Donna Lawson Photography

Don't Miss This Great Giveaway!!

2011-12-05T12:52:00.003-06:00

Join Ashe Design for their 12 Days of Christmas Celebration and win thousands of dollars in photography-related prizes now through Dec. 12: Ashe Designs 12 Days of Christmas - ENTER HERE!

No time for portraits this year but you need cards?

2011-11-01T09:43:00.002-05:00

No time for portraits this year but you need cards? I can create beautiful holidays cards for you using your own images. Same price as you receive in sessions, and when you order your cards in November, the first image is retouched FREE and additional retouching is only $3.00 per image!* Email Donna (donna@donnalawsonphotography.com) to place your order!

* Some images may required additional fees if there is extensive work or corrections to be done. You will be informed of this prior to work being started.

C 2011 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Fall Specials Are Here!

2011-08-15T15:34:00.001-05:00

Take advantage of the new Fall Specials and start gearing up for the holidays!

Gear Up For Holidays Special: Book a portrait session by November 15, 2011. Buy 25 holiday cards and get an additional 25 cards FREE! (Design fee is extra)

Friendship Special: Grab a friend, book your sessions and save! When you and your friend book your separate sessions at the same time, each of you will get amazing deals! (Book both sessions by September 30, 2011)

Each friend will get a $25 referral bonus to use at a later date. Referral bonuses can be saved up and used together for sessions, prints, albums, or any designs.

Each friend will get to take advantage of our "Gearing Up For Holidays" special (buy at least 25 holiday cards and get an additional 25 FREE)

After both main sessions have been completed, the friends get a special Mini Friendship Session to get a few shots of them together. This is a 1/2 hour session that includes 1-2 people from each group.

Shop Etsy - Great Holiday Gifts and SAVINGS!

2011-08-10T13:41:00.002-05:00

The holiday season is coming up fast and what better way to SAVE money, AVOID HASSLE and KEEP YOU PEACE OF MIND then to shop Etsy.com! The vendors on Etsy provide unique, handmade and one-of-a-kind items that fit just about anyone's tastes and budget. From vintage to paintings, beads to bows, and everything in between, all you have to do is look, and there is bound to be something for sale!

To gear up for the Holiday season, my Etsy store, full of my fine art prints, will be having all sorts of sales. Currently, I am offering 10% everything in the store. Simply use the code SHOPANDSAVE at checkout.

There is also a BUY 2 GET 1 FREE sale going on. On top of both these discounts, customers will get free artwork with every purchase! Check out my store here: Fine Art by Donna Lawson Photography

There are hundreds of sellers hosting sales! You can even custom order products from some shops - all without leaving the comfort of your home. Plus you'll be supporting tons of small businesses - how awesome is that?!

Here are a few shops that I love and recommend checking out!

jmaeson creations - Janie is from the Austin area and does amazing work! She has clutches, pincushions, and all sorts of fun and unique items. She also has a shop just for Holiday items. Check it out at jmaesons Christmas All Year Long

MADART - Megan is based out of Florida and does amazing, one-of-a-kind artwork that is just breath taking! She is also having a HUGE clearance sale right now. Perfect for those on a budget! Her work has been featured on many other Etsy sites, and has been made into fabrics for purses, laptop bags, and other awesome items. Check out her store to find out more!

So sit back, relax, and shop Etsy for all your holiday (and day-to-day) needs. There is a spectacular world waiting for you to discover, and it's just a click away!

**All images and products are the copyright and property of the artists. Do not copy any images**

Exciting trip to Austin's Botanical Gardens!

2011-08-02T13:23:00.000-05:00

Over the Holiday weekend of July 4th, my family went to Austin's Botanical Gardens. We had a lot of fun, despite the heat! It was a great chance to get some nice shots, and I thought I'd share with everyone.

We toured the Japanese water gardens, full of water lilies, ponds, bridges, and lots of bamboo! The gardens also had a pond full of water lilies at the entrance, and there was a few dragonflies that were lounging on the flowers.

All in all, I got some great floral shots, and we didn't even get to half the garden! I am looking forward to going back and shooting more - when it's a bit cooler!

C 2011 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

The Sales Continue! Buy 2 Get 1 FREE On All Fine Art Prints!!

2011-06-30T14:42:00.036-05:00

Thanks to everyone who made the "Thank You" sale a huge success! To keep the sales rolling, enjoy 1 FREE PRINT when you purchase 2 prints of equal or greater value! Check out my shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLawsonPhoto for more details and to purchase these and other great art pieces.

There are great pieces that will fit any decor and will make wonderful gifts! Plus, it's never too early to start Holiday shopping, and what better way to save than with a free print!

