My photography career would not have come to fruition if it weren’t for my late father, Sahag Mikaelian. If you’re wondering, yes that is an Armenian name, and yes, I’m 100% Armenian.
My dad was what they called a “professional hobbyist” back when it was actually hard to be a photographer (shooting film,) and he’s the reason I picked up the camera. I started with his hand-me-down, the Nikon F2.
In my teens, I documented people, mostly my crazy partying friends in LA, so I became known as “the girl with the camera.”
Being an Angelino, I naturally gravitated towards the film and television industry where I discovered my love of photographing actors.
I’ve been a professional photographer for over 26 years now! With a unique perspective on directing and lighting my subects, I now mentor other photographers through my coaching program, Headshot Academy®.
My clients include all kinds of people, from actors, executives, and entraprenuers!
And here comes the obligatory bragging part…
My acting clients are frequently seen in commercials and on TV shows like Lincoln Lawyer, Chicago Fire, The Morning Show, Justified, Ray Donavan, Black Mirror, Diet Land, The Americans, Grimm, Breaking Bad, Chicago PD, Masters of Sex and too many more to list.
Also, my camera has photographed musical talents such as Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, and sports personalities such as Cal Ripken Jr., Davis Ortiz, Derek Jeter, and Dale Earnheardt Jr.
My work has been featured in national ad campaigns, in publications such as USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Pontiac’s High Performance magazine, Mediaweek, and many others.
My commercial work has also been seen in national web banner ads, on big-city kiosks, and even on banners in Madison Square Garden!
I’m often interviewed by industry magazines such as Backstage West and invited as a guest speaker at the UCLA Extension Program, at AIA, the SAG-AFTRA foundation and more.
As part of my team, I’m proud to offer the option of sessions with my associate photographer, Kayvon for actors with smaller budgets or schedules that can’t wait. Kayvon is trained using the same techniques I use.
When you hire us, you’re hiring professionals, not just a person with a camera. So hire us to produce images that help you market yourself effectively!
