Meet Rob | Photographer

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

Hi Rob, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own photography business was the result of years of passion and dedication finally aligning with the right timing and support. For eight years, photography was both a creative outlet and a side job that allowed me to grow my skills and build a portfolio. I focus on many different aspects of photography. I shoot anywhere from children’s birthday parties to nightlife and sporting events. In January, I made the leap to go full-time, knowing it came with a lot of uncertainty. There were financial risks, the fear of inconsistent income, and the challenge of turning a passion into a sustainable career. But I also knew that if I never tried, I’d always wonder “what if.” I reminded myself that every business starts with a risk, and with the right mindset, those risks become opportunities for growth.

What truly made this transition possible was the unwavering support of my wife. She believed in my talent even during moments when I doubted myself. Her encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue this dream fully and treat it not just as a passion, but as a professional path. Her support wasn’t just emotional, it was practical too. She helped create the stability I needed to take the leap. Without her by my side, this journey wouldn’t have even started. Together, we’ve embraced the challenges, and I’m more motivated than ever to make this business thrive.

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.
What sets my photography apart is my mission to show the beauty in everyone and to help people see the best version of themselves. I aim to create an experience that feels more like a relaxed hangout than a formal photoshoot, and the camera just happens to be there. I love seeing a client’s face light up when they view their photos. One of the biggest compliments is: “Wow, you make me look so good”. As someone who’s naturally introverted, photography has become a way for me to connect with others and strengthen my communication skills. Many of my clients are shy or nervous in front of the camera so I let them know, “Hey, I’m shy too. Let’s be shy together.” That mutual understanding helps create a safe, comfortable space where authenticity shines.

Getting to where I am today has definitely not been easy. There were plenty of moments filled with doubt, setbacks, and slow progress. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to be patient. Be patient with yourself, with your growth, and with the timing of opportunities. Nothing happens overnight, but if you keep showing up and putting in the work, things begin to shift. I want the world to know that this journey has taken a lot of hard work, persistence, and self-belief. I didn’t get here by accident. I earned it through years of dedication and the desire to bring out something beautiful in every person I photograph.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I always have said that I am the culmination of every photographer who has helped me directly and indirectly. It could be them actually giving me help or it could just be inspiration from afar, there are many that have helped shape me into who I am today. The first person that comes off of the top of my mind is my friend/mentor Karlo Morcilla. “Kuya” Karlo taught me everything I knew when I first picked up the camera. His method of teaching me did not involve giving me the answers to the problems that I had, but it was more so helping me figure out how to solve them. This made me into a photographer who always sought out getting better. He deserves the biggest shoutout. Unfortunately, he passed away in a car accident and he never saw me hit my milestones. He never saw me book my first gig, get my first photography based job, shoot my first wedding, etc. I still hear him when I shoot sometimes. His words are drilled in my mind, about things like composition, lighting, and I even hear him question what I’m trying to do sometimes lol. With that said, I have been blessed to have met alot of photographers and media people in general. Some include Bryan Miraflor, Nitchan Baron, Johnathan Vu, etc. All talented and all stand up guys.

Outside of media, my wife deserves a huge shoutout for being my biggest supporter from day one. She’s been there since the very beginning, when photography was just a hobby I dabbled in on weekends and late nights. Through every phase, she encouraged me to keep going, to keep creating, and most importantly, to believe in myself. When the idea of turning this passion into a full-time business felt overwhelming, she was the one who reminded me of my talent and potential. Her constant belief in me gave me the courage to take the leap, and her encouragement turned fear into motivation. Without her steady support and her push to follow my dreams, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://robbanagaphoto.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: @rob.img

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rob-banaga-photography-pomona