All images are original photographs or artwork, everything is printed in a professional lab, and each piece is signed/dated by the artist so you have lasting masterpiece to add to your collection. There are also many images that go together or work well mixed-and-matched!

All listings are for 8x10, however I offer many different sizes, just ask! Again, thank you for supporting and encouraging Donna Lawson Photography! It's my great clients and fans who keep me shooting every day!

C 2011 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson. Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

We reached 30 "likes" on Facebook!

2011-06-24T14:35:00.002-05:00

Thank you to everyone for your show of support. We have reached 30 "Likes" on Facebook and are continuing to grow strong. Just like most small businesses, we thrive on your referrals. Here is a special deal to celebrate!

Now through Sunday, June 26th, receive $25 off your session fee when you book and pay for your session and CD!

This is a great way to get ahead for Holiday portraits and cards, Senior portraits, announcements, or just about anything!

Also remember that for every friend you refer to Donna Lawson Photography who spends at least $75 with us, you will receive a $25 credit! These credits can be used for any DLP service: Sessions, Prints, Albums, etc. There is no limit to how many credits you can earn, so start referring friends today to earn your free items!

Tel: 512-508-9067

Email: Donna@donnalawsonphotography.com

Also see my wide selection of fine art prints for sale at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaLawsonPhoto

It's Hot In Austin! Photography Tips To Create A Cool Session.

2011-06-09T13:00:00.007-05:00

Spring and summer are seasons where the grass gets green, flowers start blooming and kids are out of school. This is also a huge season for outdoor photography and portrait sessions. Here are a few tips I’ve learned help make outdoor portrait sessions more fun and relaxed as well as getting you, the client, the best possible memories.

- Skip the Prints. Some clothing prints may not seem “busy”, but when put against a natural background of flowers, trees, rocks, or most anything outdoors, it can become distracting. While not every print will always be distracting, a great rule of thumb when planning your portrait outfits is to stick to solid colors. Matching outfits or even just colors is a great way to keep the portraits uniform if there is more than one person in the picture. Darker and medium tones are usually best, but white shirts/tops can also look crisp against green grasses, bluebonnets, and colorful wild flowers.

- Plan Ahead. Since portrait sessions have to be scheduled, plan ahead with things like errands, naps and meals. While these things sometimes cannot be avoided, planning helps the preparation go smoother, especially if children are involved. Things such as having meals ready to eat before hopping in the car help to avoid spills and stains along the way. Also having a spare outfit (or 2) per person as a backup is always a smart idea, for those “just in case” moments. The main focus is to have a stress free outing and portrait session that is filled with lots of fun!

Don’t Be Shy. Some of the best portraits are the most candid – families laughing, a couple stealing a quick kiss or glance, a little toddler exploring. While posed portraits are wonderful, also take time to have fun and let your personalities shine through.

I hope these few tips and tricks will help you when booking your next outdoor portrait session. Remember to have fun – the portraits will reflect it!

The temperature is heating up here in Austin! Remember to book your portrait sessions soon. It’s never too early to start getting ready for Holiday Greeting Cards!! Call or email today! 512-508-9067 or donna@donnalawsonphotography.com.

Until we meet soon!

Photography Tips - Dogs. How to get the best session with your furry friends!

2011-06-08T15:20:00.006-05:00

Summer is a great time to get you pet photographed! Call us to book a pet session today!

Here are a few tips that I thought are helpful and have been passing along to clients when they have me photograph their poochies. Hope they help you too!

- Bring lots of different toys- squeaky ones or noise makers will help get their attention!

- Lots of treats! Before the shoot, think about not feeding the dogs, so they will be hungry and respond to the treats.

- Run around with them and be active before the shoot - get as much energy out as possible so you can get some relaxed poses while they rest, then pump things up when the energy is back! Since dogs tend to like jumping in lakes, rolling around in mud, etc. it is better to get the relaxed poses at the beginning before you start running and playing with them.

- Think about bringing a thin, retractable leash. For places that do not let animals off-leash, this is the best way for the owner to hold the dog and not be in the portrait. It also is the easiest to Photoshop out if you want it to look like the dog is not on a leash.

If you think of more, let me know! I love learning new ways to take better pictures. Thanks!

~ Donna

C 2011 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week - June 6, 2011

2011-06-06T23:23:00.001-05:00

Photograph of the Week - Little Miss Vivi.

I had the extreme pleasure of taking this little fireball's pictures in April for our bluebonnet season. We had such a great time, and Vivi's mom was such a huge help! We ran around, played in the flowers, and got some great shots of little Vivi trying to take her cute bonnet off! As many reading this know, toddlers are very active, and as photographers, we have to be able to not only keep up, but capture the cuteness in action.

