Emma's First Birthday Photoshoot

I am so grateful to have captured Emma’s first year milestone photos – enjoy these images of her first birthday session. We had a nice time walking the grounds of Robin Hill Park in Moon Twp. during a beautiful summer morning. Emma did so well, giving us her model gaze & poses! Check out some of my favorites below!

Big thanks to Emma’s mom & dad Rachel & Andrew for letting me in on taking Emma's first year pictures! Pictures are easy when the subjects are so beautiful :)

Michael J Fox

“Family is not an important thing.
It’s everything”

Emma knows how to do a smash a cake! How cute is she in that vintage high chair her momma got her!? Smash cake sessions are especially fun because you can see their unique personality shine through (on camera) by this age! Here are a few shots from the smash cake session!

Parent disclaimer: make sure you like the flavor of the cake when you are purchasing it for the session - you can be sure you will have to eat some! :)

If you are interested in a milestone photo session, contact me via the form below!

Lagania Family Photo Session

I loved meeting this family of four this past summer! Their family session was super relaxed, at Mellon Park in Pittsburgh. Their little boy, about two years old, was beyond adorable and smiling throughout the session.and so was his baby sister! We had perfect summer/fall weather - the leaves drifting off the trees and the sun beaming through through the trees - which made for beautiful morning light!

5 Tips For A Successful Newborn Photography Session

1. Location

To ensure you are comfortable, I always photograph babies in your own home. Firstly, baby is comfortable there and knows the location. Additionally, mom and dad don’t have to brave the traffic to travel to a studio. Coming to your home can also help mom out if she is recovering from labor - she can comfortably sit on a couch or chair and drink her tea or coffee :) If you’re worried about the state of your home postpartum- fear not - I’ve seen many houses! We simply need to clear off the floor where we set up and pick a spot that has good natural lighting.

2. Temperature

Babies can easily get too cold or too hot. It’s important for parents and for me as a photographer to keep baby warm, but it IS possible for baby to get too warm when it is particularly hot out. I suggest the temperature in the house is at 80 degrees before your session. In the winter, space heaters work great too!

3. Feeding & Breaks

Newborn babies may need breaks or feedings between outfit changes during a session. I schedule enough time in a session for this to happen! It is important that your baby has a full belly before we arrive or as we are arriving, which helps them sleep better so we can achieve those cutesy baby photos! For diaper changes between changes, ensure you have diapers, wipes and bags ready around your for quick changes. There can be small accidents when babies are naked for pictures, but fear not, I am used to this :)

4. Props & Wardrobe

Sentimental objects and outfits are welcome! However, be aware that we might not be able to get to all the outfits in time. I always strive to include one sentimental object and outfit in your session and try out best to get to the rest! You are not required to provide props as I have a variety of swaddles and outfits, textures and colors that you can choose from.

6. What to Wear

For lifestyle photoshoots, keep your clothing simple and neutral. Avoid dark colors, busy patterns and logos. Again, neutral (beige, pastel, ivory) are the more flattering and won’t take your eyes away from the baby when you look at the photos post shoot.

You know your baby more than I do, and I am always open to hearing and questions or concerns you may have! Sleeping, smiling, crying, fussing and breaks are ALL part of a newborn session, so please stay patient and calm throughout no matter what :)

If you are interested in scheduling a session, please email me at: lisaloganphoto@gmail.com

Avoid Making This #1 Baby Picture Mistake

I don’t have any professional newborn baby pictures of myself other than my obligatory hospital pictures (which can’t be characterized as “professional”) and candids my family took of me.

My mom has a few photos of me very obviously taken in a portrait studio, and calls them newborn. But, they’re hardly newborn. I look 3 months old or older. Granted newborn photography wasn’t what it was in the 90s as it is now, but personally I wish I had my own professional newborn portrait, such as this one I recently created:

The #1 baby picture mistake is simply this: skipping newborn photos or waiting too long. So, how can you avoid this?

The real mistake that I urge parents today not to make is skipping true newborn portraits altogether, or delaying the baby portraits so that they are no longer newborn portraits, as in my case. From my experience, after 15 days, the baby no longer has the “womb like quality”. Baby’s knees and arms cannot bend into the poses those first two weeks allow.

Always remember - “true” newborn portraits are done when babies are 14 days old or less. Most professional newborn photographers aim to conduct a session in this timeframe because babies are most sleepy, more flexible, and free from baby acne.

So don’t wait, don’t miss out, don’t put it off: you will never have a chance to recreate your newborn’s portraits. Baby’s photos will be beautiful after this, they just simply won’t be: newborn.

