Welcome to Dandelion Portraits

Hi, I'm Laura.

I'm the person behind Dandelion Portraits, a pet photographer based right here in Orange County. If we ever meet in person, there's a good chance you'll catch me flat on the ground trying to get the shot, laughing at myself the whole time. That's pretty much how every session goes.

I came to this work through love, not a business plan. Love of animals, love of being outside, love of that quiet feeling you get when an animal trusts you completely. Photography started as a kind of therapy for me, a way to slow down and notice the small, beautiful things. I took some classes, tried family photography, tried events. They were fine. They just weren't quite mine.

Pet photography was different. It's harder, animals don't take direction, but it was the thing that finally felt right. I met people who loved their pets the way I love mine, and somewhere along the way I found a niche within that niche: sitting with families during one of the hardest, most tender chapters, the end of a pet's life. That work changed something in me.

This hasn't been a straight path. Life has interrupted more than once, family, setbacks, the usual unexpected stuff. I could have walked away. Instead I kept coming back, changing things a little at a time until it started to feel like what I actually wanted it to be. That persistence is part of who I am, and it's part of what you're getting when you book with me.

I have my own crew at home: three rescued kittens, full of chaos and personality. A tiny Shih Tzu therapy dog who comes everywhere with me, restaurants included. An older Chihuahua-Yorkie mix, navigating age with more grace than I probably would. And a 17-year-old cat I inherited from my late mother-in-law, we only found out her real age recently, from a chip scan.

And then there was Stetson. My Siamese cat, my soulmate, for 22 years. When he passed, I realized I had almost nothing, just a few blurry phone photos. That loss is the quiet reason this business exists. I never want another pet owner to face that same moment without something beautiful to hold onto.

So that's what I'm here for. Real moments, not posed ones. Your pet, exactly as they are. Sessions that move at your pace, with no pressure and no performance, just a calm space where the real stuff can show up naturally. Whether you're celebrating a new puppy, marking a milestone, or holding onto time with a pet who's getting older, I'd love to be part of that with you.

When you're ready, I'd love to hear from you.

My Story

My Promise

At Dandelion Portraits, I promise to create heartfelt, honest pet and family portraits that celebrate the bond you share with your pets and the people you love. With warmth, patience, and genuine care, I focus on capturing the quiet moments—the soft glances, the gentle touches, the stories that make your life uniquely yours.

Every session is guided by kindness and patience. I meet you and your pets where you are, creating a calm space where real connection can unfold naturally. My goal is to create images that feel true, tender, and timeless—photographs you’ll hold close for years to come, crafted through heartfelt pet and family photography.