Category / Learn Photography / Making Memories / Photography Techniques
This is our archive of postings about photography techniques. Lara has been a professional working photographer since 1996. Here she talks about all the tricks of the trade that she’s picked up over the years. Everything from what to wear to a family photo shoot to lighting techniques and more. We share these photography techniques with you so that you get a better sense of the depth of Lara’s photography knowledge. Sometimes I’ll post about some of the techniques that I use as a photographer’s assistant. It’s a jack of all trades role that can provide an interesting behind the scenes look about the business of photography. Which often involves lots of gaffer’s tape and contorting my body into silly and uncomfortable positions.
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Take Aww-Inspiring Photos
Whether on a road trip, a camping weekend, cruising on a boat, flying off to a dream destination—or a Seattle staycation—we humans tend to take a lot of photos when we’re out and about. Here are three tips for taking better ones. Whether you use your phone or pack your high-tech gear, these will help…
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Pet Pic Tips – Photos at Home
It’s hard not to appreciate the spontaneous joie de vivre expressed by our furry friends! For that reason, it’s always a challenge to capture their cutest poses and true natures. Here are my best tips for photographing—and celebrating—our four-legged companions. May is National Pet Month, after all. Ways to capture the looks you love. It…
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The Fun Begins Now
Now that you have your life back after the holidays, doesn’t it feel good to relax a bit, let go, hang out in your pj’s and play with your kids, partner, friends, pets—whoever? Getting cozy in the winter comes naturally. And cozy makes for great pictures, the kind you look back on later with a…
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Imaginative Portraits – Model of the Month
For this project, Seattle Photographer Lara Grauer was focused on imagination. The goal was to explore stories that went beyond the Seattle photography studio, and brought imagination to life. Brenda loves to read. She reads multiple books per week, and especially likes to read mystery novels. With that in mind, we decided to let Brenda…
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Studio Portraits Vs Environmental Portrait Photography
An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject's usual environment, such as in their home or workplace. A typical environmental portrait simply will illuminate a subject's life and surroundings. A studio portrait is a portrait which will focus less on surroundings and more on the individual by using sterile backdrops and props so… -
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Pine Ridge Park, Edmonds, WA
Lara Grauer Photography, Scouting Photo Shoot Locations in Edmonds It was a downright balmy 70 degrees and sunny here in Seattle today, a perfect day for us to get out of the studio where we have been busy with our recent “Seattle Headshots” campaign. Nice to be outdoors scouting a location for an upcoming photo…
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Fun with flash
I got out my speedlights and told my daughter it would be fun if she had her picture taken. To my delight, she agreed! I haven’t played like this in quite some time. Here are some fun shots, a total change of pace. All of the shots used a speedlight or two, and none of…
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5 reasons why I like to leave my lights at home
I’ve been a photographer for quite some time now. I’ve worked both in and out of the studio, with and without lighting equipment. Back when I was first starting out on my own as a photographer, I must admit I was a bit afraid of lighting. I didn’t know much about it (the mall studios…
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That Lucky Shot
I spent last week up at Fort Casey, in Coupeville, Washington last week. I was volunteering at the parent-run camp for my kids’ school. Of course I brought my camera; how could I not? And besides, I was the designated “camp photographer” for the week, so it was a required. The first day we…
