The Guest Book

Aku Ratsula

Summary
Final work

Aku is a Finnish-American documentary photographer based between London and Finland. His practice explores themes of community and belonging through long-term projects. Aku is experienced in both still and moving image and has been published in newspapers and magazines across Finland. As a member of BRAW Darkoom Collective in London alongside seven other photographers, he explores print-based work in a community setting, hosting workshops and events through the collective.

Aku is a Finnish-American documentary photographer based between London and Finland. His practice...

CollegeLondon College of Communication
CourseBA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
Graduation year2023

Raised in the United States by Finnish parents, my definition of home has always been stretched between two places. During the summers, we would visit Finland in time for the midsummer celebrations. Utopian memories from my childhood – playing in the forest, fishing and swimming – faded as I grew older and the distance between my family and I became more apparent. I felt pressure to choose between my American identity and Finnish heritage.

In navigating what family and home mean to me, I embrace my unique relationships as they are. There was never a choice that needed to be made; the pressure that I once felt was all but an illusion.

These images are set at the lakeside cabin where children play as I once did, and still do.