Family

Central PA Family Photographer, Karissa Zimmer specializes in custom family photography in Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Carlisle, Hershey and surrounding Central PA. Karissa Zimmer Photography offers a custom, full-service portrait photography experience.  Check out Karissa Zimmer’s Family Photography Gallery here!

Celebrating New Chapters with Hershey PA Family Photography

Life might feel like it goes by in a flash, but when we look back at our life, we tend to see it in chapters. You might remember a fun story and think, “Oh that was when we were living in Such-and-Such Town” or “That was during those years when all the kids were at home and hadn’t started school.” When those types of life changes happen and launch a new chapter, like moving to a new city or just a new home, each child starting kindergarten, and each child leaving the nest, what better way to celebrate and memorialize them than with Hershey PA family photography? Here’s why.

1. Documenting the Start of Something New

In your family photo albums, these portraits will mark the beginning of a new chapter in your story. You’ll be able to bring yourself back to this moment when life changed in some way, and you’ll forever have this image of how your family looked and who you all were at this juncture. Years later when you embark on your next adventure together, like when you move to another new city, you’ll be able to look back and see how much your family has grown and changed in these years.

2. Creating Memories Together in Your New Chapter with Hershey PA Family Photography

A family photo session is about so much more than the photos themselves. The session is an experience that you have together as a family. When you have a family photo session to commemorate a move or another big change in life, the session can be a bonding experience with your family and a way to say, “We’re all in this together.” It can bring you closer amid all of life’s changes and it creates memories of the photo session that you can all look back on fondly.

3. Celebrating New Experiences Together

Big changes and new chapters in life bring new experiences for the whole family, and family portraits can be a way to remember those new experiences. Take the family whose photos are featured in this blog, for example. They recently moved to the Hershey area and this is the first time they’ve lived somewhere that had a traditional fall – chilly weather, colorful foliage, falling leaves, the works. This family portrait session is a way to remember the start of this exciting chapter of life (living in Pennsylvania) and to remember the first traditional fall they’ve shared. I know that, years down the line, they’ll absolutely love having these portraits to look back on.

Honor Your Family’s Story with Hershey PA Family Photography

As a family photographer, I’m passionate about giving every family the joy and beauty of professional family portraits, and it’s even more special when those portraits are celebrating the start of a new adventure you’re taking together. If your family is moving into a new chapter of your story, whether it’s a move, a graduation, a new baby, or whatever it might be, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s preserve this moment with family photos.

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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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Hershey PA Family Photography: 3 Common Concerns You Don’t Have to Worry About

The idea of organizing a family photo shoot can be stressful for many parents - I get it! You already have a busy schedule, so how will you find the time for the session, finding outfits, and all the other details? What if you spend all that time and don’t like how you look in the photos? I completely understand, and I’m here to help! The good news is that you don’t have to stress about your Hershey PA family photography as much as you think you do. These are some common concerns I’ve noticed among parents and why you can set your worries aside.

Picking Out Family Photo Outfits

This is a part of the planning that many families stress over, but when you have the help of a professional photographer, it’s so much easier than you think! During your in-person consultation, we’ll talk about color palettes and what I suggest for your family. As you’re choosing outfits, you can even send me pictures and I’ll let you know what I recommend.

Looking Your Best in Your Photos

So many people worry that they won’t like how they look in their photos, especially if you don’t like how you look in selfies and quick photos you take on your phone. But trust me, having a professional photographer is a whole different ball game! The families in the photos you see throughout my website aren’t models, they’re real people in the local area that I’ve photographed. Rest assured that I’ll guide your posing and other details to make sure I highlight your best side (and do the same for everyone in your family).

Creating a Display for Your Family Photos

Another common worry families have is that they’ll invest their time, energy, and money into a beautiful family photo shoot and then be lost when it comes to displaying those portraits. After all, it’s not easy to find a great printing provider, figure out a display design that will look wonderful in your home, order the prints, and then hang them up. That’s why I make sure my clients can skip all that work! We’ll meet together to go over your portraits and choose your favorites, and I’ll help you design and order a stunning display that’s perfect for your home.

Let’s Get Started with Your Worry-Free Hershey PA Family Photography

So much of the family photography experience depends on the photographer you hire. I make sure that every one of my clients has an enjoyable, low-stress experience. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning yours!

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Harrisburg Family Photography Tips: How to Choose a Location for Outdoor Family Photos

One of my favorite aspects of Harrisburg family photography is the fact that we have so many gorgeous locations in the area for outdoor portraits. No matter what style or look you want, chances are that there’s a spot nearby that’s perfect for your family photos. Many of my clients ask me for location recommendations, and it’s true that I’ve been able to scout out plenty of favorites in the area, but you’re welcome to choose a location of your own too!

If you’re looking for the perfect spot for your next family photo session, follow these top tips.

Consider the Look and Style You Want

Your photo shoot location will literally set the stage for your portraits, so the location you choose can immediately create the style and look you want for your photos. You want a location that suits the style you want, whether that style is rustic, natural, urban and chic, cozy, light and airy, or whatever it may be.

Look for Textures for Your Harrisburg Family Photography

You may be surprised by how much it can enhance a photo when you incorporate some complementing textures, and your photo shoot location is a great way to get those textures. Elements like a brick wall, a wooden structure, or an array of flowers can add a touch more visual interest and balance to your family portraits.

Envision Your Color Scheme

One of the first things many parents do when planning their Harrisburg family photography session is to choose a color scheme based on where they want to display their portraits. Make sure you take that color scheme into account when choosing your photo location, finding a spot with background colors that fit or complement your color scheme.

Be Mindful of Property Laws and Privacy

This is less of an aesthetic consideration and more of a logistical one, but it still matters. It’s critical to make sure you can legally and easily access the photo shoot location of your choice. If it’s private property, get permission in writing to take pictures there. If it’s public property like a public park, try to find an event schedule to make sure the area won’t be occupied by a festival or other event on your photo shoot day.

Find Space for Kids to Play During Your Harrisburg Family Photography

Posed portraits of your family sitting or standing together neatly are quaint and traditional, and all my Harrisburg family photography shoots will include these types of photos. But every family also loves some candid action shots taken while you and your family enjoy your time together, highlighting the authentic joy you have with your family.

To make it easier to create these types of images, it helps to have a photo location where kids can play and adventure a bit. It doesn’t have to be anything too complex, just some space for kids to explore safely.

Look for Plenty of Light

One of the most instrumental factors to consider for any photo session is the lighting. Depending on the time of day, if there are too many big structures in your photo shoot location, there might be too many shadows for me to fully showcase your beautiful family. Look for a location that is open enough that it will get plenty of light rather than an area that is overly shaded.

Consider a Space with Variety

It can be helpful to have a location that has several different spots that have their own looks and accents. For example, you might go to a family member’s farm that has a lovely old barn for some rustic looks, an open grassy area for more natural and minimalist portraits, and a flower garden to add some color. This lets us easily move from spot to spot so you have plenty of styles to choose from in your finished photo gallery.

Booking Your Harrisburg Family Photography

Whether or not you already have a vision and a location in mind for your family portraits, I can create a stunning family photo shoot that will produce portraits you’ll cherish for decades to come. Ready to start planning? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today.

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Family Photography in Carlisle PA Tips: How to Choose a Photo Location

The portraits featured in this blog are all from a beautiful session I recently had for family photography in Carlisle PA. There’s something unique about this family (beyond, of course, how sweet and adorable they are)...my clients chose this photo location themselves!

Most of my clients ask for my location recommendations, and I’m happy to provide them. But if there’s a particular spot you think may be perfect for your next family photo session, these are the top qualities you should look for.

Low Foot Traffic for Quiet Family Photography in Carlisle PA

Your photo session needs to be in a place that is public (or a place you can get permission to take photos), but it shouldn’t be too busy. If there are other people around, this can be distracting for kids and it could make it difficult for us to get portraits without people in the background. Even a busy park usually has some quieter pockets that are picture-perfect, so look for those!

Lighting

Natural light is so important for your portraits. While I always schedule these sessions for an hour of the day when the lighting is best, your location also needs to let that light in. Skip places like dense forests that block the surrounding light.

Space and Safety for Your Family Photography in Carlisle PA

The best family portraits show genuine joy and family moments, and I capture these by encouraging your family to play a little in the environment and have fun together. Make sure your session location has enough space for your kids to run and play safely.

Seasonal Colors

What colors are in the landscape at your photo location of choice? Are there lots of yellow flowers, for example, or pink ones? Make sure the colors and imagery will match the look you want for your family photos.

Creating Beautiful Family Photography in Carlisle PA

The session location is one of many factors that will work together to create stunning family portraits you’ll be proud to hang on your walls, and I can make sure everything aligns the way you want. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s get started!

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6 Things Your Family Photographer in Hershey Wants You to Know

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.

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Family Photography in Hershey: Are Family Photos Worth It?

