Meet Alina Kaminskaia | Multitalented TV producer, journalist, photographer, and an entrepreneur

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

Hi Alina, how do you think about risk?
I would say risk-taking isn’t for everyone and not for every industry. However, a lot of times if you really want to make a difference in this world, leave an impact, and reach your full potential, it’s essential. For me, taking risks has never been an option it has been the driving force behind most I’ve achieved.

Especially, being a journalist and a TV producer. I stepped into journalism at just 16, hosting my own radio show for teenagers. I took a risk back then and juggled between pursuing an appropriate education and following my dream. By 17, I had won my first journalistic international award.

In an industry where experience often outweighs youth, I became the youngest TV producer on the morning news crew. The stakes were always high whether producing daily entertainment content, leading high-pressure productions during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, or my work in investigative journalism pursuing stories that exposed truth and helped bring justice to those who needed a voice, proving that taking bold risks in storytelling can lead to real change.

Later, being a TV producer at one of the most popular and creatively ambitious morning shows about interior design and extraordinary people on Russia’s largest nationwide channel, I produced content with top celebrities and media personalities where I took creative and professional risks every day. Working under intense deadlines, I had to think on my feet, source high-profile guests on short notice, and craft engaging, timely stories that resonated with millions of viewers.

All was possible with a risk-taking mindset. Collaborating with international documentary production crews and channels, being featured on a Times Square billboard to share a story and bring social attention to creatives going through war, also a significant milestone in my journey in documentary filmmaking and storytelling. Since my start, some projects were considered “too bold” or “too ambitious,” yet they went on to win international film festivals.

Taking risks has also shaped my journey as a photographer. Because I refused to play it safe, I had the opportunity to partner with some of the most extraordinary professionals in the industry. My willingness to push creative boundaries led to my own photo exhibition and collaborations with an official media team at New York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks as an in-house photographer. All made possible by again my risk-taking mindset and belief in my capabilities.

Beyond that, I embraced risk as an entrepreneur from an early age as well as later on. I’ve launched my own creative marketing agency during the pandemic. In a time of global uncertainty, I built a business from the ground up, scaling it from a one-person venture to a team of 12. I saw an opportunity during instability in the world, and that mindset helped me create something meaningful.

Coming to the USA was perhaps one of the greatest personal and professional risks I have taken. I came here to study, (pursuing an MBA degree in Los Angeles right now), discover, travel, and learn. It was a risk. I arrived speaking barely any English, leaving behind an established career, stepping into a completely different culture, and learning a new language. However, growth never happens in comfort. That journey strengthened my resilience, sharpened my instincts, and expanded my creative and business acumen. As well as I have grown as a person in general.

Risk, to me, isn’t about recklessness, is about seeing opportunity where others see fear. It’s about knowing that failure is just a stepping stone to something greater. Every defining moment of my life and career has come from daring to take the leap. And every time, I proved to myself that risk isn’t about gambling it’s about having the courage to bet on yourself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For as long as I can remember, storytelling has been at the core of my experience. From the moment I stepped into the world of journalism and television production, I knew this was more than just a career it was my mission. I wasn’t just reporting facts or producing content; I was uncovering truths, amplifying unheard voices, and standing up for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. I’ve never been afraid to start over and dive into something completely new. Beyond that, I have a deep passion for storytelling in every form whether through film, photography, journalism, or branding.

I take the most pride in my years as a journalist and TV producer, where I had the privilege of helping people in dire situations, bringing their stories to light, and, in many cases, fighting for justice. There’s an unparalleled sense of purpose in knowing that my work has touched lives, influenced real change, and given people hope. Whether it was investigating social issues, producing groundbreaking interviews, or telling deeply personal stories, I always approached my work with one goal: to make an impact.

