Engagement Portrait Session at Heartwood Mansion | Real Pittsburgh Couple
Engagement Portrait Session at Heartwood Mansion
Real Pittsburgh Couple
We were both cashiers at Shop N Save. At the time we were both in school and working nights. A lot of the time I would work until eleven and he would work until midnight. Fortunately there's not a lot of people shopping that late at night so we had time to talk. Also a fellow coworker would tell me that he thought Andrew and I would get along based on our personalities and he was saying the same to him. Lots of people at work knew we were into each other. We aren't the only couple that has come out of that store!
We got engaged on June 10th, 2017. We were in Baltimore for a few days when he proposed to me at the zoo in front of the Penguins exhibit.
We enjoy going to museums, musicals, going out to eat and walking in South Park.
Before we got engaged we had talked about getting married but not like it was actually going to happen. Now, I don't have to worry about finding a roomie and I'm looking forward to looking for an apartment with my new fiancé!
We're planning our wedding for July 6, 2019. Our reception is booked for the Castle Shannon Fire Hall. We don't have many definite plans but we want a moose cake and we will go to the Bahamas for our honeymoon.
We plan to display our engagement photos in our homes, at my desk at work and we will probably give some to our parents and other relatives.
For our photo session I wanted to wear a sleeveless dress because it was summer.
Laura's studio is near where I live. Plus she has reasonable prices and experience taking engagement pictures.
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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
The Complete Guide to Having Children at Your Wedding | Pittsburgh Family Photographer
I love collaborating with others. My most recent collaboration is with Olivia Jones. Olivia is an Australian psychologist, passionate writer, entrepreneur, traveler and conscious consumer, seeking healthy and sustainable products to incorporate into the lives of my family. She enjoys writing about weddings and although I do shoot weddings on occasion, I am predominantly a child/family photographer, in Pittsburgh, PA. Given our backgrounds, Olivia suggested writing a blog post on having children at your wedding. I am excited to share a guest post from Olivia Jones.
The Complete Guide to Having Children at Your Wedding
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and, of course, you want to make it as special as possible. This includes inviting the people who matter the most to you. Some of those people have kids, and it is understandable to want them to join your marvelous celebration too. However, wedding celebrations with kids are a bit risky. Their short attention spans and the need for supervision can make the whole thing more complicated. So, if you want to have a stress-free wedding that includes kids, here are a few ways to do that.
Talk it through with the parents
The truth is that there are many parents who don’t plan to bring their kids to the wedding, as they would like to have that one party without them. It is important to ask them thoughtfully if they would like to bring their little ones. Also, it is obvious that most of the time, the parents are the ones who will be preoccupied with the kids, so you should let them know that it is ok to leave the ceremony for a couple of minutes if the kids are bored or have to go to the toilet or take a nap.
Plan some kid-friendly entertainment
Cocktails and DJs might be fun for adults, but for kids, they are immensely boring (or inappropriate). That is why it is important to plan some kid-friendly entertainment options that will keep them occupied while you are having a blast on the dance floor. There are many ways to do that, including giving them coloring books, small toys or hiring a professional entertainer (e.g. a clown).
Have a space dedicated for play
The clown may be great for the kids, but they won’t look that nice on your elegant documentary-style wedding photos. Also, the kids have much better time when they are in a space designed only for them. It shouldn’t be too hard to find a wedding venue in Sydney which has a separate space for kid-friendly entertainment, and many of them even have parks with swings, trampolines and similar entertainment options.
Include the kids in the ceremony
There is nothing cuter than a suited-up ring bearer or charming flower girls. Give kids a role in the wedding ceremony, and they will feel a sense of responsibility and be very proud of their contribution. Also, it is a win-win situation, since the wedding photographs will be amazing. If there are many kids invited to the ceremony, make sure you find a task for them, no matter how small and seemingly irrelevant it is.
Conjure your inner child
Kids are fun, and we were all kids at some point. Remember how that was, and try to have as much fun as you can while planning some small details that will spark their imagination and keep them entertained. That can be a food station dedicated to kids alone with cupcakes, colorful snacks, hot dogs, mini pizzas, etc. You’ll see that soon, even the adults won’t be able to resist it.
It’s not the end of the world
Weddings are unpredictable. When kids are around, the unpredictability is even more certain. Maybe they will say something they shouldn’t or start crying in the middle of the ceremony. They might even knock down the food station. But you know what? These things happen, and you shouldn’t stress about them. Think about them if or when they happen. Until then, enjoy your day, and in such situations ‒ do the same. Because there is nothing the kids could do that could ruin your perfect day if you don’t allow yourself to get stressed out.
Having kids at the wedding means that things will probably not go as planned. However, things hardly ever do go exactly as planned. If you make some small adaptations, you can make sure that the best day of your life still stays stress-free and unique.
Special thanks to Olivia for sharing her thoughts and for the great tips on having children at your wedding!
Read more by Olivia Jones on her website.
