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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.