Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Olivia
Hi Rachel , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was in 6th grade I got my first camera. I started taking pictures of nature, friends, and everything that caught my eye. In high school I started doing more portraits and Fashion photography. Going into college I continued taking pictures and also took sculpture and painting classes. I finished college with a thesis show of environmental portraits. These images were focused in making other people see themselves in a better light. Right out of school I jumped into something completely different I started working for a high-end jewelry company, taking product photos. Four years of learning many new skills, I was missing my roots. I took a huge risk and quit my job. Spending the next 3 months traveling around the world. From South Africa, to Indonesia, Thailand, so many incredible adventures back around to the US. I met so many incredible people that then led me to my current adventure. I packed up my life again and moved to Montana to live on a luxury dude ranch! Taking pictures of nature and families.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. There have been so many times that I’ve questioned if I was making the right decision or if photography was even the right path. Being in foreign countries alone had its own obstacles. But through everything I came out on the other side, feeling way stronger and more sure of what I was doing. You only grow by taking risks and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a photographer, people always tell you that you need to have a niche. I don’t like the idea of being limited to only having one specialty. I am currently working as a Portrait, Nature, Event, and Family photographer. Curating art shows of my work along the way. I am most known for my attention to detail, lighting and color. I am most proud of how far I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone to travel /live in new places that have inspired me to grow as an artist. What sets me/my work apart from others is how I capture the subject. By using the environment to tell stories, almost separating the image into its own world. Most of my images are adventurous in spirit. They are created to bring joy and peace to the viewer and the subject. I care so much about my work, it is a reflection of me.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You don’t have to be good when you start, you just have to want to learn and not be afraid to fail. Keep trying new things and do it for yourself and your happiness. I wish I knew that I needed to fail to find the right path. The failures gave me the tools to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachelolivia.photos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelolivia.photos/
