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

7 Simple Steps for Planning your Lifestyle Photoshoot

Post author:Laura
Post published:April 29, 2021
Post category:Lifestyle Photography Session Tips
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7 Simple Steps for Planning your Lifestyle Photoshoot Whether you’ve scheduled your Lifestyle Session or are deciding whether it’s the best choice for you and your family, take the time to read through the main tips that will make your lifestyle photo session a success! 1. Choose the Right Space When deciding which rooms to use during the lifestyle photo session, it’s best to consider which rooms have the best lighting. I always use natural lighting, and have noticed that most homes have the best sunlight in the morning. You should consider which rooms will photograph the best. Try to choose a space that will only require light cleaning or preparation ahead of time. Lastly, also consider which room you will use based on what space has the best memories surrounding it. Perhaps your family loves cooking together and the kitchen would be the perfect spot! Or maybe you love…

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…

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…

Family Session Interview – Pittsburgh Lifestyle Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:October 2, 2020
Post category:Lifestyle Photography

Today's blog features a recent Lifestyle family session. I loved photographing this wonderfully unique family for a myriad of reasons. The dad is Irish so his go-to technique for getting giggles was to do an Irish jig! The mom fostered a loving home environment for the family. How fun! I loved visiting their beautiful home and hearing their many travel stories. I enjoy being a lifestyle photographer because it allows me to meet families like this and capture raw, authentic moments from their daily life. An added bonus during this family's session, was that I got to hear the family speak a little Gaelic! How did you and your spouse meet? We met in Green Harbor, MA, outside of Boston. I was living there at the time and Micheal was visiting friends. Describe your family. Micheal is from the West Coast of Ireland and I'm from all over the East Coast…

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…

My Best Photos – The Shoot & Share Photo Contest

Post author:Laura
Post published:July 13, 2020
Post category:Awarded | Published | Featured

The Shoot and Share Photo Contest is the world's largest photography contest that is fun, anonymous and completely about the photos. Voting goes on for an entire month, and you only know how your photos are doing, or even if you’re still in the contest, if you see your own images while voting. Voting is free and incredibly addictive, you simply click on your favorite image of the four that appear on your screen. Once you click another four photos appear for you to again choose your favorite. Hundreds of thousands of photographs are submitted each year from photographers around the world. It's exciting to see countless creative and beautiful shoots during the voting process. It's easy to loose track of time while clicking around the voting website. Best of the Best: Fjaðrárgljúfur, South Iceland For the past three years I have submitted 50 photos to the contest each year, in…

Why In Home Lifestyle Photography?

Post author:Laura
Post published:June 5, 2020
Post category:Lifestyle Photography Session Tips

Why in home lifestyle photography? Lifestyle photography is a beautiful way to celebrate the unique seasons of your family, like the birth of your newborn, your baby turning one, or your family cooking pizza together. I love in home lifestyle sessions! Staying in your own home for your newborn (or family) session is natural, authentic and comfortable. Isn't there something extra special about having your family photographed in your own space and truly capturing your daily life? In home lifestyle sessions mean you don't need to pack up or go anywhere This is especially beneficial when you’ve just brought home a new baby because odds are, you’re exhausted and the idea of packing up the van to have photos taken feels overwhelming. Another bonus is that children generally feel safe and comfortable in their own home. In home newborn and family sessions capture your life In home sessions are great for…

Newborn Lifestyle Session Interview – Pittsburgh Photographer

Post author:Laura
Post published:May 8, 2020
Post category:Lifestyle Photography Newborn

Just like plants require sunlight and water, dreams take some TLC, too! (Fun fact: while I may not have a green thumb, that doesn’t stop me from filling our home with plants!) I have learned what it takes to keep my dreams alive from this little beauty’s mom! After years of praying and waiting, her wildest dream came true this year when she became a mother! What about you? How long have you been waiting on your dream? How did you and your spouse meet? Aaron and I lived in the same apartment building and met when I had accidentally made a huge pot of green curry and invited all the neighbors to help me eat it! Describe how your life changed once you brought home your newborn baby. Everything changed instantly. You can't really describe something so all encompassing. But for every negative there are a thousand positives. Embrace the…

5 Tips for an Amazing Newborn Lifestyle Photo Shoot

Post author:Laura
Post published:March 24, 2020
Post category:Lifestyle Photography Newborn Session Tips

5 Tips for an Amazing Newborn Lifestyle Photo Shoot If I’m being honest, one of my favorite moments to capture as a photographer is those first few weeks of a newborn’s life spent with their new families. There is something so emotional, pure and new that I can’t help reminiscing of my own little ones when they were that age. I am always thankful for the opportunity to document the first little precious moments of your family and home. 1. Search for a Space with Light in Your Home This could be any room with access to natural light in your home. This can be the master bedroom, nursery, living room, etc. Typically the best time of day to photograph in one's home is at 10:00 a.m. We'll turn off the lights and use only the natural sunlight to fill your room. Additionally, don’t stress about cleaning up the entire house... well…