We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lusine Hakobyan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lusine, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful, you first need to understand what success means to you. We all have values and perceptions about life that could be different depending on where we are in the world and our own circumstances in life. In my view this is a very important topic as I have seen many people going round in circles and feeling hopeless because they are chasing someone else’s idea of success. The first and most crucial step to achieving success is to define your own success devoid of societal standards. Success is such a personal and subjective idea. You have to be able to step out of yourself and think about what an ideal life would be for you. Think about a most beautiful, fulfilling day where everything is perfect. What does that day look like? After all, being successful is not about reaching a destination but embracing a continuous journey.

It is easy to fall for the cliches, like how much money you make, how big is your house, what brand car you drive and so on. But these material possessions provide only fleeting moments of satisfaction and always leave you wanting more. I’d much rather think of success in the form of experiences, like experiencing lasting love, parenthood, career achievements, date nights with your loved one, driving your favorite sports car or whatever else lights you up. When you measure success by the depth of your experiences, you shift your focus from material achievements to the intangible moments that truly define a life well-lived.

I have always regarded my success as the realization of my utmost potential while maintaining the core values essential for a well-rounded and harmonious life. This includes nurturing a healthy mind and body, a clear conscience, unwavering morals, genuine relationships, and, above all, my family. It is like solving a puzzle, where numerous pieces must interlock seamlessly to unveil the complete picture. I have never segregated my career from the purpose that it serves in contributing to my family and our well-being. It is my way of life, a conscious choice to align with a purpose larger than myself. For instance, when I decided to pivot away from my career in accounting and dedicate my efforts exclusively to my creative aspirations, it was not solely due to my individual desires. I took this step only after I was certain that this shift would also transform me into a better mother, a more loving wife, a more dedicated daughter, a more fulfilling and, consequently, a more successful life.

In a nutshell, I believe that to be successfully you need to find an equilibrium where your personal and professional priorities are in harmony. Go with the flow and make the most out of it!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As the principal photographer and co-founder of Shotlife Studio, I have always nurtured a deep creative passion. Alongside my brother and husband, we established a wedding photography and cinematography business nearly a decade ago that has since transcended our artistic aspirations. Our journey has led us to capture several hundred exceptional weddings, as well as creative direct and photograph for numerous luxury publications and prestigious magazine covers. Working with inspiring couples, we embarked on this path to align our lives with our passions and achieve true fulfillment in our everyday lives.

In addition to capturing dream weddings, like many small business owners, I manage various aspects of our company, including client relations, administration, marketing, and finances. What distinguishes my approach is the way I engage with our clients. I have never been one to push for a booking. Instead, I prioritize authentic conversations, allowing potential clients to get to know our genuine selves and build a relationship based on trust and, most importantly, their excitement and sincere admiration for our work. I view client calls not as sales pitches but as wholehearted discussions about their wedding, vision, and unique story. This approach transforms us from mere vendors into valued contributors to their wedding narrative. Weddings should be all about love and celebration, and our aim is to ensure our clients have the opportunity to experience the full depth of these emotions by working with us.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

In my earlier professional life, I was pursuing what could arguably be considered one of the least creative careers ever – accounting. “Creative accounting” was certainly not encouraged. As a matter of fact, being creative in accounting could lead you straight to jail. As someone with a highly artistic disposition, my mind felt constantly constrained and yearning to express the unique beauty I saw in people, relationships, and my surroundings.

After I transitioned into a career of a wedding photographer, suddenly I felt at peace with myself. I no longer felt like my days are wasted in spreadsheets that no one really cares about. I found profound fulfillment in dedicating my days to working with people I care about and capturing moments that both them and I will cherish. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is the privilege of bringing something inherently beautiful into the world, something that people genuinely appreciate and hold dear.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

There is a prevailing notion that creative work is predominantly enjoyable therefore it must be less challenging compared to more conventional, structured roles. This view may hold true if one aspires to be merely mediocre in their creative pursuit and just have fun with it. Yet, for those who continually aspire to produce their best work, the mental and emotional demands are notably heightened than the pragmatic and methodical demands of many other professions.

Striving for excellence in creative fields requires a high level of cognitive and emotional investment. The creative process involves not only harnessing your imagination but also grappling with the delicate interplay of emotions, aesthetics, and developing sincere connections with those you work with. It’s an endeavour that demands relentless exploration, experimentation, and a quest for the next best work. The emotional investment into creative work is not everyone’s cup of tea, however, those who master the creative journey often find themselves richly rewarded.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shotlifestudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotlifestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotlifestudio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shotlifestudio

Image Credits
Shotlife Studio