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A man in an orange shirt and blue jeans stands outdoors holding a professional camera with a large lens. The background includes green bushes, a brick building, and a stone railing.

Lawson retires as university photographer after nearly two decades

Friday, September 19, 2025

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | editor@okstate.edu

Compiling a selection of my favorite images from the past 18-plus years at OSU was not an easy task. 

There have been so many great moments, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of capturing so many wonderful moments at this great university and its people. 

While I could have selected many other images to include, these images stand out not only because they’re among the best of my photography, but because of the experiences and the stories behind them. That’s what matters most to me.

Gary Lawson's favorite photosIn his own words

Four individuals stand on a concrete surface outdoors, preparing to launch a large white weather balloon tethered to a gas cylinder. The balloon is partially inflated. The sky is clear with wispy clouds, and the low sun casts long shadows.
Four individuals stand on a concrete surface outdoors, preparing to launch a large white weather balloon tethered to a gas cylinder. The balloon is partially inflated. The sky is clear with wispy clouds, and the low sun casts long shadows.
Balloon launch (2023)It’s not often I get up before the sunrise, but I was rewarded with a nice image of aerospace students preparing to launch a balloon.Gary Lawson
A clear glass sphere resting on snow reflects an upside-down image of a snow-covered campus with red brick buildings and a central clock tower. The background is blurred, highlighting the sharp reflection inside the sphere.
A clear glass sphere resting on snow reflects an upside-down image of a snow-covered campus with red brick buildings and a central clock tower. The background is blurred, highlighting the sharp reflection inside the sphere.
Christmas ornament reflection (2021)Using a glass orb I bought during the pandemic, I was able to get a visually interesting photo of a snow-covered campus.Gary Lawson
A rodeo scene showing a cowboy in a white hat, blue jeans, and black vest wrestling a calf to the ground while riding a brown horse with white markings. Spectators in western attire watch from behind a fence in the background.
A rodeo scene showing a cowboy in a white hat, blue jeans, and black vest wrestling a calf to the ground while riding a brown horse with white markings. Spectators in western attire watch from behind a fence in the background.
Cowboy Stampede (2022)Homecoming is my favorite time of year, plus the Cowboy Stampede Rodeo gave me a chance to shoot some sports.Gary Lawson
A college football game between Baylor and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State player number 19 is on the ground while teammate number 82 reaches for Baylor player number 8. Baylor player number 76 is also visible.
A college football game between Baylor and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State player number 19 is on the ground while teammate number 82 reaches for Baylor player number 8. Baylor player number 76 is also visible.
OSU football vs. Baylor (2017)Shooting sports has always been among my favorites, and while I didn’t do many sporting events, I always relished football games for the great atmosphere and action.Gary Lawson
A black horse with a brown saddle and orange blanket stands inside a stable, facing a white dog with black spots sitting on the ground. Both animals wear orange bandanas.
A black horse with a brown saddle and orange blanket stands inside a stable, facing a white dog with black spots sitting on the ground. Both animals wear orange bandanas.
Bullet and Daisy (2014)Another memorable experience was trying to get a small dog and Bullet to pose long enough for a photo.Gary Lawson
A silhouette of a building with a tall, pointed spire set against a vibrant orange and yellow sunset sky. The building features an open structure near the top with columns and a small railing.
A silhouette of a building with a tall, pointed spire set against a vibrant orange and yellow sunset sky. The building features an open structure near the top with columns and a small railing.
Stillwater sunrise (2016)Another “early-riser” image taken from the top of the parking garage.Gary Lawson
A muscular individual in an orange and black singlet crouches with both hands on their knees. Their face is blurred, and tattoos are visible on both shoulders and chest.
A muscular individual in an orange and black singlet crouches with both hands on their knees. Their face is blurred, and tattoos are visible on both shoulders and chest.
Jordan Oliver (2011)Sort of an “accidental image that worked out” was of wrestler Jordan Oliver when one of the studio lights failed to go off, resulting in a menacing image of a champion wrestler.Gary Lawson
A scenic view of a university campus with a brick courtyard featuring tables and chairs, surrounded by trees. Large red brick academic buildings with white trim stand in the background, and a clock tower is visible on the right. A double rainbow arcs across the cloudy sky above.
A scenic view of a university campus with a brick courtyard featuring tables and chairs, surrounded by trees. Large red brick academic buildings with white trim stand in the background, and a clock tower is visible on the right. A double rainbow arcs across the cloudy sky above.
Double rainbow (2016)A double rainbow from the balcony at the Student Union after a morning rainstorm.Gary Lawson
A baseball pitcher in a white uniform with orange and black accents is captured mid-pitch. The baseball is in sharp focus as it moves toward the camera, while the pitcher’s body is blurred in the background to emphasize speed and motion.
A baseball pitcher in a white uniform with orange and black accents is captured mid-pitch. The baseball is in sharp focus as it moves toward the camera, while the pitcher’s body is blurred in the background to emphasize speed and motion.
OSU baseball vs UC-Davis (2013)One of the few times an image I wanted to get that actually worked out as planned, freezing the ball in flight after it left the pitcher’s hand.Gary Lawson
A total solar eclipse with the moon fully covering the sun, forming a dark circle surrounded by the bright, glowing ring of the sun’s corona against a black sky.
A total solar eclipse with the moon fully covering the sun, forming a dark circle surrounded by the bright, glowing ring of the sun’s corona against a black sky.
Solar eclipse (2024)The biggest highlight of my time at OSU was getting to experience the total eclipse in southeastern Oklahoma in April 2024. I was able to absorb the moment while capturing some remarkable images.Gary Lawson

Photos by: Gary Lawson

Story by: Gary Lawson | STATE Magazine

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