Yerevan’s oldest photographer’s studio can tell everything about Armenian capital
In the past famous photographers concealed the secrets of their art while today photography has become an enjoyable pastime for everybody.
"Photography has gained wide spread popularity nowadays. Everyone can take photos with cameras and say he is a photographer," says Armen Khanoyan, the owner of the oldest photographer's studio in Yerevan - "Khanoyan."
To keep abreast of the times and not to lose customers, Khanoyan today uses a digital photocamera.
"This apparatus is meant for lazy bones and casts a shadow on professionals. But I had no other option," said the photographer.
The photographer's studio was founded in 1930 by the photographer Gabriel Khanoyan, who migrated from Van, a city in eastern Turkey and the seat of Van Province. Before that, itinerant photographers travelled through cities and villages and took photos of locals.
Armen's father Onik Khanoyan was an apprentice to his uncle Gabriel Khanoyan who was a professional photographer.
One can see a 180-year-old Kodak camera in the studio and admire the photos of old Yerevan. Among them you will see Karaballa, a well-known Yerevan eccentric in the 1930s who grew roses and gave them to girls in Abovian Street, St. Paul and Peter Church (Surb Poghos-Petros) which was destroyed in the 1930s to make room for the "Moscow" Cinema on Abovian Street and the former clock of Republic Square.
Armen highly appreciates the photo of Marshal Baghramyan, a Soviet Armenian military commander and Marshal of the Soviet Union.
"I thought Baghramyan to be a tall, board-shouldered man. Great was my astonishment when I saw a medium-sized man enter the studio and talk to my father. When I was introduced to Baghramyan I blushed with shame. Baghramyan looked down at me and said, "You seem to be a good boy, you blushed in a flash."
Armen says his first photo taken at the age of 25 with the help of his father has a special meaning for him.
"The girl's name was Christine and she was my client," said the photographer.
Though Armen has not met his helpmate, he believes that he will still have time for marriage.
"I shall still manage to marry and have children, " said the 48-year-old photographer.
