Answering Your Hershey Newborn Photography Questions About Lifestyle Newborn Photos

02.09.23

If you have a baby on the way, you’ve probably noticed that every newborn portrait session has a look of its own. Photography is an art form, so naturally, each photographer has their own aesthetic style, but one of the largest differences you might notice is between posed in-studio portraits and lifestyle portraits that seem to just show the new family sharing their lives together. In my Hershey newborn photography studio, I’m happy to offer both!

Curious about lifestyle newborn photos? I’m answering your top questions about this popular option.

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In Hershey Newborn Photography, What are Lifestyle Newborn Photos?

Lifestyle newborn photos are photos that are usually taken in your home and they create a lovely picture of your baby’s first days of life. Instead of posed or themed portraits, these photos focus on authenticity, reflecting your daily life with your baby and your newly expanded family.

How Do Lifestyle Newborn Photos Fit into Hershey Newborn Photography?

Your baby’s first professional portraits are incredibly special for your family, so I want to create the look and feel that you want for the portraits that will adorn your walls for decades. Some families choose to exclusively have lifestyle newborn portraits or exclusively have in-studio portraits, while other families choose a combination of both. Many of my clients prefer to take their baby’s solo portraits in the studio and then do an add-on lifestyle session at home so they can include their baby’s siblings too.

How Should You Prepare for Lifestyle Newborn Portraits?

When parents ask this question, they’re really asking, “Does my home need to be spotless for this photo session?” Absolutely not! I typically limit lifestyle portraits to your baby’s nursery and potentially a couple of other spots in your home if they have particularly great lighting or aesthetics. As far as the rest of your home, I’m a mom too - this is a judgment-free zone!

Learn More About Hershey Newborn Photography

Want to chat about a lifestyle photo session for your baby? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today!

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How to Use Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos: 5 Top Ideas

01.23.23

Your Mechanicsburg newborn photos are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture your baby at their tiniest. Some parents find themselves dreaming of their baby’s newborn portraits and when they see their photos, they love them but aren’t sure what to do with them. Those gorgeous portraits that signify such a momentous time of their lives just end up as aging files on their hard drive.

As a photographer, I make sure my clients don’t have that problem. I walk families through every step of the process, including helping them decide how to display their portraits and even ordering the finished products for them so they know they’re getting heirloom-quality portraits and albums.

How can I help you put your newborn photos to further use? Try these ideas to make the most out of your baby’s first portraits.

1. Start a “Baby’s First Year” Album Collection Featuring Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos

Your baby’s newborn days are just the start of the incredible journey of growth they’ll have in their first year. Consider cataloging their first year in a collection of photo albums. You can start with your baby’s newborn portraits in an heirloom-quality album that I can design and source for you. Then, add albums for their milestone photo sessions throughout their first year. You'll finish the year with a collection of albums that tell the story of how your baby changed from birth to six months to nine months, and finally, their first birthday.

2. Create Birth Announcements

Mailed birth announcements used to be common, featuring a picture of the new bundle of joy along with their birth basics like their name, date and time of birth, weight, and length. That tradition has faded in recent years, but you may be surprised by how many people would love to bring it back.

With today’s technology, of course, word travels quickly so your birth announcements probably wouldn’t be the first time anyone is hearing about your baby’s arrival. It may be the first time some people have had the chance to see your beautiful baby, though, and it serves as a treasured keepsake you can hold dear alongside items like your wedding invitations. I'll be honored to help you create high-quality birth announcements with your newborn photos.

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3. Start a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a popular trend in home décor and it also happens to be a great way for your walls to tell the story of your family. You can start a special gallery wall dedicated to your baby’s childhood. Your baby’s newborn portraits can be the start, and you can add to the gallery with your baby’s milestone portraits and your family portraits throughout your baby’s childhood. I can help you design and grow your gallery wall with each passing milestone.

4. Create Custom Thank-You Notes Featuring Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos

Baby gifts are incredibly helpful whether you’re having your first baby or you’re adding to your already well-established family. Your loved ones are sure to appreciate a thank-you card, and they’ll love it even more when it’s a personalized card featuring that beautiful baby who received their gift. I can use your newborn portraits to create unique, custom thank-you cards that will become a memento for your loved ones.

5. Give Special Gifts to Grandparents

As momentous of an occasion as your baby’s birth is for you, there’s an entire village of people who are excited to welcome your new baby into the world too, like your baby’s new grandparents. When it comes time for the holidays, grandparents’ birthdays, or other special occasions, I can use your baby’s newborn portraits to design and source custom gifts that loved ones will treasure forever. Those could include quality framed portraits, photo albums, and more. You can do the same for godparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone else who is important in your child’s life too.

Your baby’s Mechanicsburg newborn photos allow you to, in a way, capture time in a bottle so you can preserve the memories of your baby’s first days. With the ideas above, you can put your newborn portraits to good use in numerous ways to get even more out of this investment in your family’s newest chapter of life.

If you’re looking for a photographer to create your baby’s first professional portraits, I’m happy to help! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to learn more or to book your Mechanicsburg newborn photos today.

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Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography Safety: What Every Parent Needs to Know

12.22.22

Your baby’s newborn portraits are a gift you give to yourself and to your family. You’re creating once-in-a-lifetime heirlooms you’ll cherish more and more as the years go by. As wonderful as Mechanicsburg newborn photography can be, though, it does have its risks if it isn’t done properly.

If you have a baby on the way or you’re preparing for newborn portraits, reading up on the essentials can help you make sure your baby is safe throughout the session. As a professional newborn photographer, I have five top facts that can help you get the spectacular portraits you want while putting your mind at ease.

There is newborn photography safety training, but not all newborn photographers have it.

Every new parent goes through the learning process of discovering how to safely handle their delicate little baby. Photographers need to learn this too, but to a greater extent because they need to know how to pose babies safely. There are plenty of safety courses for newborn photographers, but photographers don’t have to complete any of these courses to offer newborn portraits.

It’s common to assume that if a professional is offering a service, they must know what they’re doing. The truth is that there is no legal regulation of newborn photography, who can offer newborn photography, or what training these photographers need.

As a parent, when you’re hiring a newborn photographer, be sure to ask about their safety training. I’m proud to have thorough training in newborn photography safety, and I have specialized in newborn photography for over ten years.

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Not all poses are safe for every baby.

You’ve probably seen countless newborn portraits, either from browsing Pinterest or just seeing your friends’ babies’ portraits. Some of them feature elaborate or unique poses you may want to recreate for your baby.

It’s important to understand, though, that every newborn pose has its limitations. Some poses are only safe or practical for newborns who are still fairly curled up, for example, while others work best for babies who have stretched out more. Some babies also just won’t be comfortable in certain poses, and it’s safest not to try to force them into those poses.

As you’re planning your newborn session, it’s wonderful to share some ideas of what you love with your photographer. Try not to become too fixated on any one pose, though, and rest assured that you’ve hired a professional who will give you beautiful portraits regardless.

In a safe Mechanicsburg newborn photography session, the baby calls the shots.

During my newborn photography session, there’s no watching the clock – your baby is in charge and we take as much time as they need. I give your baby as much time as they need to get settled and comfortable whenever they need to throughout the session.

When it comes to posing, I let the baby decide what they’re comfortable with. If there’s a pose that they aren’t settling into, I simply move on and create a gorgeous portrait in another way. Not only does this make your baby’s portraits look more serene because your baby is sleepy and relaxed, but it keeps your baby safe in the process.

Follow your photographer’s instructions and guidance.

When you book your newborn photography session, your photographer will give you a guide of dos and don’ts – what to bring, who to bring, and so on. These instructions are designed to help everyone and ensure that you get the best newborn portraits possible, but they’re also designed for your baby’s safety.

For example, I request that parents don’t bring young children (besides their newborn, of course), grandparents, or anyone else to their newborn session. If the studio gets too crowded or if there are active kids moving around, it can create a safety hazard because of the equipment and other items in the studio. Please follow your photographer’s guidance because it’s there for the benefit of everyone.

Enjoying Safe Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography

Newborn photography can allow you to preserve priceless memories for your growing family, and it can all be done without putting your baby at risk. It all comes down to hiring an experienced, knowledgeable, and safety-minded newborn photographer and placing your trust in their guidance.

I am honored to provide this experience to countless families throughout the Mechanicsburg area, always keeping baby safety as my top priority. If you’d like to book your newborn photography session, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat.

