Finland has so many guys like Otto (Veijola), the guy in this photo. The not famous, really sick shredders who don’t really give a shit about being Pro or that kind of thing. They just study or have a job on the side and ride when they want to, for fun, not just because they
have to.

Otto was really stoked to join us for a session and did some nice handplants on that transition. It was the beginning of December and really cold in Helsinki, Finland. I was testing for the first time, a new plastic lens.

I’m not sure I have a favorite shot (I already can hear some people saying “arghhh this is just another handplant!!!…” and well, I agree) but this photo means something to me in the way that this is the first of the season. First spot hit, first mission, first trip. So, to be short,
just the beginning of 6 months of adventures, surprises, discoveries, frustrations, efforts, coldness, girlfriend issues, flights, down days, storms, home sickness, new friendships, fights, pain, joy and all those little daily things that makes me realize we kind of have one of the best jobs on earth.

Anyway this photo reminds me one skate picture of Lucas Puig shot by the incredible French Fred (Fred Mortagne). This guy has always been a huge inspiration to me for the way he breaks framing rules and photo rules in general. This is the kind of guy who pushes photography in the right way. So thank you Otto and thank you Fred!

– Matt Georges

This article was featured in Volume 8 Issue 2.
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