Baby Archives | Laura Mares Photography | Award winning Pittsburgh Family + Newborn Photographer

What to Expect during a Cake Smash Session

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 23, 2020
Post category:Baby Session Tips

What to Expect during a Cake Smash with Laura Mares Photography I love capturing the joy of a one year old baby and the pride of his or her parents during a cake smash photo shoot! I hope you are as excited as I am if you’ve already scheduled a photo shoot, and if you haven’t, I hope this provides answers to your questions. So first, I want to highlight the differences between indoor and outdoor cake smash photo shoots. I’ve done a great deal of both and I think it truly depends on the family’s preference. What happens at an indoor cake smash session? During a studio session, you will have a crisp and refined photo gallery where simplicity is highlighted. Cake: I often recommend families go for pastels and avoid red and brown icing for their cakes because needless to say...those colors don’t smash well! Props: Many parents love…

1st Birthday Spotlight – Pittsburgh Family Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:February 28, 2020
Post category:Baby

How did you and your spouse meet? Through his cousin, it was long-distance but communication and effort from both of us made it possible. What do you enjoy about living in the Pittsburgh area? Pittsburgh has a small city feel yet it’s not too small. It is very photogenic city and friendly people. In your opinion, what baby items do you think are essential? Essential baby items: Bed bassinet, baby bath tub, changing station, and a pacifier when they’re young If you had a 25 hour day, what would you do with the extra time? Sleep What are your baby's favorite books? Goodnight moon and Put me in the Zoo What are your baby's favorite foods? Our baby enjoys yogurt, milk and fruits. What are your baby's favorite toys? Our baby's favorite toys are stuffed toys, rattle and activity center. What places around Pittsburgh do you and your baby/family enjoy visiting together?…

1st Birthday Spotlight – Pittsburgh Baby Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:February 21, 2020
Post category:Baby

How did you and your spouse meet? We both attended Wheeling Jesuit University and met when we had the same undergraduate class. What do you enjoy about living in the Pittsburgh area? We love the opportunities that this city has to offer; from employment opportunities to fun weekend activities, Pittsburgh has so many opportunities with wonderful memories to be created. In your opinion, what baby items do you think are essential? Ubbi diaper trash can, Zen swaddle and sleep sack, white noise machine (in room and portable for the car) What are your baby's favorite book(s)? His favorite book is "Where's Santa Claus?" What are your baby's favorite food(s)? Our baby's favorite food are blueberries. What are your baby's favorite toys? Our baby loves to play with cars. How did you celebrate your child's birthday? Location, number of guests, theme, food, cake, highlights We celebrated a winter one-derland at the Cabin…

1st Birthday Spotlight – Pittsburgh Family Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:December 12, 2019
Post category:Baby

The biggest compliment I ever receive is when a family contacts me to book another photo session. It's an honor to work with repeat customers and I treasure when clients become friends. I'm excited to introduce you to another amazing Pittsburgh family! How did you and your spouse meet? We were neighbors in Morgantown, WV. Let's go Mountaineers! What do you enjoy about living in the Pittsburgh area? We both grew up in WV and prefer a rural setting more often than not but enjoy that Pittsburgh offers easy access to pro sports teams, great restaurants, shopping, etc. What are your baby's favorite books? Currently she is obsessed with Little Blue Truck so we read it every day, sometimes more than once. She also loves any touch and feel or lift the flap books. What are your baby's favorite foods? She loves food in general but her favorites are probably fruits.…

10 Tips to have the BEST Birthday Cake Smash Photos – Pittsburgh Baby Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:August 13, 2019
Post category:Baby Session Tips

10 Tips to have the BEST Birthday Cake Smash Photos From the ages 1 to even 40, cake smashes are the perfect way to celebrate the turning of age in an exciting and low-stress environment. Please read these ten tips you need to know for your upcoming cake smash. Mellon Park, Pittsburgh 1. Bring Wipes and a Towel Messes are bound to happen when you have a baby and cake. Simple math, cute baby+pretty cake=mega mess. It’s great to bring some wipes in your purse just in case, to wipe the icing that you are going to find all over yourself along with your little one. It’s also a great way to try and quickly eliminate soon-to-be stains. 2. Bring a Change of Clothes for Baby (and Parents) This is along the same lines as the first tip, try to bring some clean clothes so your baby's ride home isn’t in…

1st Birthday Spotlight – Pittsburgh Baby Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:July 15, 2019
Post category:Baby

1st Birthday Spotlight - Pittsburgh Baby Photographer Mellon Park is my favorite location to take portraits in Pittsburgh. I've been going there for years, but every time I go I see new angles for taking portraits. Kennedy is an easy going sweetheart and we all had a wonderful session celebrating her first birthday in Mellon Park. We laughed and got creative our entire time together. Check out how beautiful her smash cake is below!! How did you two meet? We met at work! We are both recruiters. I asked him for help working on a position and once we filled it we celebrated with drinks. After that first date we both knew! What do you enjoy about living in the Pittsburgh area? The city environment but small time atmosphere. You get the best of both worlds here! In your opinion, what baby items do you think are essential? A sound Machine is…

First Year Spotlight – Pittsburgh Lifestyle Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 19, 2019
Post category:Baby Maternity Newborn

When families book a newborn session, it is possible to add-on a maternity session and two first year sessions. That's how I met this amazing family! We met around a year ago at sunset to capture beautiful maternity portraits. It was exciting to hear the news when their baby boy arrived and we scheduled a newborn lifestyle session. We spent a relaxed morning together in their home while capturing portraits of everyone in the family, including their adorable dog. In the following months we met once in the studio for a sitter session and then again back at the field where we first met, but this time to celebrate Benny's first birthday with an outdoor cake smash and family portraits. It's a pleasure to be trusted by families to capture the important moments of their lives!!

1st Birthday Spotlight – Pittsburgh Child Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:February 10, 2019
Post category:Baby

Read an interview with a Pittsburgh mom on the Laura Mares Photography blog. If you’re looking for a Pittsburgh family photographer to capture the memories for your family don’t hesitate to get in touch!

First Birthday Spotlight – Pittsburgh Child Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:January 27, 2019
Post category:Baby

This family is so kind and loving, and they always make me laugh! Keep reading to view highlights from their son's first birthday portrait session.

How to Prepare for a 1st Birthday and Cake Smash Session

Post author:Laura
Post published:July 21, 2018
Post category:Baby Session Tips

How to Prepare for a 1st Birthday and Cake Smash Session Cake smash sessions are a fun and joyful way to commemorate the milestone of your baby's first birthday. 1. Location We can meet in the studio, at a local park or in your home. 2. Outfits Most babies are photographed in two outfits, a first birthday outfit and cake smash attire. Cake smash attire is typically a diaper cover, bloomers, cloth diaper or tutu. 3. Decor You are welcome to bring along first birthday party decorations to the photo shoot, such as a banner, balloons, etc. You are welcome to use any items you like from the studio. Most parents tend to prefer the less is more attitude. 4. Cake It's best to introduce your baby to cake once or twice before the session so your baby has already explored the texture and you'll be aware of possible allergies. Be sure to bring a cake at room temperature, avoid chocolate, fondant and toothpicks. Most smash cakes measure…