You’re raising a family, and your schedule is constantly packed, so the idea of adding a family photo session to your plate sounds exhausting. I get it! The fact is, though, that with a full-service photographer, a photo session doesn’t have to be as much of a hassle as you expect it to be, because I’ll take care of the details. With that in mind, there are several reasons why investing in family photography in Hershey will be worth it for you and your kids alike.

Capturing Special Moments of Togetherness with Family Photography in Hershey

Family photos aren’t just posed portraits of everyone smiling stiffly at the camera. As a photographer, I have a trained eye for capturing the sweet moments of closeness between you and your family. It’s all about preserving authentic moments of love and joy with your family, and that’s something you won’t get with DIY snapshots.

High-Quality Portraits for Versatile Use

When you get a truly fantastic family picture that makes everyone look great, you want to use it for everything - social media, wall art, photo gifts, holiday cards, you name it. So it’s heartbreaking if that wonderful picture is just a low-resolution picture you snapped on your phone. With professional family photography in Hershey, you’ll get spectacular portraits that are high-quality enough that you can use them for anything, and I’ll even help you turn them into custom artwork for your home.

Lifelong Family Heirlooms

This time in your life, when your kids are young, is a time that you and they will cherish in the years ahead. One day, after you have lived your life, your kids will only have their memories of you…and pictures to bring back those memories. Family portraits are irreplaceable, beautiful gifts for your future children.

Investing in Your Family Photography in Hershey

To families all over the world, family photography is well worth the time and investment, and I’m honored to help so many throughout the Hershey area to invest in this special gift. To book your session, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today.

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Camp Hill Family Photography Tips: Summer Family Photo Outfits

Summer is a fantastic time for Camp Hill family photography. The weather and the scenery are absolutely gorgeous, and with the kids out of school (and school sports), many families have more flexible schedules. If you have a summer family portrait session in the plans, though, what should you and your family wear?

Outfit planning is among the top questions my clients ask, and I’m happy to help. Check out these tips.

Choose Neutral Colors That Complement Green

One of the reasons so many people love taking family photos in the summer is that the landscape is lush with beautiful plant life. While there are many places around Camp Hill that make for fantastic photo backgrounds, in most cases, you’ll have plenty of beautiful green scenery in the background. For that reason, choose colors that complement green.

Airy and soft neutrals like white and cream work excellently for summer. Variations of blue often look beautiful with these neutrals, and blush pink is a popular choice too. It’s usually best to avoid greens as they may clash with the background greenery.

Wear Multiple Textures for Your Camp Hill Family Photography

Textures can add dimension and visual interest to any family’s portraits. In the cooler months, you might do this with layers and scarves or other accessories. In the summer, try choosing outfits that have multiple textures. A dress with a lace overlay, for example, can be beautiful for Mom, and denim pants look excellent when paired with linen shirts.

Consider Floral Prints

Floral prints are excellent for spring and summer, and they can serve as “anchor outfits” that you use to construct your color scheme. For example, Mom can wear a floral dress and the rest of the family’s outfits can pull colors from that floral pattern.

Planning Your Camp Hill Family Photography Session

Take advantage of the beautiful summer ahead with a special family photo session - I’d be happy to help! Contact my Camp Hill PA photo studio today and let’s start planning.

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Questions to Ask Your Mechanicsburg Family Photographer (Before Hiring Them)

Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone in your family’s life or you’re just due for updated family portraits to chronicle this chapter of your family’s story, the photographer you hire will be the most important choice you make in the process. Before you make it official and book a date in a photographer’s calendar, how do you know if that Mechanicsburg family photographer is the right fit for you and your family?

While it’s partially a matter of human-to-human chemistry and whether you feel comfortable with a photographer, there are questions you can ask as well to make sure that a photographer aligns with you and your needs. Ask these questions before you hire a Mechanicsburg family photographer.

What Is the Process for Your Client Experience?

This is a biggie! The family photography experience varies significantly from one photographer to the next, so you want to find a photographer whose process aligns with what you want. Some photographers do all the planning over email, send you an online gallery when your images are ready, and have minimal contact with you throughout the process. Others take a more full-service approach with a personal consultation to plan the session as well as an individual appointment to choose your finished images and more. It’s just a question of whether you prefer that your family photos be quick and convenient or personalized and meaningful.

Make sure you also ask about the timeline for the process, especially if you want your portraits for a specific date or occasion. Ask the photographer how much guidance they will provide along the way as well, such as whether they can give you advice and feedback on planning your family’s outfits.

Do You Provide Printed Products or Digital Images Only?

