Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Driscoll.
Hi Laura, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
In 2012, I decided that I wanted to try to become a wedding and portrait photographer after having acquired my very first Canon digital SLR. I offered up two free engagement sessions, both brides inquired about photographing their weddings, and I ended up shooting 1 of those two weddings. I also photographed a wedding for a friend (that wedding was published by the Columbia Metro Magazine). Word of mouth started to spread, and I officially started Lola Dee Photography, LLC in 2013. I have been blessed to photograph nearly 300 weddings over the last decade and have been named one of the top wedding photographers in Columbia, South Carolina year after year by Expertise.com.
I became a member of the Professional Photographers of South Carolina (I served a year on the board and won several competitions) as well as the Professional Photographers of America – which is where I did most of my training through conventions and online resources. I was honored to be asked to be a judge for the local Columbia Camera Club’s print contest in 2019. I became very interested in off-camera flash photography as well as creative photography. When COVID 2020 happened and many weddings had to be rescheduled to 2021, I invested in mobile studio lighting and started working with local models to create fashion portraits. In the last six months, I have been pleased to have had my fashion portraits published worldwide by Hazl Magazine (twice), Praze Magazine, and Lybell Magazine (in their premier issue).
It was a privilege to have had two portraits displayed at the 2021 South Carolina State Fair with one winning First Place in the Color Photography Professional Division. I am also honored to have made the cover image of the Watson-Brown Foundation’s Legacy Volume 21, Issue 2 (also in their feature story). It is because of these accomplishments, I decided to officially announce that I am no longer offering all-day wedding photography coverage and will focus mainly on portrait photography. I will still offer event photography on a limited basis (up to 4-hours of coverage – perfect for elopements, vow renewals, receptions, and birthdays, etc.).
Even though I am based out of South Carolina, I am willing and wanting to travel (I have my passport ready!), I have a heart for the Lord, my husband, shelter animals (we have four rescued animals – two cats, two dogs), and the great outdoors. I’m excited to start this next chapter in Lola Dee Photography. Thank you for your time and for initiating this interview!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Having been a wedding photographer for nearly 10 years, I have a ton of stories that I could tell as there has never been a wedding day that has gone according to plan. Fortunately, I operate well under pressure and can be the strength that my clients need at that time.
From making a panic-stricken bride laugh by singing a children’s song on the spot to helping a bride put nude-colored tape on her ribcage to hide a tattoo that her father didn’t know about and was somewhat exposed in her wedding dress, I absolutely cherish all of the bumps on wedding days.
Fortunately, it has been my working relationships with clients that have returned them to me throughout the years as they remain portrait clients. I have even had the honor of photographing a client’s daughter’s wedding years after her own (she told her daughter she MUST use Lola Dee Photography!).
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Being an extroverted portrait photographer, I absolutely LOVE to meet new people. I pride myself in helping others feel comfortable in front of the camera and capturing beautiful moments that have brought tears of joy to my client’s eyes.
I have a degree in printing and have also worked in the printing industry for nearly 14 years, so my photography style is color correct and vibrant. I feel like this makes my images timeless. I absolutely love it when a client calls me with a new idea. The latest request was a local realtor who wanted outdoor headshots with her cat and dog for her new website.
This was such a fun photoshoot! My recent publications of my portraits have helped me realize that I am moving in the right direction with my business.
What are your plans for the future?
I just made this “BIG ANNOUNCEMENT” I am excited to finally share the news that Lola Dee Photography has a new website: www.loladeephotography.com and is now primarily a portrait photography service that will also offer up to 4-hours of event coverage. What does that mean?
Well, mainly that I’ll be stepping back from full-day 8-10 hour weddings. I would still love to book elopements, vow renewals, and all other types of wedding-related events on a smaller scale (as well as corporate events, birthday parties, etc). You may even see me at a wedding if I am a second photographer for another awesome local photographer. This may not be a total surprise if you’ve been keeping up with my recent work.
I used 2020 to invest in new studio gear and work with some awesome models to start shaping the type of work that I would love to continue to develop. With the recent international publication of that work, I know I’m on the right track! After 10 years and over 300 weddings, I’m excited to stretch myself as an artist in a different direction.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@loladeephotography.com
- Website: www.loladeephotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/loladeephoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/loladeephotography
