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

5 Reasons Senior Photos are Important

Post author:Laura
Post published:July 9, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

5 Reasons Senior Photos are Important As you near the time for senior pictures, it’s important to note the importance of having professional senior portraits. After years of hard work, you’re finally ready to complete this chapter of your life before you begin to prepare for the next. No matter what that looks like, it’s important to bring a sense of closure to this portion of your life. Graduation, senior prom, and senior pictures are all a part of that celebration! Below I’ve included five reasons why senior pictures are important. 1. Celebrate this Time in Your Life Through extracurriculars, grades, and friendships you’ve put in the work. Now is the time to celebrate all that you’ve accomplished as a successful, unique, and strong individual! Through the highs and the lows, you’ve persevered through the experience of high school and are now ready to embrace the future. 2. Reward Yourself Senior…

Including Your Pet During a Senior Session

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 25, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Including Your Pet During a Senior Session As you near the next chapter of your life, it’s natural for you to want to include your close furry friend who was with you through it all! A proud pet owner, I remember including my own cat, Calico, in my senior pictures. When she passed away, I loved having those portraits of us together as a way to commemorate the years we spent together. As you plan how to include your dog/cat/alpaca in the best way possible, it’s important to follow these tips! Animals can be hectic, but no need to worry as I’ve worked with countless animals and incorporated them in senior portraits. 1. Give your photographer a head’s up! Before the session, make sure to inform your photographer that you plan to invite your pet to your session so they aren’t taken off guard. When you fill out the proposal, tell…

Tips for the Best College Graduation Photo Session

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 18, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Tips for the Best College Graduation Photo Session Let’s normalize college grad sessions! I love photographing the excitement and joy that comes from receiving one’s college diploma. As you plan out your next steps, let me capture this exciting moment in an authentic way that captures your emotion! Check out this recent interview with Delilah, who is planning on pursuing her passion of writing. I’ve included some tips and ideas for your upcoming graduation photo session as you plan what location, outfit, and style is best for you! 1. Take pictures with and without your cap and gown Make sure to grab some pictures with your school colors and graduation outfit in order to memorialize this special milestone you’ve accomplished! It’s also fun to grab some pictures in more casual outfits that make you feel confident. 2. Bring along family members or your significant other I definitely recommend bringing along the…

Personality Quiz to Find the Best Senior Photo Location

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 4, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Personality Quiz to find the best place for your senior photo session Who is your biggest inspiration? a. Joanna Gaines, I love her unique sense of style and admire her success. b. Audrey Hepburn, I absolutely love her fashion sense and philanthropic work. c. Lou Gehrig, I’m inspired by the “Iron Horse.” Sara strolling Hartwood Acres Rachel in a vintage red truck How would your BFF describe you? a. Creative! I’m always working on a new pet project b. A daredevil! I love going on adventures and trying new things! c. Hardworking and self-motivated! I’m always putting in the effort. What’s your favorite hangout spot? a. Going out on a picnic with friends and gathering flowers for a bouquet. b. Trying out a new restaurant in the city. c. Going out for burgers! Gwen posing on an iconic Pittsburgh bridge Kaili lounging at Color Park Do you have any fears about…

Senior Location Series: Lawrenceville

Post author:Laura
Post published:May 25, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Senior Location Series: Lawrenceville This location is a new spot that I’ve fallen in love with! Lawrenceville is full of artistic spaces that are both unique and beautiful. It’s great for those who love the urban feel but are looking for a location that makes you stand out from the crowd. Another plus of this location is that there is so much variation within such a short distance. As you take on the task of determining which location is best for your Senior session, I hope this series helps you! Feel free to check out other blog posts that detail locations that my clients love. (link links) Now I’ll go into a little more detail about all of the unique spots that you can choose within the Lawrenceville area! The Foundry Alex Simakas is the founder of the Foundry on 41st Street. Where the street once met a dead-end near the…

