Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafael Larin.
Hi Rafael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my photography journey in high school, simply looking for a class to fill an elective requirement and I stumbled upon photography. I didn’t have a clue at the time that it would transform my life so much. One day, my teacher asked me to stay after class. Naturally, I wondered what I had done wrong, but it was actually a positive outcome.
My teacher said he saw something in me and wanted to give me extra work. It was not a punishment but an opportunity to grow faster. I took it on. Having a teacher like that is rare and everything. I’m so thankful for it.
Years later I continued to do photography as a hobby after graduating college. I was in the public relations field as a consultant and a client of mine knew I did photography. He asked if I could do their product photography, and I said yes. Later they asked if I could do their headshots for the new website and that blossomed into The Light Committee.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most of us do not have a smooth road in life. That’s unrealistic. Things happen, putting it nicely. It might be business or family that create obstacles. Finances are always a struggle when you’re starting out. Are you investing enough or too much? Are you investing in the right places or the wrong places? Trial and error can get expensive too. So, proper analysis is critical, even if it doesn’t always work out as planned.
Speaking of plans, I love Mike Tyson’s quote that “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” It’s such a profound quote; probably more than most people really give it credit for. You will hit potholes on the road toward success and you will have to adapt and overcome them. I’d say the main struggle most businesses must overcome is perseverance. Put in whatever it takes to persevere along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work at The Light Committee is first and foremost, being a studio owner and all the business processes that come with that, from being my own HR person to my own IT person and more. If I can make sure that is taken care of, I can focus on what matter more, clients. My clients are anyone in need of professional headshots or other one-on-one photography sessions.
This might include acting headshots and corporate headshots throughout greater Los Angeles. It can be in-studio or outdoors with natural light. It can also mean traveling to locations where I provide headshots for a business team, such as a law firm, construction company, technology company, and more.
It also means other one-on-one sessions like modeling digitals for aspiring artists or dating profile photography, senior portraits and the like.
I’m most proud of being technically sound with camera gear and lighting. This includes the ability to use artificial lighting. This can be strobe lighting or continuous lighting by itself or in concert with ambient or natural light. A good photographer should also know how to use natural light by itself too.
When I combine this sound technical ability with highly competitive rates, I believe it creates immense value for clients. They get amongst the highest image quality available in greater Los Angeles with some of the greatest rates available. But I try to take it one step further by being sure it is all supported by customer service beyond a client’s expectation. I truly believe these elements are what set The Light Committee apart.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I think I’ve always been an artist at heart. Even as a child I would draw and write my own comic books. I would animate characters on a notepad and ripple through the animation to see the movements I created. Art will always be a part of me at my core.
I always loved sports too and am thankful I was able to play team sports. I believe playing team sports teaches kids many invaluable life lessons they can lean on as adults and I am glad I had those lessons, which I still rely on today.
Pricing:
- Headshots from $150
- Modeling Digitals from $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelightcommittee.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelightcommittee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightcommittee
- Twitter: https://x.com/Light_Committee
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelightcommittee
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-light-committee-glendale-2?osq=The+Light+Committee
Image Credits
Patrick Coleman
Melody Torres
DJ Kaila Troy
Jaydn Meier
