Camp Hill PA photographer

How to Choose a Dillsburg PA Newborn Photographer Your Family Can Grow With

There’s something about the photo shoot that’s featured in this blog that is especially near and dear to my heart as a Dillsburg PA newborn photographer: the fact that I’ve had the honor of working with this family before. I took their newborn photos when they welcomed their first beautiful baby, and to my absolute excitement, they called me again when they were expecting their new little one so I could take their new daughter’s newborn portraits too.

Not only is it a joy to be able to revisit a family I already know and to watch their lovely family grow, but it makes my heart happy to know that they were so comfortable with me the first time around that they trust me with their newborn again. And truthfully, coming back to the same photographer as your family grows will make your life easier too, because you know the photographer and become more and more comfortable with them at every session (and so do your kids!).

But the tricky question is, how do you find a photographer your family can grow with? Here are a few key tips.

Parent with newborn posed studio portraits near Dillsburg PA

Choose a Photographer with Multiple Specialties in Portrait Photography

Your family will want professional photos at certain special times in your life…and you want a photographer who can help with many of those special times. For example, I specialize in not only newborn photography but also milestone photography for babies and kids, family photography, senior photography, and maternity photography. So many of my clients love that when it’s time for a photo shoot for the next chapter of their life, they already know who to call.

Mom and newborn baby girl studio photography poses

Find a Dillsburg PA Newborn Photographer Whose Aesthetic Matches Yours

Beautiful photos are meant to be enjoyed on a daily basis in your home, and every photographer has their own aesthetic style. As you’re shopping for a photographer whose photos you’ll want to display in your home year after year, make sure you choose someone whose style matches the look you have in your home. This way, all of your portraits year after year will have a matching style and they’ll seamlessly fit into your home decor.

Newborn Baby girl studio photography posed in all green with Best newborn Photographer Karissa Zimmer Photography

Trust Your Gut

Chemistry between a photographer and a family can play a huge role in how well your photo shoot goes! When you have your first session with a photographer (and even before that, when you’re consulting and planning with them), ask yourself how well you and the photographer get on the same page and how comfortable you feel with them. When you find a photographer who “gets you” and who your kids are comfortable around, that’s a keeper!

Newborn Baby girl posed in a bucket for studio newborn photos by Karissa Zimmer Photography

Finding Your Match in a Dillsburg PA Newborn Photographer

It can be tricky to find a photographer who’s the best fit for your family, personality-wise and artistically, but when you have a good fit, that’s who you want to call every time you want new portraits or when there’s a new milestone on the horizon. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s find out if I’m that photographer for you!

Best newborn photographer near Dillsburg PA

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Senior Photo Outfit Ideas for Girls: Camp Hill PA Senior Portraits

When you have a daughter who’s getting ready for her Camp Hill PA senior portraits, you know that outfit planning is a big part of the process. As a photographer, I’m happy to work with you and your teenager to plan the perfect outfits, but I also know it can help to start thinking about ideas before your planning consultation.

Typically, for a senior photo shoot, you want to have three outfits or categories of outfits: casual, formal, and special interest outfits. Let’s talk about what each one of these is and what you might want to look for.

Camp Hill high school senior photographer Susquehanna River senior photos

Casual Senior Photo Outfit Ideas for Camp Hill PA Senior Portraits

Your daughter’s casual outfits should be fun and flirty - something she’d love to wear for a day out with friends. It should feel authentically like her, and give a sense of who she is on a daily basis. Some popular ideas of this could include:

  • Shorts and a cute top with sneakers or sandals
  • A fun romper or jumpsuit
  • Styled basics, like a simple top and skirt or jeans, complemented with great accessories

Best High School Senior Pictures near Camp Hill PA

Senior Photo Outfit Ideas for Formal Outfits

Your daughter’s senior portraits need to be versatile - she’ll share them with friends and use them on social media but she’ll also need them for more formal purposes like her yearbook, programs for extracurriculars, award and scholarship announcements, and more. So it’s important to have more formal outfits that are appropriate for those occasions. These might include:

  • A flowy sundress
  • A maxi skirt with a beautiful top

Keep in mind that most yearbooks have requirements for how revealing seniors’ photos can be, so make sure your daughter has a formal outfit that fits those requirements. Pay special attention to make sure she loves the neckline so that she’ll have headshots she loves too.

Central PA high School Senior Photographer 17011 Best High School Senior Photos Camp Hill

Special Interest Outfit Ideas for Senior Photography

We can’t forget about special interest outfits! These are more specific outfits that highlight certain hobbies and interests your daughter has. For example:

  • A jersey for a sport that she plays
  • Her ROTC uniform or an outfit that reflects her future career
  • Her letterman jacket

Susquehanna River High School Senior Photoshoot River Senior Photoshoot near 17011

Get Professional Styling for Your Camp Hill PA Senior Portraits

As a senior photographer, part of my service is to help you and your teen with the planning, including professional outfit styling to make it easy on you both. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning and styling!

High School girl poses on a rock in the river during her senior pictures with Karissa Zimmer Photography Best High School senior photography in Camp Hill PA Flower field senior pictures in Camp Hill PA High School Senior girl poses in a bright colorful flower field High School senior girl poses in purple flowers at her photo session

 

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How Often Should You Take Mechanicsburg PA Baby Milestone Photos?

 Milestone baby portraits in your child’s first year will become heirlooms for you and your whole family to cherish. But so many parents ask when exactly they should have their Mechanicsburg PA baby milestone photos taken. There’s really no wrong answer and it’s entirely up to you and what you want for your family, but to help you plan, here are the baby milestone sessions I recommend.

Best Camp Hill baby photographer captures images of a baby throughout her first year

Milestone 1: Newborn Photos

Newborn photos may or may not be considered “milestone” photo sessions, but either way, they’re such an invaluable part of your family’s photo albums. Newborn portraits are a fantastic way to celebrate your new little one and to preserve a little piece of this moment forever.

Newborn baby is dressed in all green and posed on a little green bed to be photographed by Harrisburg PA best newborn photographer.
Newborn photography with props

Milestone 2: Sitter Session Mechanicsburg PA Baby Milestone Photos

A sitter session, like the portraits of the beautiful baby girl featured here, is a photo session for that milestone when your baby is able to sit up on their own. Usually around 6 to 9 months, a sitter session gives us the opportunity to get adorable baby photos while your little one is alert and giggly but isn’t yet crawling and toddling all over the place.

best baby photographer near Mechanicsburg PA

Milestone 3: First Birthday Photos

Your baby’s first birthday is always a cause for celebration, and the celebration that lasts forever is a custom photo shoot. Whether you go with tradition and have a cake smash photo shoot or just a sweet photo session for your little one’s first birthday, this is a wonderful way to mark that milestone when your baby is becoming a toddler.

Camp Hill first birthday photographer captures images of a baby girl on a monochromatic blue set

Make Your Own Plan for Mechanicsburg PA Baby Milestone Photos

These three baby milestone photo shoots are popular with families in Mechanicsburg and beyond, but truly, it’s all up to you! As a baby photographer, I’ll work with your family to capture all the milestones you want. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

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Harrisburg Newborn Photography: 3 Reasons Why Parents Don’t Book Newborn Photos (And Why You Should!)

As a photographer with a specialty in Harrisburg newborn photography, I have the privilege of working with new parents month after month and seeing the joy and love on their faces when I reveal their newborn portraits. That reveal is always one of my favorite moments! But there are so many families who don’t have newborn photos taken. What are their concerns and should you worry about them too? These are some of the top reasons why some parents don’t book newborn photos.

A sleeping newborn baby boy displays a sweet little smile during his studio newborn photo session.

They Think It’ll Be Too Much Work

I’m a mom too, and I completely get it! Preparing for a baby takes so much thought and work, and the idea of getting yourself together for a photo shoot just days after giving birth, when you’re probably getting very little sleep, sounds daunting. But trust me when I tell you that it’s less work than you might expect!

As a photographer, one of my focuses is on making your session stress-free or as close to it as possible. I’ll take care of the planning and the styling, and I already have all the props, wraps, and accessories we need.

A new mom and new dad pose with the tiny baby boy and kiss him on his head during their first portrait session as new parents with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Harrisburg Newborn Photography Isn’t a Family Tradition

Maybe your parents didn’t have newborn photos of you and your siblings, or you didn’t take newborn photos for your first child so you worry that starting with your youngest child will be unfair. But it’s never too late to start a new family tradition! Newborn portraits are a beautiful gift to your future self and your family, whether you have them for one child or all your children.

tiny newborn baby boys photographed in all orange in Harrisburg Newborn photography studio

They Expect to Have Enough of Their Own Photos

You and your family and friends will take tons of photos of your new baby, of course, and that’s wonderful! But professional portraits fill a different need. Not only will they be expertly crafted and high-quality, but with professional newborn portraits, you’ll have baby photos of your baby with you. There are so few times when your entire growing family is in a photo together because someone’s always behind the camera, but a newborn photo shoot gives you these precious memories forever.

Newborn Photographer near Harrisburg PA captures sweet pose of a newborn baby boy posed on a little bed prop and dressed in blue

Booking Your Harrisburg Newborn Photography

Ultimately, there are always reasons why it might seem practical or reasonable to skip newborn photos. But those reasons will all feel so small when you have personalized, professional portraits of your baby at their tiniest (and of you with your newborn baby) in the years to come as you watch your child grow and change by the day. Reach out to Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s get your photo session in the books!

Baby boy is photographed in a bucket with an orange blanket during his first photoshoot with Best Newborn Photographer near Harrisburg PA

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How Central PA Cake Smash Photos Can Complete Your Baby Album

Your little one’s first year is an experience like no other, and you deserve to capture the memories to look back on with professional baby photography. Portraits for the milestones of your baby’s first year are always precious, but a custom photo shoot for central PA cake smash photos is the perfect way to close out your little one’s baby album.

Baby's First Birthday Photos on winter white setup

Tell the Story of Your Baby’s First Year

As a photographer and a parent, I know that every photo shoot for a young family is special and one of a kind. But they take on such a new life when you can see portraits from several milestones one after the other. Suddenly you’re reliving those moments and the moments in between, watching your baby grow all over again.

That’s the beauty of finishing your baby’s photo album with cake smash portraits for their first birthday. When you put them together with your baby’s other portraits like their newborn photos and sitter session portraits, they tell the story of this magical first year of life and all of its new experiences and discoveries.

Central PA First Birthday Photography

Aligning with the Aesthetic of Your Baby’s Other Portraits

This is particularly the case if you hire the same professional baby photographer for all of your baby’s photo sessions. Not only do your cake smash photos and your baby’s other portraits come together to tell a story but they do it in a cohesive and beautifully coordinated way. Home snapshots will always have their place in your heart, but professional portraits have the quality and lighting to really bring their image to life.

A custom wall portrait grouping by full service portrait photographer, Karissa Zimmer.

Highlighting Your Baby’s Emerging Personality with Customized Central PA Cake Smash Photos

One of the reasons that cake smash photos are so beloved is because of where your little one’s development is at their first birthday. As your child turns one year old, they’re starting to be able to show you their preferences. That could be a particular color they seem to gravitate toward (like the lovely shades of green we used for this baby girl’s cake smash photo shoot) or a song that always makes them do that adorably wiggly baby dancing. A custom photo shoot for this occasion is the perfect way to complete their baby album because it shows how your little one has changed and grown in their first year and is starting to develop their own interests.

Cake Smash First Birthday Photography near me

If your baby has their first birthday coming up, I’d love to celebrate the occasion with you with a custom cake smash photo shoot. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography in Harrisburg and let’s chat!

