newborn SESSION
portland newborn photographer
Newborn days are sleepy, snuggly, incredible, and absolutely exhausting. As your Portland newborn photographer, I create a session experience that is simple, gentle on tired new parents, and feels relaxed and comfortable.
I'll come to your Portland-area home with a calm, quiet energy and gently lead you through the session, so you can focus on what matters most: getting cozy as a family and cuddling with your new baby.
We'll create images that bottle up the feeling of these early days: your growing love, the sweet tender moments of breathing in your newborn, the chaos of changing a onesie (if you know, you know), and the wild energy of older siblings.
We'll also document baby's sweet tiny details while they stay in natural, comfortable positions - mostly snuggled up in your arms!
Relaxed, Cozy Newborn Photos for Your Growing Family
$775
Newborn sessions are usually done in your home, which allows you to stay cozy and keep your baby comfortable. It’s also lovely because home is where you’ll be spending most of your early weeks with the baby, and it is really nice to have photos that document that memory in a beautiful way.
We’ll usually use 2-3 rooms in your home; these are often the main bedroom, the living room, and the nursery. Pay attention to when your favorite rooms get the most natural light, and try to schedule your session during that time frame. I also love to step out into the yard for a few outdoor photos when possible.
in-home newborn sessions in portland
My goal is always to create images that exude warmth and intimacy, while keeping the vibe cozy, cuddly, and playful. I’ll guide you into positions that work well for photos, but the session won’t be heavily posed, and I don’t use any props. Your baby will spend most of the time in their favorite place - your arms.
Your gallery will include plenty of beautiful photos of your baby and all their little details - fingers, toes, eyelashes, belly button, and any other details that you want to remember. We’ll capture everyone in the family snuggled up with the baby, and I always try to get big sibling portraits, too. I also love to include shots of playful moments, family pets, your home, the nursery, family heirlooms, etc. - basically anything that helps to freeze this very special moment in time for you.
cozy newborn photos with the whole family
"Laurel was absolutely wonderful while capturing photos of our little one and family! I highly recommend. It was easy to schedule, communication was wonderful, and she helped us feel at ease during the session. She gave us great direction on what to do throughout our time together - which I mentioned I wanted - and the photos came out beautifully! " - S.K.
- One full Newborn Session, usually in your Portland-area home, sometime in the month or so after your babe is born.
- Guidance on choosing outfits for the whole family and preparing your home for the session
- Payment spread out ($200 at booking, the remainder on the day of the session)
- Flexible scheduling
- A full gallery from with 100+ high-resolution digital images, delivered within 3-4 weeks, ready for instant download and sharing!
what is included in your newborn session?
To book a newborn session, choose a day shortly after your due date. We will nail down the exact date & time after your baby arrives. During the booking process, you will sign a contract and put down a deposit of $200.
01
BOOKING
02
PREPARING
03
DURING
04
AFTER
To book a newborn session, choose a day shortly after your due date. We will nail down the exact date & time after your baby arrives. During the booking process, you will sign a contract and put down a deposit of $200
01
BOOKING
02
PREPARING
03
DURING
04
AFTER
04
AFTER
You’ll get a handful of sneak peeks within a few days, and your full gallery within 3-4 weeks. The gallery will include all the best images - at least 100, often more. You’ll be able to instantly download and share all of the images, and even order high-quality prints and wall art directly from your gallery.
Please get in touch via the Contact Form here. I will respond ASAP.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
01
BOOKING
02
PREPARING
03
DURING
You’ll get a handful of sneak peeks within a few days, and your full gallery within 3-4 weeks. The gallery will include all the best images - at least 100, often more. You’ll be able to instantly download and share all of the images, and even order high-quality prints and wall art directly from your gallery.
Please get in touch via the Contact Form here. I will respond ASAP.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
01
BOOKING
02
PREPARING
03
DURING
04
AFTER
"We had the best experience with Mountain Laurel Photo. The newborn trenches are rough and it’s so easy to miss the beauty of it- we’re so thankful that Laurel captured the beauty of our newborn baby and our family so we can treasure it forever. She made the process comfortable and easy for us. Definitely recommend working with Laurel!!"
