Fourth of July Traditions in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Photographer
Forth of July Traditions in Pittsburgh, PA
I've celebrated many Fourth of Julys in Pittsburgh over the years. My family enjoys celebrating in Downtown Pittsburgh and in the South Hills neighborhoods of Mt. Lebanon, Brentwood, Whitehall and Bethel Park. My children love the Brentwood Parade and Fireworks, we have been going since they were newborn babies!
The Declaration of Independence was written 240 years ago in our great state of Pennsylvania. I enjoy reading the beautifully written document in my Civic/Citizenship class. Do you find it inspirational as well? "We hold these Truths to be self evident that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." I'm so thankful our founding fathers created a country that ensues our life, liberty and pursuit for happiness! I hope you have the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with your family and/or friends and remember the foresight that Thomas Jefferson and our other founding fathers had to create a country with a system of the government that is "of the people, for the people by the people."
I'm not sure where the kids and I will celebrate this year, but I'm pretty sure we'll be celebrating at one of these places. How does your family celebrate Independence Day? Do you head into Pittsburgh or stay in the suburbs? What do your children enjoy doing on the 4th?
Pittsburgh Monday, July 4, 2016
9:35 p.m. Fireworks near Point State Park
Mt. Lebanon Main Park Monday, July 4, 2016
12:00 -5:00 p.m. Games, Food and other activities
7:30 Free Concert at the basketball courts
9:30 p.m. Fireworks
Brentwood Monday, July 4, 2016
Firecracker 5K Race (before the parade)
10:00 a.m. Parade
9:30 p.m. Fireworks
Caste Village in Whitehall Friday, June 24, 2016
9:30 p.m. Fireworks
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 your newborn baby photographed, updated 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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
Summer Family Fun in Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Photographer
Our family looks forward to spending time together in and around Pittsburgh all summer long! Every summer we make a huge calendar for our summer activities that we hang on our refrigerator. We fill it with summer camps, library activities and other fun events around Pittsburgh. Plus everyone chooses on activity that is his or her must do and we also put them on the calendar. I guess it is a summer bucket list. I'll share some of our favorite summer activities and would love to hear some of you favorite summer activities as well!
I've been watching movies in Pittsburgh parks since I was a kid. I can't get enough of enjoying movies outdoors under the stars!
Outdoor Concerts in Allegheny County Parks
I've been listening to beautiful music in Pittsburgh area parks for years! Art Garfunkel and Ziggy Marley were two of my all time favorite concerts in the parks. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra usually plays around the Forth of July.
Music and art in the streets of Pittsburgh. Three Rivers Arts Festival has been a family favorite for years. The Arts Festival is from June 3 - June 12.
Firm believer in "Gotta Regatta!" Pittsburgh is a gorgeous city. The Regatta is a wonderful time to enjoy our beautiful rivers and bridges. This year the Regatta will be from August 5-7.
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse
One dollar movies at the Cinemark in Robinson on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Swimming at my Parents Bethel Park Pool
Leasurely Walks in Downtown Pittsburgh
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 your newborn baby photographed, updated 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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
Newborn Photography Props | Pittsburgh Newborn Photographer *Updated November 2016
Newborn photography is a passion. I could hold and cuddle beautiful babies all day everyday! I love posing them with unique props, adding layers of textures, dressing them in simple handmade outfits, and photographing them. Newborn portrait photography requires a bean bag for posing, blanket backdrops, outfits, hats and bonnets, tie backs, wraps and of course, gorgeous props.
Today I want to talk about the props. I have been collecting props for years. It's even become a hobby to visit antique stores and find one of a kind treasures to snuggle newborns in, on or over. I am driven to take creative, natural, timeless baby portraits for families to treasure. I love to hear my clients' ideas and dream up individualized portrait sessions that are perfect for their family's taste. The studio features a variety of props from antiques, vintage and primitive to traditional, modern and eclectic. As you glance through the available props, you will notice egg baskets, crates, flokati, suitcases, baskets, bowls, scales, buckets, rag rugs, wool and colorful wraps. What is your style preference?
Are you or someone you know expecting? Contact me today to book your session and schedule a consultation to discuss your preferences.
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 your newborn baby photographed, updated 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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
What's in my Camera Bag? | Pittsburgh Portrait Photographer
Today I’ll share with you a peek inside my camera bag, my camera body and lenses. Photography can be an overwhelming hobby. First, you get a camera body and learn how to use it. But that's only the beginning, you need lenses, filters, batteries, cards, additional gear to improve your photography and a bag to keep it together. In addition you need a computer and editing software.
What camera?
I remember when I decided to buy my first professional camera in 2001, trying to figure out what camera to buy and handling them every day while I was working at Ritz Camera until I figured out that Nikon was the one for me, it felt like an extension to my hand and I feel like it works wonders for me. Nikon and Canon are both excellent. It’s usually best to choice one and stick with it because it’s expensive to invest in new professional lenses if you change brands. The glass is typically more important than the camera body, invest in fast lenses. I refer people to Ken Rockwell when I’m asked which brand is best. I believe it’s important to try hold and use them before you commit. You can rent cameras and lenses locally or online.
What lenses?
There are two general categories of lenses fixed and zoom. I have several of each type. There really isn't one universal lens that can do everything! I use different lenses depending on what I’m photographing. Fixed lenses do not zoom which means that you are the zoom by walking closer or farther away from your subject! The first number on the lens is the focal length. Your eyes, if measured like lenses, would be 70mm (on 35mm film and full frame digital cameras). A lens lower than 70 mm “sees” a wider view (smaller subject) than your eyes. The opposite is also true, a higher number lens “sees” the subject larger than your eyes naturally do.
I use a 20mm 2.8 wide angle for landscapes and real-estate. A 50mm 1.4 is great general lens, I use it for family portraits, and love it’s beautiful bokeh (blurred backgrounds), super sharp focus and that it’s lightweight - great for traveling. An 85mm 1.8 that I use for portraits. It is one of my two favorite lenses. A 105mm 2.8 Macro lens, it is a telephoto and allows for extreme close up shots. The second letter on the lens tells you the speed. The faster, or lower, the number the more light it allows through and the less depth of field.
In addition to the fixed lenses are the zoom lenses. My favorite lens is the 24-70mm 2.8 it takes beautiful, sharp portraits of newborns, babies, children and all portraits really. It has quickly become my go to lens but it is large and heavy, a 24-120mm 4, a 28-105mm Micro 3.5-4.5, a 70-200mm 4.5. I have two camera bodies and backup lenses incase I ever run into technical trouble during a shoot.
Additional Gear?
A nikon SB 910 flash with a diffuser, 3 pocket wizards to wireless control flashes and strobes, depending if I’m in studio or on location.
A wireless shutter release so I have the option to jump in to the picture too.
A Minolta Light Meter. Since I shoot in manual so it’s helpful to use a light meter. From years of experience I enjoy testing myself by guessing the light then metering to see if I can guess the correct exposure without it.
Lens cloth, extra cards, batteries, a spider camera holster, a gray card to set the white balance.
What bag?
I have two main bags. 3Annies Audrey Lu and Domke F-2 I love them both and decide which one to use based on how many lenses I think I’ll need and how formal the event/location may be. The Audrey Lu is new, gorgeous and functional. The Donke has been my go to bag for over 15 years. It fits everything I could want, hugs my side, is lightweight and waterproof.
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 your newborn baby photographed, updated 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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
A Portrait Playdate in Black and White | Pittsburgh Child Photographer
I spend hours working every week in the studio. This week when my little girl woke up from her nap she decided to find me and ask for a portrait playdate. Our portrait playdates are when she choses a beautiful dress and bow for her hair and plays in the studio while I photograph her. After a couple of pictures she checks out the images on the back of my camera and tells me her favorites! I would gladly photograph her everyday, but usually she's the one to decide when we will have a portrait playdate.
Like most two year old children she is unpredictable and full of energy, mystery and giggles. Maybe because of this, toddlers seem to be the perfect age for capturing adorable and budding personalities. I love photographing young children because I get to catch their raw emotions on camera. During our portrait playdate this week, she laughed out loud, played with her calico critters, showed me her belly button, told me about the birds flying outside, and even shed a tear when she couldn't touch my camera.
I often chose black and white portraits for our family because black and white reduces the image to the basics of photography: composition, subject and light. No distractions, only the essence of the original elements. Ironically, black and white images should not contain black or white but all of the shades of gray in between. I'd love to hear your opinion on black and white portraits. Please share in the comments section below.
During portrait sessions, I ask all types of questions, ask her to make different faces and laugh along with her. I often put my camera down and join in the fun of whatever it is she is enjoying at that moment. This week we played house with our calico critters.
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 your newborn baby photographed, updated 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 us on Instagram and Facebook.