The road to where I am today was anything but easy. The media industry is relentless fast-paced, high-pressure, and constantly evolving. As a young journalist, I had to prove myself repeatedly, outworking expectations and pushing beyond limits. There were moments of exhaustion, self-doubt, and doors slammed in my face. Throughout my career, I’ve faced skepticism, rejection, and times when I had no idea what the next step would be. But every time, I’ve reminded myself of something I learned from John Kehoe’s book that the mind is our most powerful tool. What we believe, we create. The law of attraction is real. I found that doors could open in the most unexpected ways.

One of the biggest challenges was navigating different cultural and media landscapes. Each experience expanded my understanding of storytelling and gave me the ability to create compelling narratives.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned? Authenticity wins. People don’t connect with scripted perfection, they connect with raw, real, and honest. Whether I’m producing a documentary, directing a fashion show, or crafting a brand’s media strategy, I approach every project with deep emotional intelligence, investigative curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to our true selves.

Right now, I’m excited about expanding my work in the U.S., bringing my experience in media, storytelling, and branding into new industries, and continuing to push creative boundaries. Every challenge I’ve faced has led me to a new chapter, and I know the best is still ahead. My story is one of continuous evolution embracing change, seizing opportunities, and redefining possibilities in media and business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d create an itinerary that captures the essence of my life by the ocean blending elegance, creativity, and the beauty of simple moments.

We start our mornings with the salty breeze on a bike ride along the coast, stopping at Perry’s Café, where we sip coffee with our feet in the sand, watching surfers catch waves. Then it’s off to Sogno Toscano Café on Montana Ave, a little slice of Italy where the scent of fresh espresso fills the air, and a live band strums soft jazz melodies that make everything feel cinematic. From there, we wander through the charming boutiques on Montana, stopping to admire handcrafted jewelry, unique art pieces, and the kind of local finds that tell their own stories.

Another day, I take them to The Getty Villa, a place that feels like stepping back in time to ancient Rome. Tucked away in Malibu, the museum itself is a masterpiece modeled after a Roman country house, with marble columns, sprawling courtyards, and trickling fountains that make you forget you’re in California. As we stand on the terrace overlooking the ocean, it’s easy to imagine we’re in another era, where history and beauty collide in the most breathtaking way.

It would be a week of rediscovering the simple joys: good food, great company, and the kind of moments that make you feel truly alive.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! There have been many people, experiences, and influences that have shaped my journey, but if I had to highlight a few defining ones, I’d say the wisdom from two books John Kehoe’s Mind Power into the 21st Century and Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist has played a big role in the way I navigate life.

Kehoe’s work opened my eyes to the limitless power of the mind. His philosophy reinforced what I had already sensed deep inside that our thoughts shape our reality, and what we focus on expands. The Law of Attraction in other words. Throughout my life, I’ve seen firsthand how mindset is everything. I learned to reframe challenges as opportunities, to trust my vision even when the path ahead wasn’t clear, and to manifest the things I once thought were out of reach. The subconscious is a force, and the more I nurtured it, the more doors opened.

Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist taught me something equally powerful the importance of listening to my heart, following the signs, and trusting that the universe conspires in our favor when we have the courage to pursue our personal legend. Every major step I’ve taken in my career and personal life has been driven by an inner knowing, even when logic and external voices suggest otherwise.

These books, along with the family, friends, incredible mentors, colleagues, and creative minds I’ve had the privilege of meeting and having in my life, have shaped my journey. But at the core of it all, it’s about believing that what you desire is already within reach you just have to take the first step. Whether through storytelling, entrepreneurship, or artistic expression, I’ve learned that success isn’t about playing it safe; it’s about trusting yourself enough to take the leap. And every time I have, the universe has met me halfway.

Website: https://alinakaminskaia.com/

Instagram: @alinakaminskaiaa | https://www.instagram.com/alinakaminskaiaa/?hl=en | @photographer_lalaland | https://www.instagram.com/photographer_lalaland/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DBusRDUlbQ

Other: Showreel TV producer | Morning Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DBusRDUlbQ

Image Credits
@genenfeld
@novikova.annie
@anastasia_yourstylist