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Harrisburg Newborn Photos for Preemies: Commonly Asked Questions

12.11.22

As every parent knows, you can never fully predict what will happen when it comes to bringing a baby into the world. Babies have their own schedules that don’t always match up with what we had planned, and we just have to follow the curveballs! If your baby is born early, how does that impact your newborn photography? What do you need to know about Harrisburg newborn photos for preemies?

As a photographer who has specialized in newborn portraits for over 12 years, I’ve photographed plenty of premature babies, and I’m here to answer your top questions.

Are Newborn Portraits Safe for Preemies?

Generally, yes, a newborn photo session is safe for preemies. Of course, every preemie can have their own needs and health challenges, so it’s always best to talk to your baby’s pediatrician or whichever medical professional is the most knowledgeable about their health. Rest assured, though, that as a specialized newborn photographer, I am extremely well-versed in handling precious preemies with care.

When Should a Preemie’s Harrisburg Newborn Photos Take Place?

Traditionally, newborn portraits are taken within two weeks of a baby’s birth. That timeline can be flexible, though, and it can especially vary for preemies. In fact, many preemies are still in the hospital when they’re two weeks old.

In the case of a preemie, I typically tell their parents to keep in touch and let me know when their baby is released from the hospital. At that point, we’ll be able to schedule your baby’s portrait session.

What if My Premature Baby Needs Oxygen or Other Medical Assistance?

If your baby is sent home from the hospital with oxygen, monitors, or other medical devices, those devices don’t prevent us from doing a newborn photo session. As long as your baby’s doctor is comfortable with it, I’m happy to take portraits while your baby is wearing their devices. After all, these are part of your baby’s story!

In some cases, I may need to adjust some of the typical poses or some of our plans to accommodate your baby’s devices. We can still get plenty of beautiful portraits regardless.

Is a Photo Session Different for Harrisburg Newborn Photos for Preemies vs. Full-Term Babies?

For the most part, a preemie’s newborn photo session works in the same way as a newborn session for a full-term baby. Every newborn session at my photo studio is unique and is guided by your baby and what makes them comfortable. This is how I conduct my sessions for any newborn, so rest assured that you’ll get outstanding portraits in any case.

Can You Take Newborn Portraits While a Preemie is Still in the Hospital?

If a baby is looking at a hospital stay of several weeks or longer after being born premature, their parents may wonder if they should take their portraits in the hospital. While this is a common question, it’s better to wait until your baby is released from the hospital. This way, you can get all the special details and looks you’ve been dreaming of without the interference of the hospital lighting or other challenges.

Do You Need a Special Photographer to Take Newborn Portraits for Preemies?

When you have a preemie, there can be many aspects of their early days that are different from those of a full-term baby. But what about photography? Are there photographers who specialize in working with preemies and should you hire one?

To my knowledge, there are not baby photographers who specialize in working with preemies, likely because a newborn session is much the same for preemies and full-term babies. For newborn portraits, it’s always best to hire a photographer who specializes in newborn photography, but you don’t need a photographer who specializes in preemies. If you feel more comfortable, though, it never hurts to ask your photographer if they have experience with preemies.

Book Your Harrisburg Newborn Photos

No matter what you expect from your pregnancy and your baby’s birth, I’m here to help you capture this incredible time in your family’s life. Contact my photo studio today to start planning your session.

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Camp Hill Newborn Portraits: How to Prepare for a Photo Session at Your Home

12.05.22

If you’re browsing my portfolio of newborn portraits, you might notice that some seem to be taken at clients’ homes. These in-home portraits can be a beautiful way to tell the story of your growing family. Let’s take a closer look at in-home Camp Hill newborn portraits and how you can prepare for one of these sessions.

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Why Might You Have a Newborn Photo Session at Home?

In-home newborn portraits are often referred to as lifestyle newborn photography. It’s all about creating stunning and genuine portraits of your family enjoying your time together.

I generally perform my clients’ core newborn photography session at my studio. For families who have other young children they want to include in their baby’s newborn photos, though, I offer a sibling add-on session at your home.

With this process, you don’t need to bring your children to your baby’s newborn session and entertain them for the several-hour session. You’ll still get the meaningful sibling portraits every parent loves, though. Throughout my years of specializing in newborn photography, I have found this to be the best of both worlds.

