We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Olyvia Flores. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Olyvia below.
Olyvia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
My twin sister Kyara,
She inspired me more than I let her know. When it came to a new idea, theme or project, she became the glitter and glue. Make up artist and I the Photographer.
I have learned very many lessons from her starting with diplomacy, artists with expansive imaginations can collaborate together to make magic. This was not always easy, since we both had such strong view points but once it flowed it was epic. Team work, she taught me what a true teammate is and how they bring so much to the table. Love, she taught me that putting your heart into everything you do is so much better than half doing anything. Passion, she taught me that when you’re passionate for something you go all in, learn as much as you can with ambition and vision. Persistence, again this wasn’t always easy, it seemed like when she wanted something there was no stopping her, that’s the drive that creates the energy of success. I now know that her time was limited and maybe, just maybe that’s why she had no time to waste. We were just beginning to bloom when she transitioned, she remains my inspiration every step of the way. An eternal bond of love.
Olyvia , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Photography became an artistic outlet for me, Creativity is where my Soul thrives. My drive came from my heart, knowing that deep down I wanted to find something abundant and soul fulfilling. I believe one of the best feelings in the world is to imagine something & have the courage, to make it come to life by being resourceful and having a vision. Witnessing this is magic.
I attended the Illinois Institute of Art for 2 1/2 years, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Digital Imaging & Photography, I decided to branch off and start my own Studio, while expanding my skill.
The best part is that there is so much more to experience! I will always be a student in earth school.
When working with clients it is so much more than just a shoot, It’s an experience, It’s inspiring them to be comfortable in their unique soul beauty.
Though my heart is in creative projects, boudoir, color & concept photography,
I also enjoy capturing love through portrait photography.
Family, maternity, wedding, destination, travel and photo journalism.
Where there is meaning there is art.
I consider myself versatile and I embrace the polarities within myself and my photography.
Thank you for connecting to my journey.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Before photoshoots, I ask clients look in my mirror and genuinely say 10 kind things to themselves. First when applying this in my life, I realized how powerful it is to give ourself grace.
When I started doing this I realized how much of an impact this made on the client/models energy during the photoshoot. I had one client that really changed my perspective, she was hours late and I still decided to be flexible with her that day. When I asked her do the mirror work she broke down crying, she said that it was hard to say beautiful things to herself because she hadn’t heard words like that in so long. She then explained that her husband put her down often and she was caring for a son who has muscular dystrophy, that’s why she was running behind. You truly never know what someone else is going through. It’s always deeper than the surface. That mirror work gave her the boost she needed. I provided a free and comfortable environment and her photoshoot was amazing! It’s beyond rewarding to positively impact peoples lives and capture timeless memories with love.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
For Livi Photography the resilience began when I decided to break social conformity and branch out and follow my creative spark. College became debtful but still I continued and started my own studio. Clients can be difficult at times but once there is an understanding that you cannot make everyone happy, if they are not happy within themselves, the acceptance will be freeing. As long as you tried your best. Resilience.
My soul twin sister passed just at the beginning of our creative journey 5 years ago, which broke my soul. Especially because our studio is where we worked together. Her station still stands. I was stagnant temporarily but I continued my photography during my spiritual journey and it shows through my work.
Our loved ones are always with us.
Presently, I decided to dive into self detoxing, nutrition and spiritual healing after being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. I still continue my work as fluently as my body will allow. While on my healing journey my life perspective grew once more. You see, while I’m capturing everyones love story, I’m also capturing my life journey. The word resilience resonates deep within me.
“Resilience” in other words “That bounce back.”
“Take care of your rarity,
as the most precious flower of your tree.
You are the dream of all your ancestors.”~
-Bert Hellinger
Contact Info:
- Website: http://liviphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liviphotography_studio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liviphotography
- Other: Digital Business Card: https://poplme.co/hash/MwEfHML2/2/share