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

Maloos, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was something my mom did that changed my life. From an early age, I knew I wanted to be an artist. While other kids played with toys, I found nothing as sweet as drawing and creating. I could spend entire days entertained by colors, shapes, and the pure joy of making something new.

When I was a little older, I started attending an art class where the teacher asked us to bring cameras to capture images for our painting projects. That was a turning point for me. I discovered that I not only enjoyed creating with pencils and paint but also loved photography. I began photographing still life and eventually shifted to photographing people. Soon, I was taking pictures of my family members, cousins, neighbors, and even friends of friends. I became deeply invested in my craft, improving steadily with each photo I took. To enhance my skills, I enrolled in a studio lighting portrait class to better understand lighting and photography techniques. Before long, I envisioned myself as a professional photographer.

My mom, who has always had a keen eye for recognizing potential, noticed my growing passion. Her unwavering support came at a critical time in my journey. She had worked as a housekeeper for her entire life and had always yearned for financial independence. Yet, when she saw the spark in my eyes and my dreams of a career in photography, she didn’t hesitate to step in and help. Despite her modest means, she used all of her savings to set me up for success. She bought me two backdrops, studio lights, and some essential photography props. Additionally, she persuaded my grandmother to rent her basement so I could have a space to establish my first photography studio.

That studio became the foundation of my career. Within six months, my business started to thrive, and I had the chance to pay my mom back for her generosity, though she refused to accept the money. Her belief in me allowed me to experiment with different fields of photography until I found my voice in the wedding photography industry.

Now, nearly two decades later, I’m a professional photographer who has built a career from scratch, and I owe it all to my mom. Her belief in me, her sacrifice, and her generosity gave me the confidence and resources to pursue my dreams. Owning a business and being an entrepreneur is a privilege that I’ll forever be grateful for, and I will always cherish her kindness and support. My mom not only heard my dreams but took them seriously and gave me the tools to bring them to life. That’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me, and it’s a gift I’ll carry with me forever.

Maloos, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those who may not know me, I am a storyteller wedding photographer. My focus is capturing people’s emotions and interactions throughout the wedding day. I started my journey as a studio boudoir photographer, but everything changed in 2011. A dear friend asked me to photograph her family during a Thanksgiving dinner because her grandmother, who was critically ill, was sharing one last gathering with her loved ones. I grabbed my long lens, tucked myself into a corner of the room, and captured the emotions, connections, and memories of that evening. Those images became priceless treasures, and that experience sparked my passion for storytelling through photography. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with collecting memories and turning moments into timeless narratives, finding my calling in wedding photography.

Weddings are the heart of my work, and I absolutely love documenting them. Is it exhausting to make a million decisions and lead the day? Yes. Is it tough being on my feet for hours? Absolutely. Does it come with an overwhelming sense of responsibility? A thousand percent (and yes, there can never be enough “o”s to describe it!). But in the chaos, I thrive. It’s where my creativity comes alive, and meeting new people every week makes every challenge worth it. There’s nothing more rewarding than preserving the beauty, love, and authenticity of a wedding day, one frame at a time.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Back then, I remember I had a folder on my desktop where I stored images I came across while surfing on Google. Within that folder, I created two subfolders named POSING and LIGHTING, and I would sort each image accordingly. If I liked the image for its posing, I’d save it in the POSING folder. If the image stood out because of the lighting, I’d place it in the LIGHTING folder. I spent countless hours reviewing these images, practicing, and teaching myself through trial and error. That’s how I honed my craft.

Back then, there were no online classes or resources like we have today. Learning was a slower process, and it required a lot of self-discipline and creativity. These days, you can easily learn from the best photographers, access tutorials, and create inspiration or mood boards on platforms like Pinterest. The availability of such resources makes it so much easier to learn and improve quickly. Looking back, I wish I had access to these tools during the early stages of my journey. They would have saved me a lot of time and allowed me to grow faster as an artist. However, I’m also grateful for the lessons I learned through persistence and self-teaching—they shaped the photographer I am today.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

As a wedding photographer, connecting with people—not only the bride and groom but also the guests who are part of the couple’s story—is essential. My goal as a storyteller wedding photographer is to become more sophisticated, transparent, and vulnerable as a person. This approach is a two-way street. It’s like Newton’s third law: whatever you put out into the world, you receive in return. By being vulnerable, I create a safe space where people feel comfortable enough to open up and share their emotions. This openness allows me to capture their genuine interactions and emotions, telling the story of the day beautifully and authentically.

My mission as a photographer is not just about perfecting my craft or becoming more technically skilled, but about growing as a person. I believe that the better I am as a human being—more empathetic, present, and genuine—the better I can connect with others and document their stories in a way that truly reflects the depth and authenticity of their experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maloosphotography.com
• Instagram: @Maloosphotography
• Facebook: @Maloosphotography

Image Credits

I took all these images, Maloos Photography (Maloos Khonsarian).