We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Micah Rind. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Micah below.
Micah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
Someone once said to me that art is derived from life, therefore artists must go out and live.
The work culture in The United States has a bad habit of viewing us as machines instead of people and is obsessed with finding a way to maximize every second of every day. What’s the best investment you ask?
Living.
The best investment you can make as an artist is to live. Travel the world, engage with other cultures and beliefs, pause the “grind mentality,” and I promise that you will return inspired tenfold.
I hustled throughout my bachelor’s degree. Sure, I graduated early with recognized honors, but by the time I graduated I was so burnt out, that the thought of picking up a camera made me ill. I’m of course endlessly thankful to the professors who pushed me to stretch my creative skills, but it was time to grow in other areas, outside the classroom.
In January of 2023 I received a solo travel opportunity, and by the time February rolled around I’d left the country and proceeded to live out of a backpack for the next five and a half months.
I wasn’t sure what to expect. I started out volunteering at a women’s shelter in Costa Rica, went down to Brazil for a bit, and then hopped around Spain, France, and Germany where I ended up sleeping on a mattress in a woman’s attic in exchange for working in her garden.
I ditched my camera at home, and for the first time in years I felt alive. As time progressed, I started to meet interesting people of every background imaginable, and I could feel myself getting my spark back.
I found that once I removed myself from the pressures back home in Arizona, I had the freedom to explore who I wanted to be, and what I truly wanted to create. My eyes were opened to other lifestyles, values, and ways of thinking, which in turn made my art better.
When I took photos, it was with my phone albeit, but it wasn’t for mass consumption, it was for me.
I had so many new ideas flowing through me that by the time I returned to the states I was ready to dive headfirst and pour out all my creative energy. It was go time.
Upon return, I immediately started my master’s program at The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and haven’t looked back since. If it weren’t for that period of self-discovery and incubation, I don’t know where I would be.
I feel extremely blessed to view the world through a different framework now, one that is more relaxed and more appreciative of the process rather than the result. One free of self-doubt and societal pressures, one that lives.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been in the photography/videography industry for the past nine or so years. My work focuses on the intersectionality of fashion, music, and culture within the creative industry.
Growing up, I was obsessed with fashion and had countless Project Runway DIY books. Whenever I flipped through magazines, I would skip the articles and go straight to the photos. When I reached middle school, I was exposed to content creators on YouTube, and I was drawn to the artsy style of travel videos or visual poetry. At the time, I thought, “well, I could do this,” so I did. It was like the final puzzle piece clicked, and it felt right.
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with brands like Ecosusi Vintage and Sacred Hearts to showcase their designs. I’ve also covered numerous fashion events such as Arizona Fashion Week, Phoenix Fashion Week, Tempe Fashion Week and the Hugo Boss x NBA launch party in collaboration with Luxe and City.
On the music side of things, I’ve had the pleasure of working with artists like Max Bennett to promote his EP Nuclear Family and covered numerous shows for local Arizona band SCHPILT.
My favorite thing about what I do is that I have the ability to dip my toes into various aesthetics, and work with people from all backgrounds to create meaningful art centered around connection and humanity. I want my art to make people feel something. Whether it’s a portrait session, event coverage, or an ad campaign, it’s important to me that my photos embody humanity in all of its complexities.
By nature, I’m a curious individual, so a lot of my work has started with a genuine need to explore different areas of life. I love getting to know people, so when I’m at events, I always look forward to meeting new creatives, discussing our different expertise, and finding common ground. I’m a big believer in trying new things, so I like to have my hand in a little bit of everything.
In December of 2022 I graduated with my bachelor’s in Film and Media Production and a concentration in Cinematography from the Sidney Poitier New American Film School at Arizona State University. I was recognized with a 4.0 GPA as Summa Cum Laude and honored recipient of the Moeur Award for highest academic standing in the completion of my degree.
During undergrad I discovered a love for journalism through my role as the Magazine Content Director for the Chic Daily Magazine. I have written concert reviews for artists like $uicideboy$ and Noah Cyrus, and my photos can be found in Green Living Magazine and on Ecosusi Vintage’s website as well.
This discovery led me to make the decision to further my formal education in journalism. I currently have the honor of pursuing a master’s in journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and very excited to combine my love of visual and print media to continue telling stories.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Your art is not for everyone.
I spent a long time worrying if my art was “appropriate” or “digestible” to a large audience. I tried my hardest to say the “right” things, and put out the “right” content, but at the end of the day if someone doesn’t like your art, then it’s not for them.
It’s for you.
Looking back, the times I played it safe, are the times I felt most stifled. However, the times that I could feel my heart beating through my chest in anticipation, are the times that have been the most rewarding because I followed my gut and did what I felt was right.
I believe it’s rather soulless to create for others, you need to make whatever you think is cool. If you don’t like your own art, then why even bother?
Artists don’t create because we want to, we create because we need to. It’s truly the only way to keep our sanity.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love getting people excited about what I’m excited about. The most rewarding thing to me is when someone tells me that they traveled somewhere, or started listening to an artist, or got into a designer because of my art.
I’ve been inspired by so many creatives so it truly is a weird full circle moment for me when I hear that my art has piqued someone’s interest in a new field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rindstudio.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rindstudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahrind/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rindstudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSODu1bpDp5MjJv3pWN6CQ
- Other: TikTok: @officialrindstudio https://www.tiktok.com/@officialrindstudio?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Link to Sacred Hearts Co campaign: https://youtu.be/f88ZCV75A-A Email: micah@rindstudio.com
Image Credits
1-2 Model: Alexis Watkins @alexiswatkins__ 3-4 Model: Roció @rociio.vlz Stylist: Veronica Lopez @veronicaalopez_ 5: Designer Resty LaGare at Phoenix Fashion Week 6: Designer Jerzee at Phoenix Fashion Week 7: La Fortuna, Costa Rica 8: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil