Meet Lusine Hakobyan | Principal Photographer & Co-Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lusine Hakobyan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lusine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Together with my brother and my husband, we started Shotlife Studio at a point when we had developed the necessary skills and confidence to establish a sustainable growing business. That being said, no matter how prepared you are, there is always something new to learn and unexpected obstacles to overcome. That’s why three heads are better than one and surrounding yourself with people you fully trust is pure gold!

For me personally, by working on my own business I could build a career that would not only be functional, but also meaningful and fulfilling. Something that is hard, if not impossible, to achieve when working up a corporate ladder. I decided to pour my heart and long hours into establishing Shotlife Studio because it would let me maximize my potential in a field that I love! I always knew that creativity could fill my heart since a very young age, diving deep into artistic fields like painting, dancing, and theatre. It’s not surprising that my search for creative satisfaction eventually led me to the medium of photography. It’s a world of its own with endless potential! Put it together with one-of-a-kind, heartfelt weddings and there you go, welcome to my paradise. On top of that, running my own business gave me the control of my life that I have always desired, enabling me to utilize my full potential as an entrepreneur and an artist in my professional life, as well as a wife and mother I want to be in the home.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My photography is a reflection of myself as a person. I am fortunate to work with people that connect with me on a personal level and let me capture their special moments and stories authentically, without forcing it. It’s an emotive kind of work – you have to “feel” to be able to create – and being a romantic and artistic person myself I think it comes pretty easy to me! What I am truly proud of is that throughout my career as a wedding photographer I never had to fake it. I work with people that are like-minded, and we appreciate one another. This way I am able to sustain a genuine relationship with my clients that both me and them will remember with joy!

Getting my business to where it is now felt nowhere nearly as difficult as working on my previous corporate career that didn’t fulfil my creative aspirations. When your work fits your personality, priorities and potential, it feels easy and exciting. Of course, there were challenges along the way, like breaking into an over-saturated wedding photography industry, and figuring it all out without mentors or a handbook. But having been educated in Business and gaining life skills from my corporate jobs, I felt well-equipped to deal with the challenges that came my way.

There are so many things I’ve learnt through my journey as an entrepreneur and an artist. The most important one of them all is that to have a successful business you need to maintain a happy and healthy life outside of it. Finding the right work-life balance for yourself is so important, and after several years I feel like I’ve finally discovered mine… but sticking to that balance consistently seems even more difficult and something I’ve yet to learn!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Toronto is a hidden gem! It’s one of the most multicultural places on earth. This is the city that opened my eyes to so many cultures I would’ve never discovered otherwise. The best part is that all these cultures are celebrated and welcomed. I would want this friend to experience the diversity that Toronto offers by taking them to the different neighbourhoods representing each culture (yes, literally every community has dedicated streets where they shine!). If they happen to visit in the summertime, there are also cultural festivals happening with lots of amazing traditional food to try, along with music, dancing and parading.

On a quiet day, I would take them for a walk in Yorkville – this is where I personally hang out more than I’d admit. It’s a cute little village area with some of the best restaurants, cafes and hotels in the city. But it’s also usually quiet with small streets and a kind of European charm. The best way to explore a city is to walk the streets and try things as you go, so that’s definitely going to be my recommended itinerary!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Building a successful business while also raising a nurturing, healthy and happy family comes with its own set of challenges. I am fortunate to have the support of my family who have been an immeasurable part of my personal and professional merit. Thanks to them I can pursue a fulfilling career and consequently offer a happier version of myself to my family.

Website: https://shotlifestudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotlifestudio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotlifestudio

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcoSpSDMxUhSloTwr8Ky7g