For Clare, senior year is about looking in two directions at once: back at the Pittsburgh she has always known and forward to everything beyond it.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, she has collected the usual city memories along the way: cheering on local teams, sharing dinners with family, and discovering the places that make the city feel like home. Now, as graduation gets closer, she’s excited to explore new cities, meet new people, continue learning, and see where life takes her next.
For her senior session at Mellon Park, we wanted the photographs to feel just as natural and full of personality. Golden evening light, a garden in bloom, a floral dress, and her favorite cowgirl boots all came together to create portraits that feel distinctly like her.
I asked Clare to share a little about senior year, the places and experiences that have shaped her, what she loved about her session, and what she’s looking forward to next.
Growing up in Pittsburgh
Is there a Pittsburgh spot that feels meaningful to you?
My favorite spot in Pittsburgh is the Fort Pitt tunnel and driving through it on a nice day/night. I love coming fully out of the tunnel and seeing how pretty the buildings and bridges all look together.
What’s your favorite thing about growing up in the Pittsburgh area?
My favorite thing about growing up in Pittsburgh has been the ability to come into the city whenever I like. I don’t live directly in the city, but I love how accessible it is to be a part of the city culture.
How do you think your Pittsburgh roots have shaped who you are?
I grew up in the Southside of Pittsburgh, and I think the PGH spirit has been totally engraved in me ever since. From sports events to just going to dinner in the city, every aspect has stuck with me through many memories.
Senior year
What’s one thing you’ll always remember about your senior year?
I will always remember my first day of senior year because of how surreal it felt because it hit me how quickly time flew by.
Which activity has had the biggest impact on you?
My golf team had the biggest impact on me because it taught me alot about myself and I met an amazing group of girls through that team.
How would the people who know you best describe who you are right now?
They would describe me as a person that they can always lean on for advice or as someone who is responsible.
What accomplishment from high school are you most proud of?
I am very proud of myself for pushing myself to take classes I would never have thought I would and on top of it, doing well in them.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself during your senior year?
I have learned to not take any moment for granted, as things will only be a memory before you can even believe it.
Senior portrait session
How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Natural, radiant and golden-hour
What kind of vibe were you hoping your senior photos would capture?
I would hope they would capture a luminous and vivid vibe with the lighting hitting just perfect.
What drew you to Laura Mares Photography for your senior portraits?
I saw some of her other senior portraits and thought that the posing, location and lighting was exactly what I wanted.
Did you have a favorite moment of the session?
I loved the photos against the gate in mellon park, I felt like the lighting fell perfectly in that moment,
What parts of your personality are captured in your senior photos?
Being a very sympathetic person, I feel like my photos are very warm and comforting to look at
Which portrait is your favorite?
My favorite portrait is the one in the flowers because I think the combination of my yellow dress and the color of the white/yellowish flowers is just beautiful.
What comes next
What are you most excited about as you take your next steps after graduation?
I am most excited to explore more fun cities and places so I can see what else there is than Pittsburgh. It has been all I have known my whole life, and I am beyond eager to meet new people and share stories about my life with them.
What goals or dreams are you looking forward to exploring in the future?
I am looking forward to getting a job in business where I can continue my education forever by constantly learning new things as the world evolves with technology.
A Season Worth Remembering
There’s something exciting about standing at the edge of a new chapter, especially when you know how quickly the last one passed.
Photographing Clare at Mellon Park was a chance to slow that moment down. We wandered through the gardens in the evening light, finding beautiful pockets of color, letting her move naturally, and making space for the little details that made the session feel like her. Her floral dress, cowgirl boots, warm smile, and easy confidence all became part of the story.
Soon, Pittsburgh will become the place she looks back on while exploring new cities, meeting new people, continuing to learn, and building a life of her own. But these photographs will always belong to this season, this place, and this version of her.
What will you want to remember?
Senior year goes quickly. Your portraits should capture more than what you looked like. They should feel like you, right now. If you’re planning senior photos in Pittsburgh, I’d love to create something personal, relaxed, and completely your own.
