10 Tips to Better Pictures of your Dog
Laura Mares Photography | Pittsburgh Child and Family Photographer

Sharp Eyes

Focus on your dog's eyes. Tack sharp eyes are important for all portraits, including baby, child, and family portraits. “Eyes are the window to the soul.” Dogs eyes can be very expressive, try to capture their personality. 

Fast shutter speed

Dogs move around, a faster shutter speed will help, but a faster speed also means less light enters the lens. To balance this you will need a lot of natural light. Outdoor pet photos with fast shutter speeds can create beautiful portraits, but indoors it is more difficult because of the low light conditions.

Change your perspective

Get down to your dog’s level. Photograph your dog the way he sees the world! Take pictures from different angles to create more interesting shots. Also try from above, below, in front, behind!

Catch a  smile

Take your dog out for a quick run or tug on a toy with them. Have them chase you around or have a 5-minute play session. Active dogs are happy dogs! Happy dogs are more likely to flash a huge smile after settling down.

Get your dog’s attention

Call your dog’s name, make sounds, and talk to him to encourage a look at the camera. I reward our dog for being a good model after the shoot. I have not had success from treating during the photo session - I don’t like photographing him chewing.

Capture your dog’s Character

You know your dog better than anyone else. Successful portraits portray the character of the subject. If you have a lazy dog catch him yawning, if your dog is playful catch him performing his favorite trick.

Go to Your Dog

It is important that you dog feels comfortable, rather than forcing him to come to you, go to him.

Be Patient

Pet photography requires a lot of patience. No matter how excited your furry friend is, if you are patient enough, he will end up by relaxing and you will have the opportunity to get a decent shot.

Prepare to Shoot Special Occasions

Baths, dog-friend birthday parties, doggy watersides, doggy trampolines. You get the picture.

Your Children with Your Dog

Spend time envisioning the portrait and figure out the best case scenario for your children and your dog before involving them. It will be difficult, but don’t give up. It’s worth the effort to preserve this brief slice of time before they grow up.

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.

Ella & Tutu in Paris

Story by Anna Mares. Doll by Lenna McGraw. Photography by Laura Mares

Today begins Hops and Ella’s last weekend in Europe! Soon they will be flying out of Paris to return home to Pittsburgh. They are so happy to still have a couple of days of fun in front of them until their departure. Ella has planned all the details of their stay in Paris and today they are going to the Eiffel Tower! First they must roll out of their comfy beds!

Ella is very hot from the summer heat that has been shining through the windows. She sits and rests her elbow on the bed dreaming about all the fun in front of them. She can’t wait to surprise Hops with a super secret guest! 

Ella and Hops begin the fun journey from their hotel, Moulin Vert, to the Eiffel Tower. Hops shouts out that she sees the tower, and they both gawk at the beautiful architectural achievement in front of them. 

It takes the pair awhile until they finally reach their destination.

They gaze up through the center of the tower while spinning around. Hops is ecstatic with the chance of viewing Paris from such a high height! 

Ella is looking around when she finally views her good friend Tutu! She takes Hops with her as she runs towards her buddy while shouting “Surprise!” Ella scoops up Tutu, gives her a big hug and shows her family. 

She is very bubbly while exchanging her plans with her dear pal. They gaze through the telescopes and highlight the places they want to visit. 

Hops points out the Arc de la Triumph.

Tutu notices Notre Dame first. 

Ella is sad when their time on the viewing platform comes to an end. When Mommy buys everyone colorful macarons to enjoy on the elevator ride back to the ground she is happy once again.  

The trio make their way to Trocadero, and jump and pose in front of the Eiffel Tower for a couple quick pics! 

Ella’s next destination is to Jardin du Luxembourg, a garden formerly open only to french royalty. Ella shows her the wonders of the garden. Tutu thinks it looks like a secret garden. 

Together they rent a boat that they can sail it around the fountain. 

They take a long time looking through the boats, and chose the one with the Greek flag.

They lean over the edge in order to launch their boat. 

