Olivia Bokesch & Kennedy Crawford
Interview with Olivia Bokesch
Hi Olivia,
First of all, we’ve been admirers of your work for quite some time. Browsing your portfolio and your Instagram, @absolutelyolivia, we always find ourselves drawn into the worlds you create. Each shoot feels alive—your colors, your energy, your ability to capture emotion and presence are undeniable.
On the Latest Shoot with Kennedy Crawford
Q: How did this most recent shoot with Kennedy come together? Did you have a vision from the beginning, or was it a collaborative process between you two?
I knew I wanted the shoot to have touches of the odd and feel slightly other-worldly in very of-this-world places (my apartment, the West Side Highway, a taxi stand). I created a moodboard reflecting this and after having y’all immediately jump on board, I knew I needed to find a model who was down for my idea and would see the vision. Kennedy had reached out to me previously about shooting together, and I remember thinking “she would get my visions!”
I always have a shot list before shoots but love when there is a collaboration between me and the model. A model who isn’t afraid to suggest “what if we try this? What if we shoot here?” is my favorite and Kennedy did just this! For instance, the shot where Kennedy is under the coffee table was a shot I had planned ahead of time. I wanted her curled around the leg of the table, staring dead into camera. Then, while shooting, Kennedy moved her hands up to cover her eyes and that ended up being the shot I loved the most! It added a certain emotion that we otherwise wouldn’t have captured.
Long story short, I’m a planner when it comes to my shoots but embrace spontaneity in the moment!
Q: How did including tights shape the look and feel of this shoot? Did they bring something different to the vibe or story you wanted to capture?
Knowing that the tights were a focal point in the shoot, it shaped a lot of the posing. Making sure they were included in the shot led to a lot of full-body movement and setting up shots that were wide and included the whole location/scene within it. It was fun to brainstorm and push shots a step further to ensure the tights were a main character.
For example, I saved a photo of a girl cracking eggs on her head in the moodboard but had Kennedy crack them over her knees instead so the red tights were a center piece in those shots.
Q: How would you describe the overall atmosphere on set? Any moments that felt particularly fun or unforgettable?
So fun and playful! It was Kennedy and I’s first time meeting in-person, but we immediately clicked and fell into a flow. When shooting at the taxi stand, a car with a couple girls our age rolled down their window and told us we were creating an immaculate vibe. Whenever that happens during a shoot, it’s always unforgettable – like all compliments from strangers are!
Q: Was there a particular outfit and tights pairing that stood out as a favorite for you to capture?
The outfit I was most unsure about was the blue tights with the blue sparkly dress. I was worried it would be too much blue. When Kennedy stepped into the sunlight on the West Side Highway boardwalk, the dress began to sparkle an insaneee amount and when I looked into the viewfinder and saw how perfectly the blues matched the water…I knew we had a winner! My favorite shot of the shoot ended up being the one of Kennedy in this outfit sitting against the bike rack with her knees pulled to her chest. I have to point out that the lighting in it is totally natural; even the sun was on our side!
Olivia’s Creative Journey
Q: How did you first discover your love for photography? Was there a moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do?
As I feel like most photographers’ stories start, I always grew up around or with a camera. My mom documented my sister and I growing up and I would play around with her point-n-shoot.
Absolutely Olivia started out as a fashion blog and I began taking self-portraits of myself in outfits I had styled (I still style a lot of my shoots like the one with Sheer Denier!). I started to realize how much I enjoyed being behind the camera, planning shoots, and setting up shots so I pivoted to taking photos of friends. In 2022, I spent a summer doing 2-3 shoots a week to build my portfolio and just hit the ground running to get me to where I am today!
Q: When people see your photos, what do you hope they feel?
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Stunned! In the best way. I want my photos to pop out at people and make them stop and stare, even if just for a minute
Q: If you had to describe your photography style in three words, what would they be?
Bold, vibrant, feminine.
Q: Do you have a favorite genre of photography you enjoy most, or do you find yourself blending across styles?
