Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Donahue.
Lisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Growing up in Rochester, NY, home to the very first camera, my father worked for Eastman Kodak so I was always posing and smiling for every camera I saw. After moving to New York City to pursue modeling, I realize that every time I booked a job, I would ask the photographers way too much about their job when I should have been doing mine! After moving to LA, I found myself on the CBS show Big Brother were on the very 1st episode I actually lied saying that I was ‘real’ photographer! Well, talk about speaking things into fruition, after the show I purchased my 1st real camera flew to Italy and spent a month learning all the ins and outs of photography…and now, 18 years later…I haven’t stopped since!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road for me was not smooth in the beginning. Digital cameras were just coming out, and I love my old school roots so giving up film was hard! The first camera that I took to Italy with me was actually film! So I was a bit late to the digital game. Learning digital aside, I did return to Rochester for a bit and started my professional career there. Shooting by word of mouth was easy in my hometown….but once returning to LA, it was like starting all over again.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lisa Donahue Photography – what should we know?
I specialize in capturing emotions, and have had the privilege to experience everything from births to weddings and all events in between! I love to brighten people’s days and help them preserve memories. When our city was first quarantined, I was just as distraught as anyone but knew that I wanted to keep giving. I took on my quarantine photo project to break up people’s days in front of Netflix or the computer and try to give them a bit of fun.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
When I shoot, I shoot with my heart. I also like to believe that I’ve been blessed with an incredible superpower with kids! Not quite sure how I do it sometimes…but I’ve always been able to turn the most stubborn ones around, even to the point where they don’t want me to leave! (maybe it’s my hidden candy!)
Contact Info:
- Website: LisaDonahuePhotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheLisaDonahue
- Facebook: Lisa Donahue Photography
Image Credit:
Stephanie Dergarabedian
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