Obituary: Photographer who loved the sea and mountains

Finland bids farewell to Taisto Lapila, a gifted cinematographer and adventurous spirit, who passed away at 55. Lapila's life was a vibrant tapestry woven with a passion for visual storytelling and a relentless pursuit of the extraordinary, a journey that began in the creative milieu of his documentary filmmaker parents.

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Taisto's house became a significant place for many tossulaiset.

For two decades, Lapila was an integral part of Yle, contributing his lens to a vast array of programs, including Akuutti, MOT, and Basaari, where he also served as editorial secretary. His work, spanning 1120 programs, often delved into societal and international issues, earning him a reputation as a trusted colleague on assignments both domestic and abroad. His tales from distant lands, featuring encounters with characters like a Tajikistani warlord's pet bear, painted vivid pictures of a world he eagerly explored.

Lapila's independent spirit was evident early on; he left home at 15 for a hitchhiking adventure to Spain, eventually returning to Helsinki to pursue his studies. His time at Torkkeli visual arts high school and later at the Turku University of Applied Sciences for Arts and Media laid the foundation for his career. It was in Turku that he met his partner, Riikka, with whom he shared a life and later a son, Ilmari, finding a cherished haven in Porvoo and its archipelago.

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The world's lights had been calling the adventurer early on.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lapila nurtured a lifelong dream of photography, which he realized through studies and exhibitions. Friends remember him as a warm, humane conversationalist, affectionately dubbing him the "flying reporter" and "hero traveler." His absence leaves a void, a reminder of a life lived fully, though cut short, leaving behind a legacy of compelling visual narratives and cherished memories.

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We friends would have wanted to get the longer version of Taisto's story.