Client Lounge
Thank you so much for choosing Laurie LaPorte Photography! I’m truly honored to help capture your family’s special moments. Every family has a story, and I’m here to help you tell yours with photos that show the love, laughter, and connection you share. I focus on capturing the real, heartfelt moments: the sleepy newborn yawns, the wobbly toddler steps, and all the milestones you’ll want to remember forever.
My goal is to make your session feel easy, fun, and completely stress-free.
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On this page, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your session. And if you have any questions at all, just send me an email. I’m always happy to help. I'm excited to capture your story!
Your Family Session
You’ve booked your session—what’s next?
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We’ll connect over email within a couple of weeks of your session date to finalize details like time and location, and to discuss any questions you may have.​
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Every family is different, so every photo session is a little different, too. I try to keep things as natural and relaxed as possible. For most of the session, I won’t give a ton of direction. If your kids want to run, we'll let them run! I'll gently guide everyone toward the best light, and we’ll mix in some posed shots with lots of candid moments. We might play a few games to help everyone loosen up. If we’re outdoors, we might take a little walk, search for leaves, or look for bugs. Every so often, I’ll have everyone group together for a few more "official" photos.
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If we’re shooting at your home, it’s the same easygoing vibe. I might ask the kids to show me their rooms or favorite toys, maybe even jump on the bed (if that's okay with you!). We’ll head outside for a few posed photos, too, and probably play a few games along the way.
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Here are some tips to help you prepare for your session with me.
Location: We’ll work together to select the ideal location for your photos. In-home photos tend to be less formal and more "real". Kids often loosen up when showing me their room or riding their bike, which makes the photos more natural (and gives me a sense of who they are, thus making it easier for me to capture their real smile). Photos at other locations tend to be more formal and less candid (though we still try to run around a bit). I have many outdoor locations that would be a great backdrop for your family session. For any location, I promise some posed group shots, so it's a matter of your comfort zone.
Time: If we are shooting outdoors, we will shoot either in the early morning or evening to avoid harsh midday light. If your children are up for it, shooting one to two hours before sunset provides gorgeous light and atmosphere. If we are shooting in your home, I prefer late morning, since homes are usually lit best at that time.
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Length of Session: My family sessions last about an hour. Please arrive and be ready to start on time. It's best to arrive early. We can't ask the sun to set any later, so let's start on time to capture the best photos!
What to Wear: You don't need to dress up: everyone is happier when they are comfortable and can move easily! Coordination is the goal when choosing for your family, and I'll help you choose colors that work well together without being matchy-matchy.
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Your Children: Preparing your children for our session in advance can help ease any nervousness they may have. Let them know about the fun activities we will be doing, such as playing games and telling jokes. It's helpful to talk about me as a friend to make them feel more comfortable. Encouraging natural smiles rather than forcing them to pose can lead to the best results. If needed, I may ask for your assistance in helping them relax during the session. Offering a small treat or the promise of ice cream after the session can also be a great motivator. Just be sure to choose snacks that won't leave a mess on their faces (gummies, Tic Tacs, mini marshmallows, Cheerios). ​
Please ask me any questions you have.
Your Newborn Session
I know the first weeks home with your newborn are not the easiest, and now you’re considering a photographer to document these first moments with your baby. You may be wondering what to expect at an in-home newborn session.
You deserve an easy, laid-back, meaningful newborn photography experience that will capture the perfection of your baby in your arms and surrounded by family in the comfort of your home.
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Time: The best time for in-home sessions is the late morning hours when the outside light is best and the baby is happiest. I’d like to aim for about 10 AM. I realize with big siblings and parents’ work schedules, this time frame is not always possible, but I will do my best to accommodate whatever time works for your family.
Location: The photo session will embrace the natural light in your home. When I arrive, we’ll take a tour of the home to find the best light for your photos. We’ll get your family next to the windows, and you’ll be amazed by the light that comes into your home, even on cloudy days. I'll have an “emergency flash” with me to brighten the room in case the day suddenly turns black (but we won’t need it). Don’t worry about cleaning up - once we decide on the best location, we’ll figure out if anything needs to be moved and take care of it then! If you have them, white and/or solid sheets on the bed in the primary bedroom will help keep focus on the baby in photos.
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Session Flow: I practice “baby-led” photography that will center around what the baby needs while I’m there. When the baby needs to be fed or held, the baby will be fed or held. Babies belong in their parents’ arms during this fourth trimester, and we will get some amazing photos that show the parent/family/baby connection. I’ll aim for photos with the entire family, with siblings, and with parents together and separately. If the baby is up for photos alone, I’ll take 10-15 minutes to capture some natural photos of them swaddled, diapered, dressed in a onesie, or their skin. While I may ask you to look at the camera for some photos, in most situations, you and your partner will be looking at each other or the baby while I'm capturing your family.
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Siblings: I understand what it's like to bring home a new baby to big siblings, and I know how their worlds have been just turned upside-down. Prepare big siblings for the session by telling them a friend will be coming by to take photos of the family (surprises don't turn out well). I'll try to get some photos with the siblings and the entire family right away before they lose interest. Expectations are low, and I won't force them to do anything that makes them uncomfortable.
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Wardrobe: Comfortable and simple are best! I want you to feel like yourself in your photos. It’s best to avoid neon colors and big logos if possible. Don’t hesitate to send me clothing choices if you're stuck. For the baby, a simple white onesie and some swaddles are all they need.
Length of Session: These aren’t the 3-4 hour sessions you hear about when newborns go into a studio. These first weeks with a newborn are precious, and I don’t want to impose on your family time. This in-home newborn session will last about an hour or so. I'll make sure to be efficient in capturing the most important moments for your family.
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Please reach out with any questions. I'm excited to capture your growing family!​