Garabed Baghdasarian is one of the first Armenian photographers of Constantinople. The photographer’s earliest back-stamps attest that Baghdasarian’s studio was founded in 1858 - at the same time as the Abdullah Frères workshop. During his tenure, Baghdasarian branched out his business to different parts of Istanbul – in Beyazit, Pera and Edirne. The main offices in Pera were burnt down in 1870 in the great fire that almost completely destroyed this major commercial district of the city. It is fascinating to note that in the 1870s Baghdasarian's seals advertised him as an ‘American photographer’.

The number of photographs bearing the stamp of the studio is extensive, indicating that Baghdasarian's establishment was very successful in the extremely competitive environment of Istanbul’s photography market. His clients were primarily members of Istanbul’s European, Armenian and Greek middle classes, as well as tourists. The studio was closed sometime around 1889-90.

Vigen Galstyan, 2016