Pro Photo – DC
I have a very good friend by the name of Dickron Baghdassarian, he and his brother Sebouh Baghdassarian own a professional camera store by the name of Pro Photo in Washington, DC. Dick and Sebouh have been invaluable to me over the years. I have known the two of them for more than 20 yrs. They service the equipment for the photographers, the and more. Some of the most important photographers in the world have graced their 1902 I Street, Washington DC location
I used to have a Saturday morning ritual, I would go to Scholls Cafeteria about 9:30am then about 10:15am go to Pro Photo. I would ask questions because not only do they sell the equipment they also service all make and models of cameras. While talking to them I decided that Nikon was going to be my choice of camera. Over the years I have acquired from Pro Photo, Nikon F2, Nikon F90, D70s, D200, and now the D300.
Then one Saturday I asked Dickron how do I become a photographer. He gave me wisdom that day. He told me:
- Seek out 5 photographers that you are impressed with their work and ask them what to do to become a photographer, and see if they will mentor you.
- Get some formal training.
- Determine what area of photography I am interested in.
- (This is what I learned on the way, learn the business of photography, this is as important if not more important than the art of photography).
That is how it all started for me. Within a year from his advice I was behind the camera enjoying, creating and capturing images. After attending Winona School of Photography, in Mount Prospect, IL the school of the Professional Photographers of America. A week after my classes at Winona I was introduced to the premier photo studios in Washington DC.