Finnish Museum of Photography

The basics

Exhibits at the Finnish Museum of Photography take visitors through works of Finnish and international photographers, both contemporary and historical. Photographs in the museum’s collection span every subject, from fine art to advertising, fashion, photojournalism, etc. The Finnish Museum of Photography has expanded from its original location at the Cable Factory building and now has a second location at the Museum of Photography K1 in the Kämp Galleria shopping center. Most exhibitions at the museum are temporary, except for Viewfinder at the Cable Factory, the museum’s first permanent exhibition.

Things to know before you go

• Amenities at both venues include a cloakroom and childcare facilities. There is an elevator at Kämp Galleria to reach the K1 space.

• Both the Museum of Photography K1 and the Cable Factory are fully accessible, except for the doors at the Cable Factory, which are currently manually operated. Staff can provide assistance upon request.

• All toilets in the museum are gender-neutral.

• Guided tours at both venues can be arranged for groups.

How to get there

The Cable Factory is located in the West Harbour area of Helsinki. It is easiest reached by taking the number 8 tram to the Kaapelitehdas stop or riding the metro to Ruoholahti station and walking for a little under 10 minutes. Getting to the K1 exhibition at Kämp Galleria is much easier, as it’s in the city center by the Aleksanterinkatu tram stop on the 2, 4, 5, and 7 tram routes.

When to get there

Picking a time to visit the Finnish Museum of Photography will depend greatly on which temporary exhibitions you are interested in. While the Cable Factory building is not open on Mondays, Kämp Galleria K1 is open daily. The Finnish Museum of Photography is typically open late on Wednesdays, making it an excellent day to visit if you’re busy during the day.

The Viewfinder permanent exhibition

At the Finnish Museum of Photography’s Viewfinder exhibit, visitors can look deeper at the role of photographers and the lifespan of photographs. Displays show you how photographs are created and the power they hold, both on a personal and a societal level. There is also a section of the exhibit designed to ask visitors what kind of photographer they are or would like to be.