Today we’d like to introduce you to Armineh Hovanesian.
Armineh, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always loved photography growing up however I did not pursue this passion when I should have. Life was happening all around me and I had other crossroads to tackle. I had too many interests at the time and chose a different path in life. Regardless, I was photographing but not on a regular basis unbeknownst to me that this art form will become the key driving force of my self-expression. My sanity in an insane world.
As the proverb goes: If you love something, let it go. If it returns, it’s yours; if it doesn’t, it wasn’t. Photography found its way in my life through a cell phone!
Back in late 2008, I owned an LG Xenon mobile phone that had a camera. At the time, I refused to jump on the iPhone wagon thinking I was being “different”. Who knew that eventually, the iPhone will become my weapon of choice! Back to my LG Xenon, I started taking random shots here and there and fell in love with the way these photographs looked. It is difficult to express in words how I felt. I broke down and purchased my first iPhone in 2009 and an entire new world opened up in front of my eyes. Living in the age of the internet, I researched and found my community of mobile photographers. A movement had already begun and I was fortunate to have found my calling and dove in, head first, in this world. I am proud to amongst the early members of the mobile photography movement which started to form in 2007. At that time, everything was new and no one spoke of mobile photography as an art form. I joined iPhoneart.com in 2010 one of the prominent sites at the time where all mobile photographers from all corners of the world were gathered. Then, came AMPT.com in 2011, which was one of the leading mobile photography communities and a great resource for anyone who wanted to connect with other mobile photographers. In 2012, I signed up and opened my Instagram account. Doors started to appear and open all around me and I haven’t looked back since. I am an iPhoneographer.
Iphoneography has also opened up the door to creating “art”, mobile art to be exact. My on-going project is called Elements of Vachag. This is a collaborative work between a master artist, Vachag and myself where art meets iphoneography.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This road has been both smooth and bumpy! Smooth, because my path was open and I have learned and grown as a photographer. On this road, I even picked up a DSLR camera and do a shoot with it from time to time. I’m even planning on taking classes to better my skills and learn more about film photography and processing prints. Bumpy, because in the beginning my work wasn’t being taken seriously by “conventional” photographers; the main challenge in front of me which I managed to persevere with persistence and confidence.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My main focuses are on portrait photography, street photography, black and white photography and dance photography.
I have concentrated on not being conventional. I see through the lens of my mind and focus on a different way of seeing. I thrive to be different and focus on making the viewer observe the “other side”. There are thousands of posts all over social media and all I see are more or less eye-pleasing photographs for the masses.
My main challenge is to master this craft. I believe I have an unadulterated talent probably because no one ever trained me, told me what to do and what not to do, I have observed art, learned from what I liked and disliked and now I’m giving it back. Personal experience is definitely an indispensable part of any creative process and I hope, as I grow, I will be able to share and convey my views in my work.
I have managed to have my work seen in different parts of the world by participating in various exhibitions; in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, London, Lisbon, Miami, Budapest, Florence, Rome to name a few. I have been the recipient of several awards and honors and was The Lumiere Awards’ Mobile Photographer of the Year in 2017.
You need to have an eye for a good shot. That will never change. Just because you own a nice camera, doesn’t mean you can take a great shot. Composition, lighting, and understanding a subject are things that will always remain. There is so much photography out there now. It’s just everywhere and everyone is a photographer these days! It’s harder even for a professional to stand out. At the end of the day, a great shot will always be a great shot.
What were you like growing up?
I was fortunate enough to have art and music all around me growing up which instilled the love of creation in me at a very young age. I was social when needed and an introvert at the same time. My alone moments nurtured my soul and fed and helped my creativity to grow. My interests were and still are dance, art, books, and travel.
Pricing:
- My general price range is $150-$500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.armineh-photography.com
- Email: armineh@armineh-photography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/armineh29
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/armineh-photography
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/armineh29
- Other: www.vimeo.com/armineh29
Image Credit:
Armineh Hovanesian
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