Daily Inspiration: Meet Armineh Hovanesian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Armineh Hovanesian. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Awarded, Published and Internationally Exhibited photographer: Born in Paris, raised in Tehran and Boston, with a little over two years of dormancy in Lisbon, Armineh is a photographer now based in Los Angeles, capturing moments since 2009. She is one of the early members of the iphoneography movement. She has had no professional training and is self-taught however her vision has been the driving force behind her creations.

Armineh has had numerous exhibitions in the US, Europe and Armenia. A few of her accolades include: 1st Annual Portrait of America – Silver Winner and be the recipient The Award of Distinction; 12th Edition of Julia Margaret Cameron Awards – Winner of Digital Manipulation & Collage category; Mobile Photographer of the Year – 2016 Lumier Photography Award; and Awardee of 7th Edition of the Julia Margaret Cameron Award 15 outstanding photographers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The love of photography and art has always been very prominent in my life, and that admiration has been very deeply rooted in my very essence of being. I would say that my experiences have played a role in helping me see the way I do! The “eye” behind the lens shoots a moment which resonates with his or her psychological narrative. We are all products of our past and the baggage we carry within. As a photographer, I look beyond the subject, and if I have the luxury, I may be able to see through the veil and capture a glimpse of reality. My work captures a brief moment in time. The ephemeral, transitory, fleeting seconds we tend to forget.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always been a “seer without a camera” and photography is the one medium that can transfer the image in my mind into the minds of people you may never meet. My passion is black-and-white street photography and I am known for my point of view. Being an introvert, creativity was my only outlet of “expressing” what I wanted to say. I have been creating from a very young age; however, the world of photography gave me the tools I needed to further manifest my thoughts into reality. Since I lack communication skills, creating is my language. Of course, talent is vital however, one needs to be fueled by ambition. In my opinion, ambition is the desire to escape mediocrity. Ambitious people understand that there are no shortcuts and it is only their persistence that will get them what they want. They put it all on the line, not letting any instance of drive go ignored because they know this is what they must use to make sure most of their time is dedicated to getting closer and closer to their dream.

My ambition has brought me where I am today. I am very proud of my accomplishments, exhibitions and accolades I have received throughout the years.

What matters most to you?
What matters to me is to be able to capture a specific moment in time. Where a person is, what the person is doing, what is going on around them, is there a story.

My photographs are not generally planned in advance, and I do not anticipate that the onlooker will share my viewpoint. However, I feel that if my photograph leaves an image on the viewer’s mind, something has been accomplished.

I see what eye see.

Pricing:

• $300

Contact Info:

• Website: www.armineh-photography.com
• Instagram: @armineh_sees_in_blackandwhite

Image Credits
Photograph (c) Armineh Hovanesian