Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Randolph.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Robin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Believe it or not, I am a native Angeleno. I was born at Cedar’s Sinai in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Sherman Oaks. I’m a true ‘valley girl,’ as some might say. To top things off, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA in 2011 and bled blue and gold – Go, Bruins! But after 21 years of SoCal living, I was in for a big change.
Fast forward to January of 2011, when in the heart of a crazy cold winter, I moved across the country to Bristol, Connecticut to begin working at ESPN. ESPN – The Worldwide Leader in Sports – my dream job. Sign me up, coach!
I worked in sports production for 2 years and absolutely loved working for the Worldwide Leader. I clocked in with SportsCenter anchors like Stuart Scott and Linda Cohn. Colin Cowherd gave me a nickname on his radio show. There were times when that job felt way too cool to be true. I often had to pinch myself on my way to the Newsroom to remind myself that this was real life. It was like grad school for sports: being quizzed on how many points LeBron scored against the Knicks and how many touchdowns the Packers had in their last game. I was getting paid to memorize sports statistics!
After 2 years at ESPN, I moved to New York to work as an Account Sales Representative for Turner Broadcasting. I lived on the Upper West Side, 2 blocks from Central Park, and my commute was a straight shot down the B train to the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. I often walked home through “CP” as I liked to call it, and found myself in awe of its beauty. My Instagram took off during this time and became chock-full of NYC skylines, fall leaves, and snow covered windshields in early April. Can someone say, #eastcoastlivin?
Much of my early photography was inspired by my time in New England and on the East Coast. I was fascinated by seasons and Mother Nature, and found myself stopping to take photos like it was my day job (oh, if only). We pretty much just get sunshine in SoCal (not that I’m complaining), so the change in weather was truly eye-opening for a California girl like me. At this point, photography was a passion project, and something I did on the side for fun. I soon felt that passion grow, and before I knew it, had invested in photography gear, designed a logo, and started to brand my very own photography business.
My time on the other side of the country was temporary. In true “boomerang state” fashion, California called me back. After braving the east coast winters, 70-degree weather in January never sounded so good! So, in May 2014, I moved back to the City of Angels.
When I returned to LA, I initially worked in “the industry” known as Hollywood entertainment, while still doing photography as a side gig. Outside of my 50+ hours per week desk job, I pursued photo classes at Samy’s Camera to learn more about the craft I love. At one of these classes, I met a mentor who opened my eyes to the incredible possibilities as a young photographer like myself. I remember feeling drawn to her energy and relish for photography – I immediately knew that I wanted to learn from her. So, I introduced myself to her after the lecture and she bluntly told me to quit my corporate job and to come work with her. I chuckled, thinking there was no way that I would ditch my “stable” job for life as an artist.
As cliché as it sounds, deep down I knew that life is too short to not do what you love. So, in January of 2017, I took a leap of faith and left my corporate job to pursue photography full time. Talk about the best decision I’ve ever made – being able to do what you love and to get paid for it is a true blessing. Some days, I take photos, some days I network, some days I edit, some days, I negotiate contracts, and some days, I travel the world. It’s a whirlwind of a life but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In the last 18 months, my business has exponentially expanded, to include a diverse group of new clientele and experience shooting an array of interesting events. I did my first boudoir shoot a couple of months ago with a former UCLA soccer player (say what?!) Photography has connected me with some amazing human beings and I’ve never had so much fun making a living.
This year, I also became engaged to the love of my life and now split my time between Los Angeles and Japan, as my fiancé is a dentist in the United States Navy. There’s no doubt that I’ll be expanding my business to Tokyo and other parts of Asia… destination engagement shoot or wedding, anyone?
Photography always reminds me that life is exciting and that I’m always up for an adventure (with my camera, of course!). I’m thrilled to have a job that allows me to explore the world and to create lasting memories for my clients. I haven’t looked back since the day I took the leap to fully commit to photography as a career, and I couldn’t be happier with the freedom and joy that it has brought to my life.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The majority of the road has been smooth, but I would be lying if I said that there weren’t a few bumps along the way. But hey, I’m human, and the world isn’t perfect.
A challenging aspect of starting to launch a career as a photographer is establishing a consistent client base and a steady schedule. For me, it was scary to go from a full-time job with a regular paycheck to a situation in which I didn’t always know when my next gig might be booked. The upside is that freelance work can certainly inspire hustle and motivation. Not to mention, you can book a gig within a few hours of finding out about it, as crazy as that sounds. The world is your oyster when you work for yourself, and it is so rewarding when you see a project from go from start to finish, knowing that YOU made it happen.
What I’ve learned is that there is no substitute for working hard and for loving what you do. You also have to be 100% willing to put yourself out there and to brand yourself. You are your own boss, advocate, and marketing manager – all in one!
You have to realize that there are so many other people doing what you are doing. So, you have to find ways to stand out (whether that be your editing style, technique, or even your personality). I love people and authentic connection, so I try to let that guide me in meeting potential clients and in creating new opportunities for my business.
Social media has also helped immensely with creating jobs and meeting new clients. Being active on Instagram and Facebook is crucial for a photographer, so I recommend staying engaged on those platforms! At the end of the day, be true to yourself as an artist, be willing to take risks, always put the needs of your clients first, and the world may surprise you.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Robin Randolph Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in portraits, events, and fine art and have a strong passion for new places and exciting adventures. My wanderlust has inspired my photography throughout the world, from Israel to Nepal to the Grand Canyon, Japan, and several places in between. I love capturing moments and memories that people can keep forever, especially candid photos showcasing unbridled human emotion. If I had to pick one thing that primarily sets me apart from others, it would have to be my vibrant editing style. I love to accentuate color and light, to bring a new depth of life to my photos.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I actually love the app called Audible for listening to audio books. I’m always on the go – driving in LA, flying to Tokyo or running around with my camera in hand, so books just aren’t my thing. Even though I love to read, they’re a little too cumbersome to carry around with the rest of my gear. So, there’s that. I used to love them as a kid, but as an adult, I’ve become accustomed to listening to books via Audible.
I love inspirational reads and books that encourage personal growth and success.
Some of my favorites are “You Are a Badass” and “You Are a Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” by Mark Manson, “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol Dweck, “Yes Please” by Amy Poehler, and “Seriously. I’m Kidding” by Ellen DeGeneres.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.robinrandolph.com
- Phone: 818.632.4720
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @robinrandolph
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinrandolphotography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinrandolph
Image Credit:
Robin Randolph Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
