Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits Tip: Choose a Long-Term Family Photographer

12.30.22 02.02.23

The little boy whose Mechanicsburg first birthday portraits are featured in this blog, TJ, is one who is especially close to my heart. I’ve had the absolute joy of watching him grow and photograph his adorable milestones throughout his first year. Along with his newborn portraits, I created TJ’s six-month sitter session portraits and, recently, his one-year portraits.

Not only is TJ the happiest little cutie, but his portraits make me reflect on a topic I wish more clients knew about: the benefits of using the same photographer for all your baby’s milestones and your family portraits.

Why Use the Same Photographer for Your Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits and Other Milestones

Finding a family photographer you love isn’t easy. Did you know that you could do yourself a favor in multiple ways by revisiting them for every milestone and portrait session as your family grows?

As a portrait photographer who specializes in newborn portraits as well as maternity, family, baby, child, and senior photography, I have had the honor to do this for countless families in the Mechanicsburg area. There are several perks beyond the convenience of never needing to find a new photographer again.

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Portraits That Feel Personal

When you visit the same photographer numerous times, it lets us get to know you and your family. With every photo session, we understand your aesthetic tastes and your personality better. Each session’s portraits will feel more and more authentic to your family.

Comfortable Photo Sessions for the Whole Family

The best portraits always come when my clients are comfortable enough to be their genuine selves. Sure, getting experience in front of a camera helps, but it also comes from getting to know your photographer. When your family feels at home during your photo sessions, it allows me to capture more authentic smiles and it makes your sessions more enjoyable.

A Cohesive Gallery of Portraits

While I cater to your aesthetic tastes in each session, photography is an art form at the end of the day, and every photographer has a natural style. When you get all your portraits from the same photographer, you can more easily display your portraits together because they’ll all have the same artistic style.

Hiring Your Long-Term Family Photographer for Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits

Looking for a photographer who can grow with your family? Contact my Mechanicsburg studio today and let’s chat!

Family Photographer Near Me Camp Hill | The Whittaker Family

01.13.22 01.13.22

Family Photographer near me Camp Hill PA captures Fall Family Photography

You probably turned to your Google machine and typed “Family Photographer Near Me Camp Hill” which landed you right here! Yay! You’re in the perfect place! When I ask my newest clients how they found me they often respond with “I just typed Family Photographer Near Me into my Google search bar and loved your images!” That is exactly how the Whittaker family found me and I am so happy they did! This family of 3 boys was so much fun to work with!

Family of 5 poses together during their fall family photography session with Camp Hill Family Photographer

The Consultation with your Family Photographer

We all know most moms do it all! Including the search for the perfect photographer to capture her family’s memories! After Mom’s initial Google search for a “Family Photographer Near Me Camp Hill” she contacted me and we set up a consultation at my Camp Hill photography studio to meet and plan! I believe family photography is such a personal experience. Therefore, you should have the opportunity to meet the person who is going to work with and photograph your family. You should know that you like and trust your photographer before moving forward! A consultation also gives me as the photographer a chance to meet and get to know a little bit about my clients and their family. Connection and trust throughout my family photography process is something I value extensively.

The photo session with the Family Photographer near Camp Hill

Together, we talked about locations and style and ended up choosing a small town, urban feel for the Whittaker’s session. Can I just say this session was a stress free, ton of fun session! Not only are they a totally adorable family with 3 handsome boys, but the fact that they like to have fun and laugh is what made it perfect! I am certainly NOT above playing along with 3 young boys and their fart sounds and silly names or words! Ha! Life is short. So, It should be fun and light hearted and your family portraits should reflect who you are together in genuine form!

The Reveal and Ordering Appointment at the Camp Hill Photography Studio

The exciting part happened about two weeks after their session when mom came in to my Camp Hill photography studio to view her family’s images for the first time! I played a slideshow of all of their images, and using specialized computer software, was able to show her exactly what her portraits will look like on the walls of her home! Therefore, this part makes the ordering appointment truly awesome! The ability to use snap shots of my my clients very own home walls to show them true to life sizes and wall art products with their images takes all the guess work out for both of us! Together, we selected a variety of tangible products for their home. A keepsake that their children will have to carry through their lives and pass down for generations, and a big, beautiful grouping of round Farmhouse framed prints! My personal favorite too!

Delivery of Portrait Keepsakes and Installation of Wall Art by Camp Hill PA Family Photographer

This is where all of the magic comes together, forever! I think we can all agree that good things take time. Approximately 6-8 weeks after the ordering appointment I hand delivered all their heirloom portrait products and even hung and installed their wall art in the locations we selected during the ordering appointment! I pride myself on offering a truly full service portrait photography experience! Life is busy and i’m here to make this easy by walking you through the entire process from start to finish!