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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
First Birthday and Family Portrait Session at Mellon Park | Real Pittsburgh Family
First Birthday and Family Portrait Session at Mellon Park | Real Pittsburgh Family
I am excited to introduce a really sweet family to you. I recently meet this family in Mellon Park for their daughter's first birthday portraits and their first professional family portraits. While it's no secret that I love photographing children and families, I have to say that Ia huge perk of being a photographer is having the opportunity to meet a new family at a photoshoot and get to know them a little during our time together and through our communication before and after the photo session! You can see highlights from their portrait session as well as read the interview. I hope you enjoy "meeting" this beautiful family as much as I did!
We have one child.
She was 7 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches at birth.
Now, she's 21 pounds and tall!
We live in Squirrel Hill (but still pretty new to the neighborhood).
Our daughter is sweet, silly, curious.
She has 5, almost 6 teeth.
She walks only if she holds on to a hand or wall for support.
Our child's favorite books are Hop on Pop, I Love Cats, anything that has extra flaps to open or pages she can turn.
Her favorite foods include cheese, bananas, avocados, yogurt and cheerios. She loves to eat.
Things that make music, stacking cups, wooden animal puzzle, the TV remote
She keeps busy chasing her cat Pepper, scooting and climbing on everything, taking walks outside, pointing at everything she is curious about
Blowing raspberries on her belly, making funny faces, her cousins or other big kids
We had a small cookout on our deck with her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. She at an entire PB&J flavored cupcake and loved it. She got a Fisher Price slide as a present - which she was scared of at first, but now loves!
We brought her picnic basket and other toys from Ikea.
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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
Behind the Scenes at Laura Mares Photography | Meet the Talented Newborn Prop Maker
Behind the Scenes at Laura Mares Photography:
Meet the Talented Newborn Prop Maker
In newborn photography simple props are often the key to timeless newborn portraits. I have been blessed with a skilled mother who has provided me with most of the crocheted and knitted "outfits" and handmade backgrounds used in many of my newborn photos. From hats to rompers, she has been able to create a wide variety of textures, styles and colors for the families that come into the studio to choose from.
My mom comes from a very creative family. My granddad didn't always have enough money to buy the equipment he needed for his coal mine so he'd make what he need himself. He was an inventor out of necessity. My grandma knit and sewed doll clothes for my mother, clothes for the family and quilts. She grew up during the great depression which made her very practical. She created simply what was needed for her family and home. Both of my uncles can think outside the box. While in high school shop class one of my mom's brother's decided to build a canoe instead of a shoe shine box like everyone else in the class. Her other brother built a radio by himself.
My mom learned to knit when she was a 12 year old child. She was taught to knit at girl scouts but didn't really learn until her aunt showed her after the meeting. Her first project was a black sweater. Years later, when my mom got married she decided she wanted to crochet an afghan. She walked over to her next door neighbor, Mrs. Chesnut, to ask her to teach her how to make a granny square afghan. Her next project was a baby present for her dear friend. My mom taught me to crochet as a child and to knit as an adult. I have only mastered squares and scarves!
A couple months ago when she was cleaning up her blanket closet she offered me her old granny square afghan to offer for families that would like to sit on a retro blanket for their photo session. I'm truly blessed to have a creative and talented mother to create many of the beautiful one of a kind props that I have available for my clients.
My mother has also passed on her foundness for beautiful antiques. It's our hobby to go exploring for "new" antiques that would look incredible in newborn, baby or family photos.
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 us on Instagram and Facebook.
Siblings in Mellon Park | Pittsburgh Children Photographer
Children in Mellon Park, Pittsburgh
I photographed an adorable young family in Mellon Park, while my husband took our kids to play in the playground across the street. On our way out the door I asked the kids to grab something to wear in case we had time to snap a few photos of them. Their outfit choices reflect their personality. My son grabbed his favorite Cat and Jack jeans. My daughters grabbed a Matilda Jane dress and a rose gold toile dress. I try to have one pair of shoes that are photogenic for each of them to wear each year. Today they wore sandals, clogs and tennis shoes. We had a lot of fun and I thought I'd share some with you.
Mellon Park is becoming one of my favorite locations to have photo sessions. I love the cobblestone, gates, walls, fountain and flowers.
My children and I called out ideas for the photos. It was fun seeing them direct each other! My children gave each other clever ideas for fun poses and called out silly nonsense to get each other to laugh!
I can't remember who's idea it was for our youngest child to do "the dab," but I think she pulled it off perfectly! (spoken like a true mother!)
This was in response to "Hey, you should curtsey like a royal princess!"
After our time on the cobblestone way, we stopped to rest and cool off at the beautiful fountain in the center of the walled garden.
When photographing bigger kids I love to offer them a stage and give them their own creative leeway.
After I felt we nailed the photo session, my children continued to come up with more and more ideas! What a treat for a mother that's a photographer!
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 us on Instagram and Facebook.