Responsibility
We operate responsibly and take accountability for our environmental, social, and economic impact.
Because we care about the people we photograph, we make choices with their future in mind. We strive to consider environmental aspects as broadly as possible in all our operations and actively communicate the importance of sustainability to our customers. Kuvaverkko’s environmental policy covers all areas of the company’s operations.
EcoCompass Environmental Certificate
Kuvaverkko was the first photography company in Finland to be awarded the EcoCompass Environmental Certificate in 2015. EcoCompass is an environmental management system owned by The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation and based on the international ISO 14001 standard. It helps us identify the environmental impacts of our business operations and continuously improve our practices from a sustainable development perspective. The EcoCompass environmental management system is audited every three years.
- We take environmental aspects and impacts into account in the planning of our business operations.
- We aim to strengthen the environmental responsibility of our customers and partners.
- We favor partners and stakeholders who operate in line with our environmental policy and integrate environmental thinking into their business strategy.
- The photographic papers we use are FSC certified.
- We require all other papers, paperboards, and cardboard materials we use to have environmental certification (either FSC or PEFC)
In addition, we regularly ensure that current environmental legislation is reflected in our operations and aim to anticipate future legislative developments. We continuously develop our production processes and more efficient working methods to reduce material waste. We also sort and recycle waste efficiently.
Chemical-Free Photo Production
Kuvaverkko has produced photographs without chemicals since 2019, becoming the first photography company in Finland to adopt a completely chemical-free photo production process. Our photos are produced on photo paper using HP Indigo production technology without the use of chemicals, as the chemicals traditionally used in photo processing create environmentally harmful waste. By transferring color directly onto the photographic paper, our production process generates neither hazardous waste nor carbon dioxide emissions.
Because the surface of the photographic paper does not require the light grey silver halide coating used in traditional photo processing, the whites in the photos remain pure white. As a result, chemically-free produced photographs also appear brighter and sharper. The durability of photographs produced with HP Indigo technology has been independently tested by Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR). Based on these studies, the photos are granted a lifespan guarantee of up to 200 years. In addition, HP Indigo equipment is manufactured using durable components that can be recycled after the end of their lifecycle.
Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility
We make choices guided by the principles of sustainable development and continuously seek the most environmentally responsible alternatives for our operations. Together with our subcontractors, we have developed more efficient working methods that have significantly reduced material waste and lowered electricity consumption in the production of our photographs.
Our carbon footprint is regularly calculated by environmental professionals. Although we have already succeeded in reducing our emissions, we continue to take active measures to decrease them even further. The remaining carbon footprint after emission reduction measures is compensated through Verra-certified climate projects focused on supporting forest wellbeing. Forests and reforestation are among the most effective ways to combat climate change. Caring for forests also helps preserve biodiversity, while forests play a vital role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
We have also participated in reforestation projects in Finland by helping restore unused land areas where new habitats and ecosystems would not otherwise have emerged. Together with the Finnish company Puuni Oy, new forests were planted in Lempäälä and Mikkeli between 2021 and 2025.
We want both the childhood and youth memories of the people we photograph and the natural environment around them to remain as beautiful as possible for future generations.
The Key Flag Symbol for Our Photography Services
The photography studios within the Kuvaverkko network capture the childhood and youth memories, friendships, and group moments of hundreds of thousands of people across Finland every year. Our photography services have been awarded the Key Flag Symbol (Avainlippu) as a recognition of a service produced and employing people in Finland.
Kuvaverkko’s photography operations provide employment for more than one hundred local professional photographers throughout Finland. In addition, the production of Kuvaverkko’s photos employs nearly 60 people during the busy autumn season. Every year, dozens of seasonal employees work with Kuvaverkko’s photographs in photo production and customer service. For many young people, this has served as a first step into working life, and for several employees the journey has continued into permanent employment.
Kuvaverkko is committed to operating responsibly both towards its employees and the surrounding environment. The wellbeing of our personnel is of utmost importance to us: everyone is valued and treated equally regardless of gender, age, or ethnic background. Our workplace is accessible, and occupational safety requirements are reviewed regularly.
The Donate Blood During Working Hours Certificate
Kuvaverkko encourages its employees to take part in socially meaningful activities that help others. As a demonstration of this commitment to social responsibility, Kuvaverkko has been awarded the Donate Blood During Working Hours certificate. This workplace certificate, granted by the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, indicates that we enable our employees to donate blood during working hours.
Excellent School Photographer Certificate
Kuvaverkko is a member of the Finnish School Photography Association and an active contributor within the organization. This non-profit industry association develops, represents, and safeguards the common interests of companies and organizations operating in the field of group photography. The association promotes cooperation between its members, improves the operating conditions of the industry, and advances the appreciation, status, and professional practices of photography and the photography sector as a whole. Kuvaverkko has been awarded the Finnish School Photography Association’s Excellent School Photographer certificate as a recognition of fair and responsible school photography practices.
Kuvaverkko x Pelastakaa Lapset (Save the Children)
We want to promote the wellbeing of children and young people. For several years, we have supported the domestic work of Pelastakaa Lapset ry (Save the Children Finland). In October 2025, Kuvaverkko and Pelastakaa Lapset ry launched a long-term partnership aimed at supporting low-income children and young people at risk of social exclusion in Finland. Kuvaverkko supports Eväitä Elämälle (Food for Life) program, which promotes equality, inclusion, and positive development among children and youth. A portion of the online sales of selected collaboration products is directed to the Eväitä Elämälle program. In addition, support for the program increases with every new Eväitä Elämälle photography contract made with a school.