Reserving and planning your Family’s Camp Hill photography session

The best time to reserve and plan your own family’s portrait session is as soon as it crosses your mind! It’s always best to plan ahead and book several months in advance. I am here to help you every step of the way. So, reach out by contacting me HERE now and I will help you get the ball rolling! I can’t wait to meet your family and preserve your memories forever!

Famoil — Individual Child Portraits by Camp Hill PA Photographer – Karissa Zimmer Photography

Individual Child Portraits by Camp Hill PA Photographer – Karissa Zimmer Photography

Camp Hill Baby Photography Studio | Hannah’s Sunflower Cake Smash

01.03.22 01.03.22

Are you looking for a Camp Hill Baby Photography Studio? Look no further! A little bit of cake smash anxiety for the birthday girl did not stop us from capturing some of the most adorable images of Miss Hannah! I love everything about her sunflower theme! But most of all, I love that she was one of my tiny 2020 newborn clients who came back to see me! I was so excited that Hannah’s parents booked her a first birthday cake smash session way back when they were in the studio for her newborn ordering appointment. And, to me, that says they loved her newborn images so much! So much that they trusted me enough to capture this special milestone also! There is nothing that fills this photographer’s heart more than the opportunity to photograph my clients again and again! To watch and document my little clients as they grow up is truly the biggest honor!

baby girl smiles for camp hill cake smash photographer — Sunflower Cake Smash Photo shoot

little girl wears yellow romper and poses in bowl for her first birthday photos — Sunflower Cake Smash Photo shoot

Planning a Cake Smash Session in the Camp Hill Baby Photography Studio

When it was time to start planning Hannah’s cake smash session, her mama threw me a few ideas that she liked. Ultimately, she gave me the reigns! She trusted me to plan something beautiful for her baby girl’s special session. When she said she liked bright pops of color including yellow I just knew where I was going to go with this! I think the fall season and sunflowers pair so perfectly! It’s always my goal to plan and create a cake smash theme that is beautiful and timeless. I think everything about Hannah’s sunflower session is perfect for an October baby! Once I knew where I was going with this, I contacted my favorite baker, Brittany at Baked By Brittany in Mechanicsburg, PA. Although I opt for simple cakes for my sessions, she is a truly talented artist and creates some of the most elaborate cakes I’ve seen! Be sure to check her out!

When to book a cake smash studio session?

Will your baby turn one this year? If you’re wondering when to book your baby’s studio cake smash session the answer is: It’s never too early! As with all sessions, planning ahead is best! There is quite a process that goes into planning, customizing and making a first birthday cake smash session special! A first birthday session is something you’ll want to have reserved at least two months prior to your baby’s first birthday. Although, even further in advance is best!

My baby has a first birthday coming up! Where do I start?

Send me a message! I am here to help walk you through the entire portrait process! From the very first phone call we will have, through planning the most special cake smash session and all the way through delivery of your portrait art work! The first step is to reach out to me via my contact form. You can expect a phone call from me to start planning your baby’s milestone magic!

How Photography Can Boost Your Child’s Confidence & Self-Esteem

11.16.20 02.23.22

Having regular professional portraits taken of your child or your family can seem like it’s not really a big deal. Who cares if you don’t send out a holiday card or update your Facebook profile picture? But in reality, photography can have a huge impact on your children’s self-esteem and how they view their place in the world and your family unit.

A Tulane University study found that children who see photos of themselves have higher self-esteem than children who aren’t exposed to portraits. Having your family photos hanging up in your home can help your children grow into more confident adults.

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Show off what you love
Your home tends to reflect what you value most in life. After all, if we get a new outfit or the latest tech gadget, we can’t wait to show it off. Having the same attitude toward your family photos can reassure your children of how much they’re loved and valued. Let your children know just how important they are by having photos of them displayed prominently throughout your home.

Family photos can show your children that they are an important part of your family and can serve as a reminder that your home is a safe space, no matter what life throws at them. By seeing their place in portraits, they can better understand how they fit into your lives and into the family as a whole.

Strengthen your family bond
In addition to boosting your children’s self-esteem, family portraits can also strengthen the bond of your entire family. It’s the perfect way to demonstrate that you are a unit, a group of people who love and support each other and walk together through life.

Seeing family photos hanging on your wall lets your children know where they come from and who they are. It can help them establish and understand their identity at an early age and move through life with more confidence.

Print vs. Digital
If you’re like most parents, you probably take cell phone photos of your kids constantly. You may even post them on your social media. But your child doesn’t follow you on Instagram, so they don’t get to see your captions about how much you love them. They have no way of knowing how frequently you share their photos.

Having physical printed portraits hanging on the walls of your home lets your child know every day that they are loved and valued. A photo on the wall is a more sensory experience for your child than images on a phone screen or tablet. Displaying photos in your home lets your child—and everyone—know that you value your family and celebrate everything you have experienced together. It’s a way of demonstrating how important your family memories are to you, which can be comforting to your child.

