Mechanicsburg PA child photographer Karissa Zimmer specializes in children’s photography in Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Carlisle, Hershey and surrounding Central PA. Karissa Zimmer Photography offers a custom, full-service newborn photography experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Custom First Birthday Cake Smash Photography Sessions near Hershey PA
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.
Hershey PA First Birthday Cake Smash Photoshoot
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.
Cake Smash Photography Session
Planning Your Baby’s First Birthday Photos in Hershey PA
As a family photographer, I have the absolute pleasure of helping families capture the sweet stages of their kids’ childhoods, from those early baby days through your child’s adolescence as they grow into adulthood. Many of the families I work with will ask the same question: how often should you have professional photos taken for your kids? Here’s the advice I give about taking childhood portraits in Camp Hill, PA.
The Short Answer: As Often as You Like!
At the end of the day, childhood photography is all about your family’s preferences - they’re your memories and your portraits so it’s up to you! There’s no consistent recommendation that works for every family, it all depends on how frequently you want professional portraits as well as what is reasonable for your schedule and budget.
Is It Time for New Childhood Portraits in Camp Hill, PA?
With all of that said, I certainly understand that some families want guidance and recommendations, so I’m happy to help. While nothing is set in stone, here are a few signals that it might be time for updated childhood portraits.
Your child has reached a new developmental level since their last photo session. For example, maybe your little one was a toddler in their last portraits but now they’re elementary age - a new stage of life is a great time for fresh portraits.
You find yourself wishing you had professional photos of your child at this age, even if you love the day-to-day snapshots you take on special occasions or around the house. Both professional portraits and at-home photos have their place in your family’s prized memories.
Your child has reached or is approaching a meaningful milestone in their childhood, like starting elementary school or starting middle school, or a cultural milestone like their bar/bat mitzvah or quinceañera.
While there are no hard-and-fast rules that work for every family, these little life markers can be helpful ways to gauge when you’ll want new milestone photos.
Time for New Childhood Portraits? Here’s How to Get Started
If you’ve decided your family is due for some new professional photos, I can help! Contact Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning your childhood portraits in Camp Hill, PA.
Hershey Child PhotographyYoung girl poses with pink Hydrangeas at The Peter Allen House near Harrisburg PAChild portraits in the creek at photo session with Mechanicsburg Family Photographer
For many parents, the mere idea of a family photo session makes them feel stressed because they’re worried about all the work that goes into planning outfits, blocking out the schedule, getting the kids to cooperate during the session, and so on. It doesn’t have to be that way, though! As your trusted family photographer in Hershey, I know that the family photography process can be smooth, simple, and even enjoyable. To help improve your next family photo experience, check out these six things I wish all of my clients knew.
1. Photos of the Whole Family Matter
Parents often find themselves justifying a lack of family photos because they’re constantly taking pictures of the kids and their childhood adventures…and because they’re self-conscious about being in the pictures. The fact is, though, that for your children, having photos of the whole family together will one day be priceless. One day your children will only have their memories of you, and portraits of the entire family together will bring those memories back to life.
2. Each Photographer’s Style is Unique
Photography is an art form, just like painting and writing music, so every photographer has their own artistic style. If you have a specific vision in mind for the way you want your family portraits to look, make sure you go to a photographer who creates in that same style. Know that while every family’s portraits are unique, you can expect your photos to have the same general style as the other photos in your photographer’s profile.
3. I’m Here to Help as Your Family Photographer in Hershey
This is a big one! The reason so many parents dread family photos is the planning, like picking out outfits for everyone. You don’t have to do that alone! When you hire me as your photographer, I’m here to share my expertise at every step of the way. I’m happy to give you guidance and answer any questions you have, so just ask.
4. Your Photos Deserve More Than a Social Media Post
Professional family photos are an investment, and your images deserve to be treasured and enjoyed for years to come. When you love your photos, you’re eager to share them with all your friends and family members on social media, and that’s wonderful! But that shouldn’t be the only way you enjoy your portraits. Displaying family photos on your walls gives you stunning custom artwork and allows you to relive beloved memories every day. It doesn’t have to take a lot of extra work to do this, either - my full-service photography studio can handle all of this for you.
5. It Helps to Stick with the Same Family Photographer in Hershey
There are so many family photographers out there, and you might find yourself wishing you could try them all. There’s a special advantage to hiring the same photographer for all of your family’s professional portraits, though.
The best photos happen when everyone is comfortable and confident, and this naturally happens as your family gets to know your photographer and vice versa. As your kids get more comfortable with your photographer, they’re more likely to relax and make every session a better experience with better outcomes.
6. What Matters Most is Having Fun!
When parents think of family photos, their minds often immediately go to the work involved, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t need to be stressing about things like a few wrinkles on clothing or a dirt spot or two. My aim is to capture your family’s spirit on camera - the laughter, the affection, the way you relate to each other. It’s this authenticity that will make your family portraits that much more special. So during your session, just relax and enjoy the time with your kids. I can retouch a pimple or a grass mark, but I can’t put a genuine smile on your face.
Creating the Best Experience with Your Family Photographer in Hershey
As a trusted family photographer, I’ve spent years helping families throughout the Hershey and Harrisburg areas to create the beautiful, lifelong heirlooms that are custom family portraits. The tips above can help you to enjoy not only a smoother, more positive experience but better family portraits you’ll love forever. Want to learn more? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat.
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.
