There is something sacred about a piece of clothing that carries four generations of love within its stitches. When this mother reached out to me, I realized she didn’t just want a photo session—she wanted to honor an heirloom. Thirty-four years ago, her grandmother sat down to create a First Holy Communion dress. This year, that same dress—still perfect, still white, and still radiating with family history—was passed down to her daughter.
Spending the afternoon with this lovely, close-knit Pittsburgh family was a reminder of why I do what I do. Between hearing stories of life and the laughter of generations, we captured more than just a milestone; we captured a legacy. Meet the family below.
Can you share a bit about your family and what makes you who you are?
Our family is very close. We are exceptionally large. My grandparents on my father’s side have four children, 10 grandchildren, and coming on 19 great-grandchildren. My grandmother was a homemaker. She is an exceptional cook, baker, and seamstress. She makes traditional Italian Cookies that my family has been known to “hide” when a batch was made, as no one wanted to share these delicious treats. She made countless dresses for her own children and also for her grandchildren. One of those dresses was my 1st Holy Communion Dress, which we wanted to showcase in our photo session.
What does “family time” look like for you?
Family is everything to us. Family is our values, our beliefs, and our support. As our family grows, we continue all the celebrations and make sure not to leave anyone out. Although it is getting a little more difficult to squeeze everyone into our homes, we find a way. Our family time consists of celebrating milestones, birthdays, or even getting together “just because.” We enjoy each other’s company and look for each other for support in our own life’s journey.
What do you love most about raising your family in Pittsburgh?
I love the Pittsburgh traditions and the food! Christmas Eve is a large family gathering that we celebrate together in anticipation for Christmas Day. It is filled with laughter, great food, and even better company! My grandmother is known for cooking haluski, meatballs, fried dough, fudge, and of course, all the traditional Italian cookies including pizzelles.
What made you choose a natural, lifestyle approach?
My daughter will be receiving her 1st Holy Communion this year. My grandmother, now 85 years old, made my Communion Dress from scratch 34 years ago. When I started planning for my daughter’s Communion Day, I knew one thing for sure- she already had a dress to wear! I wanted to capture how special this dress was to our family. That is when I came across Laura Mares Photography- and I’m so glad that I did!
How did you prepare for your session — any advice for other Pittsburgh families booking lifestyle photos?
We chose to do our photo session at the church where my daughter will be receiving her 1st Holy Communion. I wanted to capture how special the dress was to our family. Of course, to our family, her dress meant something much more than a “dress”. It meant love, family tradition, and our religious beliefs. Our goal was to capture the timeless beauty of the dress, while celebrating my daughter’s sacrament with the people that have loved her since the day she was born.
Were there any funny or memorable moments with the kids during the session?
Our family was joyful in watching my daughter wearing the dress. She was whimsical – twirling and dancing around. It was a memory that I think our family will cherish. Capturing my daughter in this heirloom dress was a very special moment for all of us. We could not be more grateful for Laura, photographing our family’s love for each other as well as my daughter’s religious milestone.
What stood out to you about your experience with Laura Mares Photography?
Laura had sent a questionnaire prior to our session. She inquired about who will be photographed as well as their personalities. I felt an instant connection from completing the questionnaire that Laura would be prepared in achieving our goals for our session. Laura is warm and kind. We all felt comfortable with her right away. We could not have been more happy to work with her. She certainly understood the importance of my daughter’s dress and capturing our family’s special moments.
How did it feel seeing your family’s real laughter, hugs, and personalities come through in the final images?
It was delightful to witness my daughter wearing her 1st Holy Communion dress and having so much fun in doing so! I think watching her had made us all think about our first time celebrating the sacrament. Witnessing her exuberance made us all experience our own joy, which we are fortunate to have captured in the photos.
What’s one thing you hope your daughter remembers about this season of life when they look back on these photos?
I hope that my daughter will look back and see how blessed she is to have a loving family. I hope she realizes how remarkable it is to wear a dress completely made from scratch. Although it was tailored by my grandmother to fit me, it fit her just the same! I hope that she is able to pass down the dress to her own family some day, as I was able to. I hope this gives her joy and a profound understanding of family, love, and tradition.
What’s your favorite image from the session?
The image of my grandmother, myself, and my daughter is my favorite image. We feel blessed to have my grandmother witness my daughter wearing the same dress that she had made 34 years ago! It is an incredible keepsake to capture our family generations and to celebrate in the joy of this special sacrament together, along with the timeless beauty of the dress!
Was there a moment during our session where the emotion of the day really hit you?
Laura had made it a point to ask my grandmother about what she remembered about making the dress. The smile this question brought to my grandmother’s face was a moment that I will never forget. I knew that question had taken her back to a special time in her life that brought her happiness and joy. She shows her love in all that she does and this 1st Holy Communion dress was no exception to that!
The Threads That Bind Us
It was a privilege to witness the joy on her grandmother’s face as she watched her legacy in motion, a moment of pure love that will always resonate with me. There is something truly magical about the way a simple piece of fabric can hold years of family history. I am honored to be invited into these special moments to document the threads that bind us together. Being a photographer is a beautiful way to live life, surrounded by reminders of what truly matters in life—love.
Let's tell your story!
Do you have a family heirloom or a special tradition you want to preserve? I would love to help you tell that story. Click to get in touch and let’s start planning your customized family session.
