Conversations with Laurel Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurel Smith.

Hi Laurel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When my first baby was born, 10 years ago, I walked away from my career in finance to spend more time with him. At that time I found that it was hard to recognize myself in my new role as a mother. While I struggled through postpartum I found it incredibly therapeutic to seek out the light in my life through my camera. It was only through my growing passion of photography that I found beauty in this stage.

A few years into this journey of pursuing my passion of photography and pouring myself into learning everything I could about the technical aspects of my craft, a friend asked me to photograph her own journey into motherhood. I met her at a favorite trail in the fall of 2017 and surrounded by the glow of golden hour and the stunning autumn tones I noticed something even more incredible than our beautiful surroundings. I recognized the glow in my sweet friends expression, as if she was seeing herself as beautiful for the first time. In that moment I realized the power I had, to help other women experiencing their own transition into motherhood see the beauty in themselves through this stage of life.

Alright, 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?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road, as I’m sure more entrepreneur’s can relate to. One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my business has been relocating a location dependent business across the country. I began my business in Detroit, Michigan and now serve clients in the San Francisco Bay Area. Re-building my client base has been humbling, but has also pushed me to truly understand what my clients want in a photographer and keep up with the ever changing landscape.

Another challenge I have faced is the pressure to give clients what I think they want vs staying true to my art. I have found that by staying true to my art and creating the work that I love and am inspired to create I have been able to attract clients who truly value what I do.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a portrait photographer who focuses on motherhood, maternity, newborn, and early familyhood. My work centers around helping women see themselves in a season where they often don’t recognize themselves when they look in the mirror. I create images that feel quiet, intimate, and intentional, with a mix of editorial influence and softness.

The experience I offer is as important as the final artwork. I guide clients through every step, planning, wardrobe, location, hair and makeup, and designing artwork that will live in their homes. My background in finance shaped my love for thoughtful systems and service, but it’s motherhood that shaped my heart for this work.

I am most proud when clients tell me they felt truly cared for, not just photographed. Many of the women who come to me have walked a long road to motherhood. They’ve had loss, IVF, complicated pregnancies. Knowing that the experience gave them space to feel beautiful and grounded again means more to me than anything.

What sets my work apart is the level of intention. Nothing is rushed or accidental. I think deeply about light, composition, and emotion, but also about what these images will mean in ten or twenty years. My goal isn’t just to take a “pretty photo,” but to create an heirloom that feels honest and reverent, something that becomes part of their family history.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
As someone who has only been in the city for a few years I have loved exploring it! I think you could spend a lifetime visiting the beautiful and inspiring areas around the Bay and still never have the opportunity to experience them all. There’s something really special about living in a place where nature and culture are both so accessible — you can spend a quiet morning walking a coastal trail and then end the day surrounded by incredible food, art, and people from so many different backgrounds. That blend keeps life here feeling full and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurelsmithphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelsmithphotography/