On Thursday, July 20th at the age of 82, the renowned 'grandfather of Finnish nature photography, ' Hannu Hautala, passed away. The word legendary is often overused but when it comes to Hannu and the influence he has had on this genre since the 1970s, it is a term well suited.
Born in 1940 in Toysa, Hannu Hautala first came to prominence in 1970 when he won a six-month arts grant enabling him to become a full-time nature photographer. Always an outdoors person, Hannu became frustrated with life in Helsinki and after much searching, in 1979 he and his wife finally settled in the beautiful region of Kuusamo in northeast Finland. From personal experience, I can tell you, he chose very well for it is a very special place indeed where many northern, eastern and southern species meet and where rare flowers bloom. He produced innumerable books (my personal favourite being To Everything a Season: A Year in the Finnish Wilds), became a Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland and his crowning glory, The Hannu Hautala Nature Photography Centre in Kuusamo which showcases not just his work but also that of other Finnish nature photographers. If you happen to be in Kuusamo, I highly recommend visiting. It's incredibly inspiring!
At the time, Hannu Hautala's style of often placing the subject small in the frame thereby putting it in context with its surroundings was unique and in contrast with his contemporaries who, at the time, were inclined to fill the frame. This technique is now widely used but Hannu was the first! He possessed the eye of an artist and the technical skill of a craftsman who would utilise and capitalise upon Finland's incredible scenery and light.
I first became aware of Hannu back in 1986 while studying photography in London. I remember, vividly, travelling on the number 36 bus from Paddington to Victoria reading a copy of BBC Wildlife magazine (I still have that issue!) and looking in awe at his photographs depicting Finnish Lapland in winter. I remember thinking to myself; here's a place, not a million miles away, that still had wilderness where in the swamps, forest and fells; bears, lynx and wolverine roam and where golden eagle, crane and bluethroat nest. Wonderful!
Since the 90s, I have been extremely fortunate to visit and lead photography tours to Finland (notably Kuusamo) and privileged to have met Hannu on a couple of occasions. The most recent was during a presentation at his photography centre where he kindly signed a calendar but the first and most memorable was in 2014 when he unexpectedly appeared while my group and I were attempting to photograph great grey owls. From a distance, I could see this bearded bespectacled, imposing figure striding through the snow aided by hiking poles. It soon dawned on me who it was! He had come to see his friend, Paavo Hamunen (our guide), and to see how we were getting on. He then proceeded to join us in our snow-holes as we waited for the owl to appear - which it did! I guess you could say I was a little star-struck for here was the person responsible for igniting my passion for this great country and whose work had been so influential on my own.
The group with Hannu.
And, with yours truly.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all those that held him dear. The nature photography community has suffered a tremendous loss, but his remarkable legacy will remain with us always. Rest in peace, Hannu.
