We recently connected with Ramela Arutiunian and have shared our conversation below.
Ramela, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Being an immigrant in a new country is not easy. here, it would be best if you started everything from the beginning: a new language, new acquaintances and friends, new opportunities, and a new job.
I have always loved life and trying new things in life.
From early childhood, I participated in different kinds of sports, for example, professional kickboxing for 5 years. It helped me develop and move towards my goal; learn to win and also accept defeat. It brought me confidence and strength.
My parents were refugees and life as a child was not easy. But my mom and dad always gave me the right to choose and respected my decisions.
I always understood that the responsibility for my life lies only with me. So, I worked from 18 years old and dreamed a lot. When I got married my husband and I decided to move to the big city in our country. We started everything from zero. I got a job as a manager at the store Adidas and learned a lot about how to manage the team, how to grow KPI, and how to communicate.
It gave me such a big portion of confidence.
After 5 years living in Saint Petersburg, we moved to NYC.
All those things made me stronger and smarter.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Ramela, a passionate and experienced photographer based in Los Angeles, with a strong connection to New York City. With four years of professional experience, I specialize in capturing authentic moments through portrait, reportage, documentary, candid, and street photography.
My photography journey began in NYC, where I honed my skills and developed a unique style that combines artistic vision with a documentary approach. I believe in the power of storytelling through images, and my goal is to create timeless photographs that evoke emotions and leave a lasting impression.
I’ve been into photography for only 4 years, and my journey began after moving to New York. The first year, after relocating with my husband from our home country, I had to start everything from scratch: learning English, finding friends, a job, and accommodation! We didn’t have much money with us, so we had to do everything ourselves from day one!
I immediately fell in love with Manhattan! The endless skyscrapers, the city’s energy, the smell of coffee, interesting people, the atmosphere – everything filled me with unstoppable happiness and inspiration! During the first year, I had to work multiple jobs, 6-7 days a week, including cleaning apartments, waitressing, assisting in a barbershop, animating, cashiering in a grocery store, and much more.
Throughout the year, I worked hard and dreamed of finding myself. I completely forgot back then that at the age of 15, I wanted to have a camera and capture moments. In my childhood, I dreamed of becoming a correspondent, traveling the world, and telling stories.
I pondered for a long time about what I should become and do in America. It wasn’t easy, but I always felt intuitively that I was in the right place and on the right path. Everything around me brought joy, and even the difficult and dirty work didn’t sadden me!
After 8 months, one evening I accidentally ended up in the hospital. I had a bleeding incident, and the situation was critical! Thank God they saved me and gave me a blood transfusion + surgery. After that, I couldn’t walk for 2-3 weeks and was bedridden for a long time. I thanked life a lot back then for everything turning out okay and made a promise to myself that if my health was good, I wouldn’t postpone my desires anymore, and I would even turn my boldest, deepest dreams into reality!
I kept my promise, and right after recovery, my husband and I planned a trip to California. I started a blog on Instagram, and by the end of the summer of 2019, I saved up $3000 to buy a camera with a lens! I remembered that year that I always wanted to share with the world, to show the beauty around! Many signs indicated to me that I should start shooting! At first, I did it on my phone, and after realizing that I was good at it, I decided it was time!
In August 2019, I quit all physically demanding jobs, started developing photography, and simultaneously worked as a manager in a cleaning company!
So, my journey began. Today, I am a commercial photographer with my client base! Last year, I worked as a photographer for German television for the Oscar Red Carpet in Hollywood, and I was also a backstage photographer at a big event with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Milla Jovovich! I worked for Christopher Lloyd’s family. My average fee for services is $700 for a 1/1.5-hour shoot!
I started working in the USA for $10 an hour and stood on my feet for 13 hours, and today I am a freelance photographer living in two wonderful states, California and New York!
My path was not easy; I worked a lot and continue to work and develop as a person! I regularly engage in sports, study psychology, learn photography, and do shoots!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful are communication, adaptability, and self-belief.
Adaptability: Being open to change and willing to adapt to new circumstances allowed me to navigate unfamiliar situations and seize opportunities as they arose. From learning a new language to taking on various jobs to make ends meet, adaptability enabled me to thrive in dynamic environments.
Self-Belief: Believing in myself and my ability to overcome obstacles played a significant role in my journey. Despite moments of doubt and uncertainty, maintaining faith in my dreams and capabilities fueled my determination to pursue my passions and turn my aspirations into reality.
Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication has played a crucial role in building relationships, navigating challenges, and achieving goals. Whether it was expressing my ideas, listening to others’ perspectives, or resolving conflicts, strong communication skills have facilitated understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect.
I have some advice :
Cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on your strengths and past successes. Remind yourself of your ability to overcome challenges.
Build a support network of friends, family, mentors, or peers who can provide encouragement and perspective during difficult times.
Practice self-care by prioritizing activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time in nature.
Stay curious and open-minded, and be willing to explore new ideas, experiences, and opportunities.
Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and learning. Instead of resisting change, approach it with a flexible and proactive mindset.
Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging individuals who believe in your potential and inspire you to pursue your dreams. Practice active listening by giving others your full attention, asking clarifying questions, and empathizing with their perspectives.
Overall, developing these qualities and skills takes time, patience, and practice. Be persistent in your efforts, remain adaptable to change, and believe in your ability to grow and succeed on your journey.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Several individuals and resources have been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge needed for success. Here are a few key sources of support:
My Husband! The support of family has been a constant source of strength and encouragement. His belief in my abilities, unconditional love, and willingness to listen and provide support have been essential in overcoming obstacles and staying resilient during tough times.
Networking with professionals in my field has provided opportunities for learning, mentorship, and career advancement. Collaborating with colleagues, attending industry events, and joining professional organizations have expanded my knowledge base and exposed me to new ideas and perspectives.
Engaging in self-directed learning through books, online courses, workshops, and seminars has been crucial in acquiring new skills and staying updated on industry trends. Investing time and effort in continuous learning and skill development has been essential for adapting to changing circumstances and staying competitive in my field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arutistudio.com/bts
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aruti.ramela/
Image Credits
All photos are my copyright