Preparing for Camp Hill Newborn Portraits at Your Home

If you have a sibling add-on session on the schedule, follow these helpful tips to prepare for your home session.

Have Your Nursery Photo-Ready

When I arrive at your home, I’ll be able to see the lighting in various areas of your home and choose the best places for portraits. For the most part, though, I’ll take your photos in the baby’s nursery. There’s no need to have the house spotless but if the nursery is tidy, it helps so much.

Prepare Your Children

Chat with your kids about the upcoming photo session, and be sure to frame it in a fun way. The best family portraits happen when everyone is relaxed and having a great time! Let them know they can just have fun and be themselves.

Booking Your Camp Hill Newborn Portraits

Have a baby on the way? I’d love to help you preserve these special moments. Book your photo session today.

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Hershey Newborn Portraits Tips: How to Get Your Newborn to Sleep

11.29.22

If you’ve browsed Hershey newborn portraits online for inspiration for your baby’s photo session, or if you’ve just seen your friends’ newborn photos, you’re probably already in love with those portraits of cozy, sleepy newborns. Sleeping newborn photos have such a precious look of sweet innocence, and when you look back on them years later, they can bring back memories of watching your little one slumber.

As every parent knows, though, getting a newborn to sleep isn’t always easy. So what is the best way to get your baby to sleep for their newborn photo session?

How to Get a Newborn to Sleep for Hershey Newborn Portraits

Newborn portraiture is one of my specialties as a photographer, so rest assured that I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve for lulling newborns to sleep. As a parent, though, there are some things you can do to make those adorable sleepy portraits possible.

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Try to Time Your Baby’s Sleep Purposefully

On the day of your newborn photo session, try to keep your baby awake for a few hours before the session. You might bathe them and play with them for a while, for example. You don’t want them to be uncomfortable – you just want them to be awake and in a good mood if possible. That way, when you arrive for your session, they’ll be ready for a deep nap.

Fill That Baby Belly

Once your baby has been awake for a few hours and is getting tired, you can seal the deal by feeding them right before their session or when you arrive for your session. When your baby has had their fill, they’re likely to fall right into that amazing, deep “full belly” type of sleep.

Some babies start to fall asleep while you’re feeding them. It’s tempting to let them fall asleep right then, but it’s important to burp them before we start the portrait session. If your baby has air in their belly, posing them for photos can make them uncomfortable and wake them up.

Prepare Your Baby for Sleep Before Feeding Them

While we do want a moment to burp your baby after you feed them, we want them to then be able to transition into sleep easily and stay asleep as we start taking photos. If your baby falls asleep clothed, they may wake up when we try to undress them for their portraits.

Consider undressing your baby and wrapping them loosely in a blanket while you feed them. This way, it’s much easier to wrap them or pose them nude without having to take off a onesie or anything else that could be complicated. As an added bonus, a loose blanket won’t leave lines on their skin, so they’ll look especially smooth and soft for their portraits.

Bring Your Trusted Favorites

Many babies will fall right asleep after you feed them, but others need a bit more effort to be lulled to sleep. I have a variety of tricks and tools at my Hershey newborn photography studio to soothe babies to sleep. You know your baby better than anyone, though, so when it’s time for your baby’s newborn session, you will probably have found the newborn sleep techniques that your baby loves most.

I encourage you to bring anything that helps your baby sleep at home. Maybe it’s a book you read to them, a lullaby you sing or play on your phone, a scent you use in their nursery, or whatever it may be. We may need to soothe them back to sleep a few times throughout the session, so anything can help.

What If Your Baby Doesn’t Sleep for Their Newborn Portraits?

With all the tips above chances are that your baby will be asleep for at least part of their session. Regardless, though, don’t worry! I have plenty of experience photographing both awake and asleep newborns, and we can still create absolutely beautiful newborn portraits while your baby is awake.

Keep in mind as well that if you’re stressed about trying to get your baby to sleep, your baby may pick up on that stress, making it more difficult for them to sleep. Just relax, follow the tips above, and know that you’re in the hands of a professional and it will all turn out wonderfully.

If you have a baby on the way, I would love to help you get the heirloom Hershey newborn portraits of your dreams. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s book your session.

