Maternity, newborn and children's hotographer, Lauren Fitzgerald, is a Maryland Portrait artist based out of Western Howard County. Lauren works exclusively out of Valleybrook Studios, a scenic, 10-acre property which boasts beautiful old buildings, woodlands, ponds, streams and old stone structures.  Clients benefit from both outdoor and indoor photos during their session. 

Lauren is an award-winning writer and a seasoned photographer.  At the age of 13, Lauren had her own darkroom and created all of her own photography and film/print developing. 

With a love for both writing and photography, Lauren enrolled in the University of Maryland College of Journalism, where she studied advertising and photojournalism.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1991 with honors, and soon began working in the publishing and media industry.

In 1993, she and her husband, a computer-engineer and musician, purchased Valleybrook Farm, a beautiful property in Woodbine, Maryland.  They have spent the past 15 years restoring the old structures and creating an artistic retreat for artists, writers and musicians from all over Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.  Lauren uses the entire 10-acres as a backdrop to her portraits, something few area photographers can provide. 

Lauren has been capturing images on the property for a decade.  As a realist, her style has been described as earthy and organic.  Lauren's aesthetic is that of true, artistic portraiture, rejecting the trend of sterile, assembly-line portrait franchises.  Her photographs strive to capture the true spirit of the child and/or family, naturally, in natural settings.  Her philosophy carries over into her studio work, where she prefers to use earth-tones and lighting techniques that mimic natural light.

Late Spring, Summer and Late Fall are her busiest times, so appointments should be scheduled 3-4 weeks in advance during those months. 

In addition to photography, Lauren is the mother of three children, the oldest of whom suffers from an extremely rare neurological disease.  It is because of her personal experience with raising a handicapped child that she has also developed a particular interest and skill in photographing children with special needs.

To schedule a session, please send an e-mail to: lauren@lauren-fitzgerald.com or call 301-385-4906.