Today we’d like to introduce you to Olivia Tarkowski.
Olivia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
What started as a dream quickly turned into a reality.
My parents immigrated to the States from Poland about 30 years ago and started a business almost immediately to support our family. I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, so I always knew I wanted to build something of my own one day. I just didn’t know what that could look like—or if I could realistically turn my interests into a successful business.
I’ve always been drawn to creative things: art, music, photography, anything that allowed me to create and tell a story. But when I went off to college, I still didn’t believe those passions could become a profitable career, so I kept photography as more of a side hustle.
Then came 2020 and 2021, when the wedding photography industry was exploding and social media was becoming an increasingly powerful way to build a business. I decided to start taking photography a little more seriously.
At the time, I was working a 9–5 desk job at an advertising agency—and, honestly, I was miserable. The culture wasn’t a good fit for me, and during my first year there, I was barely given enough work to fill the day. So, naturally, I started using that extra time to learn photography.
During those workdays, I was taking online classes, learning the basics of shooting manually, and constantly asking my friends if I could photograph them and their significant others for free. I was also engaged at the time, and as I started planning my own wedding, I became more and more fascinated by wedding photography. I began reaching out to wedding photographers asking if I could second shoot for them, and it didn’t take long for me to realize just how much I loved it.
So I started grinding.
My 9–5 became my day job, and my 5–9 became photography. I spent my evenings practicing, photographing friends, learning everything I could, and my weekends second shooting weddings—all while planning my own wedding.
Then, in 2023, my now-husband and I moved to Kansas City. By that point, I was completely burnt out on corporate life. On a bit of a whim (and with a LOT of prayer), I quit my 9–5 and decided to take a chance on myself and my business.
I had no idea exactly where it would take me. I just knew I wanted to build a business that allowed me to serve people well, create something meaningful, and make a living doing something I genuinely loved.
And most importantly, I wanted to give people photographs that would allow them to relive their wedding day for years to come—to look back at an image and instantly remember how they felt, who they were surrounded by, and what that season of their life felt like.
To me, that’s the beauty of photography.
It’s not just about having beautiful images. It’s about creating something you can feel nostalgic over decades from now.
And somehow, the little side hustle I wasn’t sure could ever become a career has turned into exactly that!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not all the time! I was getting consistent inquires for my wedding photography business in 2023, then it became crickets, had about 5 wedding for the 2024 season, but called that a win. Then in May 2025, everything changed thanks to God, and my whole business got turned around! After years of grinding and hustling, inquires started coming in more consistently, and I was able to book out all of 2026 before the end of the year! Another big struggle was moving to KC without knowing anyone or having any connections in the wedding industry. Thanks to some networking events, friendships started to form which was cool to see!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Hi! I’m Olivia – a documentary and editorial-style wedding photographer based in Kansas City, serving Chicago and destinations worldwide. I want you to feel your day again — through cinematic storytelling, intentional direction when you need it, and a deeply present approach that keeps things natural and grounded. I believe your wedding day isn’t a production. It’s a sacred beginning — a covenant. With a Christ-centered, intentional approach, I honor your story while preserving it with the artistry and care it deserves. My approach blends intentional artistry with genuine storytelling and editorial moments — so you can relive your wedding day exactly as it unfolded: cinematic, timeless, and true. I focus on creating an experience where you feel comfortable in front of the camera, allowing real moments to lead. The result is a gallery rooted in honest emotion, not awkward, prom-posed images.
As a Kansas City wedding photographer, my approach blends documentary-style storytelling with a nostalgic, editorial edge, giving you timeless photos that feel like your favorite movie — warm, romantic, and honest. I like to mix in different film formats to my craft such as Polaroids, film photography, and super 8mm film.
Documentary style photography is about honesty and truly living in the moment. No forced poses. No production-like energy. Just your real connection, beautifully photographed. Documentary photography isn’t about staging perfection — it’s about noticing what most people overlook.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Take the risk and start working towards your business dreams! You will regret not trying at all. Do the free shoots, build your portfolio, learn manual camera shooting, and start posting on socials. The market is not oversaturated. Everyone is unique in their own ways!
Pricing:
- My wedding photography currently start at $5,500
- My average investment per couple has been around $7,000
- Engagement/couples photography investments currently start at $700 for a 1 hour session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oliviatarkowskiphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviatarkowskiphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092624063753
