finnish and am fully prepared to continue developing my language skills.

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Work Experience

Freelance Photographer at Self-employed
January 1, 2004 - Present
Photographer providing freelance services to various clients; ongoing freelance projects and visual storytelling assignments.
Staff Photographer at HBL (Hufvudstadsbladet), Helsinki
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
Photographer for a Helsinki-based newspaper covering news, features and assignments.
Photographer at Weekly Supplement Volt / HBL
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2009
Photographer for the Volt weekly supplement and HBL assignments.
Freelance Photographer at Finnish News Agency (STT)
January 1, 2002 - Present
Freelance photographer working with STT on news photography and features.
Photography Instructor at Swedish Polytechnic, Nykarleby
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003
Photography instructor teaching practical photography courses.
Photography Instructor at Sydväst Vocational Institute
January 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003
Photography instructor teaching courses in photography.
Assistant to photographer at Timo Junttila
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Assisted photographer Timo Junttila.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Västra Nylands Folkhögskola
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Part-time lecturer in photography.
Course Leader at Helsinki Adult Education Centre (Arbis)
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Course leader.
Photography Instructor at Swedish Polytechnic, Nykarleby
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Photography instructor.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Västra Nylands Folkhögskola
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000
Part-time lecturer.
Photographer and Photo Editor at Borgåbladet, Porvoo
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000
Photographer and photo editor for Borgåbladet.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Östra Nylands Vocational School, Porvoo
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999
Part-time lecturer in photography.
Photographer and Photo Editor at Borgåbladet, Porvoo
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999
Photographer and photo editor for Borgåbladet.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Espoo
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999
Part-time lecturer in photography.
Freelance Photographer at Hufvudstadsbladet
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Freelance photographer for Hufvudstadsbladet.
Photographer at Studentbladet
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Photographer for Studentbladet.
Photographer and Photo Editor at Borgåbladet, Porvoo
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Photographer and photo editor.
Course in Alternative Photographic Processes at Swedish Polytechnic, Nykarleby
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Course in alternative photographic processes.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Espoo
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Part-time lecturer in photography.
Freelance Photographer
January 1, 2004 - Present
Freelance photographer with long-term assignments for press and corporate projects.
Photographer at Volt / Hufvudstadsbladet (weekly supplement)
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2014
Photographer for weekly supplement Volt.
Staff Photographer at Hufvudstadsbladet (HBL)
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2009
Staff photographer for HBL in Helsinki.
Assistant to photographer at Timo Junttila, Helsinki
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Assistant to photographer Timo Junttila.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Västra Nylands Folkhögskola, Karis
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002
Part-time lecturer in photography.
Part-time Lecturer in Photography at Västra Nylands Folkhögskola, Karis
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000
Part-time lecturer in photography.
Freelance Photographer at Hufvudstadsbladet, Helsinki
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Freelance photographer.
Photographer at Studentbladet, Helsinki
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1998
Photographer.

Education

Master of Arts (Photography) at University of Art and Design Helsinki, Department of Photography
January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2002
Artenom (Professional Degree in Photography) at Swedish School of Fine Arts, Nykarleby
January 1, 1994 - January 1, 1998
Art Program at Swedish Folk Academy, Yttermark
January 1, 1993 - January 1, 1994
Master of Arts (Photography) at University of Art and Design Helsinki, Department of Photography
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 2002
Artenom (Professional Degree in Photography) at Swedish School of Fine Arts, Nykarleby
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1998
Art Program at Swedish Folk Academy, Yttermark
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1994

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other