Central Baby Baby Cake Smash Photos by Karissa Zimmer Photography

Baby girl celebrates her first birthday with a cake smash studio photography session in Camp Hill PA

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How to Pick a Theme for Your Camp Hill PA Cake Smash Photo Shoot

If you’re getting ready to celebrate your baby’s first birthday - first of all, congratulations! This is an exciting milestone and your family should cherish it for the beautiful moment that it is. For many families, that means commemorating the occasion with a fun tradition: cake smash photos. If you’re making plans for a Camp Hill PA cake smash photo shoot, here are a few tips for deciding on a theme.

Baby girl smiles on little bed prop surrounded by purple balloons at her first birthday cake smash photoshoot in Camp Hill PA Cute baby girl poses on her all purple set during her studio cake smash photo session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Think About What Your Baby Loves

At almost one year old, your baby is, of course, a little young to express genuine interest in specific topics. Still, you’ve probably noticed if there are certain things that make your baby’s eyes light up like certain toys that fascinate them or songs that bring a smile to their face. If so, any of your baby’s favorites could make a perfect theme for their cake smash photos. This can be an extra special reminder of what brought your baby joy (and brought you joy too, because who doesn’t adore those baby giggles?) at this moment.

adorable baby girl in purple at her custom first birthday cake smash photoshoot with best baby photographer near Camp Hill PA

Consider Your Decor and Aesthetics for Your Camp Hill PA Cake Smash Photo Shoot

Another great way to come up with your theme for cake smash photos - or for any photo shoot, for that matter - is to think about where you want to display the portraits. What type of decor and colors are in that room and what types of themes will complement that decor?

The adorable baby girl’s cake smash photos featured in this blog, for example, have a cute strawberry theme. They’ll look amazing in a room that has pinks or reds in its color scheme, or colors and decor that align with this look.

One year old baby girl smashes her first birthday during her photo session with Camp Hill Photographer, Karissa Zimmer

Don’t Overthink it

Your cake smash photo theme doesn’t have to be something elaborate, specific, or meaningful. Photos are meant to be aesthetic, after all, so your theme could just be something you think is cute! Or it could be something you enjoy that you’re excited to share with your child someday, like baseball or cooking.

In fact, you don’t even have to have a theme, per se. You can just choose a color scheme you love that will look wonderful in the room where you plan to display your baby’s photos.

Best baby photographer in Camp hill PA cake smash photography first birthday photography near camp Hill PA

 

Let’s Plan Your Camp Hill PA Cake Smash Photo Shoot!

Already have some exciting ideas in mind for your baby’s cake smash photos? I can’t wait to hear them! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s book your session and start planning your baby’s once-in-a-lifetime cake smash photos.

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How to Prepare Before Your Camp Hill PA Senior Photo Shoot

There are so many exciting events and milestones in your senior year of high school. You’ll have your last prom and homecoming, you might have senior night for whatever sports or activities you’re involved in, and your school probably has some fun senior-exclusive events too. Your Camp Hill PA senior photo shoot is one of those milestones, and here are some prep tips to make sure you get spectacular senior portraits.

High School senior poses with his mom and family dog during his senior portrait session

Invest Time in Skin Care

One of the best things you can do to make sure you look your best for the big day is to spend some time on your skin care. Yes, modern editing puts a lot of power in my hands to tidy things up in your photos, but still, no one wants to worry about pimples during their senior photo shoot. Plus, if you’re wearing makeup, a smoother complexion makes your makeup look better too. You don’t have to get too fancy and it’s not ideal to try out any new products too close to your photo shoot. But for a few weeks, be diligent about the basics like cleansing your skin twice a day, using any acne products you use, and applying non-acne-causing moisturizer.

Trinity high school senior pictures by Karissa Zimmer Photography High School Senior photoshoot with Trinity High school senior boy

Think About How You Want to Represent Yourself for Your Camp Hill PA Senior Photo Shoot

Senior photography is an amazing milestone that you’ll only get once, so even though you probably have plenty of other things keeping you busy, spend a little bit of time thinking on it. Think about how you want to represent yourself at this exciting juncture in your life. What interests and passions do you want to highlight? What’s most important to you at this time in your life? What do you want the general feel and look to be?

