It’s a pleasure to collaborate with Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre because they genuinely value the work and time of photographers, not treating documentary photography as merely an extravagant hobby—a perspective many documentarians, and indeed all travel photographers, frequently encounter.

Furthermore, the Documentary Photo Centre is one of the most stress-free places to visit, whether for an exhibition, a literary evening, or a meeting with a photographer, because it’s always okay to be yourself there.

Alongside dissecting current issues, I’m also pleased that the Documentary Photo Centre has maintained space for exploring other cultures through documentary photography without constantly seeking out problems and conflicts.

Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre has contributed more to Estonian photography than all national museums combined—a bold statement, right? But it’s interesting how entities with abundant resources have achieved so little while those with fewer resources, like Documentary Photo Centre, have accomplished so much. The secret lies in their passion for photography, belief in its power, and total dedication to this art.

Documentary Photo Centre has allowed numerous emerging photographers to present their work globally. For these young artists, nothing is as crucial as receiving encouragement and the chance to have their work featured in a gallery. Despite the vast potential of Estonian photographers, major art institutions often focus only on a narrow selection of artists. Documentary Photo Centre commendably broadens this scope, showcasing diverse talents who might otherwise remain unseen. By doing so, it not only introduces fresh perspectives to Estonian photography but also educates audiences, enriches experiences, and enhances the overall cultural landscape of Estonia.”

I am thrilled to have discovered the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre. Each exhibition there is an event in itself, enriching my daily life and work. As a writer searching for moving stories, I find that documentary photography offers a wealth of inspiration. Additionally, I lead a children’s creative writing circle at the Estonian Children’s Literature Center, where we often visit exhibitions. These outings inspire the children to craft stories that seem to emerge effortlessly. Such moments are memorable for the children, helping them learn to perceive the stories around them. Every visit to Dokfoto Keskus feels personalized; their warm and friendly reception makes it seem like they’ve been expecting you that day.

The Documentary Photo Centre is a precious and practical initiative. It’s a delightful, educational, and unique experience — highly recommended!

Although the exhibitions at the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre may be modest in scale compared to those in larger venues, they are always exploratory, meticulously curated, and presented with exceptional sensitivity. Upon leaving, the experience lingers, always allowing space for reflection.

Documentary Photo Centre is an excellent creative entity with essential topics, a very professional and playful implementation, and a warm and supportive readiness for cooperation!

Each exhibition is executed with a spirit. You can feel it immediately when you are in the centre. The entire atmosphere is thought out for each new exhibition, including minor details. Visiting some of your exhibitions has a therapeutic effect due to their poetic quality. Excellent explanatory texts accompany the pictures. The time spent with you is always incredibly eye-opening and significant. Thank you for bringing home excellent exhibitions and world names and enriching the viewer’s everyday life with them!

Although photo-documentary has never been the primary focus of my attention, the activities at the Documentary Photo Centre have compelled me to reconsider many viewpoints and have inspired me from unexpected angles.

Hea Dokfoto Keskuse külastaja!

Oleme tänulikud, kui jagad oma mõtteid ja kogemusi seoses Dokfoto Keskusega, mis annaksid jõudu nii meile, kui aitaksid otsustajatel näha ning mõista, et see, mida me siin teeme on oluline, läheb korda nii üksikisiku tasandil ja ehk mõjutab ka laiemalt kultuurimaastikul midagi.

Ootame Sinu kirja

toomas@dokfoto.ee ja/või kristel@dokfoto.ee

Südamest tänulikud,

New York in Tallinn

What do you say when a friend returns from Berlin and laments about Estonian culture, sighing, “We live in a remote, marginal country where the village store only stocks the bare necessities, and even those are scarce”?

Over time, I’ve crafted a heartfelt response to such feelings of disillusionment: “I’ve found the exact opposite to be true. When I seek a profound, vibrant experience from visual art, I head to Telliskivi Creative City, start my weekend at Fotografiska to take in all the exhibitions, and then unwind with a cup of tea and rest my eyes. After that, I take fifty steps across the square to the Juhan Kuus Documentary Centre. In their exhibition hall, I truly feel the wealth of our culture enveloping me; in those moments, I feel like a New Yorker.”

This richness doesn’t just happen. It is nurtured and sustained by Kristel and Toomas, the creators and caretakers of Documentary Photo Centre, who have dedicated the past seven years to enriching our cultural landscape.

I can hardly imagine our art world without the Juhan Kuus Documentary Photo Centre anymore; over seven years, it has become indispensable. I mean, I do walk past it as I walk down Telliskivi Street almost every day. But I never miss an exhibition.

Juhan Kuus photographed people; perhaps that’s why the centre named after him is human-scaled. The exhibitions are manageable; they don’t overwhelm with quantity but invigorate with quality. They leave room for deep reflection and engagement. I never leave this centre empty-handed; thoughts and feelings consistently linger longer than just the evening or day I spent viewing an exhibition. Please, do more!

Each visit to this small yet powerful photo centre has significantly broadened my worldview. The dedication, discerning taste, meticulousness, and passion of its creators, who personally share their discoveries during curator-led tours, substantially enrich Tallinn’s and Estonia’s cultural landscapes. Notably, the legacy of Juhan Kuus is preserved not just through a memorial plaque or online articles but through a vibrant living centre. It provides visitors with precious moments to reflect, understand, explore, admire, and marvel—celebrating the photographers who freeze time for us while offering a platform for documentary photographers to exhibit their work. This, I believe, is vital.