H.A. Hang: Lara Aman Mattey

The coolest part of our business has always been our clients. We’re amazed by all they do: CEOs and business owners, world travelers, authors, inventors, healers, entrepreneurs, newscasters, artists, pro athletes, musicians, caretakers, and philanthropists. 

We launched this series to share the stories of our clients and form connections within the H.A. community. Enjoy!

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Home Appétit: Tell us about Ivory Tree Portraits—how did your business get started?
Lara Aman Mattey: We have two studios, one in Wayne and one in Newtown in Bucks County. I was initially a client and loved the experience so much that when the opportunity arose to purchase the Wayne location in 2018, I jumped at it. 

You’re not a photographer by trade, so why did this feel like the right business for you?
I bring the perspective of a busy working mom. We try to make everything as straightforward as possible, so that it doesn’t feel like one more thing on the to-do list. Everything from booking sessions to ordering portraits is designed to be simple, easy, and stress-free.

I know Ivory Tree specializes in working with children. What does that mean, exactly?
We adopt a kid-led philosophy, inspired by how teachers manage classrooms. We do a ton of training with our photographers. Our approach is to genuinely engage children and empower them during their photo sessions. This creates an environment that naturally produces authentic, joyful smiles, rather than forced or posed expressions.

What did you do before owning Ivory Tree?
I was the VP of Marketing for Aramark's Refreshment Services division, primarily focused on coffee. My entire career has been centered around marketing and consumer experience, working across boutique agencies and large corporations, so owning a business actually felt like a very natural transition.

What's something surprising about your business or photographing kids that you’ve discovered?
People usually think they want perfectly posed family portraits—and we deliver those—but their favorite images always end up being the spontaneous, genuine moments. Images of kids laughing, whispering or interacting naturally are the ones families cherish most because they authentically capture the personality and growth of their children.

What's your favorite part of owning Ivory Tree Portraits?
On the customer side, I love meeting families and watching their children grow over the years—some kids I've photographed are now heading off to college, which is amazing to witness. On the business side, I’m passionate about creating a supportive work environment for women. We offer flexible roles, supporting women at different stages of their lives and careers, from moms returning to work to young professionals seeking stability in photography.

What are your favorite spots around Philadelphia?
I live in Garnet Valley, so we’re mostly out there. In Wayne, I love Cornerstone—it's an amazing wine bar and restaurant with a fantastic vibe. Locally in Garnet Valley, Avenue Kitchen is our favorite spot for brunch.

Do you have favorite Home Appétit dishes?
The Green Goddess chicken is amazing. Our family is primarily plant-focused, so we loved the spaghetti squash and Moroccan carrot soup, especially on a rainy day.

Learn more about Ivory Tree here.