Moscow Guide, Driver and Photographer
-
Name / Nick:Arthur Lookyanov (Artur Lukyanov) / ArtLook
-
Age:42 years old
-
Education:University
-
Languages:Conversational English, native Russian
-
PSQ:Punctual, sociable, honest
-
Hobbies:Digital Photography, Post Card Collecting
Dear guests, welcome to personal website of Moscow private tour guide, professional driver and advanced amature photographer, Arthur Lookyanov!
At the begining of brief introduction to my professional skills I would like to explain you in short how I had been involved in this bisiness and what it is on my background. In 1995, I graduated from the Moscow Aviation Institute as an engineer. At that time of crisis in our country and in the field of science, I was unable to secure a position in my chosen field of study. Instead, I found a very good job with a travel company as a personal driver. While employed at this travel company, I gained invaluable driving experience through the streets of Moscow and learned all its traffic patterns and shortcuts.
My experience with travelers includes business clients, tourists, families, expats, and students. I have taken courses in English at school and have also studied colloquial English with an instructor who was a native American speaker. My clients have complimented me on my understanding and pronunciation of English. My job is very rewarding because I love to work with international visitors and to interact with people from other countries. This helps me improve my English skills while at the same time offering help and advice to tourists and business clients visiting Moscow. I enjoy using all my skills and knowledge to make their trip to Russia more relaxing, successful and informative.
Working with so many different people from all over the world, I receive diverse requests. I try to accommodate the interests of all my customers while planning the details of their trips. My motto is to provide truly personal services with a totally individualized itinerary. One reporter from the USA, who used my services for just one day for the purpose of interviewing me about my business, told me that I could write a book about my interesting stories and experiences in the travel industry.
To learn more about me, please take a look at my Responses / Recommendations from my clients who have already used my services and have sent their comments and feedback online specifically for you to read. From time to time I also try to post important Hot Moscow News, mostly dedicated to my business.
In 2006, I created a special web page dedicated to My Dear Clients who have already used my guide/driver services. On my website you can see just a few photos compared to the many photos taken and clients I have assisted for the last 3 -4 years since acquiring my first digital camera. When I have some free time, I always try to add an interesting photo from a tour with my clients to my already lengthy Moscow Photo Gallery with descriptions for each picture.
I really enjoy digital photography and I take my camera everywhere I go to create special, memorable pictures for my clients. My first compact digital camera was an Olympus C5060 purchased on my birthday in 2004. Later, I bought an amateur SLR camera, the Olympus E500. Then at the beginning of 2008 I decided to switch brands to be able to get a more professional camera and lenses. After extensive research about digital SLR cameras, I chose the Nikon D300 and in February 2012 I upgraded it to Nikon D700. What can I say about Nikon cameras now? They are great and I love it very much! For Canon owners I can admit that both brands are professional, several of my American clients gave me to try their Canon cameras as well :-). After using Nikon cameras for more than four years, I have taken so many great photos that I believe that Nikon D300 or D700 a wise choice for an amateur photographer. Year after year through my work I am continually adding to my knowledge about Moscow, the historical facts, and also further honing my photographic skills. Currently, I must admit I am just a little bit jealous of owners of the full-framed Nikon D800, but I am not upset or in a hurry to buy the latest model. My camera fits my needs at the present time. Perhaps in the future I will buy a new, updated model for the same amount of money, as each year there are new technological advances.
When I am not busy with my clients as a guide and driver, I try to choose some interesting photos from previous tours and then write captions and stories. I then upload them to my website to share with you. I am pleased to know that many people enjoy viewing my website, the photos and all the informational content. You are welcome to visit my site and if you like one of my photos, please don't forget to write your note at the bottom of a page for this picture and also don't forget to save the link to the web pages as "favorites." Then you can easily revisit these pages at a later time. You can also find my photographs with comments of my friends and clients from many different countries on Facebook, Flickr, VKontakte, and on some other websites, like TrekEarth, TrekLenses or Webshots. Unfortunately I have not had too much spare time to upload new images on these websites, but hope to improve this situation soon.
In present days I provide my services with recently purchased (in August 2012) new Honda CR-V, so your transportation will be always comfortable and safe. As usual my clients ask to meet them in airport or train station, so I can start introduction of Moscow city and plan our tours right from their arrival (for many of my clients I plan sightseeing itineraries in advance as well).
In conclusion, I want to tell you here that... with my flexible services and professional manner, I will endeavor to provide any and all help in organizing a safe and comfortable stay for my clients. My honesty and reliability are two other traits that you can count on, as written by my past clients. There is one other thing I would like to share with you. From the beginning of 2004 I started to collect postcards from my clients. I have already gotten postcards from many cities and countries and have a huge collection. If you would like to bring a postcard from your area, I would really appreciate it. I would love to add your hometown to my collection as a way of remembering my clients. If you have any questions about my biography or if you are looking to purchase or place a special order of some of my photos, I will be happy to reply promptly to your message. Please contact or book my services right now!
Yours Sincerely,
Arthur Lookyanov
Personal Guide and Driver in Moscow, Russia