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Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos: What to Wear

11.18.22

Whether you’re a full-blown fashionista or you throw on the first thing you grab from your closet, planning a wardrobe for a portrait session is a challenge. You want to find colors and cuts that will flatter you, photograph well, and coordinate nicely among the entire family in the portraits. You’re not alone – you have me in your corner! If you’re planning Mechanicsburg newborn photos, here’s your guide to what to wear for your photo session.

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Do I Need to Plan a Wardrobe for My Baby for Newborn Photos?

Here’s some good news: you don’t need to worry about clothing for your newborn. For newborn photography, I have an extensive selection of wraps and accessories to create all the looks you want for your baby. I often take plenty of nude newborn portraits too, as long as the baby will still rest comfortably.

What Parents Should Wear for Newborn Photos

Most of your newborn portraits, of course, will center on your beautiful new bundle of joy. But I always aim to take a few photos of the newborn with you, their loving parents, so you will want to bring some photo-friendly clothes for yourself and your spouse or partner.

My top recommendation is to bring something that is black and very simple – no logos, buttons, or embellishments. Dads will often choose a simple black Hanes-type t-shirt, though we also get a very touching, artistic effect in portraits of dads without a shirt holding their baby.

For moms, there’s no need to go out and buy something new – something simple and black is timeless and stunning. After all, I’ll be posing your baby in a way that covers much of your chest, so you won’t be able to see much of your top. It’s fantastic if you can show a bit of skin with a black sleeveless or short-sleeved top, but long sleeves are still beautiful.

For any parent, we can also take portraits with your newly growing family in special garments that are meaningful to you. For instance, members of the military and first responders may want to take portraits in their uniform with their baby.

I do encourage parents to bring a backup outfit for their newborn portraits too. You never know when your baby might have an accident, and we want to make sure you aren’t scrambling for a way to cover up an uncomfortable stain!

What Siblings Should Wear

I love a great sibling portrait when a new baby comes into the family! Rather than taking sibling portraits during your baby’s newborn session, I take these portraits in a separate add-on photo shoot. We typically take these photos at your home so your kids can be comfortable and relaxed.

I typically take some sibling portraits with a soft, neutral color palette. For these photos, I suggest something white or cream-colored for girl siblings. For boy siblings, we can do the same colors or have them without a shirt. Many parents choose khakis without a shirt for their sons’ photos with their newborn.

Other than this, though, we can take your kids’ portraits in anything that feels natural and has coordinating colors throughout the family. Since we’ll be at your home, you can easily make a wardrobe change at any time if necessary. Keep in mind that for sibling portraits, as for traditional newborn portraits, you’ll want to have backup outfits ready for each member of the family.

Planning Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos

Getting spectacular newborn portraits can be easier than you think. As a full-service photographer, I take the time and work off your plate. I’ll guide you through the entire process, including turning your newborn photos into incredible, heirloom-quality artwork that’s ready to display in your home.

To start planning your newborn photos, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s chat about your dream portraits!

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Is Harrisburg PA Newborn Photography Worth It?

09.27.22

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When you’re the parent of a newborn, whether you’re brand new to parenthood or you’re balancing your newborn with other kids at home, life is tough! You’re exhausted by the constant cycle of caring for a new baby on minimal sleep, on top of recovering from childbirth. So adding a Harrisburg PA newborn photography shoot into the mix sounds like quite a hill to climb. I get it! But is it worth it?

As a parent myself and as a newborn photographer who has kept in touch with many of my client families, I can honestly say that yes, it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll never regret having these once-in-a-lifetime moments to look back on in the years to come.

Benefits of Professional Harrisburg PA Newborn Photography

If you’re on the fence about whether to make the investment in professional newborn photography, take these benefits into consideration.

Freezing a Precious Moment in Time

In the blink of an eye, your baby will no longer be a newborn. Those gummy baby yawns will be replaced with a mouth full of teeth and those tiny coos turn into toddler chatter. As much as you can cherish each stage in your child’s life, you’ll also miss little bits and pieces of your tiny newborn.

Professional Harrisburg PA newborn photography is a way to take just a taste of these precious days and have a memento that can transport you back to this time in your mind whenever you choose. As much as you expect to be able to remember every detail of your new baby for the rest of your life, time can push those memories to the back of your mind and newborn portraits can bring them back.

