Laurel is phenomenal! We initially used laurel for our maternity photos and we were so blown away by her work, there was no way we weren't going to use her for our newborn photos as well. Laurel is SUCH an artist. If you're worried about disrupting your newborn to get good photos, DONT! Laurel really takes her time, she has the room so warm and cozy for your baby, soft music playing and a sound machine going. Just when I thought she couldn't be more of an artist I realized that she is also a baby whisperer. It you're hoping to capture the most beautiful photos of some of the most special moments in your life, USE LAUREL. Cannot speak highly enough. I also want to note that Laurel is SO easy to work with. She does such an amazing job to help guide the shoots, telling you where to look & how to pose. She takes all of the work out of it and makes it a truly enjoyable experience! I wish I could give her more stars. 10/10 recommend! read more

Laurel Z Photography - Session Photography Near Me

Laurel was phenomenal with communications and punctuality. She was understanding with a winter-ish session and accomodated a reschedule when we ended up being sick the day of the shoot. She was comfortable and charming to work with. Our family of teenagers had fun doing an urban shoot in downtown Martinez and she really has such an eye for lighting and manifesting wonderful shots in front of urban backdrops. I would highly recommend her services. read more

Laurel was amazing! She took great care with our baby, she made sure she and her assistant wore masks (when I requested) and they washed their hands before holding my baby. They were gentle and very experienced with newborn posing. Baby was comfortable and slept through the entire session. The pictures were phenomenal, our friends and family still mention how beautiful our pictures turned out. Highly recommend! read more

Laurel Z Photography - Session Photography Near Me

We hired Laurel to photograph our 6-month-old daughter in her nursery in July. Laurel was professional, kind, engaging, and flexible. She worked absolute magic with our baby, capturing her exactly as she is at this precious stage. We don't know how we'll choose which photos to have printed; they're all perfect. Thanks, Laurel! read more

We were lucky to find Laurel several years ago to do our newborn and family photos when we had our second daughter. Since then we've also done holiday photos with her in her studio, where she handcrafts a beautiful holiday design that is different every year. We also just had another newborn session with her for our 3rd baby. Laurel makes family photos so easy with her friendly personality, huge client closet with beautiful clothing for all the mamas and kids, and the adorable baby clothes/wraps/props. It's so nice not to have to figure out what to wear for the whole family! I literally went in with leggings and uggs but felt beautiful once she pulled some options for us from her closet. My girls also loved playing with the cute toys she has in the studio. Definitely reach out to her if you're looking for a talented family photographer. read more

I've hesitated to write this, but I don't want what happened to me to happen to someone else. I booked Laurel for the storytellers package as a maternity shoot for my twins. I was so excited as I didn't get a maternity shoot with my firstborn due to covid. We had the session and I was so excited to see the photos, but they never came. I reached out to Laurel at 6 weeks after our session asking where the photos were. She had told me that turnaround time would be 2-3 weeks. She told me the photos had been "damaged" and that she didn't have them. She offered to re shoot them but I was 37 weeks along, on bedrest at that point unable to even walk around my house. I am so devastated by this situation. What photographer doesn't back up their files? When I asked to have the memory card so I could see if a company could retrieve the pictures, she declined saying she had a guy. The guy turned out to be her dad. After a LOT of prodding, she agreed to send the card off. Of course nothing came of that. While she did refund me and apologize, I'm still very sad I'll never have those images. I'm also disappointed that someone who touts themselves as a professional would wait for me to reach out 6 full weeks after the session to tell me what was going on. Had she checked the photos 1-3 weeks after our session, we could have re shot them. I would advise booking a more professional photographer if your session has any deep meaning for you. read more

Laurel is amazing! She went above and beyond with our prenatal photoshoot! We were a little nervous and awkward prior to the shoot and were immediately at ease working with Laurel. The location was beautiful and really unique and her studio is gorgeous. I would recommend Laurel to anyone looking for a photographer. She's exceptional! read more

We are so incredibly fortunate to have found Laurel Z photography. Laurel does it all! Any vision you come to her with she truly can bring to life. Newborn photo shoot? Incredible! Family photo shoot ( in studio AND Outside ) Nails it! Urban, downtown photo shoot? Out of this world! Intimate mommy & me? Seriously heart melting. Her studio is stocked with everything you could possibly need for any photo shoot. it's so easy to just show up and let laurel do the rest. Finding outfits for photo shoots can be so stressful but laurel has so many different flattering options for every member of the family! ( my husband even snagged a shirt for our newborn shoot ) I love how her studio offers a lifestyle look but at the same time she can get those wrapped newborn basket poses as well. From the moment we met laurel she has felt like a lifelong friend. She has a kind, easygoing & down to earth personality and is truly a breath of fresh air. Her photos are hung all over our home and I'll cherish them forever. Don't hesitate to book for any of your photography needs! You won't be disappointed. read more

Laurel Z Photography - Bts laurel is great with kids! - Session Photography Near Me