- A.S.
This three-session bundle lets you rest easy knowing that your baby’s first year will be well-documented with beautiful photos highlighting all the newborn bliss, 6 month milestones, and first year joy. Option to add on a Maternity Session, too!
photo session packages
A bump-to-baby bundle designed to celebrate your beautiful pregnancy and the birth of your precious new babe. Two full sessions, one easy booking process, and all the help you need so that it is a stress-free, easy, and enjoyable experience.
maternity & newborn package
baby's first year package
newborn session faqs
You have a few options - I’m here to guide you, not demand a strict timeline!
In the first week or two after birth, your baby is likely to still be quite sleepy and scrunchy-faced. Their belly button will probably still be healing, and they will generally look very tiny and very new. Some people love this stage (I’m one of them) but it’s not for everyone and that’s okay!
Between 2-5 weeks, your baby will probably be a bit more alert and awake, able to look at you and into the camera more. Photos during this time are going to be a little more interactive. However they’ll be less tiny newborn and closer to real baby.
After about 5-6 weeks we’re leaving the official newborn stage, but if this is when you’re feeling ready to invite a photographer into your space, it’s still absolutely worth it to take the photos! There’s no wrong time to document your new baby.
when is the best time to book my portland newborn photo session?
I've never had a baby cry during the whole session, and I've also never had a newborn session where the baby didn't cry at all. We'll take it as it comes. These sessions are intentionally slow, relaxed, and baby-led; I encourage you to soothe your baby however they need, whenever they need. As a bonus, those moments of soothing make for some of the snuggliest photos.
what if my baby fusses or cries the whole time?
My friend, I get it. We will only be using a couple rooms in the house - often it's the main bedroom, the living room, and/or the nursery. We can absolutely do the entire session in one room if that's all you've got the capacity for. You can literally stuff everything in a closet, throw a nice bedspread on your bed and call it good (better yet, get your partner to do all that while you rest).
Additionally, I'm always available via email and text if you want some feedback on whether a space will work.
We also have the option of taking it outside if the Portland weather is cooperating enough that baby will be comfortable! If this is what you'd prefer, just let me know when you book and we'll decide on a great location together.
The prep guide I'll be sending you after booking has more details and tips for preparing for photos in your home. If you'd like to take a look at the guide now, just request it below and I'll send it right over.
i'm overwhelmed and my house is a mess. i don't even know what my question is. help!
By providing your email address, you are opting in to my monthly-ish email newsletter. I promise not to send you junk. You can unsubscribe anytime.
I totally get it - I too have a feral 2 year old, and our second baby's newborn session was chaos! But the images are gorgeous and true to how that season of life felt in our family; when I look at them I see the laughter, the snuggles, and only sometimes remember how my toddler fell down the stairs in the middle of the session.
So yes, I can help! I have a decade of experience wrangling toddlers, and nothing fazes me anymore. I'm pretty good at connecting with kids and making the experience fun for them. We'll offer them ways to participate, and let them run off to do their own thing when they need a break. I cover this in more detail in the prep guide, as well!
i'm worried about how my other kids will behave during a newborn photo session - can you help?
Yes! I'm always happy to get a few photos with grandparents and the kids. However if you're looking for multiple combinations of extended family members, consider booking an Extended Family Session instead - it's a different type of session with a different focus and workflow.
grandparents will be in town for the baby's birth; can we include them in the Newborn Session?
Yes - you always have the option to keep your photos private! During the booking process you will be given a handful of privacy options to choose from.
Can I keep my photos private?
I am based out of Troutdale, which is right at the start of the Columbia River Gorge, 10 minutes from Gresham. There are plenty of outdoor locations I love to work at in the Portland area, and I will come to your home anywhere between Hood River and Hillsboro! I spend lots of time in Portland proper, and often travel to Beaverton, Tigard, North Portland, Sandy, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, West Linn, and Vancouver, WA.
What areas around Portland, Oregon do you serve?
Great! Send me a message via the contact form here and I will answer them ASAP.
