Meet Justine Liptak of Justine Liptak Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justine Liptak.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My photography journey began in 2015, my junior year of high school, with one small but memorable moment. I was standing in my parents’ kitchen when I snapped a quick photo on my phone of ice that had frozen to the window. When I showed it to my mom and sister, they pointed out that I had an eye for details and encouraged me to think about pursuing photography more seriously.

What they said stuck with me. That Christmas I got my first DSLR and spent the rest of high school photographing anything and everything, simply because I loved it. I went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Photography from the University of Dayton, with a minor in Communications.

After graduation, I explored a few different jobs, but always found myself drawn back to photography. In the fall of 2023, I decided to officially pursue it as a career and haven’t looked back since.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Navigating a self-employed career comes with a learning curve and its own set of challenges—figuring out how to stay motivated, be disciplined and organized, network effectively, and wear all the different hats of running a business has been a journey in itself.

At the same time, these past two years have brought so many amazing experiences and opportunities. I’ve met incredible people, worked with clients who inspire me, and seen my work take me places I never imagined when I started. Not every experience has been perfect, and I’ve faced challenges and people who’ve tested me, but even those moments taught me something valuable.

There will always be struggles, but I’ve come to see them as part of the process. Looking back now, I’m proud of the growth I’ve seen in both myself and my business, and that makes the challenges worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m a lifestyle photographer based in Ohio, serving Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, and beyond. I launched my photography business in the fall of 2023, and since then I’ve been intentionally exploring a variety of work. Right now, I love capturing it all—couples, families, branding, maternity and newborns, engagements, seniors, college grads, and even my first elopement, which I’d love to do more of, along with weddings.

What matters most to me is creating an experience that feels meaningful and personal from start to finish. I love working closely with my clients to understand their vision and make sure the photos feel like them. I pride myself on fostering a comfortable environment where people can be themselves and have fun, allowing their personalities and stories to really shine through in the images.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend storytelling with intentionality. I aim to capture not only what a moment looked like, but how it felt to be there. My style is a mix of candid, documentary-inspired moments and thoughtfully composed, editorial shots. I aim to keep my edits natural and true-to-life, with lighting and colors that reflect the scene as it really was. Ultimately, I want my work to feel both beautiful and honest—images that my clients will treasure for years to come.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m not much of a podcast person lately, but there are definitely tools and platforms that help me stay inspired and organized. I use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok—not just for connecting, but also for learning and growing. I come across so much great content from other photographers, which often sparks new ideas or helps me see things from a fresh perspective.

Pinterest is another big one for me—I use it regularly for inspiration, especially when it comes to posing, outfits, and styling ideas for shoots. For social media planning, I love using apps like InPreview, SCRL, and Unfold to help me visualize my feed and create cohesive posts.

I try to stay inspired by following creatives whose work and values align with mine. I’ve learned that surrounding yourself—even virtually—with encouraging, creative voices really does make a difference.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justineliptakphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justineliptakphoto
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justineliptak/