Senior photos next to graffiti wall downtown Harrisburg Senior Photos in downtown Harrisburg PA

Get a Fresh Haircut…But Not Too Fresh

One of the most common mistakes for photo sessions is getting a haircut a day or two before the photo shoot. You want it to be fresh, sure, but haircuts often need some time to settle in before they really look natural. Plus, if it doesn’t look the way you wanted, you need time to get it fixed. I recommend getting your haircut a week or two before the session.

High School senior boy photos near Harrisburg PA with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Plan Ahead for Props

In a senior photo session, props are a great way to create snapshots of what your life is like at this age. But you don’t want to be scrambling to get your props together at the last minute so plan ahead to decide what you want to bring and to make sure they’re ready. For example, make sure your athletic jersey will be clean and wrinkle-free, have your musical instrument polished, and so on.

Best High School Senior Photographer in Harrisburg PA captures black and white image of senior boy with his violin Trinity High School senior Boy poses with his violin at his senior photo session in Harrisburg PA

Preparing for Your Camp Hill PA Senior Photo Shoot

These tips will get you started, but part of the benefit of hiring a professional photographer is the guidance we can give. You don’t have to worry about a thing! At Karissa Zimmer Photography, I’ll guide you through a checklist and help you plan the perfect Camp Hill PA senior photo shoot.

Mom poses for a shot with her son during his Harrisburg Senior Photo session with Karissa Zimmer Photography Mom poses for a shot with her son during his Harrisburg Senior Photo session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

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What to Know Before an In-Studio Session for Hershey PA Newborn Photography

Newborn photography is one type of photography that’s especially near and dear to my heart. I know how incredibly special these portraits are to your family and how much more special they’ll become as the years go by and your baby grows up, so I make sure your portraits are truly amazing and one of a kind. The magic happens in my studio, here are a few tidbits you’ll want to know for your Hershey PA newborn photography.

Newborn Baby girl posed studio photography on silver in newborn photo studio near Hershey

You Don’t Have to Bring Your Own Baby Outfits for Hershey PA Newborn Photography

Preparing for a newborn photo shoot is easier than you might think, especially when you come to my fully equipped studio. I have plenty of wraps and accessories to dress up your little one for their portraits as well as everything else we’ll need for your session. The only outfits you need to pick out are your own outfits you and your spouse or partner will wear in your portraits with your baby. Of course, you’re always welcome to bring anything specific that you want to incorporate into the session too like a homemade blanket or a sentimental outfit.

Hershey PA studio newborn Photography by Karissa Zimmer

I’ll Set Up the Studio for Your Baby’s Comfort

During your photo session, we want your baby to be sleepy and relaxed. I’ll set up my studio to be the perfect environment for a napping newborn. In fact, you’re welcome to take a nap if you like, too! You’ll be able to see your baby at all times during the session and you can just relax while I create your beautiful portraits.

Baby girl is posed in a bucket prop during a studio newborn photography session near Hershey PA

We’ll Follow Your Baby’s Lead

During your baby’s photo session, your baby calls the shots. While I’ll have plenty of ideas and options for poses, I won’t force your baby into any poses that are uncomfortable for them. I’ll also take as many breaks as they need for feeding and soothing. Not only does this ensure your baby’s safety but it also lets us get the beautiful and peaceful newborn photos you want.

Best Newborn Photographer near Hershey PA captures image of a newborn baby girl in a blue prop set.

Let’s Book Your Hershey PA Newborn Photography

Whether you have a studio session or a lifestyle photo shoot in mind, I’ll put together a stunning custom photo shoot that you and your growing family can treasure. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your session or to learn more.

