International Award-Winning Fine Art Photographer
Betty Laurent’s Passion for Mothers and Babies
story by KAREN SNYDER
As a mother to four girls, portrait photographer Betty Laurent understands just how special a woman’s child-bearing years truly are and celebrates it through her exquisite fine art photography of mother and child.
Owner of Betty Laurent Photography Studio in Habersham Marketplace, Laurent’s work and award-winning skill as a fine art portrait photographer for maternity and newborns, is highly sought after throughout the Lowcountry and beyond. A self-taught photographer, French-born Laurent spent more than a decade traveling the world, carefully learning her craft and honing her artistry through the mentorship of other world-renown photographers.
According to Laurent, studying with nearly a dozen international photographers from Denmark, France, Ireland, and Canada — and across the U.S. — had the greatest influence on her work and encouraged her to become a professional photographer.
“Growing up on the French island of Reunion, a tropical island off the coast of South Africa, I’ve always been inspired by the bright colors found near water, and I try to reflect that in my work,” she explains, referring to her sunrise maternity photoshoots along the coastline. Serving families throughout the Lowcountry, including Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Savannah, Laurent says that she loves helping expectant mothers feel as beautiful as they are during their photography sessions.
“I recommend the mother be photographed at about 30-32 weeks,” she says, adding that she provides both studio and outdoor settings. “We live in such a beautiful area in Beaufort, so there’s plenty of outdoor options, whether it is the beach or beneath our beautiful Live Oak trees.
“Sessions for mothers wanting sunrise photographs usually last an hour or less before we begin losing the light,” explains Laurent. “Studio sessions can last up to 11/2 hours, depending on how many wardrobe changes the client would like.” Laurent provides a closet of extra long, beautifully designed gowns that maternity clients may use for their sessions. If needed, she also will help to book appointments with makeup artists and hairstylists. “I hope to one day add those services in the studio.” Betty Laurent Photography offers both Petite and Signature Maternity Sessions that range in price from $585-$900.
When it comes to babies, Laurent admits, “It was my own daughters that ignited my passion for newborn photography,” explaining that when her daughters were young, “I was obsessed with photographing them!” She sees her role as a newborn photographer as one that takes great responsibility. “No matter whether I’m photographing a maternity session or a newborn, I take all safety protocols. I’m fully vaccinated for not only COVID-19 but other viruses such as Whooping Cough and Influenza, and I always wear a mask, so I can keep mother and child healthy and safe.”
Laurent continues, “I know I’m being trusted to handle a newborn that’s just five days to two weeks old when I’m carefully posing them for each photograph. I take that very seriously.” According to Laurent, babies should be no older than three weeks for newborn sessions.
“We need to work on the baby’s schedule, whether napping or feeding,” she explains. “Once the baby is past three weeks that becomes too difficult. I need the baby to be flexible, to curl as they were in the womb, and to sleep as I take my photographs and macro shots of their little hands, toes, mouths, and eyelashes,” she explains.
Laurent offers both her Signature Sessions ($985), which can last 3-4 hours, depending on the baby’s schedule or Petite Sessions ($685), which typically last 1-2 hours. Due to the high demand for Laurent’s services, she recommends that the mother books the session with her based on the expected delivery date. If something needs to be adjusted later based on the actual delivery, Laurent adjusts her schedule accordingly.
As part of each session, Laurent provides digital images for downloading, prints, and a handmade heirloom box for the prints and other keepsakes. “I don’t want to simply hand my clients a memory stick full of their images to download. I think it’s important that they have physical prints of their images and a special box for their treasured memories.”
Perhaps it’s no surprise at all that Laurent pursued portrait photography with such passion and interest, leading to her Beaufort studio opening in 2010. Along with her sisters, she grew up “modeling” in her father’s in-home studio, where he pursued his interest in amateur photography. Today, Laurent does the same, viewing others’ special moments through the lens of her own camera.
Just as she learned from so many, Laurent says that it’s also her dream to teach maternity photography one day. “I’d also love to publish a book of my newborn images.”
For more information or to view Laurent’s extensive maternity and newborn portfolio, visit www.bettylaurentphotography.com or call the studio at 805-451-3043.
