Meet Maddy Robb | Editorial Photographer

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

Hi Maddy, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Growing up, I never had a lack of family members and friends encouraging me to dream. I’m very grateful for that, because not many people can say that about their life, especially about a creative career. One thing that’s always stuck was this piece of wisdom my grandfather always shared, in one way or another… “always be you. No one can be you like you.” Sometimes he would use my name “always be Maddy” or “be the unique you, you’ve always been.” It was one of the last things he said to me before he passed in 2020. He spoke it over everyone. I don’t know a person that met him that didn’t leave a conversation with him, feeling more encouraged to be themselves. He would point out some way, big or small, how a person was unique. Never in a judgmental way. In a way that made you feel like you’d just been equipped with everything you needed to succeed and do the most good in the world. I guess that encouragement & that ‘affirmation,’ as we’d call it, is what lead me to where I am today. It’s what leads me every day. Confidence is the greatest tool to success. When I’m myself, I have something to offer, that no one else can. And the same goes for everyone else out there.

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.
I started out in fashion design school. I’d wanted to go since I was about 8 years old. I’d never had a thought different. I would graduate high school, go to a school to learn how to be a fancy fashion designer, start my own brand in LA, and then have my own couture house in Paris, just like all the *real* designers. It wasn’t until I went to my first semester in design school that I quickly learned sewing machines are not my friend, my creativity in fashion wasn’t forward thinking enough, and I really didn’t dress the part. I started sobbing in the middle of a class one day, went outside in the hall, called my mom, and dropped out the next day. Of course, she told me if I did that I’d have to come back home [to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho] and transfer to a program there. “NIC? The community college that half my high school attended DURING high school? No way!” I thought, but I didn’t do that. Instead, I enrolled in a photography program at Spokane Falls (another community college). It ended up being the best program for me. I did one semester and loved it. I honestly only enrolled because I thought photography was an easy hobby for me. I went from fine art, so photography seemed so much more simple in my head. Like I didn’t have to even think! Looking back, I wish I recognized that earlier. My love for photography and the ease that came with it, was actually a gift—a true sign that it was my *thing*. After the first semester there, I got an internship with the shoe brand, CLAE [in LA] over the summer. I’d always wanted to live here, so it was like a test run—To see if I could plant roots. It was amazing. I stayed 6 months. If I didn’t love that photography program back home so much, I would have stayed. I finished out school, came back to LA, and here we are. I wouldn’t say I’m ‘successful’. I do work as a photographer in a big city, but it’s only the beginning. I’ve learned to be patient. To never be too big or too small for anything. If it’s for me, it’ll come my way, yet still striving and earning my keep in the industry. I have learned that it pays [literally] to be like-able, and that being a kind person is the biggest asset to keeping jobs and being recommended. Make friends, have fun. Be you. That’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned thus far. And more to come!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love when friends and family visit. It’s just my favorite thing. I’m partial, but I think I know the best places. I’ll start chronologically starting with a fun Saturday. Coffee – Stereoscope. Love this spot. Best coffee in LA, in my opinion. The owner knows what he’s doing and the employees actually know a thing or two about the industry.
Breakfast – Aroma (Studio City). Alright, it’s not on the way from Stereoscope, but it’s never failed to make people happy. My cousin brought me here once when I was visiting and I swear I was like “yes. This could be my life.” And now it is.
Silverlake Flea – said like a true east sider. It’s fun. I love it! Sometimes overpriced but you’ll find exactly what you want.
THRIFTING – I feel like I gate keep these, but oh well it’s a big city, who cares. Red White and Blue or (Valley Value Center) in Van Nuys. When I take my best friends here they gasp. So. Much. Stuff.
Lunch – Kombu sushi. I can guarantee there’s other places out there for sushi but I love this spot. It’s just laid back & easy.
Dinner – Bacari on Sunset or Met Him at a Bar. I love these two places. Completely different, but the best.
Some other things I would include:
Doubting Thomas (coffee and food) – Echo Park
Maru Coffee
Prelude and Dawn – shopping in HLP
Kitchen Mouse – breakfast and brunch in HLP
Hippo – dinner in HLP
The Win-Dow – Burgers
Highland Park Brewery
LA Wines for inexpensive (but good) wine
Swans in echo park
Estate sales in Beverly Hills
A drive to El Matador beach

I could go on.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! 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 a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
Considering my answer to the first question, I suppose I’d dedicate it to my grandfather. I hope, one day, I can impact people like he did. He really was the one that encouraged me to seriously pursue photography. He believed in me. I’d like to think he still does.

Website: madelinerobb.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/maddyrobb?utm_medium=copy_link

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-king-076050127

Image Credits
models: Jakob Williams Madeline Sideras Maddie Wheatley