Fashion is my bread and butter, for sure. I particularly have a preference for on-location fashion shoots and not studio. Working with the environment around me and the natural light the world has given me for the day is exciting to me both visually and mentally as I shoot.
I’ve also recently gotten into event photography. There’s so much joy in spaces where people have come together for one cause or celebration or experience; I often find myself grinning behind the camera! It’s fun to push myself to blend my typical editorial style with events, so that it is clearly still my work, just in a different genre.
Life Beyond the Lens
Q: We saw that you recently relocated to New York City—congrats! How has the move been so far, and has it shifted or inspired your creative vision?
Thank you! It’s basic, but I read Just Kids by Patti Smith when I moved here and the book kickstarted this drive in me to seek out what it means to be an artist in such a big city. Everything can be inspiration, or a pathway to a new way of creating that you never thought of before.
I’m not sure I ever considered what I do “art” and I’m still unsure about calling it that but living in the city has made me want to delve deeper into the aspects of photography that I do consider art. In a place that moves so fast and is saturated with creatives, I aspire to be more intentional and patient with my work. I have a couple larger bodies of work that I am creating right now that will take some time to complete, which is nothing I ever really thought of pursuing before my move.
Q: Outside of photography, what sparks your creativity—music, travel, conversations, art?
To be terribly honest, I was one of those people who gave up reading some time around high school age and haven’t really pursued it since. But in the spirit of trying to slow down more, I’ve taken it up again and it has been sparking my creativity. I am working on a shoot centered about a line from Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou: “the heart is a deceitful thing.”
Q: Do you have any rituals or routines before a shoot that help you get into the right headspace?
Making a shot list. Always.
Q: If you weren’t a photographer, what do you think you’d be doing instead? Or do you have any specific interests or aspirations that involve photography?
Ooo I’ve actually never really thought about that. If I didn’t love being behind the camera so much, I would probably hard core pursue creative direction or have more of a producer role on shoots. I see that in my future, but I still have so much more to learn about the industry and who I am as a creative.
Fashion, Expression & Sheer Denier
Q: How do you personally connect with fashion? Do you see it as a crucial part of your art, or more as a canvas for your photography?
It’s so crucial! I believe my imagery is able to be what it is because of the fashion and style within it. I dress up everyday, I love shooting in heels, I believe in showing up to everything with the right energy and outfit. Fashion is personal to me and personal to my work.
Q: Tights can be a polarizing accessory in fashion—some people can’t live without them, some dislike them, and others overlook them. How do you see tights playing a role in fashion or your work?
My work is very colorful so tights are a way to bring more color into my imagery. They’re also quite a playful clothing item – there’s so many possibilities in terms of styling, posing, and props to accentuate their look. I like a playful energy to shine through in my shoots as well so tights are perfect for that!
Q: Sheer Denier aims to reshape the world of hosiery by focusing on style, comfort, and quality. How would you describe your impression of the Sheer Denier brand?
I love the range of styles Sheer Denier offers. From fishnet to differing levels of sheer, there’s something for everyone. The brand is also very focused on fun and encourages wearing their styles in unique ways which I love. Although I didn’t wear the tights for this shoot, Kennedy loved them and even took them home with her. I think that says a lot about their comfort and quality. They survived a shoot with water, eggs, and the NYC streets all involved!
Looking Ahead
Q: We loved collaborating with you, Olivia. Your images bring such a fresh perspective to what tights can be in fashion. Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re especially excited about?
I’m working with a big workout brand at the end of the month, which is quite exciting for me. And also a cool designer who’s from my home state of South Carolina. Beyond that, I’m working on a larger personal project I talked about earlier…hoping to get started on actual shooting for it at the end of this year.
Q: Do you see another Sheer Denier project in the future?
Oh, of course! You guys make it so easy and fun.
Q: Finally, when you step behind the camera, do you see yourself as telling a story, creating a scene, or evoking an emotion—or a little of all three?
I resonate most with “creating a scene” out of the three of these. Photography, to me, is a frozen moment of time. Using props, the location, vibrant styling, and posing to create a visually enticing scene that may or may not exist fully in reality is honestly my ultimate goal.
