We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jani Grigoryan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jani below.

Jani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Yes, I’m truly happy that I can create freely and live doing what I love. For me, it means waking up with the feeling that the day belongs to my ideas, not someone else’s schedule.
Having a job isn’t bad in itself. What’s bad is when the job isn’t yours. From 18 to 21, I went through that: working in a place with no interest or inspiration. Picture gray walls, flickering fluorescent lights, and the mechanical rhythm of tasks that never resonated inside. The only upside of that job was that it gave me space to dream—I practically lived for the evenings when I could imagine something of my own.
Since then, I’ve realized that having a steady job isn’t the issue. The real problem is working without love for what you do. Now I don’t even think about a “regular” position—what matters most to me is keeping my freedom and doing what truly lights me up.

Jani, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a photographer and filmmaker whose work focuses on human emotion, identity, and the beauty found in everyday life. My practice blends cinematic storytelling with editorial precision — a perspective that has been featured in international publications like Ellements, Mob Journal, and L’OAMMI New York.

What drives me, above all, is a fascination with people. I’m drawn to the fleeting moments where personality shines through — a glance, a laugh, a sudden pause. No matter who is in front of my lens or where I’m shooting, I always return to one truth: we’re all equal in the face of time.

I often describe photography as a visual novel. Each viewer brings their own meaning, shaped by personal memories and emotions. That quiet exchange between image and imagination — that’s the magic I’m chasing. I want my work to remind people that value isn’t defined by price tags or perfection. Some images matter simply because they preserve what can’t be sold.

Through my images, I hope to soften the lines that divide us — socially, economically, and culturally — and highlight what we share. If I’ve made someone pause, feel seen, or recognize their own experience in another person’s story, then I know my work is doing what it’s meant to do.

This commitment to human-centered storytelling is what guides my creative choices and has shaped my recognition as a visual artist working at the intersection of editorial, fashion, and documentary. It’s not just what I do — it’s who I am.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the constant expansion—always learning something new, trying, experimenting, even if it means just taking the first step. Every project is a chance to discover, to stretch my perspective, and to see the world in a fresh way.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I wouldn’t call it a grand mission—it’s more a mix of small and long-term goals. I want to keep surpassing myself, to make work that’s better, deeper, more interesting, and to never stop growing. Photography has become a lifestyle for me, a way of moving through the world. And looking ahead, I also want to make films and tell stories that stay with people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://janigrigoryan.com
• Instagram: jani__grigoryan