Olivia Rose is leading a new wave of photographic talent who are championing personality and character via the unknown and the unique. Channelling her innovative aesthetic through her photography with fearless vigour, Olivia is not only confronting the industry with the idea of imperfection, but also with issues of racism and classism attached to her work – issues that continue to flourish in institutions and society today.” Charlotte Harding for British Journal of Photography
Olivia Rose is a multi-award-winning director and photographer based in London. Since beginning a career in portrait photography over a decade ago, Olivia’s work has been exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery and Somerset House and appeared on the pages of Vogue, i-D and Elle. As a director, she has worked with Spotify, Nike, Skepta and Jorja Smith.
After graduating from London College of Fashion with a First in Fashion Photography in 2007, Olivia’s portraits have appeared on the covers of the Guardian Guide [Skepta], Brick [Giggs] and King Kong Magazine [Slowthai] and in the pages of Elle and i-D magazine. She regularly shoots fashion editorial for i-D and British Vogue, preferring to street cast her subjects rather than using industry models in an attempt to broaden representation. In September 2016 Olivia published the Penderyn nominated and Amazon best selling book 'This Is Grime’ to wide critical acclaim. She was one of only 100 photographers selected to show work across the country in the British Journal of Photography's 'Portrait of Britain’ 2018, and, in 2019, the National Portrait Gallery acquired six of Olivia’s portraits for their permanent collection, including those of Stormzy, Skepta and Jorja Smith. Her commercial clients include The Barbican, Napapijri, ASOS and Nike and she has taken press shots for everyone from Tom Grennan to Kano, Grace Carter and Ray BLK. Olivia’s imagery has been featured on billboards and merchandise across the globe.
With over a decade of experience shooting portrait photography, Olivia began directing in 2018. Her first commission was a primetime TV commercial for Spotify and Jorja Smith and she has since made shorts for Elle x Nike and music videos for Skepta [‘Pure Water’] 6lack ft. Future [‘East Atlanta Love Letter’] and Ty Dolla $ign ft. J Cole [‘Purple Emoji’]. Her video for Jorja Smith's 'Blue Lights' won Best UK Urban Video at the UKMVAs in 2018. As a creative director, Olivia recently worked on Kano’s critically acclaimed, award-winning album ‘Hoodies All Summer’.
In addition to her photography and film work, Olivia is also a tireless advocate for representation within the industry. She frequently mentors young people and works with local community initiatives and regularly appears on panels and podcasts.
Olivia’s outstanding work and constant commitment to creating a truly inclusive industry makes her without a doubt one of the most respected, and important, photographers and directors of her generation and having completed her LFA screenwriting course in February, she’s ready to take on the new challenge of writing that award-winning screenplay!
