Meet Olivia Garretson | Documentary Videographer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Garretson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my brand Liv the Adventurer, has been clarity of purpose and rooted in a deep connection to community. Everything I create is intentional. Whether I’m behind the lens telling stories or building experiences that invite reflection and participation, I’m always asking: Does this reflect the core of this story? Does this inspire?

It exists in a space of duality: structure and soul. It’s where visual storytelling meets thoughtful systems, where bold exploration lives alongside grounded values. On one side, I share tools and insights to help others live with alignment and momentum. On the other, I create spaces: on film, in words, in real life – where people feel seen and reminded of their own capacity to truly live.

At its core, Liv the Adventurer is about being present. Staying close to the people, the data, the process, and the why. These are key components to learning. That commitment to curiosity, to boldness, to being fully in the moment, has carried this through every season of growth, pause, and reinvention.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I tell stories of brave people. Stepping into each day, and showing up.

Liv the Adventurer was born from a deep desire to document the inspiring bravery of humanity. I don’t look for polished moments, I look for authentic ones that often hide in the corners shadowed by normality. The way someone’s eyes light up when they talk about their music, or making their grandmother’s recipe. The grit it takes to keep showing up. The laughter and sigh between the chaos. I believe those moments deserve to be seen, honored, and remembered.

My work blends documentary photography and film to capture humans in their element. Often in community spaces, creative environments, or in the middle of figuring life out. What sets me apart is how I see people. I don’t direct as much as I get the honor of witnessing. I create with the intention of building a reflection. Something that lets each person see a piece of their own story and feel the dignity in it.

One of the core goals behind Liv the Adventurer is to not only inspire others through the stories I share, but to show the people I photograph and film just how proud they should be of themselves and their own story. Sometimes we don’t realize how courageous we are until someone speaks words back to us of our own bravery.

My professional path hasn’t been linear. I’ve spent over a decade in wedding photography and videography, worked in food service, and built a career in consulting and strategy, often serving as the right hand to visionaries and entrepreneurs. After a long personal journey navigating the realities of living with a chronic illness, returning to creative work felt like coming back from the dead. I wanted to make space again for my initial vision and why I ever picked up a camera in the first place. Creating this brand has been about documenting the stories of people who fight through what’s hard, and to explore the dichotomy of being human.

It hasn’t always been easy to balance that with everything else I do. But I’ve learned to protect my rest and creativity time, to stay in motion (literally, movement and music are my anchors), and to keep coming back to why I started.

What I want the world to know is this:
Liv the Adventurer is about documenting presence, not performance. It’s about honoring the courage it can take to live an ordinary day. And it’s about reminding people through images and story, that who they are, as they are, is worth celebrating. Find that piece of yourself, and grow.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d kick things off in Colorado Springs with a morning bike ride in Palmer Park or Ute Valley, followed by a stop at Yellow Mountain Tea House for some tea and bao buns. We’d take our time, sitting back, sipping, and catching up on life. After that, we’d hit Red Rock Canyon Open Space for a short hike, then make our way up the mountain to camp. We’d cook over an open fire, kick back under the stars, and just enjoy the quiet.

The next day, we’d swing back into the Springs and make our way to Frankly Coffee for an iced matcha with oat milk. For lunch, Shuga’s spicy shrimp coconut soup and a Cubano sandwich are non-negotiable. Later that evening, we’d join my friends for The Wednesday Ride, biking around town, and then relax at Goat Patch Brewing, trading stories with the people we met. We’d cap off the night at Chiba Bar, grabbing late-night food and drinks, and chatting until sleep drags us away.

Later in the week, we’d take a day trip to Denver. We’d start at the Botanical Gardens, then stroll through the park nearby, hoping to catch some One Wheel polo in action. For lunch, we’d grab pizza and kombucha at Brewability swapping stories about life with the staff, then wrap up the day with a show at The Gothic Theatre.

Before they left town, one more day of necessary adventures: we’d swing by Nightingale back in the Springs for fresh bread and croissants before biking the loop at Garden of the Gods. We’d take in the view and make coffee in the parking lot to savor the moment just a bit longer. After that, we’d explore Old Colorado City and check out some local art in the shops. Then, we’d grab lunch at Mother Muffs. Gotta be stuffed French toast or the Greek skillet with peppered bacon. In the afternoon, we’d wander through the Fine Art Center before finishing up the day at Monse’s Pupuseria, watching the sky fade as we devour on some seriously good birria tacos. Ending the trip with one last hurrah, we’d grab our quarters and go to Supernova for drinks and arcade games.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! No journey is ever truly a solo endeavor, and I’m deeply grateful for the people and influences that have helped shape mine.

First and foremost, I want to shout out the mentors and friends who held space for both my grit and my growth. There were seasons where I didn’t yet have the language for my vision, but they saw it anyway and advised me to act in alignment with my values. To trust the process, lean into fear, and whisper “let’s do this.”

I’d also like to recognize the entrepreneurs and creatives I’ve had the honor of working alongside. Their courage to build and pivot while staying aligned with their values has simultaneously sharpened mine. Every client I’ve partnered with has not only trusted me with their dreams and personal life, but also challenged me to elevate my own standards of excellence, integrity, and care.

Lastly, a heartfelt shoutout to my community I get the honor of doing life with. The ones who remind me to rest, laugh, cry, and stay human. Whether it’s over late-night calls, or shared meals cooked in the woods on the side of a mountain. That kind of support is sacred, and I carry it with me every day.

This shoutout is wide-reaching, because community is wide-reaching. And I wouldn’t be who I am without them.

Website: https://livtheadventurer.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/livtheadventurer

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviagarretson

Other: https://substack.com/@livtheadventurer

Image Credits
Photo of me taken by Randy McKinney
All other images taken by myself.