Meet Michaela Rabinov

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michaela Rabinov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michaela, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was laid off from my 9-5 job when all the tech layoffs were happening a few years ago. It was a blessing in disguise, I was very ready for a change but hadn’t been able to take the leap. I spent about 2 months applying for jobs I didn’t want, and finally my partner asked me what I really wanted to do. I told him that I had always wanted to be a photographer, something I had done as a hobby since I was a kid. He told me I should go for it – that if I wasn’t making money in six months, we could revisit the plan. So I went for it and haven’t looked back since!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I call myself a “land and sea adventure lifestyle photographer”. I love shooting real people doing real things outdoors, whether its surfing or diving in the water, or exploring mountains, jungles, or deserts. I guess my career has leaned into ocean stuff for the most part. I grew up in Hawaii and have always felt super connected to and inspired by the ocean and the people who play in it. I love swimming around with my camera and shooting surfers or underwater photography. I aim to inspire a love for nature, its playground, and the people who play in it.

What sets me apart from others is my ability to portray the vibe of what is happening in a shot and create an atmosphere during the shoot that creates the vibe that the client is looking for – whether it’s fun girls’ trips or an epic surf session. I love producing and shooting campaigns from start to finish – and collaborating with people who are excited about their work. It helps pull everything together in a way that feels real.

When I decided to pursue photography full-time as a freelancer, it took me about a year to find my footing in what type of photography I wanted to focus on, and how to build a business around it. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve loved every aspect of learning how to build a business around my art. I think that’s one of the biggest things that most creatives struggle with – you have to pitch yourself because a lot of people can take pretty pictures. You have to learn how to convince clients that they should choose YOU. I ended up taking a mentorship program from Erin Hogue, which helped lay the groundwork. I learned about all the different ways you can charge for licensing, your time, and more. I learned how to pitch myself to clients and just kept following up. Once you build a few good relationships, things kind of keep moving up from there.

One lesson I’ve learned along the way is to not take rejection seriously. Gaining clients is all about timing. Often they’re saying no just because it isn’t the right time. Keep following up and move on to the next if it’s not panning out. It’s not personal.

I think something I’d want the world to know about my brand and story – and this goes for anyone building a business – is that there’s A LOT that goes on behind the scenes to make something happen. Good things take a lot of hard work, so don’t be afraid to just go for it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite thing about living in Ventura is its proximity to the Channel Islands. Whenever someone visits me, I book us a day trip out there and we spend the day hiking, diving in kelp forests, and exploring. The islands are incredible and often overlooked, but they truly are one of the most raw and beautiful places in California.

If we have another day, I take them into Ojai and we spend the day swimming in the river and then probably having dinner at Rory’s Place. Get the broiled oysters. You can thank me later.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The women of the Warm Collective Agency and community – Serena Lutton, Katie Mcdonald, and Lily Day. They have been a huge help in inspiring me to keep persuing what I’m doing and helping me along the way.

Website: https://michaelarabinov.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelarabinov/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaela-rabinov/ 

Image Credits
All images were taken by me (Michaela Rabinov)