A Parent’s To-Do List for Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

07.06.23 07.06.23

Some families enjoy a family portrait session every year while others only have the chance every several years. Either way, it’s not something you do every day. As a professional photographer, I aim to not only create beautiful works of personal art for my clients but to guide you through the process too and make it as simple and stress-free for you as possible. To help you manage your photo session planning process, I’ve put together a straightforward to-do list for any parent before outdoor family photography in Harrisburg PA.

Best Family Photographer in Harrisburg PA

#1. Choose Your Photographer

The first step in any photo session is to select your photographer, and frankly, that can be the hardest step too. You want a photographer you can work with well and someone whose work you love because every photographer has their own style. Keep in mind that each photographer has a different level of service too, so find a photographer who has the aesthetic and the service you’re looking for.

little girl photographed at outdoor family portrait session

#2. Decide on a Location for Your Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

After you’ve booked a session with the photographer of your choice (or during the booking process), you’ll coordinate with your photographer to choose a location for your photo session. The season, the look you want, and other factors will impact your location of choice. The beauty is, though, that you have an expert photographer in your corner, and we know all the best spots in town! I always chat with my clients about what they want for their session and recommend the best locations for them.

Harrisburg PA Outdoor family photography

#3. Tell Your Family the Good News

Once you’ve worked out the major details, it’s time to bring your kids in on the plan. The rule of thumb is to be excited and position the photo session as a fun family experience. It’s contagious – if you’re excited about something, your kids will be too!

#4. Design the Family’s Wardrobe for Your Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

Wardrobe planning is another item on your to-do list that I can help you with directly. As a full-service photographer, I gladly offer tips and help in planning your family’s wardrobe, including pointers about what does (and doesn’t) look good on camera, advice on what colors might best flatter you and your family, and more. I also advise having a backup outfit planned for each person in case an issue arises.

Outdoor family photography near Harrisburg PA

#5. Plan the Day of Your Photoshoot

Logistics can make a world of difference in your photo session, so make a plan for the day of the photo shoot. Based on when your session will be, plan a schedule that ensures everyone will be fed and rested during the photo shoot. Plan when you need to start getting everyone ready, how much time you’ll need to do your hair and makeup, and so on. Give yourself an earlier out-the-door time than you need in case there’s traffic or you’re running late.

best Child photographer near Harrisburg PA

#6. Make a List of Items to Bring

The last thing you want is to arrive at your photo session and realize you’ve forgotten something important. Give yourself more time to think of all the essentials by making a to-bring list. Include things like all the individual pieces for everyone’s backup outfits, snacks, drinks, diapers, wipes, and so on.

#7. Prep and Pack Your Items for the Photo Shoot

The day before your photo shoot, get everything packed and ready so that, when it’s time to leave, you just need to grab everything and go. Get everyone’s wardrobe and backup outfit items laundered and pressed if necessary. Put snacks and other items in a cooler or bag in the fridge. The goal is to make your life as easy as possible.

little girl photographed at outdoor family photography session in Harrisburg PA

#8. Don’t Lose Sight of the Goal: To Have Fun!

This might not seem that important but it really is a biggie – remember to have fun! The best portraits happen when you and your family are genuinely enjoying your time together. Try not to stress about the little details. Spots on someone’s clothes can be edited out, but I can’t edit in a carefree smile.

Harrisburg PA Child photos by family photographer, Karissa Zimmer

Getting Started with Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

Ready to tackle your own family portrait to-do list? I can help! Contact my Harrisburg photo studio to book your session today.

Hershey PA Family Photographer | The Stirpe Family

02.24.22 03.10.22

I love being a Hershey PA Family Photographer! I hold this family so close to my heart! The Stirpe Family has continued to trust me to capture their family portraits for the last 4 years! I’ve even been lucky enough to document and watch their littlest, Ava, grow up since birth! That is truly the greatest compliment and honor any Hershey PA Family Photographer can possibly receive! Not only are my clients trusting me to capture and create the best images for them, but they are trusting me with a piece of their family’s lives and I do not take that lightly!

Hershey outdoor family photo, Hershey PA Family Photographer, family photography in Hershey PA, Hershey photographer, family photography packages — Family Photography Hershey

Choosing a location for your Hershey PA Family Photos

I must say, this family is a true creature of habit! They have one location they have loved over and over for the past few years! But this time, we all agreed it was time for a nice change-up! We decided on Founder’s Hall at The Milton Hershey School for the Stirpe’s family photos. The grounds here are absolutely beautiful during any time of year. It truly makes for the perfect setting for a Hershey family photo session!

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Summer Family Photography sessions

Now, when I say the Stirpes’ are creatures of habit I am not kidding! Just like they’ve got their favorite location, they also had a serious tendency to LOVE fall family photography. I’m pretty certain I’ve spent approximately 3 of the 4 years we worked together trying to convert them to summer family photography session clients! This past year WE DID IT! We did a Hershey PA summer family photo shoot and it was pure magic. Hands down, my favorite session we ever captured together! I think we could agree that the summer “magic hour” is truly the most magical!

Build a relationship with your Family photographer!

I truly adore these 4 people. My clients that I get to see each year become my people! Almost like an extension of my family and friend circle! I love that we can laugh together, have our yearly “inside jokes” and most of all watch their babies grow up together. I believe family photography is such a personal service. It’s not a service where you should pick “just anyone” to perform. I believe you should always have the opportunity to meet your photographer for an in-person consultation prior to working together. Kind of like a preliminary “meet and greet” to see if they’re a good fit for your family. You should feel that your personalities mesh well and that you trust them to work with your children and capture them authentically. When choosing the right Hershey PA Family Photographer, you should know it’s someone you’ll enjoy working with and trust to capture your family for years to come, not just one and done!

