Meet Dana Rubin of Malibu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Rubin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for photography actually began with my dad, and the story behind it is something very close to my heart.

My grandfather passed away when he was just 49 years old, and my dad had very few photographs of him. Because of that, my dad was always taking pictures of our family. He never wanted us to experience that same feeling of wishing we had more photographs of the people we loved.

Back when cameras still used film, my dad taught me how to use a camera, and that’s where my love for photography began. At the time, I don’t think I fully understood the importance of what he was teaching me. Looking back, he gave me something so much greater than an appreciation for photography. He taught me the value of preserving memories and documenting the people we love.

Today, I own Dana Rubin Photography, a boutique photography studio in scenic Malibu, California. I specialize in family portraits, high school and college graduates, sports photography, and special events.

One of the things I love most about being a photographer is the people I get to meet and the relationships I build along the way. I genuinely love hearing people’s stories, getting to know their families, and creating an experience where everyone feels comfortable enough to just be themselves. I love the laughter, the hugs, the silly moments, and all those little interactions that make each family unique.

Over the years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of watching families grow. Children I’ve photographed when they were little are now graduating, and many of my clients have become dear friends. There is something so special about being invited back into someone’s life to capture another chapter of their story.

I truly believe photographs become more valuable as the years go by. They are the memories we get to hold in our hands, the artwork we surround ourselves with in our homes, and the stories we pass down to the next generation.

When I think about my journey, it really does come full circle. My dad took photographs because he knew what it felt like not to have enough of them. Today, I get to help other families preserve those same precious memories.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be doing something I love so much. I really am living my dream!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think any small business owner would say the road has been completely smooth! There have definitely been challenges along the way, but I believe each one has helped me grow, both personally and professionally.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that being a successful photographer involves so much more than knowing how to use a camera and taking beautiful photographs. You also have to be a business owner, a marketer, a creative director, a customer service specialist, and sometimes even a therapist when you’re trying to get everyone in the family excited about having their pictures taken!

Photography is also a very competitive industry, and it can be challenging to stand out. Over time, I’ve learned that what makes my business special isn’t just the photographs I create, but the entire experience I provide. I want my clients to feel taken care of from our very first conversation to the moment they see their finished photographs hanging on their walls.

Another challenge has been learning to balance the creative side of photography with the business side. I absolutely love being behind the camera, meeting new people, and creating beautiful images. The behind-the-scenes work isn’t always quite as glamorous!

I’ve also learned that building a business takes patience. Relationships, trust, and a strong reputation don’t happen overnight. Some of my greatest successes have come from clients who return year after year and share their experiences with friends and family.

Through it all, I’ve tried to stay true to why I started. My dad taught me the importance of photographs and preserving family memories, and that continues to guide everything I do.

The challenges have made the successes that much sweeter, and I wouldn’t trade the relationships I’ve built or the experiences I’ve had along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner of Dana Rubin Photography, where the beach is often my backdrop in Malibu, California. I specialize in family portraits, high school seniors, college graduates, sports photography, and special events. While the types of sessions I photograph may vary, the one thing they all have in common is my love for capturing genuine connections, personalities, and moments that tell a story.

What I believe sets me apart is the experience I create for my clients. I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re simply showing up for a photo session. I want them to feel like they’re spending time with a friend who just happens to have a camera! I take the time to get to know the people I’m photographing, learn about their families, help with wardrobe choices, and guide them through the entire experience so they can relax, have fun, and be themselves.

I love capturing beautiful portraits, but some of my favorite images are the moments in between—the laughter, the hugs, the playful interactions, and the expressions that happen when people forget there’s a camera pointed at them. Those are often the photographs that tell the most beautiful stories.

I’m also passionate about helping families turn their photographs into something tangible. In a world where thousands of images live on our phones and computers, I love helping my clients create beautiful albums and wall art that become part of their homes and, eventually, their family history.

What am I most proud of? Without a doubt, it’s the relationships I’ve built. I’ve had the privilege of photographing families year after year, watching their children grow up, celebrating graduations, and documenting so many important milestones. Some of my clients have become dear friends, and I can’t think of a greater compliment than having a family invite me back into their lives again and again.

I’m also incredibly proud of the trust people place in me. Whether I’m photographing a family visiting Malibu on vacation, a graduate celebrating years of hard work, or a marriage proposal, I want them to look at their portraits and feel something. I want them to see themselves at their very best while still recognizing the person they truly are.

At the end of the day, I don’t believe I’m simply creating photographs. I’m preserving little pieces of people’s lives that will only become more meaningful as time goes by.

And knowing the story of how my dad introduced me to photography, that means everything to me.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, I have to give credit to my dad. He’s the reason I fell in love with photography in the first place. He taught me how to use a camera back in the days of film, but more importantly, he taught me the value of preserving memories. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my life and continues to inspire the work I do today.

My husband has been by my side since the very beginning, and I truly couldn’t ask for a more supportive partner. He’s often right there with me at photo sessions, lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed. He’s my sounding board when I have new ideas, my biggest cheerleader, and the person who always encourages me to keep following my passion. Having someone who believes in my dreams as much as I do has meant the world to me.

And then there’s my son, Tanner, who just might be my biggest fan! He’s always handing out my business cards to people he meets, telling them about my photography, and connecting me with people who might be interested in a session. It makes me smile knowing how proud he is of what I do. Having that kind of love, enthusiasm, and support from my son means more to me than he probably realizes.

I also have to give a tremendous amount of credit to my wonderful clients. So much of my business has grown through word of mouth, referrals, and families who continue to invite me back year after year. There is no greater compliment than having someone trust me to capture their family’s most meaningful moments and then share their experience with friends and loved ones.

One of the unexpected gifts of being a photographer has been the friendships I’ve made along the way. Many of my clients have become dear friends, and I feel so fortunate to be part of their lives as their families grow and celebrate new milestones.

While my name may be on the business, I certainly haven’t gotten here alone. I’m incredibly grateful for my dad, my husband, my son, and all the wonderful families who have believed in me and helped me turn something I love into a career that brings me so much happiness.

I truly am living my dream!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.danarubinphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danarubinphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danarubinphotography

Image Credits
Dana Rubin Photography