When the World Press Association announced its prestigious Photo of the Year results early this year, the winner had an Armenian name: Eric Grigorian.

Eric Grigorian, 33, is an American from Iran. But that doesn't say who he is:

"It was quite a natural thing for me to sign the photo representing Armenia," Grigorian told Patker Photo (www.patkerphoto.com). "Though, I am not from Armenia, I am Armenian. I feel Armenian. When I am asked what is my nationality, I always say 'Armenian', never 'American', because that is my culture, my world view. And I want people to know that I am Armenian."

After studying photojournalism at universities in California, Grigorian freelanced for the Los Angeles Daily News and then started shooting for news magazines.

Near the end of last year Grigorian started an affiliation with Polaris Images.

Grigorian was visiting Tehran on June 23 when earthquake struck in Northern Iran.

"We felt the earthquake, and afterwards learned it happened far from Tehran and many people died there. So I decided to go there with a friend of mine. As soon as we reached the place, we went to the cemetery. It was in the evening. The first thing I saw was a boy near the funeral ceremony . . ."

Grigorian will receive his award April 27 in Amsterdam.

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