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

Hi Ty, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
When I think about the key factors/ habits that have assisted in my success in life thus far, one quote comes to mind. When I was a junior in high school, I discovered this quote, and it sticks with me through the years. A middle-aged Issac Newton is credited with saying, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” I internalized this and found great depth in the understanding. Recognizing how many purposeful individuals can spend decades learning a craft and compiling their teachings into a book that we can consume in a much shorter time period fascinated me. This was only the beginning because as the years would pass me by, I found the same level of importance rested in who made up my friend’s group. I watched my friend’s group more closely resemble mentors and average nearly double my age as I embodied this teaching and surrounded myself with “giants,” as Newton so blazingly coined.

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 am a photographer by heart and a videographer by purpose. Photography found me at a young age. The ability to freeze a moment in time and revisit it frequently was magically embodied in my younger self. As I got older, videography seemed to contain even more magic and possibilities. As my yoga practice came into existence and I began attending yoga festivals, I noticed a tremendous opportunity to grow an online class catalog. I would later call the catalog “Yoga For You” and pair it with various yogis and yoginis to produce inclusive content for everyone. The artist’s path is not an easy one. However, ease is oftentimes not what an artist pursues. I pursue beauty and the ability to assist in bringing people back to their center. Knowing that I can help people feel better about themselves is my strength.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
0900: Friend lands at LAX 0930: Straight to the beach! Santa Monica/ Venice is always a rich introduction.
1130: An early lunch at one of the incredible vegan food restaurants in the Santa Monica area.
13:30: Palisades Park for some digestion. Maybe some meditating and talk about the Cosmos.
15:30: Head over to ER Yoga for a fun yoga class!
17:00: Make our way to Griffith Park for a view of the city and watch the sunset.

Rinse, and repeat as we pick out various beaches, including:
Malibu, Newport, Laguna, Encinitas, and San Diego.

(Always leave time for spontaneity when visiting LA!) Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate a large portion of my ability to pursue this life to my parents. They were always hyper supportive of me despite my changing paths and misdirection (at times). Regarding literature, ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho had a tremendous impact on me in college. I frequently pass out copies of The Alchemist and ‘The Celestine Prophecy’ to friends and strangers alike. Both of these books are captivating fiction novels with sound and solid spiritual advice for life.

Website: dobbstyphotography.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dobbstyphotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3TtVzcPhSSwLnAKqU_H5RA

Image Credits
All images were captured by me (Ty Dobbs). Lake Tahoe Yoga Pose; Model, is Shannon Leibel Huntington Beach Yoga Pose; Model, is Rebecca

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.