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

Newborn Interview – Pittsburgh Newborn Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:April 9, 2021
Post category:Newborn
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At my newborn studio sessions, you can expect to have a fun and relaxed experience. When you enter my peaceful, little greenhouse home studio, you'll hear music streaming, smell lavender diffusing, and you are welcome to sip a cappuccino. We will focus on capturing beautiful portraits of your newborn baby, and we'll also have plenty of time to get to know each other! At a recent newborn session, I had the chance to meet this super sweet couple. I loved hearing how they met! Although they lived only a couple minutes from each other, they said they never would have met if they hadn't been matched online. Since the first advertisement I heard for match.com, I've been so curious if my husband and I would have been matched! Once, I even tried to talk him into taking a survey to see if we would have matched online! I'm super impressed because…

Classic, Simple, Natural Newborn Photography

Post author:Laura
Post published:March 25, 2021
Post category:Newborn

I was always taught that newborn photographers had to create specific poses of babies wearing adorable outfits, on colorful backdrops in unique props. So I studied with a famous newborn photographer that specialized in posing babies to learn how to safely put newborn babies into classic poses. However I wasn’t creatively fulfilled, something was missing. While my newborn work looked beautiful, it lacked the authenticity and emotion that I capture during my lifestyle sessions. Now I aim to capture the love a newborn’s parents feel and the details that make newborn babies truly unique with classic, simple, natural newborn photography. Natural Newborn Sessions are Relaxed + Fun Natural newborn sessions feel relaxed for both parents and babies. A newborn yearns to be comfy, full, warm and close to mom and dad. A low-stress environment allows for the best photo outcomes. Instead of worrying about the perfect sleeping pose, we catch your…

Newborn Interview – Pittsburgh Lifestyle Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:March 17, 2021
Post category:Lifestyle Photography Newborn

Sometimes the stars align and you meet a wonderful, laid-back, snuggly family in a stunningly renovated historic Pittsburgh home. Combining an incredible family, a beautiful baby, modern Bohemian decor and a sweet Siberian husky would bring joy to any lifestyle photographer. This lifestyle newborn session was a dream shoot from beginning to end! Between shots we talked about everything from living in Pittsburgh, our dogs and job and her pampas grass. It was during this shoot that I realized I needed pampas grass to add to my Bohemian Studio! Although it's not easy to find, I finally found some at Mt. Lebanon Floral. I believe the best thing about having your newborn session in the comfort of your own home is personalization. In addition to photographing your sweet newborn, your home is featured as well! Honestly the size or decor of your home don't matter as much as remembering where you…

Newborn Interview – Pittsburgh Lifestyle Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:March 12, 2021
Post category:Lifestyle Photography Newborn

Katie and Morgan warmly welcomed me into their historic and picturesque home on a cold winter morning. I enjoyed touring their beautifully decorated space looking for the best locations and lighting to capture this loving family. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about their lives and travels during the lifestyle photo shoot. As I was leaving I caught a glance at a witch above their kitchen sink. It reminded me of a witch my husband and I had received as a wedding gift from a friend that lives in the south. I was so curious about it. We laughed and googled to learn that it is a German tradition and she brings good luck to your home. I'm now curious how common kitchen witches are. Let me know if you have one too in the comments below. I hope you enjoy hearing Katie and Morgan story! How did you two meet? I was…

Modern Newborn Studio Photography

Post author:Laura
Post published:March 2, 2021
Post category:Newborn Portrait Studio

For years I have captured natural posing for families, children, and high school seniors resulting in images that look candid and relaxed. I want to bring this same philosophy to my newborn studio portraits! My approach to studio photography has always been much more modern than the rigid over lit photos from the past. I aim to capture your newborn as they are, let their personality shine to create simple studio newborn portraits! When in the studio, your baby and your family are the focus…. not the location or the background. My goal is to create images that will stand the test of time. A modern twist on a classic look! Baby Led Posing In the studio, I aim to create a comfortable environment for your baby to curl up, stretch out, or possibly even smile. I love documenting babies unique details and personalities. I have found that the best way…

