Shishmanyan participated in several international and regional photography-related projects, her works were exhibited in Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey. She has contributed to ArmeniaNow and Hetq, and her photographs have been published in the Enter (World Press Photo), Financial Times UK, Newsweek Russia, Ogoniok Magazine, National Geographic Traveler – Armenia magazine, and others. In 2012, she won 1st prize in the British Council’s Na/Ne Media Award, and currently she is also the Armenian coordinator of MyAngle project and one of photographers of Chai Khana Online magazine. Nelli is also a musician. She is a conductor of Avet Terteryan Art School’s children choir and member of Hover state chamber choir.