Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Kristin.
Hi Olivia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started taking photos in 2016 of my friends and family for free and shared my work on social media. It wasn’t too long after that, I began to get asked how much I charged, which sparked the idea to start a photography business. Fast forward, to now, I do photography, write, model and act full time. I graduated in 2014 with my bachelor’s degree in Nursing from The University of Cincinnati. I practiced as a registered nurse for 6 years, until 2020 when I finally stopped denying the pull and desire to move on. I’ve always been a creative person, since I was a little girl. I used to make up dances, write poetry and stories, dance and act since the age of 3. In retrospect, I simply settled for a “safe” career like nursing so that I could be financially stable but my heart has always longed for passion, creativity and spontaneous works to display my God given talent and gifts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road. I had and have to continually fight my own fears and insecurities, I had to let go of the lie that I “wasted time” or had an obligation to hold onto something because I spent years and a lot of money investing in a degree. I had to make sacrifices and still have to make sacrifices when it comes to managing and saving money. I can’t always say yes to a vacation with friends. Certain seasons, I have to determine if it’s wise to take time off. I have to always remember I don’t have Paid Time Off and cannot risk having to quarantine for two weeks. Entrepreneurship is not glorious. It grants freedom, but it is hard, especially during a pandemic. If I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus I would have quit a long time ago!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the owner and photographer for Olivia Kristin Photography and co-owner of Your Wedding Creatives, wedding photography company! I specialize in portrait photography. I love people and I love photographs. I get to capture people exactly where they are in that moment of their life. I value authenticity. I enjoy an excellent and high-quality photo but I never want to overly edit to the point that it is no longer authentic. I believe that is what sets my work apart. The photos are excellent but they keep their genuine and undeniable feeling. I am also the author of three books, I Didn’t Know I was Dead, Learning To Live and The Gift of Singleness. My writing is written as though I am having a conversation with you and I am always very transparent. What I believe sets me apart is that I do not have anything to hide or anything to prove, I just desire to help people discover who God designed them to be.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice, when finding a mentor, is to allow the connection to be genuine and to not count anybody out. Nowadays, I see so many people desiring to be mentored and coached by the “popular” person on social media who has a lot of followers and will miss the “unpopular” person with a lot of wisdom. OR they look for someone who looks like them, your mentor may not look like you or come from where you came from. Secondly, don’t stop being a learner or think that you know everything. Another common thing I see, is everyone wants to be the teacher but no one wants to be the student. There are people in our industries who have so much knowledge, tap into that. Lastly, do not be cheap when it comes to the person you desire to mentor you. People have invested so much in themselves and their businesses. Pay someone to coach you or take their class. OR if it is not in your budget, listen to their podcasts, watch their Youtube videos, read their books but stay humble and genuine. Desire to work with people because you value them as a person and what they do, not because you want something from them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oliviakristinphotography.com / www.oliviakristin.com / www.yourweddingcreatives.com
- Instagram: @oliviakristinphotography / @0liviakristin (with a zero) / @yourweddingcreatives
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliviakristin / https://www.facebook.com/oliviakristinphotography / https://www.facebook.com/yourweddingcreatives
Image Credits
Missilles Studios
Picture Me Peachie
Jess Wasson
Open Images Studios
