Lara Grauer, PPA Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Serving The Seattle Area Since 2008.
[email protected] | 206-724-2177
Hello, I’m Lara Grauer, Seattle photographer, Certified Professional Photographer and member of the PPA Professional Photographers of America. I’ve been a photographer since 1996 and over the past 21 years I’ve photographed countless children and families, pets, weddings and events, and headshots for professionals of all stripes including actors, attorneys, executives, and social media, and dating profiles.
I do on-location photo sessions all around Seattle, including Downtown, South Lake Union, Magnolia, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Wallingford, Ravenna, Magnuson, out across Lake Washington to Bellevue, Redmond and Issaquah and, phew, all the way up North to Everett. I’ll come to you, because you’ll look your best where you’re most comfortable. I also do studio sessions by appointment in our home studio or in a larger remote studio as needed on a per project basis.
I began my serendipitous journey into photography while studying theatre in college. Living life to its fullest is a critical skill for every actor to master, and that was no exception for me. By developing an inquisitive, playful, and laid-back attitude, I discovered an element of life that I had forgotten: the glimmering feeling of child-like connection and wonder. The unique stories I encountered through acting made use of that glimmer, and paralleled my ongoing study of life. When I enrolled in classes to learn photography during college, I found the same forgotten glimmer illuminated in most every image I studied. There was a cross-over between theatre and photography that was hard to articulate, but it felt very real in my soul. This glimmer-on-paper was enough to grab me and keep me coming back.
I use my skills to bring people closer to the essence of this thing we think of as life. I know we all have it inside of us: the ability to truly live in each and every moment and I see it prominently in the subjects I photograph. That sparkling radiance is there in all of us. I aim to uncover it in those who have forgotten.
I want to wake people up to the magic of living fluidly and freely, so that they can rekindle the childlike radiance that glows within them. From there we will discover the incredible gift of happiness and prosperity that lies in store for all of us – as long as we are willing to claim it.
When it’s time to get to work, I prepare myself by engaging with the shimmering stillness that lives in the now. I let my guard down, and allow the fluidity of the moment guide me. What is it around me that wants to be seen? Does it want to play, or perhaps it needs some space? I stay open to surprises and I follow them when they appear. I’ve learned to trust my intuitive process because a playful approach consistently yields beautiful imagery.
Along the way to my current life as a photographic artist, I earned my bachelor of science degree at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. I majored in both Theatre and Linguistics. While I was at NU, I enrolled in every photography class I could find. All of my courses focused on black and white film photography, with a brief introduction to Photoshop during my sophomore year. It was the first – and last – time I used a film scanner!
In 1996, I began shooting publicity photographs for student theatre productions and a cappella groups; thus beginning my professional career. Since I graduated in 1998, I’ve been a photographer in a variety of settings. I’ve worked on pet portraits, professional headshots, children’s and family portraits, high school senior pictures, maternity photos, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, women’s boudoir portraiture, newborn photography, along with some food photography, product photography, landscape images, and unique pieces of mixed-media art that depict the world as I see it.
Over the past several years, I have served on the board of the Seattle Professional Photographers Association as Secretary, and then President. I am currently a member of the Professional Photographers of America. I’ve produced several winning images in various print competitions at SPPA, and I’ve enjoyed displaying my work in various art shows around Seattle, Shoreline, and Tacoma. I am currently a partner member of the Puget Sound Pet Business Network, and HeARTs Speak. I am always studying business management and various art techniques.
Professionally we’re Lara and Art but our friends know us as Art and La. We’ve been joined at the hip since high school. We’re proud parents of two kids, a dog, and a guinea pig. I’m the photographer and Art supports me in all my endeavors. We love what we do and we have a ton of fun doing it, and we’re darned proud of this thing we’ve built.
CPP Certified Professional Photographer
Photographer's Assistant
We’ll get together to dream about your perfect portraits and all the ways and places you might want to display them. Then we’ll develop a plan for your custom work, covering things like color choices, display placement, framing, and design. I offer heirloom art in sizes that are sure to have an impact. You’ll see examples that include a mixed-media oil painting, an original fine art print in a sleek frame, a classical canvas display, and more.
We’ll meet on location for your photo session, and I’ll create a fun, relaxed environment where everyone can let their best self shine. The duration for your session will depend entirely on the plan we develop in Step One. Usually it’s an hour or two in a single location. Sometimes it’s multiple shorter sessions over a few days. Multiple outfits are welcome.
You’ll relax for a week or two while I edit and prepare your images. We’ll meet, I’ll present the images, you’ll shed a tear (or shriek with excitement), and you’ll make your purchasing decisions. If you want, I’ll make some recommendations so that you can make your choices with confidence. Then I’ll get to work finalizing your portraits with detailed editing and retouching. Finally I’ll assemble and deliver your order. All through the process, you’ll have open access to me via phone and email. The portraits you purchase will be kept safe in my archives for future reference.
People describe me as fun, personable, and patient. I view work as play, and aim to find fun and excitement around every corner. I’m also very serious about anything I’ve committed myself to. If I commit to something, I make sureI do it, and do it right.
I’ve got two awesome kids – a girl and a boy – who are so fun, and super smart. I don’t mind bragging about my kids a little bit now and then. They both have such kind hearts. It makes me so proud.
Growing up, I was always involved in the arts somehow: I danced for many years, I was involved in theatre from the very beginning, and after exploring many visual art forms, I discovered I’ve got a knack for photography (go figure)! But when it comes to my life on a day-to-day basis, I’m mostly a home-body. I like to be out and about, but my adventures are pretty low-key. I like walks with Art, I like trips to the beach, I like time spent with friends, and I’m easily persuaded to head out for coffee or lunch.
Have any questions? Looking to book a session? Fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch right away.
Here’s an on-location behind the scenes photo of Lara standing on a counter-top, arranging items for a product shot. It was one of those moments that I just couldn’t pass up. Lara was standing on our client’s marble-topped kitchen island organizing roses, eggs, fancy napkins and assorted ingredients for an overhead top-down shot. The kitchen island…
In late 2016, I earned my professional photographer certification (CPP) from the Professional Photographers of America. I was excited to receive this distinction; especially because I had worked darned hard for it. In order to be certified, a photographer must pass a written exam about the technical aspects of photography, and then she must submit…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Seattle Photographer Earns Certification Lara Grauer of Lara Grauer Photography joins prestigious group as a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) SEATTLE, WA, – Lara Grauer, CPP of Lara Grauer Photography in Seattle, WA has earned the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation from Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Lara earned this designation after completing an intensive program that measures her artistic…