As a full-service photographer, I’m passionate about making sure every family has beautiful portraits they’ll enjoy, so I work with you directly to help you design and order your framed prints, canvas prints, photo albums, or other products you choose, and I offer digital images as well. Some other photographers exclusively offer digital images. Make sure to ask your photographer what they offer in advance to make sure it aligns with what you want.

Where Can I Find a Portfolio of Your Work as a Mechanicsburg Family Photographer?

You’ve probably already seen the photographer’s work before you reach out to them, but I had to include this question for good measure! Photography is an art, and just like any other artist, every photographer has their own aesthetic style. Make sure to review some of the other family portraits your photographer has taken to make sure you love their style.

Questions About Your Specific Vision or Needs

If there’s anything specific you have in mind for your family portraits or anything unique about your family that may affect the photo session, it’s always best to ask in advance. For example, you might have a specific location where you’d love to take your photos or a theme you want for your photo shoot, and you’ll want to ask the photographer if they can bring that vision to life.

This can also apply to special circumstances regarding your family. Perhaps you have a child who is on the autism spectrum and want to know if your photographer has experience working with kids with ASD. If they don’t have this experience, it doesn’t mean they won’t do a wonderful job, but it’s always best to know in advance regardless.

Am I the Right Mechanicsburg Family Photographer for You?

I strongly believe that the best family photos happen when a family and photographer feel comfortable with each other and when the photographer can capture the family’s personality in the camera. That’s why I think it’s important to speak with my clients in advance to learn more about you and your family and plan a portrait session that speaks to your one-of-a-kind spirit. That’s why the questions above are so important.

To find out if I’m the right Mechanicsburg family photographer for you, let’s chat! Contact my PA family photo studio to learn more or to book your family photography session.

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A Camp Hill Family Photographer’s Tips for Amazing Smiles in Family Portraits

Every parent’s phone is packed with photos of their kids, and not just because your kids are so dang adorable. It’s also because it often takes dozens of snapshots before you get one with your kids showing their beautiful smiles, so you wind up with 20 unused pictures for every good one. It’s understandable, then, to worry about whether you’ll be able to get the kids to smile well for your family portraits with a Camp Hill family photographer.

That’s why I’m here! Before your next family photography session, check out these tips for coaxing out your kids’ best smiles for their portraits.

Choose a Fun Location

Kids are nothing if not honest – they don’t try to hide their feelings. If they’re somewhere that’s unfamiliar and boring to them, it will show in their facial expressions. So create surroundings they’ll actually enjoy during the family photo session.

That’s part of the reason why I conduct family photo sessions outdoors on location – so we can go somewhere that puts your kids in a good mood. It could be their favorite park or even their own backyard where they feel comfortable and in their element.

Let Kids Be Kids

When I take family photos, I take plenty of traditional, posed family portraits but I also take time to capture candid photos as kids enjoy the outdoors and whatever their surroundings may be.

There are multiple reasons for this. For one, those candid photos capture your kids’ personalities in a precious and authentic way. For two, this format lets kids get out some of their energy so they’re more amenable to sitting nicely in case we want a few more posed shots afterward.

Plan (and Pack) for Breaks

When kids are involved in a photo session, I already know that we’re working on the kids’ timetables. When kids get uncomfortable because they’re hungry or thirsty or they have to go to the bathroom, you won’t do yourself any favors by continuing to try to pose them.

That’s why breaks are an expected part of family photo sessions. Plan to take breaks and bring anything your kids might need to make them comfortable, like snacks, drinks, a favorite book, and so on.

Have Your Own Fun

Kids are so much more observant than we usually give them credit for. If you’re anxious or stressed, even if you try to smile through it, kids will pick up on that energy and they’ll be anxious, grumpy, or uncomfortable too.

I understand that it’s easier said than done but try to go into your family photo session feeling positive and relaxed. Your family portraits are important to you and you want to get the best photos you can, and this can make anyone anxious, but just relax and know that you have a trusted professional who will take care of the photos; all you have to do is have a good time with your kids.

Hire a Professional Camp Hill Family Photographer

As a Camp Hill family photographer with over 16 years of experience, I can tell you first-hand that photographing kids is very different from photographing adults. I love working with kids, and because family photography is a specialty of mine, I’ve picked up plenty of tricks over the years for getting kids to smile and have fun.

That’s why it’s important to hire a photographer who specializes in family photography. Our training and experience have given us everything we need to know to get the best photos of your family.

Booking Your Camp Hill Family Photographer

Ready to see your kids’ amazing little smiles? Now is the time to book your next family photo session! Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just updating your family portraits, I’ll be honored to make sure every member of your family looks their best.

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