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Why You Should Still Get Family Photos with Your Adult Children: Camp Hill PA Family Photos at Every Age

If you flip through my gallery of Camp Hill PA family photos (and just about any gallery of family portraits, actually), you’ll mostly see photos of parents with their young kids. And sure, young families make up most of my family photography clients. But I’ve watched so many families enjoy the magic of family portraits when their children are adults too. There are so many reasons why family photography is still so important when you have adult children.

Celebrating Unique Stages of Life with Camp Hill PA Family Photos

One of the most beautiful things about families is that these are such living, dynamic relationships. Your relationships with your children (and often your relationship with your spouse or partner) are so very different when your children are adults than when they were little. Your relationships will even continue to change throughout your children’s adulthoods as each person in the family changes.

A family photo session creates lifelong mementoes of not only what your family looked at this moment in time but also mementoes of who you each are and of the bonds you share at this time in your lives. Your family should be honored and celebrated just as much at this age as you did when your children were kids.

Photographing Your Expanding Family

As your children grow up, chances are that your family is about to expand! Maybe your children will bring a spouse or partner into the family, and/or have children of their own. Having family portraits throughout the years is a wonderful way to someday be able to look back and watch as your family grew and changed. No matter what age your child is today, you’ll one day cherish the memories of this time and you’ll be so glad to have professional portraits to bring back those memories.

Create a Shared Heirloom for Distant Family Members

It’s so common these days for young adults (and middle-aged adults) to move away from their hometown. Whether they’re moving for a new job or military orders, to be near their partner’s family, or just for a change of scenery and to strike out on new adventures, sometimes these moves can be sudden. A portrait of your family together is a fantastic way for all of you to keep a piece of each other in your homes, no matter how near or far you are.

Creating New Family Memories

As your children grow up, they get busy with their new adult lives - careers, dating, friends, travel, the works! Before you know it you have less and less time to spend together. But a family photo session is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some quality time together and create fun memories while also creating an heirloom that will last.

Contributing to Your Own Legacy for the Future with Camp Hill PA Family Photos

It might not be the most fun thing to think about, but one day you will leave this world and your children will want photos to remember you and all the times you shared together. They don’t only want to remember you as you were in their childhood but as you were in later years as well. It’s a beautiful gift for them to have portraits of your family across the many different chapters of your lives.

Booking Your Camp Hill PA Family Photos

If you want to celebrate the changing stages of your family’s life, it’s so important not to overlook your children’s adult years. To get your Camp Hill PA family photos on the calendar, reach out and let’s chat!

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When to Book First Birthday Photos in Hershey PA

Your little one’s first birthday is an occasion you start dreaming about as soon as your child is born. It marks the end of what might be the most life-changing year for your family, and a year of amazing growth and change for your little one. What better way to celebrate than with first birthday photos in Hershey PA?

If you’re looking ahead to your child’s first birthday cake smash photos, how soon should you book your session and start planning? As a baby photographer, I’m happy to share my advice.

The Short Answer: Book a Couple Months Ahead

I accept a limited number of photo sessions each month to make sure that I can give every client my undivided attention to make their portraits special. That means my schedule tends to book up a few months in advance. If you want your baby’s photo session to be right around their first birthday, I recommend that you contact me 1-4 months in advance to schedule your session.

The Longer Answer: Taking Other Factors Into Account

Booking a couple of months before your child’s birthday is great if you don’t have a particular date you want their portraits to arrive. But if you do have specific plans for your photos, you’ll want to plan ahead further.

For example, some parents want to unveil the portraits at their baby’s first birthday party. In this case, you’ll need to plan the photo session far enough in advance to allow time for editing and for ordering your wall art or any other display you choose. How far in advance you book can vary because some displays and prints may take longer to arrive than others, and we can discuss your specific plans when you book your session.

Ultimately, if you do have a specific date when you want to have your child’s cake smash portraits or one year portraits, reach out to my studio as early as possible. That way, we can talk it through and I’ll give you a recommendation on when we should schedule your session.

Planning Your Baby’s First Birthday Photos in Hershey PA

Let’s chat about your vision for your baby’s one year portraits! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and we’ll start planning the fun.

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