The Portland-based artist, who was discovered on Flickr in her early teens and who is now shooting for the likes of Vogue and Nike, is the final focus of Paul Johnston and Adam Beck's trilogy about young artists. The trilogy is supported by global creative project The Creator Class; a community of visual storytellers led by and for its members, helping them to turn their passions into a lifestyle and a living.

The emerging image-maker has developed her dreamy signature style—in soft, candid and colorful imagery—by capturing the experience of growing up in the age of the internet.

Johnston and Beck’s miniseries accompanies their feature film of the same name, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Next Wave program. 

Keep scrolling to view a gallery of stills from the film and to read an exclusive interview with Olivia.

Read our exclusive interview with Olivia below, where she talks about her life, art, and her career.

Q. Your signature style has a dreamlike feel—in soft, candid and bright images. What does this style mean to you, and where did it come from?

I never really tried to have a style, it just came from making the pictures I wanted to see in the world. I definitely see life as pretty magical; it's a privilege to experience the full spectrum of feelings. Photos are an extension of that mindset. 

Q. You were discovered on Flickr at an early age. How has the internet influenced your own practice and career?

The internet sped things up. I firmly believe that this is what I'm supposed to be doing, and it would have happened anyway, but it would have taken a lot longer. Sharing is also a part of my process and this is definitely the internet's influence, just part of the generation I am from.

Q. You’ve worked with an impressive number of brands, from Converse to Nike. How does your commercial work relate to your more personal, artistic photography?

Thank you! It's the same train of thought, I think they all inform each other. 

Q. Why did you choose photography as your artistic medium? What draws you to the photograph in particular?

It was an accident and then it stuck. I was excited by its immediacy, its honestly—but also its trickery, and by making a new world with the one right in front of you. 

Q. What challenges and opportunities do you face being a young creator today?

There's not a lot of security for creators these days—industries are changing, there's more competition than ever before. You have to be nimble and you have to speak up for yourself. But ultimately, you just need to make good work. There are also many challenges regarding my age and my gender identity, a lot of the world doesn't want to take you seriously at first if you are a young woman who maybe looks more like a girl. Challenges included, I'm happy with where I'm at, and excited for what's yet to come.

Q. What would you like to achieve with your future work? What's next?

I want to create fuller stories and to speak even realer to what feelings feel like, and to tell the world about those universes.