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Laurel is amazing. From our first phone call to our last email, she was so welcoming and friendly. The day of the shoot our newborn arrived wide awake. Laurel took over rocking her and having her by the heater until she finally went to sleep. Every photo she captured was perfect. I highly recommend her. Check out her IG photos. All the pictures are stunning. read more

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Laurel is the best family photographer! She takes gorgeous photos, is very warm and fun to work with, and takes a lot of care with her editing. She is very good at making the whole family comfortable, so your photos capture the real beauty and joy of your family. I absolutely love her work! Highly recommend! read more

To say Laurel is amazing is an understatement! She is very easy to work with. Somehow she captures the most incredible magical moments. She is creative, kind, and understanding. I'm not one to put outfits together for a family shoot so the fact that she has a client closet is super helpful. Her studio is super cute and she always pics amazing outdoor locations. I would 10/10 recommend her! I've used her services several times! read more

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Laurel is such a talented photographer and amazing person. We've used her for engagement photos, wedding elopement photos and I'll be using her for upcoming maternity as well. She is just incredible and so easy to work with! read more

Laurel is so talented! I recently visited her very cute studio for a maternity/motherhood session. She spent more time with me than I planned and got my photos back to me super quick! Her posing, lighting and editing are fantastic. I am eager to go back for our newborn and family photos this fall! Thank you, Laurel! You are amazing! read more

Laurel Z Photography - Session Photography Near Me

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Very awesome photographer all the pictures she took are absolutely beautiful I have a photographer I go to for my newborn pics and just thought I would try someone new and I'm glad I did. Every time I look at them I just smile and complaints are given every day on fb and ig I recommend this photographer 1000% u will be happy. She is very good with newborns. read more

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Laurel is the best photographer in the East Bay! My husband and I hired Laurel for both or engagement and wedding photos. She has a great artistic eye and knows the most wonderful spots for photos. She times your shoot for the most perfect natural light. Laurel is personable and easy to work with. Many members of our wedding party commented on how nice and easy she was to work with. She captured all our special moments without being obvious or in the way of our experience. She is also prompt at getting photos to you afterward. What bride isn't dying to see her wedding photos?! My family and friends are still gushing over our photos. read more

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We absolutely LOVED our newborn pictures. Laurel is a baby whisperer. I still don't know how she got our baby to sleep on demand. It was a pleasure watching her work and the results were beautiful. read more

Taking a family's picture has to be one of the most challenging parts of a photographer's job. To not have the cooperation of children, to be able to capture all the family members, looking their best, and to meet the expectations of the client, it cannot be easy. We had no expectations going in, as it was our family's first experience with a professional photographer. After our experience with Laurel, I only wish we would have found Laurel Z Photography sooner. We do family photos every year, even before we had our boys, back when it was just me and my husband. Now 15 years later, with our family of five, we've done a majority of them at Picture People. Looking back at all the pictures, it's apparent, year after year, they are all pretty much the same. Same faces (growing), same poses, same room, same background, always with a newly-trained-for-the-Christmas-season amateur photographer. This year, we wanted something new!!! Our hope was to get some great, unique, and timeless outdoor shots of our family. I went on Facebook, and asked my friends and family for Photographer referrals, and it was recommended that we call Laurel Z Photography. Laurel was on the ball, from my first inquiry to her, she responded in record time. She was kind enough to work around our busy work schedules, and met us at a predetermined outdoor location. Upon arrival, she made us feel very comfortable. She was friendly, relaxed and laid back, which made us feel immediately at ease. Our three wild and energetic boys did not phase her. I, myself was a little embarrassed that they would not cooperate. But, Laurel did not fret, she went with the flow, kept them on track, was patient as can be. We were able to accomplish a lot, she took a bunch of photos, with different poses, in different areas of the park, all within about 1 hour. She had a very quick turn around for sending us our photos. To our amazement, when we opened our gallery, she presented us with our timeless family photos. She was able to capture my family member's true personalities. I believe that photography is an art, it takes a keen eye to capture the moment, this talent not everyone encompasses. Laurel is definitely a true professional. We are very grateful to have found her, and we look forward to the next time she will take our family's photos. Thank you Laurel, we love our family photos, and we are big fans of your work!!! read more

Others have said it here too but Laurel is truly a baby whisperer. And toddler whisper! We were lucky to just have a mother session at her studio (it's beautiful!) and my normally photo-reluctant shy toddler had a blast. My toddler was twirling, laughing, playing peek-a-boo with Laurel, it could not have gone any better. My baby was all smiles and was fixed on Laurel's smile and her camera. Laurel sets the stage for an easy photo session! Her studio is also stocked with great kids toys so that older kids can play while mom and dad take photos or while mom and baby take photos. I walked into the session anxious because you never know how kids will do in those situations, so I was shocked at the end to see how easy and fun it was. I was so impressed, so much so that I thought to write a review. Also, she has SO many clothing options for mommas and kids/babies which makes it so much easier on us mommas (and on our budget!). We showed up in comfy clothes and it was so nice not to worry about outfits as Laurel styled us and had so many options - I'm talkin at least 30 dresses to choose from for women and another 30 for kids, and tons of accessories (bows, hats, headbands). Laurel's eye for capturing moments and beauty is exceptional. I would highly recommend a session with her. read more

