This work is a survey on the contractual practices of photographs in Finland and Japan. The work also studies how photos are used in Japan and what is the role of the Finnish Institute in Japan (FIJ) in this photo business. The aim of the work is to clarify and develop the FIJ’s photo services and create better possibilities for the co-operation between Finland and Japan.

Photo contracts and the copyright issues are in the frame of reference of this study. Cultural export and the overall importance of photos are also introduced in the theory chapter.

The process of this thesis began in spring 2015 and continued until November. This was a case study with constructive research approach. From the beginning the aim of the work was to present development proposals. The proposals were not tested as a part of this survey.

The data were gathered by semi-structured interviews which were carried out face-to-face and over the phone. The interviews took place in Finland and Japan. In Japan, a questionnaire was also used for gathering data.

The results of this thesis are divided into three different themes: photographs’ contractual practices in Finland and in Japan and the FIJ’s photo services. The challenges in the contract procedure were for instance lowering photo prices and cultural differences. There are two parts in the FJI’s information photo/image services that should be separated: A photo bank on the Institute’s own activities and information service covering other topics.

With the results the FIJ and other similar organizations can rethink their photo services and build new photo procedures. In the end the thesis introduces concrete development proposals for the future.