Picking Your Christmas Props | Pittsburgh Child and Family Photographer

It's still October but many families around Pittsburgh are already planing their Christmas gifs and cards for their family. Here are Laura Mares Photography, we are busy photographing beautiful outdoor fall sessions around Pittsburgh and beginning to capture Christmas themed child and family portraits. The other day a six month old baby was enjoying modeling many of this year's Christmas props! (When I say enjoying, I really mean tolerating!) He looks adorable and festive in the Santa hat his mom brought along.

Typically during Christmas sessions, the studio is filled with Christmas music and balsam scented candles or essential oil. Sometimes my daughter bakes cookies and shares them with our photo clients and their family.

Over the years we have collected many unique Christmas items to enhance our holiday portraits. Isn't it true that sometimes the simplest things make the most impact? - like these battery operated Christmas lights that this baby boy's mom brought in for him to play with during his photo session.

I was thrilled to find one of my favorite Christmas books, The Night Before Christmas, in a box filled with many of my childhood possessions. Not only can I read it to my own children, but you can read it to your children during a family photo shoot! I can't understand why it looks vintage, the 80s weren't that long ago! 

I'm glad Christmas trolls are popular in Pittsburgh now. I saw one in an airport in Finland a few years ago and thought he'd look great in photos. Since my suitcase was already a little too full to bring him home with me, I was thrilled to find this one right around the corner from my house!

Laura Mares is an experienced photographer specializing in capturing timeless family keepsakes. Laura works on location and in her fully equipped home studio, located in Mt. Lebanon, eight miles south of Pittsburgh, PA. Laura’s style is creative, natural, and timeless. Would you like beautiful portraits of your newborn baby, to update your child and family portraits or to document a milestone in your life such as a wedding, graduation, birthday or reunion? If you are interested in high quality, timeless photographs, book your session today, call (412) 654-3367 or email [email protected]. To view a wide range of gorgeous portraits and to get great tips, advice and beautiful inspiration follow along on Instagram and Facebook.