Absolutey amazing work. We've used her services for about 2 years now, and she never disappoints. The care she puts into each and every photo shines through. She has a gift of being able to capture the finest moments, speechless. Being able to get our kids to not only sit still, but smile, that takes talent! We also love how she makes the photo shoot fun, not a chore for the kids. Great work, would recommend her over and over. read more

We've had five sessions with Laurel now, with the sixth coming up in a few weeks. We just ADORE her! Laurel is so easy to work with, completely understands the ups and downs of working with small children, and was clear in communicating with us from scheduling to photo delivery. My boys are spirited (to say the least) and Laurel gracefully rolls with their every move. I'm extremely grateful to Laurel for capturing the essence of who we are as a family with every session: chaos, giggles, and lots of love! I treasure our photos from her. read more

I wanted to do an in-studio maternity/mommy-and-me shoot for baby #2 (since I didn't do one for baby #1) and it was such a great idea! Laurel's studio is fully equipped with beautiful, flowy dresses (in neutral and bold colors), kid's dresses, and a corner full of kid's toys to keep your kid occupied if you're doing any solo shots. I loved how all-inclusive this process was because sometimes wardrobe is the hardest thing to figure out when it comes to photo shoots. Laurel was such a pleasure to communicate with via email and work with in person. She was really great with my two-year-old daughter too! If you're into her style (check her IG for more photos), then I would highly recommend her. read more

Laurel is an amazing photographer with such a friendly personality! We hired her for our maternity photos as well as our newborn's pictures! I definitely would recommend her!! read more

Just left and couldn't be happier and more grateful for the experience ! Not only amazing at calming our baby but provided a super welcoming environment for us as well! Can't thank you enough read more

Laurel is reliable, reasonable and professional. She goes above and beyond for every client. She has an amazing eye for catching memories with her camera. Great with kids and pets too!! read more

Laurel is absolutely amazing! She took newborn photos for us today and she was incredibly patient with my non cooperative 2.5 year old and a baby whisperer when it came to getting my newborn cozy and posed. She has the cutest props and blankets, and put together a ton of cute set ups for the baby. She let us take over her studio and made us feel extremely comfortable and at home. We will absolutely be using her again for family photos. I can't wait to see the pictures! I know they will be perfect. read more

Laurel has photographed my family for the last 3 years and I have to say she has done outstanding work capturing amazing moments that I can look back on for years to come. She has done family shoots with my son & all his cousins, tree farm shoots during Christmas time, the first photos of my daughter & the most special first photos of my 3 year old son with his newborn baby sister. I highly recommend booking her for your next photo shoot you will be extremely happy with the results. read more

We did an in-home newborn session with Laurel - not only did she provide gorgeous photos but she was also a pleasure to work with and she was amazing with our toddler. We will definitely return to Laurel for future family photo shoots. read more

We've had several sessions with Laurel and each time she absolutely amazes us! She is truly gifted at her craft. We've had other photographers and they don't even compare let alone come close. Yesterday we had a studio session with Laurel for our newborn and I know the pictures are going to be fantastic, like magazine fantastic! Laurel is top notch and she's positively lovey to work with! Simply the best. read more

For the 2nd year in row now our family has used Laurel for our family photos. Not only is Laurel a true professional, the passion/love she has for her work radiates through each special shot. Laurel is incredibly personable & working with her has been a great experience from scheduling date/time/location to the finished product being shared. I would highly recommend Laurel to anyone who is interested in creating a beautiful memory :) read more

Laurel has photographed my family, maternity, and newborn photos. They all turned out better than I ever imagined. I wasn't sure how the newborn photoshoot was going to go, but Laurel was amazing. She came in with props and accessories and even soothing music on her phone to calm my baby girl. Laurel's outgoing personality creates such a fun and easy going atmosphere. Her prices are totally reasonable and she has given me photos I will cherish forever. I highly recommend Laurel and will continue to use her for my family pictures in the future. read more

We chose Laurel to take our holiday pictures. Laurel was amazing to work with from the beginning of our transaction and throughout the entire process. Laurel made the process of setting up the photo session super easy and was very flexible to our needs. Our phone calls, emails were promptly answered and Laurel even kept in touch with text messages as we prepared to head out for our photo session. Communication was great!! Laurel was really good and patient with our boys (6 and 8 years old). The pictures came out very nice and exceeded our expectations. We couldn't be happier with the results. We have found our family photographer and we'll definitely be calling Laurel again. Definitely recommend!! Thank you so much for your great service :-) read more