SUOMENVALO Workshops is the joint collaboration of two long-time colleagues with tripods planted in photography and film, Arno Rafael Minkkinen and Kimmo Koskela. While working on the development of a feature film in Paltaniemi, Finland, last August, Minkkinen saw the possibility of turning Puistola—as the residence is called into an international photography workshop program. Koskela’s thumbs-up response was immediate. With Minkkinen’s long career as professor, worldwide workshop teacher since 1981, and former board member of the Society for Photographic Education in America, together with Kimmo Koskela’s diverse experience as an award-winning film director, cinematographer, and business manager, it was a perfect collaboration at a perfect place. It had to be done. Especially knowing that Carlo Roberti, legendary founder and director of the TPW, Toscana Photographic Workshops in Italy, would join the endeavor as a consultant and partner to promote each other’s workshops, share programming ideas, and teacher recommendations.