Top Family Photographers Perth - Hannah Laurent
Trying to find the perfect family photographer for you is not easy. You are wanting a photographer that is highly experienced photographing all different families, cultures and personalities and has the ability to bring out the best in them.
Hannah is one of those rare naturally talented photographers who can somehow just pick up a camera and capture those moments with precise timing. With her gentle persona, she is a master of building rapport with people of all ages, especially children.
We had a moment with Hannah to ask her a few questions about how she ended up photographing family portraits as a profession. Questions below…
Hannah Laurent - Zest Photographer
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you got your start in photography?
I’ve been shooting for myself and as a freelancer since I got my first camera in 2012. I worked with a lot of dancers and their creative projects and performances creating their advertising materials or personal portfolios and this is where I found my deep passion for photography and taking photos of people.
I started working in the Photographic industry when I was 20 as a children’s portrait photographer with Kapture Photography and then worked for Imagine That and Scene to Believe.
I was the lead wedding Photographer for Partografia, and I believe this is where my abilities and where my skills really started to strengthen. Here I really began to connect with the people I was photographing and understand who my clients are and what they wanted.
Now being a Zest Photographer, I know I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be.
Studio Portraits have opened a world of creativity and connection that I just can’t get enough of. Being in the presence of three talented and driven photographers has taken my passion for this industry to a level I didn’t know was possible.
I’ve learnt so much about myself and what my photography is capable of, but most of all I’ve learned that I have a deep passion for family photography and photographing children in this environment as I can bring out the best in them. Being in the studio allows me to focus on who the people are, their personalities and their relationships!
I’ve never been happier!
2. You specialize in photographing children and family photography, can you give us some background on family photography and how this became your niche?
I started photographing family outdoor portraits on occasions for family members and friends of friends that knew of my work. During photographing many of the weddings, I was photographing families all day long in their home environments and got to see and learn about them, their culture, their relationships and what they valued as a family.
But it wasn’t until I started here at Zest that I found a real passion.
The love and connection I found I was able to capture and create in the studio really opened my eyes to how special those intimate moments really are and giving that to someone forever is something I truly value.
3. What is your favourite part about a family session?
I have always been able to connect with kids being the first born on both sides of my family.
I have three younger siblings and nine younger cousins who I was very close with.
So, as you can imagine, I love an energetic family photo shoot! Especially when it’s full of playing and hearing about what it is the kids love to do, capturing them with their favourite toys or book.
I love the creativity kids have and the chaos they bring into the studio… such a beautiful thing.
4. Being in front of the camera can be uncomfortable for many people. How do you coax a nervous family to relax and trust your direction?
I tend to pull everyone’s focus on the kids and just chatting about the things they do at home together and what they love about each other.
I find it’s all about being in the moment and just being themselves.
I’m the one focusing on posing and where to stand and I guide them through their family photo shoot so I don’t expect my families to worry about any of that at all.
Once they realise that the key is to simply enjoy each other’s company, the rest is easy.
5. In this digital age, we are constantly bombarded by visual stimulation and imagery. How do you decompress or where do you seek inspiration?
I’ve realised that I have quite a healthy relationship with social media and the online world.
I love studying artists work, be that photographers or painters. I love checking out how photographers photograph their creative portraits and what different tools and techniques they use.
The fact that so much information is available on the internet, I am able to access other artists social media and source so many ideas from their creativity
I also get inspiration from the incredible photography team around me as we constantly bounce ideas off each other and never stop challenging each other.
6. Do you have a preference of using natural light vs studio light?
I was exclusively a natural light photographer up until about a year ago, so I’m well accustomed to both natural and studio lighting.
In my opinion, with how I’ve experienced my growth and professionalism in my photos. I would say that photographing studio light has taken my family photography to a another level.
The amount of control it allows me to have in my shoots has taught me how I can master my attention to detail and that I can focus more on the people I photograph rather than all the distractions in an outdoor setting.
This is something I never would have been aware of as just an outdoor photographer and that has changed the way I photograph for ever. I prefer the studio because the focus is on the families, the personalities, and the emotion rather than them being absorbed into the scenery, apart of the background.
7. You are a very successful photographer. What do you attribute your success as a photographer to?
My success as a family photographer has absolutely come from the people around me and the inspirational Zest photographers that I get to spend all my days with.
I’ve learnt more from Gary (Owner of Zest( in such a short period of time, that I thought would have taken me years and years of experience to gain on my own.
The success has been created by the drive towards being one of the best family photographers in the state and this has really started to open a new world for me.
I also believe that because I am totally aligned with all my values in my life and knowing that I am doing what I truly love has helped along the way. I am blessed to be doing what I do.
8. What advice do you have for families looking to come in for a family portrait shoot?
I know how valuable having these photographic experiences are.
Those unique moments and memories you create for your kids to one day look back on is something you’ll be so grateful that you did for them, and as parents for yourselves!
Life is so short; we grow and change so quickly so appreciate every second of your kids growing and changing with life.
I recommend really researching your family photographers. You want to choose someone you trust to capture who your family truly is, because you’ll all only be this age once and then the moments are gone. However, a quality photographer will capture these moments as you want to remember them by.
Find a family photographer that wants to know your family and who cares about creating what’s important to you.
If you are interested in booking a Zest Photography newborn, family, or children’s portrait photography experience, call 0862453150 or email us at info@zestphotography.com.au.