As parents, we want our children to grow up with self-confidence and self-esteem. We want them to know that they are loved and cared for, no matter what. Photography is one way you can help your children see how important they are to you and your family and help boost their self-esteem as they grow.

What is a Sitter Session & Why Should We Have One?

09.24.20 01.24.22

Newborn sessions and cake smash sessions make for adorable photos and are a great way to capture your child at different stages in their life. But what about the year in between? Babies grow so quickly and change so much in just a year. Your one-year-old will look so different from your newborn, you may feel like you missed out on capturing the months of their growth in between.

A sitter session is the perfect way to capture your child after their newborn photos but before their first birthday. Simply put, a sitter session is a photo session for babies who can sit up on their own. These sessions usually take place around six to nine months and are a fun way for parents to see how much their little one has changed in such a short time.

Unlike a newborn, a six-month-old will begin to show off their personality. Babies at this age are playful, curious and quick to smile! Photos from a sitter session often capture fun expressions that parents absolutely love. Plus, while your little one is able to sit up at this stage, they’re usually not yet able to crawl quickly away, allowing your photographer to capture some fun images of their sweet face!

Sitter sessions are shorter than newborn sessions because they require less careful posing and prop and accessory setup. Your baby is also likely to be less fearful around strangers, making it easy to get them to smile. But be ready to get involved! Unlike a newborn session, you won’t be able to sit down and relax during a sitter session. It often takes parent involvement to get their little one to look at the camera and smile, but it’s super fun to watch the faces babies make during these sessions!

How do I know if my baby is ready for a sitter session?
If you want to schedule a sitter session but aren’t sure if your little one is ready just yet, ask yourself the following questions about your child:

Have they mastered rolling and crawling?
Do they love bouncing and kicking their legs?
Are they rocking or swaying?

If your answer is yes, then your baby is likely about to start sitting on their own! Maybe they have even already tried to sit up. If that’s the case, it’s time to book your session.

While you’re definitely aware how much your baby has grown and changed, sitter sessions offer you photos of your little one at a new stage of their life. It can be so fun for both parents and photographer to compare the photos from a sitter session to newborn photos and see how much your baby has started to grow into a little person!

There are plenty of milestones to capture in your baby’s first year, but a sitter session is the perfect halfway point between the birth of your newborn and their first birthday. Plus, the photos from your sitter session are fun to share with friends and family, whether online, in holiday cards or through gorgeous, high-quality products, like albums and wall art.

Like any stage in your baby’s first year, the sitter stage will pass quickly as the move on to crawling and even walking. That’s why it’s so important to capture this new development: you’ll be amazed at how quickly your baby grows up and how easy it is to forget how small they used to be.

Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits Tip: Choose a Long-Term Family Photographer

Why Use the Same Photographer for Your Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits and Other Milestones

Portraits That Feel Personal

Comfortable Photo Sessions for the Whole Family

A Cohesive Gallery of Portraits

Hiring Your Long-Term Family Photographer for Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits

Family Photographer Near Me Camp Hill | The Whittaker Family

The Consultation with your Family Photographer

The photo session with the Family Photographer near Camp Hill

The Reveal and Ordering Appointment at the Camp Hill Photography Studio

Delivery of Portrait Keepsakes and Installation of Wall Art by Camp Hill PA Family Photographer

Reserving and planning your Family’s Camp Hill photography session

Camp Hill Baby Photography Studio | Hannah’s Sunflower Cake Smash

Planning a Cake Smash Session in the Camp Hill Baby Photography Studio

When to book a cake smash studio session?

My baby has a first birthday coming up! Where do I start?

How Photography Can Boost Your Child’s Confidence & Self-Esteem

What is a Sitter Session & Why Should We Have One?

GET IN TOUCH

Karissa Zimmer Photography is based in Cumberland County, PA, and offers services throughout the surrounding areas including:
Camp Hill | Carlisle | Dillsburg | Harrisburg | Hershey | Mechanicsburg | York

FOLLOW ALONG

Children

Why Use the Same Photographer for Your Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits and Other Milestones

Portraits That Feel Personal

Comfortable Photo Sessions for the Whole Family

A Cohesive Gallery of Portraits

Hiring Your Long-Term Family Photographer for Mechanicsburg First Birthday Portraits

The Consultation with your Family Photographer

The photo session with the Family Photographer near Camp Hill

The Reveal and Ordering Appointment at the Camp Hill Photography Studio

Delivery of Portrait Keepsakes and Installation of Wall Art by Camp Hill PA Family Photographer

Reserving and planning your Family’s Camp Hill photography session

Planning a Cake Smash Session in the Camp Hill Baby Photography Studio

When to book a cake smash studio session?

My baby has a first birthday coming up! Where do I start?