and someone who sees what you carry.
about laurel
Your Bay Area & San Francisco Photographer
When I became a mother, I quickly realized something was missing. I had followed every expectation, checked every box, but in the quiet moments, I didn’t recognize myself. Motherhood had transformed me, yet I couldn’t see that transformation in any photo. What I felt was too nuanced, too real, to be captured by snapshots alone.
Photography became my way of finding light again.
Not just in my own story—but in yours.
I’m Laurel Smith, a Bay Area and San Francisco photographer devoted to helping mothers feel seen.
meet Laurel
Beyond being a photographer in San Francisco and the Bay Area, I’m also a mother of three, a lover of classical art and music, and someone who finds peace in wide open spaces.
Before photography, I worked in finance—meticulous and structured. That same attention to detail still shapes how I serve my clients today.
I’ve stood where you stand now.
Feeling the weight of it all. Wanting to do it right.
And through this work, I’ve learned that sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is pause—and see ourselves clearly.
More Than A Photographer.
I know what it is to bear both
the beauty and the burden of becoming.
In the middle of it all, the weight of responsibility, the changing body, the uncertainty, you carry love with such care.
You show up with intention, day after day.
You want to hold onto these moments, and see yourself as you truly are: worthy, strong, beautiful.
That’s why I do this work.
To help you see it too.
as a sf bay area photographer and a mom
- Kylie Raveston
Each time we walk away with beautiful pictures that perfectly capture our family.
Most recently, we trusted her to take our baby's newborn photos, and i'm so glad we did! she delivered gorgeous images of our baby that we cherish. Laurel is talented and professional. We look forward to using her services again in the future!
- Stacy Redd
We had such a wonderful experience working with Laurel! She took beautiful photos and made it such a fun yet professional experience.
Her vision as an artist made for the most perfect photos I could've ever hoped for!
- Laura P.
She worked with my family every step of the way to bring my vision to life—providing wardrobe, recommending hair and makeup, and capturing images of my daughter and me that I’ll treasure forever.
Pregnancy is a wild ride, and Laurel made me feel beautiful during a time I wasn’t feeling confident.
- Rika Hobart
I felt cared for and confident. I’m blown away by the final images and can’t recommend her enough!
From professional hair and makeup in my home to three gorgeous dresses and a pop-up changing room at the beach, Laurel thought of everything.
- Mary Johnson
Laurel did a wonderful job photographing my family with 2 kids under 5.
She was efficient with our time, knowing beforehand what poses and motions would get nice pictures, and how she wanted us to work with the lighting.
- Jessica Birk
She makes it fun for our kids and manages to capture everyone the way I see them as their mother. I cannot recommend Laurel enough! We will never use another photographer."
We have had 4 shoots with Laurel and each is better than the last.
- Alexa Linscott
Laurel captures light in such a beautiful way, I could not have been happier.
"We had a fabulous experience with Laurel in studio. My two year old was having a really hard day. Laurel was so gentle with her, and came up with great ideas to get some quality images despite the pout face. I was completely blown away when I received the images!!