Along with the bonnet, Vivi had this beautiful red chair that her grandmother had given her. Not only was it a great prop, but it added sentiment to the portraits, and it was something familiar to Vivi, so she was not shy about sitting in it. Bringing along special toys and items to a photo shoot is a great way parents can help ensure those special moments are captured naturally!

C 2011 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week - October 20, 2010

2010-10-20T15:29:00.016-05:00

Photograph of the Week - Flower at the Denver Zoo

Life has taken over. When I realized that it has been over a year since my last post, I was amazed - and I had to post something right away!

I took a trip to Denver, CO in August for my brother's college graduation. We took his kids to the Denver Zoo, where I got a ton of awesome shots. The one above though stood out because it wasn't the typical "great photography shot" from a zoo. This flower was just part of the landscaping, sitting and looking beautiful. It has now become one of my favorites - the lighting, the angles, all just right and enhancing the natural beauty.

I'll get a few other zoo pictures up as well, but I wanted to start with this one. I hope not to be away so long again, and posting more often. Thanks for sticking with me! :)

C 2010 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.
Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week: May 26,2009

2009-05-26T20:40:00.013-05:00

Photograph of the Week: Sunrise in Jamaica

Hello All - it's been a while hasn't it? Since the last post, I've had a wonderful experience on a cruise, graduated college, and unfortunately lost a close member of my family. To say life has been hectic is an understatement!

This picture is one of my favorites that I got while on vacation. I was standing on my balcony on the ship and got to see the sun rise as we coasted into the port of Ochos Rios Jamaica. I have seen many beautiful sunrises, but this one was one of the best and took my breath away.

I will be posting more cruise pictures as I get them ready - so be on the look out! It's good to be back writing and I hope you'll all comment and let me know what you think!

Thanks and until next time....
~Donna

C 2009 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week: April 2, 2009

2009-04-02T22:07:00.010-05:00

Photograph of the Week: Vintage Sunset.

This is another in my "Vintage" trial series. I took this sunset picture in my backyard a few weeks ago and played with it to give it the vintage look. I have had some positive feedback on it but would like to see what everyone thinks.

As always, thank you for tuning in to my Photograph of the Week. Stay tuned because in the next few weeks I will have many pictures of the Grand Caymen Islands and Ocho Rios Jamacia. I am headed there on the 10th (next week - yay) and will return on the 16th. I am really looking forward to this oppretunity to photograph different locations!

~ Donna

C 2009 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week: March 13, 2009

2009-03-13T09:54:00.010-05:00

Photograph of the Week: Vintage Orchid

Hi all! As you can see, it has been a few weeks since my last post. I had an arm injury and was out of the look a bit, but I am caught up with work and back to show you something new I have been working on. I have been experimenting with creating a vintage look for my photography to give clients a different option. This orchid is one of my first trials.

Please let me know what you think! I am interested in comments and suggestions on how to improve this look. Thanks and talk with you again soon!

~Donna

C 2009 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week - Feb 19, 2009

2009-02-19T08:32:00.004-06:00

Photograph of the Week:
Bee and Flower

This is one of my most commented on images. I took this in Arizona when I was visiting my family a few years ago. We had stopped along the side of a little mountain road to look around and I was drawn to a little grove of beautiful yellow wildflowers. When I got closer I noticed this one lone bee gathering up pollen and thought that it was a really neat picture. I love being able to see his little "pollen pack" as he was hard at work.

~ Donna

C 2008 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Photograph of the Week - Feb. 9, 2009

2009-02-09T23:37:00.007-06:00

Photograph of the week:
Marlys' bridal shoot

I have had the privilege of photographing this lady several times, along with her family and new husband. Each session I have done with them has been incredible and they have been awesome experiences. This particular photograph is one of my personal favorites that I love looking at. It reminds me how much fun she and I had that day!

~Donna Lawson

C 2008 Donna Lawson Photography. Use and/or copies of this photograph are prohibited unless permission is given by Donna Lawson.

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.

Welcome to Donna's first blog!

2009-02-09T15:01:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone and thank you for vewing my first blog! I have never done any sort of "blogging" but I thought that it would be an awesome addition to my page. I hope that this becomes a popular place for clients, family, and friends to come see my "Photograph of the Week", comment on their sessions, and give me feedback about my work.

Thanks for visiting and stay tuned for more!

~Donna Lawson

Feedback and comments are welcome by all. Please keep posts appropriate to topic and subject matter. Any post with vulgar or foul language/content will be deleted. Thank you.