The wind picks up and guides their vessel on an adventure of its own.

The girls are hungry and realize it is already lunch time. They search for the perfect restaurant. They choice a baguette with ham and butter to enjoy!

After lunch they explore the area around the Arc de la Triomphe, Tutu sadly says that it is now time for her to leave in order for her to catch her flight to Helsinki, Finland! She promises that she will return to Ella in Pittsburgh soon, and bring an end to her European trip.

The next day Ella and Hops start their day at Place des Vosges—the oldest planned square in Paris.

They play in the playground and slide down the slides.

Next, they go on the see—saw.

When they are finished playing at the playground, they begin a leisurely walk through the streets of Paris. They play peek-a-boo in the bushes.

Hops begs Ella for a chance to have their picture taken in front of a beautiful mural! Ella is happy to oblige her friend's request.

The two then stumble upon a street market, where Ella debates over what souvenir to buy Hops.

Hops leads the way to a square full of restaurants for lunch. Ella doesn’t know which one to choose.

She sets sight on a blue one, and choses it.

They settle down and try to pronounce the name of the restaurant, Ma Salle a Manger, my dining room.

They decide to order the meat and cheese board, pllanche charcuteries et fromages. They giggle in delight when they are presented with a slate board filled with goodies that looks more like art than food!

After the delicious lunch, and with very full bellies, they continue their walk until they eventually reach Notre Dame. It is so much bigger than expected! 

Daddy suggests visiting another church the next morning. He says this one is called Sacre Couer and it is on Montmarte. 

Hops is surprised that they keep bumping into the same street artist everywhere they turn! Eventually Ella agrees to stand still so he can create a portrait of her.

Ella whispers in Hops' ear that traveling through Europe with her friends and family has been amazing! Neither of them will ever forget the memories, the people and the places that they had visited. Before they know it they are getting snuggled into their blankets on their airplane to go back home. They stop and wave good-bye to Europe. 

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.

Family Valentine's Day Traditions

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, a holiday my children love celebrating together as a family! Valentine's Day is probably not the first holiday you think of when you think of family holidays and traditions. Typically it’s a day for couples to celebrate their love; the idea of families celebrating Valentine's Day isn't a familiar concept. If the meaning of Valentine’s Day is essentially about love and we all love our children, why not celebrate this holiday together?

Do you shrug off Valentine's Day as another commercial money generator? Why not look at it as an opportunity to share the love with your family and children in such a special way?

My husband gets the kids and I matching Valentine's Day presents, most years it is flowers. This year we will enjoy hot chocolate with heart-shaped marshmallows with our breakfast and heart-shaped pasta for dinner with a yummy 'red' themed dessert that we make together after school. 

If you are looking for ways to share the Valentine's Day love with your family here are some great ideas to get the kids involved and show them just how much they mean to you.

• Post-it notes – in lunch boxes or even around the house, a little note to say 'just because I love you' can really make a child’s day.
• Valentine's Craft – Grab some red paper and crayons or pencils and you and the kids can create a very personalized Valentine's card or creation for those that you love.
• A homemade gift certificate – Valentine's Day doesn't have to mean spending a fortune. Why not wrap up a gift certificate for a night off packing the dish-washer or an extra half hour of game time? Sure to be a hit for all.
• Valentine's meals – Some sweet heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast are a great way to share the love over a meal this Valentine's Day. Sit together as a family and take turns telling each other what you love about your family.
• Set the mood – Children love candles. What better day to set up some candles and create a loved up mood to spend the evening in.
• Spread the love – Why not try something completely new and start a Valentine's Day pay it forward. Tell the kids to pick a person they love (grandparents are a great idea) call them and take the time to tell them why you love them and then let them know to pass the love on by calling someone they love and continuing the chain.

I substitute the commercial side of Valentine's Day for quality time with my family sharing simple acts of love with our children, hoping to create memories that will last a lifetime. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture; sometimes it's the smallest ones that have the biggest impact.

Have your say... What are your Valentine's Day traditions? Share your ideas in the comments.

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.