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biography

about me 

​I am a professional music and events photographer, based both in the UK and Spain. 

Photography has evolved from a long-standing passion into my main creative focus, deeply influenced by my love of the arts and music.

My work is driven by a fascination with cultural diversity, human emotion, rhythm, and colour, seeking to capture universal connections.


 

Music has always been central to my life, particularly jazz and flamenco, with a personal focus on rhythm and percussion. I have studied Nigerian percussion with Tafa Onigbanjo and Tommy Odueso, and Afro-Cuban percussion with La Timbala, which led to a study trip to Cuba. In Cuba, I experienced music with a raw emotional power and intensity unlike anything I had experienced before. This,  fundamentally shaped my photography—how I sense rhythm, when I react, and how I capture the energy and emotion of performers in the moment.

​​I was honoured to be the first prize winner at national flamenco photography competition in Spain.​

In February 2024, in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes Manchester, I hosted an exhibition of my photography work titled "Ole Flamenco".​

In May 2025 the Instituto Cervantes in Collaboration with the consulate General of Spain and Lancaster University, hosted "Ole Flamenco" exhibition at Lancaster University. I have also given talks about my journey into music photography, specially flamenco in Andalucia. 

Background 

​Born in the Middle East from an Armenian background (Ռինա Սրապոնեան).

I studied Interior Design at Manchester Metropolitan University and began my career as an Interior Designer at Airports UK. I then expanded my experience as a workshop artist at both Manchester Library and Wythenshawe Forum theatres.

As the digital landscape evolved, I expanded my skills by studying various digital software, specialising in 2D and 3D design. This experience has allowed me to work in various areas of design such as:  Brand & Identity, event publications, exhibition design, web and print design. 

SOFTWARES 

 Adobe:  Photoshop | Lightroom Classic | Illustrator | InDesign | Premier | After Effects |

 Autodesk:  AutoCAD | 3Ds Max.

HOBBIES 

I love practicing yoga  and travelling. My travels often include music festivals mainly flamenco and jazz, I also love exploring the traditional music in different places. 

Life drawing is an area I picked up on my degree course and have been attending classes ever since.

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I am currently studying flamenco singing (cante) in Jerez de la Frontera with attention to the rhythm (compás). A rich experience feeds that directly into my photography, shaping how I see timing, energy, and emotion in a frame.

winner
acknowledgments
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