Essential Newborn Photos to Take at the Hospital

Post author:Laura
Post published:January 13, 2021
Post category:Newborn

Looking back, I wish I had created a list of photographs for my husband to capture during our hospital stay with each of our newborns. With so much to think about while preparing for each of our baby's arrivals, I never managed to capture it fully. Through photographing other families and their precious newborns, I've created a list of all the must-have newborn shots. I hope that these ideas benefit you in documenting your newborn's arrival. I'm sharing photographs I captured during a Fresh 48 session early last year for one of my closest friends. I loved photographing this time with Lenna, her newborn daughter and her whole family. Fresh 48s are a great way to capture the real and raw moments during your newborn's first few days. Newborn lifestyle sessions are another great option for capturing newborns. Lifestyle sessions focus on capturing your newborn during his/her the first few weeks…

Maternity + Newborn Lifestyle Interview

Post author:Laura
Post published:November 6, 2020
Post category:Maternity Newborn

Everyday seems to be a holiday when you are a photographer! One perk of the job is celebrating milestones with families. I met this kind, friendly, and creative family a couple of years ago. Every session feels like I'm invited to a play date in their beautiful home. It's possible that I tell them every time I'm in their home that they have the best windows! I love being there to watch this family celebrate a first birthday, bake and decorate cookies, trim their Christmas tree, read books, make music and play in the back yard. Most recently I was there to document the arrival of their second daughter. How did you and your spouse meet? My husband and I met at Carnegie Mellon when I was an editor for the newspaper as an undergrad and he was a master's student working on layout design. Describe how your life changed once…

What to Expect at Your Lifestyle Studio Newborn Session!

Post author:Laura
Post published:August 14, 2020
Post category:Newborn Portrait Studio

What to Expect at Your Lifestyle Studio Newborn Session! Mi casa es su casa takes on a new meeting during lifestyle studio sessions! I love styling my studio to emulate homey vibes and with a detail oriented one-hour cleaning session before and after the shoot, there is no reason not to book soon! As we transition into a time of photoshoots in this new season, I wanted to take the time to give you an in-depth explanation on what to expect during a Lifestyle Newborn Session in the studio in order to alleviate as much stress as possible and to maintain an overly cautious atmosphere! We can start off covering my routine for cleaning the studio before, during and after the shoot. Next, I’d love to walk you through the most popular props I use during a shoot and the overall flow of the session. First, you enter the studio and…

Newborn Session Interview – Pittsburgh Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:August 6, 2020
Post category:Newborn Portrait Studio

During quarantine I had the opportunity to revamp the studio with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, update the floor, and new props. It was finished just days before I received an email requesting a newborn lifestyle shoot in the studio from a super sweet new mom. It was a wonderful experience photographing a newborn again, even if I needed to wear a mask and stay at a distance! How did you and your spouse meet? Bryon and I met at the gym while attending the University of Pittsburgh. What was your baby's height and weight at birth? Our newborn is 20 inches and 6lbs 15oz. Describe how your life has changed once you brought home your newborn baby. Our life has completely changed for the better! Bryon and I had been anxiously waiting 9 months to bring our little miracle into the world. While we are no longer…

10 ways to “Self Care” after having a Newborn

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 26, 2020
Post category:Newborn

10 Ways to “Self Care” after having a Newborn As a mom of three I’ve had my fair share of stressful experiences as a mother of a newborn! So, I’ve decided to make a list of my favorite tips that I wish someone would have shared with me during the first months, and even years, after having a newborn. I have to say that as a newborn photographer it’s more than just the pictures... I love having meaningful conversations with my clients and getting to know them as people. That’s why I wanted to open up to new moms and share some advice I’ve gathered over the years. 1. Go Outside! When you are starting to become overwhelmed by everything in the home, try a change of scenery, go outside and breathe. I loved taking walks with my newborns in their stroller. A calm nature walk or intense run was always…