Photojournalism as social activism: shedding light on humanitarian crises

Meeri Koutaniemi is a Finnish photographer who started her career with a clear mission: to shed light on uncomfortable truths about social injustice around the world. Her powerful imagery and captivating stories about human fates and the resilience with which individuals face their struggles have earned her numerous awards in Finland as well as abroad.


Storytelling through photography

Meeri’s first memories about photography relate to her father, a passionate amateur photographer: – He used to set up a white screen and a slide projector and have us, his six children, settle down to watch his slide shows, Meeri recalls.

His preferred medium was diapositives and the topic always related to nature, varying from small details to wide landscapes.

– I learned to observe each photo for minutes without a hurry. I realised, then, that watching a photo wasn’t just about looking at it. You can also listen to the tones and vibrations in silence, she illuminates.

During high school, Meeri became politically active and interested in social justice. The idea of combining political activism with art started to take shape in her mind. She arrived at photojournalism as a means of spreading the word about issues that needed voicing.

The early trips solidified her career goal: to work as a freelance photojournalist, travelling around the globe reporting on human rights issues. Meeri enrolled in the University of Tampere and begun studying photojournalism in earnest.

In her work, Meeri has been hugely inspired and influenced by the works of classic photojournalists: Abbas, Susan Meiselas, W. Eugene Smith, and Josef Koudelka.

– The pioneers of photojournalism have all showed me a new perspective to humanity and the importance of shedding light into the shadows, Meeri explains. I have experienced immense emotions and gained deep knowledge simply by looking at the photographs taken by these masters.

Through the work of her heroes, she understood that photographic storytelling is the most powerful way to talk about what makes us human. That has guided Meeri on her path ever since.

Meeri’s style has been rooted in classic black-and-white film photography. But, over the years, it has developed to include colour photography as well.

– I try to actively listen to the light, not only to see it. Light is the poetry in photography, Meeri muses.

– When I look through the lens, time stretches away: as my eye focuses on a certain detail, nothing else exists outside of that moment. Photography is my way of exploring existence in time and space.

What Meeri does, is about much more than taking pictures. Each photograph tells a story and is part of a wider phenomenon that needs to be told. She finds it essential to include information about the wider social context or a personal quote from the subject to help people read the pictures fully.

– I am inspired the most by people who simply show their way of being. I am drawn to the person’s presence. The power and the vulnerability that is honest and resilient, she explains.

Meeri firmly believes that social change requires grassroots activism that embodies locals. Her dream is to set up a foundation that supports activists financially.

– There are these young people all around the world who have all the means, but lack the resources to make themselves, or the issues they are fighting for, heard, she explains.

– By financing their expression and activism, we could achieve much more concrete improvements and fight against human rights violations on a global scale.

Photojournalism is about cooperation. Not only with the individuals that exemplify a certain issue, but the local people in the area you’re travelling. The need for co-operation and collaboration also extends to media outlets, non-government organizations and even local governments, in order to gain maximum coverage and exposure.

When you are working abroad, what you need most is to find local fixers: People who are specialist in their culture and surroundings, Meeri illuminates. Those who can lead you to the right places, to meet the right people.

Choosing topics and phenomena that resonate for you is also crucial. When you find work meaningful, the passion will make you push forward and show in your work.

– Try to make an impact and don’t be afraid of getting politically active on social issues that matter, she concludes.