Today we’d like to introduce you to Olia Luis.
Olia, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I graduated in 2007 with a bachelor in international law from a University in Moscow, Russia and have previously worked in an office for several years before I got a proposal from an American subsidiary of a global company west of Washington, D.C. I moved to the US with one suitcase and worked in a legal department of the company specializing in security technologies. Boring, huh?
Fortunately, the circumstances brought me to sunny San Diego, CA. I simply just packed my possessions and drove cross-country to California just because I wanted to live on the west coast. I did not have any savings or a plan, I did not know a single soul here, and that whole experience probably was the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life, and I am very glad I was naive enough to think it was a good idea at the time.
Here in San Diego, I developed a passion for photography. I have been in San Diego for eight years now and in love with this amazing city since day one.
I raise a husky named Umka who I adopted in 2016 when his owner died.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
As a professional photographer, my principal goal is to provide my clients with beautifully composed images to adorn the walls of their home. I want my creations to become memories they will treasure for years to come. I love capturing the most special moments like secret proposals, pregnancy announcements, or expecting a baby (pregnant women are the most glowing and radiant and such a pleasure to photograph!), or a newborn who is only few days old and is changing so fast every day. Families, couples, babies, all that love, affection and happiness I get to watch every day is so fulfilling. Being able to create images capturing all of that is the most rewarding experience I have had in my career.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Starting a business is scary. Quitting your other job to pursue something else is never an easy task. But I decided in the beginning that I am just going to take little steps every day, stop beating myself because I am not “there” yet and celebrate little victories.
As a photographer, you are also a marketer, an accountant, a salesperson, a designer, a web developer, a social media manager, shopper, shipper, and customer support department, and it takes time to learn all of that and be able to successfully juggle all the jobs you have now, but this is what makes a business owner a successful business owner.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I post my recent work on Instagram mostly. My business is only few months old but it is growing up rapidly. Somebody told me once when you are not practicing, remember somewhere someone is practicing, and when you meet him, he will win. This is why whenever I am not shooting or retouching clients’ galleries, I am studying. I strive to improve my skills and learn something new every day, so I take classes, watch Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials, and practice, practice, practice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.olialuis.com
- Email: mail@olialuis.com
- Instagram: @olialuisphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olialuisphotography/
- Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/olia-luis-photography-san-diego-2
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