Fashion Blogger Summer Shoot in North Carolina

“Hello!” From the moment that I heard Olivia’s slight Southern twang over the phone, I was already charmed. So much so that I lost a little bit of my own filter.

“Oh my god, I forgot that people in North Carolina have a Southern twang!” Seriously. That’s was the first thing I said to Olivia on the phone going over pre-shoot details. I can’t even pretend to play it cool. Thankfully Olivia just laughed and took my weirdness in stride as we moved to talking through details and shoot logistics.

Olivia has so many things going on so you may know her from Instagram (@therealoliviaphillips), her blog (Beauty and the Brit – a reference to her lovely husband) or her boutique (Livi Bug’s Boutique). Or, honestly, you may know her as momma to fur baby Khloe (@thekhloephillips), who will one day be the most famous Albemarle, NC celebrity – unseating current title holder, Kellie Pickler. Regardless, she is totally killing it and I almost didn’t email her. I couldn’t imagine why someone like her would even want to work with me. I went through all of the mental excuses about how she probably already had a photographer, didn’t need any help, or just wouldn’t like my work. Wasn’t I surprised when her response was not only would she like to work with me, but that working with a professional photographer was on her bucket list.

What?

Yes. You read that right. The person that I had already written off as uninterested was actually the perfect client for me. Just because her mother and husband take amazing photos of her, doesn’t mean that she wasn’t also interested in what I could offer. So let my own fears (and Olivia’s general awesome-ness) be a reminder to you to send that email. Or introduce yourself to that person. Or make that call. Whatever your version of putting yourself out there is. Because you just never know what might come from it.

Fashion Blogger Summer Shoot in North Carolina 2 — Meet Khloe

You don’t need me to tell you that Olivia is beautiful. Look at any photo of her and you’ll know that. But what I do want you to know is that she is even more beautiful in person. She is warm and funny and very clearly the friend that you want to come to every single event because it is always better when she is around.

Olivia, thank you so much for responding to my pitch email with as much enthusiasm and heart as I had put into writing it. You have such a beautiful brand and business that you didn’t need to welcome me into your creative process, but I am so grateful you did. Albemarle was not ready for the level of glamour and giggles that we unleashed that day. I can’t wait until we can find another reason to work together again.