We recently connected with Olivia Leis and have shared our conversation below.

Olivia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

I actually started really simply, it was just me, my camera, and the idea that I wanted to capture people’s real moments in a way that felt timeless but also fun. At first, it wasn’t a ‘business plan’ so much as a passion. I shot friends, family, and anyone who would let me practice. The more I photographed, the more I realized this was something I wanted to build into a career.

From there, it became about moving from hobby to business. I had to figure out the not-so-glamorous parts—things like setting up my business , creating contracts, learning how to price myself, and putting together a website that really showed my style. Each step felt big, but I always broke it down: first the legal side, then my branding, then creating a client experience that felt elevated and personal.

The biggest turning point was when I invested in myself—upgrading my gear, putting energy into social media, and really treating it like a business rather than a side project. Once I had my first paying clients, I realized, ‘This is real.’ From that point forward, it’s been about refining. Asking myself how I can serve people better, how I can make their experience unforgettable, and how I can keep evolving creatively.

So really, it started with passion, then came a lot of learning and problem-solving, and finally the courage to launch—even when everything wasn’t “perfect.” That willingness to start and grow along the way is what allowed me to move from idea to execution.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Olivia, the photographer behind Olivia Leis Photography. I specialize in wedding and lifestyle photography, and at the heart of what I do is this simple idea: I want people to feel completely themselves in front of my camera, while still walking away with photos that are timeless and elegant.

I actually got into photography by first capturing the people closest to me—family, friends, little everyday moments. I quickly realized I wasn’t just documenting memories, I was telling stories, and that’s what pulled me deeper into this industry. Over time, it grew from a creative outlet into a full business where I get to serve couples on one of the biggest days of their lives, as well as families and individuals who want to freeze meaningful moments.

I provide wedding photography collections and lifestyle sessions, but what I’m really offering is an experience: a mix of artistry, authenticity, and ease. I help solve the problem of ‘we don’t know what to do in front of the camera’ by guiding clients in a way that feels natural and fun, so they look like themselves—just elevated.

What sets me apart is my balance of bold creativity and timelessness. My clients don’t just get trendy edits that fade in a year—they get images that will still feel beautiful decades from now, while still being full of energy and personality.

I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me. Weddings and personal sessions are incredibly intimate moments, and being chosen to document them is an honor I never take lightly. More than anything, I want people to know that my work is about more than pretty pictures—it’s about creating a space where you can relax, have fun, and end up with images that feel like you

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started out, I knew social media would be one of the biggest tools to grow my business—but I also knew I had to get creative to stand out. I didn’t just post and hope people would find me; I actively created ways to bring people in.

One of the first things I did was run model calls. I’d invite couples or families to come in for free or discounted sessions so I could build my portfolio and, more importantly, have fresh, beautiful content to share online. Not only did that give me work to post consistently, but those people often shared their photos too—which meant their friends and families started following me. It was this organic ripple effect.

I also leaned into giveaways. I’d create fun, engaging contests where people could enter by tagging friends or sharing my page. This boosted my reach beyond my immediate circle and introduced me to potential clients who may not have found me otherwise.

Over time, these small but intentional efforts added up. I was consistently showing up, building relationships, and giving people a reason to engage with my work. That combination of consistency, community-building, and making it exciting for people to be part of my page is what really allowed my audience to grow.

Now, I look at social media not just as a place to post pretty pictures, but as a way to build connection. The giveaways and model calls were the starting point, but what’s kept people around is the experience I create both online and in person

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of what I do is the connections I make and the role I get to play in people’s lives during their most important moments. It goes so much deeper than just taking a pretty picture. Sometimes my photos end up being the very last images a family has of a loved one before they pass, or the very first photos of someone’s new baby. Other times it’s the beginning of a couple’s life together, captured on their wedding day.

Being trusted to hold those moments for people is something I never take lightly. These photos become heirlooms, passed down and looked back on for years, and knowing that my work can carry that kind of meaning is the greatest honor.

At the end of the day, what matters most to me isn’t just the images themselves—it’s the human connection, the stories, and the joy of giving people something they’ll treasure forever.

Image Credits

Olivia Leis Photography