Style Sunday - An Interview with Nan Lawson

This week we are taking a trip into Europe with our rose colored glasses. The photography of Nan Lawson is romantic and poetic and features tiny, intimate details as well as the gorgeous and grand architecture of some of Europe's most famous cities.

Nan started taking photos when she graduated from high school. "I took a trip to Europe and found myself behind the lens for most of the trip," said said. "Once in College I majored in Film, which kept me behind a different kind of camera, but I still focused on the composition of each shot." Nan also took several classes in photography and spent many hours in the dark room. "Since then I have gone mostly digital, although I still have some lomography cameras that I love to use," she said. "I shoot mostly with my Nikon D40 and then do most of my editing in Photoshop."

FPOE
When did you realized you were a photographer?

Nan

It was an instant realization when I got back my first roll of film that this was something I loved and something I was good at.

FPOE
How would you describe your style?

Nan

Eclectic. I love the look of soft and dreamy photos with muted tones, but I also love colorful and sharp photos. My subject matter can vary from architecture, to typewriters, beaches, and skies.

FPOE
What inspires you to pick up your camera?

Nan

I am usually struck by the way the light hits an object. I am less interested in what I am looking at and more interested in the way the light looks.

FPOE
What subjects really speak to you?

Nan

Anything in my home: my shoes, my typewriters, my teapot, all are beautiful and sentimental to me. When outside I love old buildings and windows. I also really love photographing the beach. Capturing that feeling of the breeze, the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun is such a challenge and joy for me.

FPOE
Tell me a little bit about your shooting and editing process.
Nan

When I am outside I shoot from the hip, I usually only take one or two photos of something and then move on. When inside I carefully compose and take as many photos as needed to get the right shot. I edit in Photoshop using several different techniques to get the look I want.

FPOE
What was the process that brought you to Etsy?

Nan

I actually started selling illustrations on Etsy before opening my photography shop, so I had already had a firm knowledge of and presence on Etsy.

FPOE
What has your experience selling been?

Nan

Selling photography online has been a slow process for me. I just recently started to really stock my shop with a wide array of inventory, and it seems to be working as the sales have steadily increased since I expanded.

FPOE
Do you sell other products other than photos?

Nan
I actually have a really successful illustration shop on Etsy that is separate from my photography shop (nanlawson.etsy.com). I also sell "Wearable Art" in both shops, which is jewelry with my art inside of it. The first batch sold out so fast! I definitely plan on making more.

FPOE
Any advice to other photographers selling on Etsy?

Nan
My advice would be to offer a wide variety of images and sizes. Stock your shop with as many photos as you can. Also try to have a cohesive style so people will recognize your work.

To see more of Nan's work, check out her Etsy Shop:
http://study.etsy.com