Senior Interview

Post author:Laura
Post published:May 25, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Meet Delilah! She recently graduated from Pitt and is an aspiring writer! I love that she reached out to me about a college grad session, because I feel that too often we forget about the importance of documenting college graduation. I absolutely loved working with Delilah as she has such a fun, bubbly personality and a contagious zest for life! Below you can find my interview with her. What do you enjoy about living in the Pittsburgh area? I love the variety that the city brings. If I want to have a night out in the city or just lose myself in nature, I can do both with no problem. In your opinion, where is the best place to eat in Pittsburgh and what do you order there? My favorite place to eat in Pittsburgh by far is the Shady Grove. My partner and I go there all the time to…

Who to Invite to Your Senior Photo Session

Post author:Laura
Post published:April 21, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Who to Invite to Your Senior Photo Session Choosing who to invite to your session photo session is an important choice! This blog post helps you decide who to invite, as well as some potential posing ideas. Surprise your biggest fan and invite your mom to take pictures with you! I always recommend bringing a parent to help during the session. They are so helpful with holding accessories and making seniors laugh! However, you might want to invite your mom or dad to be in some pictures with you! As a mom, I always cherish taking pictures with my children. So, I know that I would love if any of my children included me for a couple pictures during their senior photo sessions! I first got this idea when one of my clients, Bella, invited her mom along during the session and they even got some adorable pictures together. See photo posted…

Senior Location Series: Frick Park

Post author:Laura
Post published:April 16, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Senior Location Series: Frick Park The next spotlight location for the senior photo location series is the gorgeous Frick Park! It’s a perfect place for seniors looking for a fabulous mix of rustic vibes, princess forests, old-timey greenhouses, and bohemian flower patches. It is gorgeous throughout the year and I have especially enjoyed exploring the area this spring time due to all the fresh flower blooms! While I have photographed seniors in a wide variety of locations around Pittsburgh, today we’ll explore highlights of having your senior pictures captured at Frick Park. Bridge over a Creek I am IN LOVE with this spot! It feels like such a wonderful enclave, as the trees almost frame the little walk way. It’s the perfect spot for those of my seniors who love nature and exploring in the outdoors! The wood frame is so unique and unlike any location I normally see in the…

Let Your Personality Shine – Pittsburgh Senior Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:March 5, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

Let Your Personality Shine Through Senior Portraits Sadly, I find it’s all too common that senior portraits tend to be viewed as a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all experience. Part of my mission as a Pittsburgh senior photographer is to provide the best portraits that reflect different aspects of my client’s personality! So, for this blog post, I’m detailing everything from locations, outfits, to hairstyles to help you decide the best direction to take during your senior photo session! Location Categories I often categorize location possibilities under narrower categories such as urban, outdoor, European architecture, and studio! Although, to be honest, the possibilities are wide-open! Urban Senior Photo Location Do you describe yourself as a mover-and-shaker who’s going places and loves the city of Pittsburgh? An urban location might be for you! Pittsburgh, the City of Bridges, is your backdrop! Some of my favorite urban spots in Pittsburgh are the North Shore and Golden…

Senior Pictures Interview – Pittsburgh Portrait Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:February 24, 2021
Post category:Senior Pictures

It has been a cold and snowy month in Pittsburgh, but that didn't prompt Gwen to reschedule her senior portrait session. She braved the cold weather and icy conditions in her stilettos! Gwen, her mom, and I spent an afternoon exploring Pittsburgh's Mexican War Streets, an urban parking garage top, yellow bridges, and Color Park. Gwen wanted unique locations to reflect her outgoing personality. She travelled all the way from Edinburg, PA to meet me in Pittsburgh! I loved hearing about her and her mom's memorable adventures thus far and how Pittsburgh was the first stop on their mother-daughter college road trip. What do you enjoy about the Pittsburgh area? I actually don’t live in Pittsburgh, I live about two hours away. But I really enjoy that Pittsburgh is a city but feels very welcoming and has so many pretty things throughout! In your opinion, where is the best place to…