Choose me to capture your Hershey PA Family Photography Session!

I’d love to learn more about you and your family and how we can capture some amazing images together! Images that you will want to display on the walls of your home for years and years to come! I am a custom, full-service portrait photographer serving Hershey PA and all of the surrounding Central PA towns including Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, York, and Carlisle PA. I will walk you through my portrait photography process from start to finish! Shoot me a quick message today to start planning your family’s photo session!

Harrisburg Family Photography | The Peter Allen House

02.05.22 01.12.22

Harrisburg PA Family of 5 poses together at their outdoor family Photography session at The Peter Allen House — Harrisburg Family Photography at The Peter Allen House

When the Colello Family inquired about a super special Harrisburg family photography session, I was struck immediately by their very significant and sentimental location request! I never could have guessed how adorable they’d all be in person! What is most extraordinary about this family, though, is undeniably the love they all have for each other!

Harrisburg Family Photography session at The Peter Allen House

Jenn and Pete had been married for almost 10 years. They wanted to go back to the location where they said their wedding vowels a decade earlier. Since saying “I do” at The Peter Allen House they’ve welcomed 3 beautiful little girls into their sweet family. And what an adorable crew they make! I absolutely loved the significance of their location choice! Jenn and Pete are still so into each other. And it’s evident in the way work together to parent their precious girls. Their kiddos are some of the most photogenic, friendly and kind little souls! Middle daughter, Julie even takes lots of hair pulling from her little sis with so much patience and grace! And while it’s natural for parents to worry about kiddos struggling to sit still during a session, I always tell parents to let them be kids! And as you see, it always works out!

3 Young Sisters are photographed together by family photographer, Karissa Zimmer Photography — Children’s Portraits near Harrisburg PA

The Family Portraits

As you can see from even just a quick glance through their photos, genuine connection, love, and joy are the qualities that turn beautiful family photos into the kind that take your breath away! Those sincere moments of connection are the ones families like the Colellos will treasure on the walls of their home for decades.

When I’m planning every Harrisburg family photography session, my number one goal is to bring out the unique personality of the family in front of my lens! I noticed right away that the Colellos were especially easy going yet sentimental. So, I made it my mission to capture that in photos! By taking them back to the spot where it all began 10 years ago, I was able to highlight something so special!

Full Service Portrait Photography

It’s also so important to me that family photos this magical don’t just hide away on your computer hard drive forever. This is why I am a full service portrait photographer. Therefore, I encourage all my clients to invest in displays for their images. Whether that be through an heirloom album to pass around on holidays or a gallery full of wall art. During your order appointment, I will use special design software to show you exactly how your family portraits will look like on your very own walls!

I had such a blast telling the Colello’s family story with my camera during our Harrisburg family photography session at The Peter Allen house! I hope to see them for another photo session again soon!

Are you looking to take family photos of your own? Let’s chat! Shoot me a message and I will be in touch to help you create something special. Every step of the way!

Young girl poses with pink Hydrangeas at The Peter Allen House near Harrisburg PA

Little girl smiles while posing in purple flowers at her family photo shoot at The Peter Allen House — Young girl poses with pink Hydrangeas at The Peter Allen House near Harrisburg PA

Harrisburg Fall Family Photographer | Shipoke Family Photography

01.21.22 01.20.22

Harrisburg Fall Family Photographer captures Family Portrait in Shipoke

As a Harrisburg Fall Family photographer, I’ve explored endless colorful locations for photo sessions. From the woodsy stuff to the urban spots, the Harrisburg PA area has it all! But when the The Mickelwrights told me they wanted to explore a location with lots of variety, I knew exactly where to take them for their photo session. We absolutely had to plan a Shipoke family photography session!

Harrisburg Fall Family Photo Session in Shipoke

Shipoke is one of the oldest and most quaint neighborhoods in Harrisburg PA. I first discovered the potential of a Shipoke family photography session when I ended up at a delicious Cuban (Los Tres Cubanos) restaurant for dinner plans a few years ago. I knew right away that I had to bring clients families and my camera here for future sessions! And this colorful, quaint and quiet spot, especially in the Fall, was the perfect backdrop for the Micklewright family!

The colors and textures showcased during our Shipoke family session gave the whole session a “Fall with a little bit of lingering summer feel. ” And the Indian Summer weather we had this fall season added an extra bit of comfort! It always helps to have a super easy going and easy to please family like these guys!

Dressing for your Fall Family Photography Session

I also loved the way they dressed to perfectly complement the location. I always advise families to look up images of their session location beforehand to ensure perfect color choices, and this crew definitely chose wisely! Choosing a color palette isn’t an easy task, especially for a family of 4 or more. But, I never get tired of helping families build the perfect wardrobe for their session! For our Shipoke family photography session, they went with neutral fall tones which worked wonderfully with the pops of color in Shipoke. So, if you’re considering a family session of your own, but are nervous about what to wear, don’t let that stop you from booking! I promise, with my help it will be easy and effortless!

Finding the perfect spot to take family photos on the other hand, isn’t always easy. But, this is one of my favorites! You better believe I’ll continue to return here over and over again! It’s one of my absolute favorite locations as a Harrisburg Fall Family Photographer! Thank you so much, Micklewright family for inviting me along on this adventure with you! I hope to spend time with all of you again so soon!