Maria Santto (1981) is a documentary photographer and videographer, born in Helsinki, Finland, to a Finnish mother and Russian father in Helsinki.
She has a One Year Certificate degree in Documentary photography and Photojournalism from International Center of Photography, NY 2014 and a BA Hons in Documentary Film and TV, from the University of Wales, Newport, UK in 2006.
Currently works as an audiovisual delegate for the Field Communications Unit at the Finnish Red Cross.
Work includes: BBC Wales, Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, Finnish and european news publications and NGO's.
Language skills: Finnish, Russian, English, French, German, Swedish and very basic Arabic
Currently based in northern Europe.
GRANTS
2016 TAIKE grant for documentary multimedia project "Welcome to Vihti"
2016 Alfred Kordelin grant for documentary multimedia project "Welcome to Vihti"
2014 Patricia Seppälä grant for photojournalism studies at the International Center of Photography (ICP)
2014 Finnish Cultural Foundation grant for studies at the ICP, New York
2012 Journalist travel grant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
EXHIBITIONS
2014 "Elective Affinities," International Center of Photography, New York, New York
2013 World Village, Maailma Kylässä festival, Helsinki, Finland
2012 3 rooms, 3 photographers – exhibition, St.Petersburg, Russia
2012 Palestine, Hyvinkää townhouse, Finland
2006 Cannes Film Festival, Shortfilm Corner. Final degree film shown at Cannes Shortfilm Corner