Interview with a Real Pittsburgh Family | Laura Mares Photography
Interview with a Real Pittsburgh Family
We have one child.
I am from China. I came to Pittsburgh for school and met my husband here. I've lived here for 4 years now.
Our family is loving, honest, mild.
Ice skating at Schenley Park.
We like a couple movies. One of them is The Martian.
A Michelin star Chinese restaurant named Cafe China in midtown New York.
I work in New York, so Mark often travels there to visit me. On the Chinese valentine's day of 2015, Mark made a secret trip to New York. He arrived at my apartment while I was at work, had my roommate open the door for him, and waited there for me to finish work. He texted me saying that his friend Todd was going to stop by my apartment building to give me something to take back to Pittsburgh next week, so I needed to tell Todd when I'd get home. I believed that was true. I also didn't expect he'd do anything special for me on that day because it's not a valentine's day in the US. I finished work, told Todd when I'd be home, and went home as usual, then I saw Mark walking towards me on the street with roses on his hand. What's funny was I wasn't surprised but very confused! The first question I asked him wasn't "Why are you here?", but "What's going on? Where is Todd?"
Mark enjoys cooking for me. I like to help him while he cooks.
We had our wedding in Dominican Republic. My family came all the way from China, then both of our families (19 people) went to DR together and had stayed there for 11 days. The wedding on the beach was beautiful and the 11 days on the beach was so relaxing.
Claire is our first baby and this is our first family portrait session, so I wanted a professional one.
My husband bought the blue outfit for the baby some time ago not for this photo session. He likes this outfit so decided to have her wear it at the session. We wanted to wear something that would go well with baby's color, so we picked ours based on her outfit.
The one of daddy and daughter looking at each other (the middle portrait below).
Laura was recommended to me by someone on a Facebook group for Mt Lebanon Moms. I checked Laura's website and loved all the pictures. The package she offers is good mix of photo numbers and price, so I chose Laura.
Our clothes are from J Crew.
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.
Fall Family Portraits Interview | Real Pittsburgh Family
Fall Family Portraits Interview | Real Pittsburgh Family
Today I'm excited to share an interview with a local Pittsburgh mom that I've had the pleasure of meeting twice. We first met in February when she brought her adorable son into the studio for a newborn photo shoot. I'm honored that she chose to come back for a fall family session. This time we met in Mt. Lebanon Main Park. I love meeting other Pittsburgh families and getting to keep in touch at portrait sessions over the years! I'm looking forward to February to celebrate his 1st birthday!
My goodness, how could you explain? My child has grown to a receptive, silly, entertaining, energetic, loving, sweetest little boy imaginable!
I have absolutely become more organized and a person of routine, it helps me feel in control.
He's ok!
Any seasonal activities!
Any "REAL" people food!
HIs favorite toys are anything that lights up. sings, or makes noises. Oh, or anything he should not be playing with!
Loving, rambunctious, kind.
The solo one of him smiling so wide you can see his dimples!
Leave the cleaning alone, enjoy the down time with your lovely baby!
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Halo Swaddles! MUST HAVE!
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.
Picking Your Christmas Props | Pittsburgh Child and Family Photographer
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.
Lifestyle Newborn Interview | Real Pittsburgh Family
Lifestyle Newborn Interview | Real Pittsburgh Family
Our baby was born on August 25, 2017.
Our baby was 20 inches long and weighed 7lbs 14.5 oz
He was exactly a week late.
We live in West View, in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.
It felt pretty surreal. I was extremely excited.
We were driving to NY to spend Christmas with my family and told him I had a "gift" for him before we got there, and told him the good news as we were traveling. Needed to make sure he could keep the secret with me as everyone else would be celebrating the holiday with some drinks!
We didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl so we went with neutral calm colors and added in a little "safari" theme.
We had to decide on both a boy and girl name, we thought we had a boy name but changed our minds and started from scratch. We kept the beginning letter and my husband suggested Connor, I liked it, and read the "meaning" ... which was "wise" as the primary meaning... and then kept reading and a secondary meaning is "hound lover" and I laughed thinking it was perfect since we have a hound dog that is a pretty big part of our life! (I didn't tell my husband that part of the meaning until after we agreed that would be the name)
Creating new family memories and traditions...and hopefully introducing him to tennis!
He is alert, sweet and curious.
Be prepared to be flexible and go with the flow! The newborn is in charge now, from delivery to now being at home!
Trying to get anything done with a baby who is super alert and doesn't want to nap!
Spending the time together as a family and knowing we'd have these memories captured in great photos. Really liked the "lifestyle" session as it felt so much more natural to us.
The baby grows and changes so fast I wanted to make sure we were able to capture the newborn stage with really nice photos.
All of the prints, signs, wall decor was from Etsy.
Magee
Upmc/magee Womancare associates
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.