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

10.16.23 11.02.23

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.

Harrisburg PA outdoor family photography — Harrisburg PA Family photoshoot

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.

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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.

family poses together at their outdoor family photography session

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.

child portraits by Harrisburg family photographer

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.

little girl plays outside at her Harrisburg family photo session

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.

mother and daughter laugh and play together at Harrisburg family photoshoot

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.

Little girl photographed near Harrisburg pa by family photographer Karissa Zimmer

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.

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

09.15.23 11.02.23

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.

Outdoor family photography in flower field near Carlisle PA — Outdoor Family Photography near Carlisle PA

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!

Best Family Photographer near Carlisle PA — Outdoor Family Photoshoot

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.

Baby photographed during outdoor family photo shoot — Outdoor Baby Photos Carlisle PA

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.

Family photography session photographed in a flower meadow

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!

Flower meadow family photos by Carlisle PA Family Photographer Karissa Zimmer Photographyu

Baby boy outdoor family photography in Carlisle PA by Karissa Zimmer Photography

6 Things Your Family Photographer in Hershey Wants You to Know

06.28.23 06.19.23

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Best Hershey PA Family Photography Karissa Zimmer

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.

Outdoor candid family photos near Hershey

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.

Hershey outdoor Family Portrait photography

Outdoor Baby photos by Hershey PA family photographer

Family Photography in Hershey: Are Family Photos Worth It?

06.08.23 06.19.23

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.

Mother and sons photographed together at outdoor family photography session — Outdoor family photos in Hershey

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.

brothers photographed together at their family photo session in Hershey PA — Hershey child photographer

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.

Family photographed together at their outdoor family photo session in Hershey PA

Best Family Photographer near me Hershey PA

Camp Hill Family Photography Tips: Summer Family Photo Outfits

05.25.23 06.19.23

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.

camp hill family photography session — Camp Hill Family Photography Session

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.

family photography in flowers in Camp Hill PA — Outdoor Family Photography

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.

Mother and son outdoor portraits — Mother and son outdoor family photoshoot in Central PA

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.