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Ravin Goyal of Los Angeles Downtown on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ravin Goyal. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Ravin, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
“Lately, I’ve been on what I like to call a curated curiosity binge. I’ve been devouring podcasts and interviews—not just with people in my own creative field, but from all sorts of disciplines. I love hearing about their journeys, the decisions they made, and how those choices shaped them for better or worse.

Here’s my little ritual: from each conversation, I steal—okay, borrow—just one line that makes me stop, tilt my head, and think, ‘Wait, why did they say that? And how many layers does that thought have?’ I then try to peel those layers and see how it applies to my own life. It’s like I’m adding invisible Post-it notes to my brain, slowly upgrading my operating system—one profound or slightly bizarre quote at a time.

Honestly, it’s my favorite thing right now—exploring myself, layer by layer, like an onion… but hopefully one that smells nicer and makes people cry only in a good way.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“I’m Ravin Goyal — a fashion editorial photographer who doesn’t just take pictures, I create images that feel like they belong in the pages of a magazine. For me, it’s about weaving together light, style, and emotion until the photograph tells a story you can almost step into. I earned my MFA from the New York Film Academy, and since then, I’ve been chasing that perfect balance between artistry and intention in every frame.

When I’m not shooting, I’m keeping my energy high and creativity sharp by staying active — whether it’s a daily workout at the gym, a game of pickleball, a round of badminton, a cycling session, or the occasional tennis match. I make sure to move for at least an hour every day. And when it’s time to slow down, you’ll find me in the kitchen, cooking up my favorite comfort food — Indian dishes that remind me of home and keep my creative spirit fueled.”

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
“It would be biased to name just one person, because I’ve made it a point to learn something from everyone I’ve met, worked with, or been guided by in some way. I’ve been fortunate to have many great mentors — some taught me the technical foundations of photography, some helped me refine my practical skills with the camera, others guided me in mastering the art of editing. And then there are those who taught me lessons that had nothing to do with shutter speeds or color grading, but everything to do with becoming a better version of myself. Even now, I believe growth comes from staying observant — taking in the lessons hidden in everyday surroundings and applying them to both my work and my life.”

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
“Suffering taught me patience in a way success never could. Success feels good, but it can trick you into thinking you’ve figured it all out. Suffering strips away that illusion — it forces you to sit with discomfort, adapt, and rebuild. It taught me resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to see opportunity in chaos.

It also made me value the silence and the breaks. When you’ve been through difficult times, you start to understand how essential those quiet moments are — not as an escape, but as space to breathe, reset, and process. That stillness gives you clarity, and with clarity comes a deeper appreciation for the work itself. You stop rushing to simply ‘get things done’ and start working with more intention, more purpose. Success celebrates you, but suffering shapes you — and it teaches you to cherish the pauses in between.”

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
“My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me — and honestly, the only thing that truly matters — is my family and my closest friends. Everything else is just part and parcel of life. Work, achievements, challenges — those depend on how much effort I put in, and I approach them with love because they’re my passion and my responsibility. But they don’t define my happiness the way my relationships do.

What I really treasure are the moments — the laughter over silly conversations, the late-night chats, the spontaneous trips, and the quiet times that become lasting memories. It’s knowing I have good people around me, people I can share my life with, that makes me feel truly blessed. Those are the moments I hold on to, in the past and in the future.”

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
“I feel most at peace in moments of quiet focus — when I’m completely absorbed in my work, or even just moving through a simple routine like a workout, a bike ride, or cooking. It’s in those moments, away from noise and expectations, that I can truly reflect, breathe, and be present. There’s a clarity in that stillness that allows me to understand myself better, appreciate the world around me, and return to life with renewed energy and purpose.”

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Image Credits
Models: ERIKA, BRYCE, ELIZABETH AND valenttina

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