Of course your child will be both professionally and non-professionally photographed for the rest of his or her life, but this time is so special and fleeting that it really should be captured by a professional photographer.

Don’t let your child end up like me as a 5 month old in a studio, where everyone in my family calls “newborn”.

Yes, I suppose it’s cute.

But it’s not classic. And it’s not timeless.

And given the choice, I would have LOVED to have something more like this portrait:

Growing up with printed portraiture is important.

I’m glad I did - that is a mistake my parents certainly did NOT make.

Printed portraits have an impact on our lives and help us remember a time we likely have no memory of!

They shows us from a young age that we matter and are important.

Your child deserves to see their portrait displayed in your home (hopefully something a little more classic than mine!).  

Whether the images are in an album, in a frame, on the wall, your child should see themselves prominently displayed.

If you’re looking into newborn photography in Pittsburgh and are searching for a professional newborn photographer to create stunning, classic portraits of your baby that will stand the test of time, please contact me.  

Not only can I create these invaluable portraits in the comfort of your OWN home, but I also provide heirloom albums and wall art and can assist you in designing beautiful portrait art that you and your family will cherish for generations.

Bringing home your newborn baby is a once in a lifetime experience, and those baby days are gone in a flash. Celebrate the love and legacy that you are creating. I book limited due dates per month, so contact me right away. I can't wait to meet you and your bundle of joy: lisaloganphoto@gmail.com

5 Tips To Master Your Family Photoshoot

Let’s be real here: You want beautiful photos but the thought of a photo shoot can sound stressful. Have no fear: I am confident working with children of every age and families of every size. However, there are some ways you can prepare yourself and your family for the day of your photo shoot. Here are 5 tips to get the most out of your session!

1. Choose your clothing carefully.

Make sure to have your outfits selected in advance and ensure that they blend well with everyone that will be participating in the photo shoot. Ensure they are attractive and comfortable, especially for your children.  Ask yourself the following questions:  What do your dream family photos look like?  Are they are soft and elegant? Are they vibrant? The best colors for photos are neutral with warm, flowing fabrics. This include cream, white, soft pastels, gray and slate blues. If you want to add some fun colors to your photo shoot because it better reflects who are, that’s great too! You can choose coordinating colors (however not completely matching) with bold accent colors, such as grays with red accents. You can also add hats, scarves or other accessories to add personality to your photos.

2.  Be well rested and well fed.

Avoid scheduling your photo session around your child’s nap or bedtime. Choose a time where everyone will be well rested. The best time for lighting is two hours before sunset and after sunrise and called “the golden hour”.  Photos look best at this time of day. However, if this is a bad time for your children, we can talk to discuss what works best for your family. If this time doesn't work for your family, we can use open shade that will make your skin look lovely.

Also, don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. It might be fun to go out for a celebratory dinner afterward but this could mean hungry children and less smiles. If you cannot avoid this, bring plenty of snacks!

3. Leave plenty of time to get ready.

As a mom, I know how difficult it can be to get the children ready and out of the house. The solution: leave plenty of time to get ready.  If it helps, have appointments for hair and makeup before the photo shoot. A hair appointment for mom can help her feel confident. Leave enough time for showers, dressing, and getting the shoes on. I want you to enjoy your full photo session, so ensuring enough time to get ready will allow you to participate fully and have fun!

“We are completely in love with all the photos. I cannot put into words how thankful we are. Lisa captured our love at its best.”

4. Trust Your Photographer.

Allow me to naturally interact and talk with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. Help me capture the true essence of your child’s personality by talking with them as you normally would (and avoiding "say cheese!")

so that those smiles come naturally and easily. I have plenty of silly faces up my sleeve for the hard to coax ones! 

5. Have fun with your family.

Don’t be afraid to give your children a big hug. Dance in a circle. Pick up your children and give them a piggy back ride. Give your wife a hug and kiss on the check. Whisper to your husband how much you appreciate him. Play. Snuggle. Lay down on the blanket. Bring a game everyone loves (bring a soccer ball, monopoly, books, a bike etc.) Ask yourself, what do we love doing as a family? What do my children have fun with? Doing this will allow the me to capture the emotion and true beauty of your family. By showing me who you really are, I can capture your true emotion and essence as a family.

For more information or to inquire about pricing, email me at lisaloganphoto@gmail.com. I'm looking forward to working with you!

Gilyana Family

Josh and Anita are announcing their pregnancy with a beautiful summer photo shoot! Anita’s white dress complimented the soft white florals outdoors and gave the images a warm and airy feel. The love this family shares flows through each photograph.