Meet Olivia Van Dyke — a photographer and visual storyteller drawn to connection, emotion, and place. Her work captures the quiet beauty of in-between moments—those fleeting glimpses that make time feel like it’s standing still. Olivia has traveled the world documenting people, landscapes, and stories that move her. Whether shooting on 35mm film or working with brands and collaborators, she brings a deeply intentional, heartfelt lens to everything she creates.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve always been creative and introspective, drawn to moments of beauty. That’s how photography came into my life—not as a sudden decision, but as something that slowly revealed itself, like it had been waiting for me all along.
If you’d asked me ten years ago what I’d be doing now, I probably would’ve said something different. But looking back, this path feels inevitable. My work is rooted in connection, emotion, and place. Whether I’m documenting people, landscapes, or something in between, I’m always chasing the feeling of the moments in between that make time feel like it’s standing still.
When I was younger, all I knew was that I wanted to travel and somehow make a living doing it—I just didn’t know how. I always loved the camera and the way it connected me to people, how it broke down barriers. It was such a passion of mine, but I hadn’t yet realized it could become a career.
After a life-changing event, I picked up my camera, and this time, I dove headfirst into creating the life I had always dreamed of.
When I began working professionally, I was constantly amazed that I could make a living through photography—that I could honor my artistic self and be supported by it. That I could carry this gift around the world and not just find success, but thrive in ways I never imagined.
It’s incredible where the camera can take you. Within just two years, I was traveling almost full-time. The more I leaned into my vision, the bigger the opportunities became—doors opened to projects beyond my wildest dreams. Photography took me to the most remote corners of the world, and to people and places that forever changed me.
It has given me a language for the things I feel most deeply—a freedom to express, to connect, and to shape the life I’ve always dreamt of. A connection to myself and the world around me. This, to me, is the ultimate paradise found.
When did you start photography and what was the spark?
I’ve been shooting photographs ever since I can remember! It was that classic draw to my dad’s film camera. I shot rolls and rolls of film—capturing my friends, my family, and anything that called to me. My bedroom walls were covered from floor to ceiling with photos, and I had boxes filled with film negatives. I loved the way I could capture the people closest to me, moments I always wanted to remember, and places that inspired me. I remember the day digital cameras came out—I thought they were the coolest invention ever, finally allowing me to shoot without restrictions. The funny thing is, here I am 20+ years later, shooting on 35mm film again, savoring each frame, each moment. It really feels like coming full circle.
Name of location and why you decided to choose this place.
I chose Milos, Greece, because my time there was more than just a travel experience—it was about connection. I met one of my now best friends on that island, a model named Francesca, who happens to be in most of the images and who I continue to work and travel with to this day. It’s been one of the most expansive friendships of my life, both personally and professionally, and I often look back on our first days together in Greece with so much gratitude. That is paradise to me.
I arrived in Milos during a season when I felt lost and unsure of my path. That island and the people there held me through it. The landscapes felt otherworldly—like something out of a dream. I still think about floating in the crystal-clear water, watching sunlight dance across the rocks, walking on the moon at Sarakiniko Beach, and the quiet sway of laundry drying in the golden light. Everything moved slower there, and somehow, it all felt more meaningful.
Life in Milos felt still, peaceful, and timeless. A place that quietly changed me.
1. Woman on the rock – Firopotamos, Milos
Solitude in the Aegean. This was one of those in-between moments—quiet, simple, sun-soaked. It reminds me of how grounding it felt to be still.
2. Man fishing – Adamas Port, Milos
The rhythm of island life. He was there just watching and waiting. There’s something so meditative about fishing, and it mirrored how I felt during that time—learning to be patient, present, and okay with the unknown.
3. Drying octopus – Klima, Milos
This is one of my favorite scenes in Milos—octopus drying over turquoise water. It felt so deeply connected to place. While I don’t eat octopus for ethical reasons, there was something compelling about this scene—the sense of tradition, of culture. It felt like a window into another world, one that’s both ancient and alive.
4. Swimmer and boat – Mandrakia, Milos
Weightless. The sea in Milos is impossibly clear—it holds you gently and reminds you to let go.
5. The dive – Firopotamos, Milos
This shot is all about surrender and the freedom felt jumping into the ocean. It captures how Milos made us feel—expansive, open, alive.
6. Sarakiniko Beach, Milos
Sarakiniko is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. The white rock made everything feel surreal, like we were floating through space. It was impossible not to be in awe. We played on these rocks for hours.
7. Swimming by the cliffs – Tsigrado, Milos
This was one of the first places we swam together. We stumbled upon it after lunch one day and spent the afternoon with the locals.
8. Window – Pollonia, Milos
Francesca in the window of our Airbnb. I climbed onto the neighbor’s rooftop to take this photo. It’s one of those portraits that holds more than what’s seen—a softness, a trust, the start of a creative connection that changed everything for me.
9. Yellow dress – above Plaka, Milos
This was taken just before sunset, exploring the hills. We drove with no destination and came upon this beautiful scene. The light was heavy and golden, and we were so content. It felt like a breath.
10. Laundry in the courtyard – Trypiti, Milos
The beauty of the everyday. The soft colors, the open shadows, the linen dancing in the breeze—it felt like a moment from a dream. It reminded me that beauty lives in the quiet, ordinary things.
What makes this destination paradise to you?
To me, paradise is more than just a beautiful place—it’s the faces, the culture, and the feeling of being immersed in a community. Milos was paradise for me in so many ways. It was the combination of raw natural beauty and the laid-back, openhearted energy of the people. It wasn’t just a location—it was a feeling. A place where we could simply be.
Type of camera used
All of the images were shot on 35mm film using a Canon EOS 1V, between Kodak Colour Plus, Kodak Portra 160, and Portra 400.
There’s something about film that mirrors the way Milos felt—slow, intentional, full of texture. It captures the light differently, moments with softness and depth. Film makes you pay attention—it invites presence. And that presence is exactly what I found on this island.
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