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
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 Consultationwith 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!
Deliveryof Portrait Keepsakes and Installation of Wall Artby 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!
Individual Child Portraits by Camp Hill PA Photographer – Karissa Zimmer Photography
Family of 5 poses during their Fall Photoshoot near Camp Hill
Husband and Wife embrace one another during their photo session with Camp Hill Family Photographer.
3 young brothers are captured in a sweet pose by Camp Hill Photographer, Karissa Zimmer Photography
Brothers pose silly at their fall family photography session with Camp Hill Pa Photographer
Boy Photographed at Camp Hill Fall Family Photoshoot with Karissa Zimmer Photography
Child portrait near Camp Hill PA photography session
Young boy strikes a pose during his family photography shoot this Fall with Camp Hill Family Photographer
Child Portraits with Family Photographer near Camp Hill PA
Portrait of boy by Fall Family Photographer near Camp Hill PA
Fall Family Photoshoot with photographer near Camp Hill PA
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!
Sunflower Cake Smash Photo shoot
Sunflower Theme First Birthday Shoot
One Year Sunflower photoshoot
First Birthday Photography Studio
Sunflower theme photoshoot
First Birthday Photography near Camp Hill PA
Camp Hill PA Cake Smash Photography Session
Cake Smash Photography Session
Sunflower Theme Cake Smash
First Birthday Cake Smash studio session
Baby’s First Birthday Photography
First Birthday photography studio cake smash session
Cake Smash Photographer
Camp Hill Cake Smash Photography
Sunflower Naked Cake
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!
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.
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.
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.
If you have a favorite photographer or photographer friend in your life…check on us. We are not ok! It is a very scary time for all of us small business owners. But, there are ways you can help support us in this time of crisis. If you’re not able to shop and spend with us, keep us in your thoughts and prayers! In addition, please, please share our social media posts, leave a glowing Google review, or tag us in your favorite photo that we took. These little things all help so much more than you can imagine!
Like many photographers, my slow season is usually ending as soon as the first blooms start to break the dead of winter. It’s the time for fresh new life and outdoor maternity photos, family portrait sessions, pictures of children happily playing outside. I am usually on bloom “look out” and casing out my favorite locations for those beautiful tree blossoms that make for the perfect maternity, senior or family photography session. This is a time I look forward to every year as do many of my clients. This year is so very different. And so very scary too.
Small Businesses Need Your Support
I am blessed in so many ways. I thank God everyday that I am able to do what I love as my job! However, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for this COVID crisis. Many of you know that I am a solo mom of an awesome 12 year old daughter and that my photography business is my (typically-MORE than) full time job. It’s my livelihood – my bread and butter. Not being able to make a living for (at this point) over a month is tough. And to kick, most little businesses like mine have not yet seen a penny of our government’s promised help. I know there are many, many people walking in my shoes right now. Certainly, I am not alone! I want to be here to see you again when dust settles. And I want to connect and capture the moments that mean the most to you. Not only do I miss my clients and doing what I love so much, I miss being able to make a living to provide for my daughter and I. The good news is, there are lots of ways you can help support the photographer in your life! Some of them costing $0!
How You Can Support Your Photographer during this crisis:
1. Buy Products
Remember that extra piece of wall art or album that you loved so much and wanted to add later? This is a perfect time to invest in an additional product/s from your previous session! It’s also a fantastic way for you show your support monetarily…and to purchase something beautiful that you and your children will have forever. Need to see your album layouts or images on your walls again? No problem. Let me know and I will create new wall mock-ups for you or provide you with the ones you saw during your ordering session. I would be happy to Skype screen share and walk you through the ordering process again to help you make the perfect selections!
2. Purchase a gift certificate to use at a future session
Do you already have a session booked with me or know that have your memories captured every year by “yours truly”? You can purchase a gift certificate in any amount to use toward portrait products at your future ordering session! It never expires and gets you a jump start on your order…and helps support your favorite photographer during these crazy times!
3. Leave a Great Review
Google reviews are literally worth their weight in gold! For every positive review I receive, not only does it help attract potential amazing clients (like you!), but Google thinks I’m the bees knees and puts me higher up in search results. Lets be real, when is the last time you ventured past the first page of search results?!
4. Engage on/share social media posts
Let’s be honest, no one has a lot on their daily calendar right now anyways, and there is a pretty good chance you’re on your phone scrolling through Instagram and Facebook. Likes, comments and shares are are all super helpful and show that you care about your photographer! Commenting and spreading the love helps our posts stay relevant and could introduce us to potential clients that you’re connected with on social media.
5. Refer me to your friends
A referral of friends and family is the greatest compliment you can give your photographer! If you’re not in the position to spend on a portrait product from a previous session or towards your future session, maybe you know someone who is looking to update their family pictures or add some art to their walls. Referring your friend or loved one to hire me as their photographer is showing me that you trust me and my work so much that you want someone you care about to experience working with me. That means the world.
Thank you to all of my amazing clients for your love and continued support. Not only now, but all the times you’ve trusted me to capture your memories and supported my little business in the past.
Love,
Karissa
To contact me about purchasing a product or gift certificate to use toward future products you can reach out to me via phone or text at 717-991-7414 or send me a message HERE.
Karissa Zimmer Photography is a Camp Hill PA photographer specializing in Newborn, Maternity, Family and High school senior portraits. She services all of Central PA including Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Hershey, Carlisle, and surrounding areas.
