The Story of Olivialeisphotography
Hey everyone! I’m Olivia, your Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer in Louisville, Kentucky.
I’ve decided it might be time for you all to get to know me better (be prepared for some laughs, haha).
Let’s start with how I got into photography.
It all began back in March 2022 when I was 19 years old, studying nursing at the University of Louisville. Now, I’ve always been a good student, always showed up to school, studied hard, and got good grades. But college had me feeling defeated. I started skipping classes, forgetting homework, and getting bad grades. This was so unlike me, and it was really discouraging because I didn’t understand what was going on. I became really sad and started questioning where I wanted my life to go.
During this time of self-discovery, I decided to make a list of things I was good at and enjoyed.
My list included taking pictures, getting dressed up, and being creative. But little 19-year-old me asked the big question that all the adults in my life asked: “How are you going to start a business from scratch?” Honestly, I had no idea. I did some research, asked for advice from a fellow photographer named Kelsea Elizabeth, and then I took the plunge.
I started by taking pictures of my friends and family and posting them on Instagram. I remember gaining followers like crazy in the first month! I had over 300 followers, which was insane!
My first paid shoot was a senior session that paid $50, and I felt like I was on top of the world! From there, Olivialeisphotography began to flourish and thrive, and here I am THREE YEARS LATER!!
My photography style and approach have finally become everything I had dreamed of. Back in 2022, I knew I wanted my business to represent love, happiness, memories, simplicity, and passion. But I wasn’t sure how to make that happen. Slowly but surely, it has!
My photography is genuine, timeless, soft, and simple. I believe my images will make you feel something special when you look at them. I’m a big believer that every wedding or session doesn’t have to be perfectly posed. I always say the most perfect galleries are the perfectly imperfect ones.
One thing I’m really proud of is my ability to be super personal and connect with all my clients. I take pride in the fact that a session with me is just a fun hangout. I might accidentally let a curse word slip out, I might fall down while trying to get the perfect angle, or I might even break it down on the dance floor with you or take a celebratory shot. You never know what I might get into! But I find this helps me build unbreakable client-photographer relationships. Which is super important to me!
The past three years have been an absolute whirlwind! Here’s a whirlwind tour of what happened:
I’ve been published in a whopping 11 magazines! Five from Bold and Beautiful Magazine, three from Shutter Up Magazine, two from Together Magazine, and one from Swanky Kids Mag. And guess what? I’ve shot over 500 sessions, including five solo shot weddings (four of which were last year alone!). I’ve also hit 1,000 followers on Instagram and doubled my income last year! I’ve even been featured on Instagrams like DC Presets. Oh, and I bought my own custom domain, built my website from scratch, and got my hands on a mirrorless camera and an iMac desktop.
Being a photographer makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I wake up every morning excited to go to work, which might sound crazy to some people. But it’s all thanks to my amazing clients and how I make them feel. I’ve had clients tell me that they never felt beautiful until they saw my photos. I’ve had clients say that my picture is the last memory they have of a loved one. And I’ve had clients tell me that they never have pictures with their kids until they did a session with me. The way my images make my clients feel is truly unmatched. Knowing that I can send a gallery and instantly brighten someone’s day is such an incredible feeling.
Now, let me tell you a bit more about me outside of photography. I’ve been in a 6-year relationship with my high school sweetheart. I have two adorable nephews and a precious niece who are my whole world. I love a good iced coffee or a nice hot green tea. I’m a total shopaholic and can’t resist a good deal. I’m a huge yapper and love to chat your ear off. My favorite season is Fall, and I have the most gorgeous, amazing, baby kitty ever, Ivy. Oh, and did I mention that my hair is actually not my natural color? My nails are natural and took years to get this strong and healthy. I’ve been on a great health kick for the past year, and I’m feeling amazing!
That’s all I have for now. I totally get bored talking about myself, haha!
I’m thrilled to share my passion for capturing life’s most beautiful moments. Whether you’re planning a wedding, celebrating a milestone, or simply want to document the love and laughter in your life, I’m here to create images that feel authentic, timeless, and uniquely yours.
Let’s connect! Feel free to reach out to discuss your vision, ask any questions, or just say hello.
That’s my story, I hope you enjoyed it!
Xoxo,
Olivia
