July 14, 2026 My job, my choice – enjoying the summer weather.
I am a very work-oriented person, I always have been. I enjoy it when I get to work, because then I feel useful to myself and to society. I work six days a week, and I take Sunday off. Sometimes it doesn't work out, but usually yes, often enough anyway.
It is clear to me that when I have an office day, I sit at my desk and make sure that the day is long enough by clocking in the working time, which I actually sit at the computer. That also means that a sufficient number of tasks must be completed, because otherwise I easily get a bad conscience. The Finnish summer is short, really short. In many years, it is only warm for a few weeks, or even less. I came to Finland in May, and most of the time I have been freezing, because of course I am used to the warmer climate in Lisbon.
The sun was shining on Saturday, and it was really warm for Finnish weather. My to-do list mainly included customer contact and answering several emails. I woke up with the idea of why not do my tasks outside on a beautiful summer day, because it doesn't matter where I answer my emails. So I decided to loosen the strict rules about sitting at a desk a little, and worked outside, enjoying the warm sunshine.
I realized that even though I was working, the day still felt almost like free time. Since an entrepreneur has the freedom to choose where they want to work, taking into account the demands of the job of course, I should take advantage of that opportunity more often, to support my own resilience.
The only resource of a micro-enterprise is the one person who works in the company. If that person gets tired, in the worst case, the entire company's operations will cease, and at the same time the entrepreneur's livelihood will also cease. This happened to me over ten years ago. Having learned from that experience, today I strive to find a pleasant balance between work and free time, which feels good to me. Because when that relationship is right, you enjoy both of your time more, and at the same time you feel better mentally.
In these economically challenging times, many entrepreneurs struggle with coping. Let's try to stretch ourselves and do a little more for the company. However, it's good to remember to be kind to ourselves, our own mind and body.
It's important to take care of our own well-being, because that's where all the good things come from, both for the company and the entrepreneur. Let's all enjoy our work and at the same time the summer in between tasks, taking care of ourselves.
July 7, 2026 POOK-Watches brand
POOK Watches is a small but robust Finnish watch brand that designs and manufactures quality timepieces in Joensuu. The brand's values are consumer-friendly prices, self-designed and hand-assembled quality watches, and compelling stories conveyed through various partnerships.
Watches have been sold in approximately 50 countries worldwide, including the island of Tonga. Today, you can also purchase a genuine POOK watch at the World Watch Museum store in Madrid, Spain.
The POOK Watches brand was established in 2018 when C. Andreas Prepula set out to design a diving watch for his father, inspired by the Citizen model named 700 A, B, C. Andreas' father, a professional diver, was able to see the completed model before he passed away.
The next models designed were the Kompressor WKR03001, 002, 003, and Nitrogen I, II, III Limited editions. These three watch models marked the beginning of POOK watches' fascinating journey, which includes many remarkable and unique collaborations with various partners, such as RUK, Osasto Lauri Törni Perinnekilta ry, Poliisin Tuki ry, Moomin Characters, Ulla Kulju, Mika Salo, Amorphis, and the band Nightwish.
Today, POOK Watches is a brand founded by two men who are passionate about timepieces and wish to share compelling stories of their partners through high-quality, self-designed, hand-assembled watches.
Watchmaker Jani Ikonen is responsible, among other things, for the design and assembly of models at the Kello Ahjo / Pookwatches Workshop store on Suvantokatu, Joensuu, while attorney Jyrki Piiparinen manages current affairs.
In the early days of the company, various parties were approached for cooperation. Nowadays, collaboration proposals also come to POOK Watches, thanks to outstanding products such as the POOK-Salpa, created for war veterans. TheFinnish Reserve Officers' Association and the Reserve Officers' Association were involved in this project. Additionally, there is the POOK Watches x Nightwish Yesterwynde Limited Edition, produced in partnership with the band Nightwish. This collaboration was particularly gratifying for Jani Ikonen, as he is from Kitee and has a metal heart beating in his chest.
A request from the relatives of a watch enthusiast to have the POOK brand’s anchor logo engraved on a tombstone—which carries two distinct meanings—also speaks volumes about the relationship between the brand and its customers.
On old sea maps, an upside-down anchor signified a harbour of peace where it was safe to anchor. Another meaning was that an upside-down anchor on the bow of a ship indicated that we were coming home and wished to be left alone. This symbol is over 2,000 years old, having once been the emblem of a ruler.
The letter P in the logo stands for 'Pook', meaning a lightless lighthouse, while the letter W represents 'Watches', together forming the brand's name.
The next model to be released, the TBL Thin Blue Line, has been created in collaboration with the Finnish Police Support Association, which provides assistance to police officers in need. This model is a typical collaboration for POOK Watches, as the brand aims for the item to convey a genuine and powerful Finnish story that will be remembered.
The POOK Watches brand is also launching some intriguing collaboration models this year, with several set to continue into 2027. It is therefore worth keeping a close eye on the brand’s pages at https://official.pookwatches.com
May 22, 2026 'Extra' Pictures Case
Portrait photography is a process that evolves and develops as it progresses. Often, the initial photographs are not very successful because the model may feel tense and uncertain about how to behave in an unfamiliar situation.
Once this phase passes after a few minutes, the actual portrait photography begins, producing successful shots if the model is well guided. At some point, the model’s concentration often wanes, and the quality of the images may decline. During lengthy photo shoots, especially when multiple outfits and various lighting styles are employed, appropriate breaks are essential to maintain the endurance of both the photographer and the model.
This series of images comprises photographs that failed entirely in their original context. However, something about them intrigued me, so I decided to experiment with various versions. In the end, I believe I found a style and form of editing that brings the photos to life. They differ significantly from the original concept, but perhaps that is why I like them, they are the so-called 'extra' photos I almost deleted from my hard drive as failures, yet have been given a new lease of life through editing.
April 11, 2026 Corporate photography case in Lisbon
I photographed a stylish gentleman who is a managing director of a multinational company and a strategic consultant for another multinational company. Due to his work, he requires up-to-date portraits, which are typically refreshed every six months or at least once a year.
In photography, we aim to create images that appear professional without seeming overly stiff or formal. Slightly more relaxed photographs are more approachable and, in this context, reveal more about the model's personality and attitude towards life.
Portrait photography is 90% guiding the model and 10% actual photography. Sometimes guidance and advice are needed more, but on this occasion, I did not have to instruct the model much, as he is accustomed to being photographed, so a relaxed and natural expression was achieved very quickly.
The photos genuinely convey the CEO's youthful and cheerful attitude, which he maintains through sports, yoga, and other activities. Such images serve as a marketing tool in his work, used almost daily; therefore, it is important that they accurately reflect reality.
January 13, 2026: Joint project with Joensuu City Theatre.
In the summer of 2025, I had the wonderful opportunity to create photographic content for a photo exhibition organized by Joensuu City Theatre.
The exhibition the creative process behind the play "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" through 20 photographs.
The image includes a link to an interview conducted in Finnish.