A Low-Stress Experience

A professional newborn photographer is so much more than a photographer. During your baby’s photo session, we handle all the details so you can have the rarest gift in the world of a new parent: a break!

We handle all the décor and set-up for your baby’s portraits, your baby’s “wardrobe” for the photos, and the poses and color schemes. Newborn photographers are experts at soothing babies to sleep, so we even handle most of your baby’s care and supervision during the shoot. You can just sit back and enjoy some restful time until your baby needs a feeding or a diaper change.

Professional Quality

The candid pictures you take of your baby in the course of day-to-day life will forever be cherished parts of your photo collections. As special as they are in showing what life is like for your little bundle of joy, they don’t take the place of professional portraits.

Professional newborn photos give you high-quality portraits that you can proudly hang on your wall and that complement your home’s décor. A professional has the ability, training, and equipment to control the lighting and positioning of your baby’s photos in a way others cannot, and even many families who try to take posed newborn photos on their own say they regret the fact that their baby’s photos don’t have that professional look.

A Ready-to-Display Portrait

Every Harrisburg PA newborn photographer has their own method, but I’m proud to be a full-service newborn photographer. This means I don’t just give you digital photos and send you on your way to figure out the rest. I guide you through the entire process, including helping you to decide how and where you want to display your baby’s portraits, design your display piece, and order your display for you. When all is said and done, you’ll have a stunning piece of custom artwork to display – a piece you know is of high enough quality to last for generations.

Planning Your Harrisburg PA Newborn Photography

At the end of the day, from my personal experience and the feedback of my clients, professional newborn photography is an investment you’ll be glad you made. Yes, it’s something new to fit into your schedule, but in the years to come when that tiny baby is hitting milestones, graduating from college, and having their own baby, you’ll be abundantly grateful to yourself for making time for the one-day photo shoot that gave you lifelong memories and priceless heirlooms.

To give your future self that gift, book your Harrisburg PA newborn photography session today.

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Harrisburg PA Lifestyle Newborn Photography vs. Studio Newborn Photography

09.09.22

In the midst of sleep deprivation and the constant cycle of feedings, your baby’s first days might feel like an eternity in the moment. Trust me when I say, though, that this stage will be over in the blink of an eye, and you’ll want every reminder of it that you can find. That’s why you want your baby’s newborn portraits to be perfect. It all starts with planning the best type of newborn photo session for you, so that brings us to this common question: should you book a Harrisburg PA lifestyle newborn photography or studio newborn photography session?

As a specialized newborn photographer, I’ve guided countless families through the journey of creating their timeless newborn portraits. I’m happy to help you understand the difference between these two types of newborn photo sessions and decide which one is best for you.

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What Is Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

Lifestyle newborn photography is a unique type of newborn portrait session that’s all about authenticity and candid moments. We take these photos within your home environment and, instead of traditional poses, we focus more on capturing genuine moments between you and your new bundle of joy.

What’s the Difference Between Lifestyle and Studio Newborn Photography?

Lifestyle photography and studio photography differ in the location of the photo shoot and in the content and feel. While a studio newborn portrait session takes place in our photography studio, a lifestyle portrait session takes place at your home – typically within your nursery but we can take advantage of other picturesque areas too.

In addition to this difference, studio newborn photos focus more on traditional poses, as your baby swaddled in a wrap on a cozy blanket background. A lifestyle photo session is meant to feel more like snapshots of your loving life with your new baby.

Benefits of Lifestyle Newborn Portraits

A Harrisburg PA lifestyle newborn photography session offers several unique benefits for growing families. First, these photos tend to feel more personalized because they have a backdrop no one can replicate: your home.

Second, they give you the convenience of staying at your own home. There’s no need to pack up your baby and the million items they need like pacifiers and diapers. Third, in the years to come when you look back on your photos, they’ll have the added joy of bringing back not only your baby’s newborn days but all the memories you’ve made in that nursery ever since.

Benefits of Studio Newborn Portraits

While lifestyle newborn photography has its advantages, studio newborn photography does too. First, because you’re coming to the studio, there’s no need to worry about having your nursery picture-ready.

Second, studio portraits give your photographer complete control over the environment. My studio is set up to allow for completely customized lighting and other factors that make it easy to create the exact look you want. Third, while there’s a limit to the equipment and items I can bring to a lifestyle photo session, my studio has everything we could need for your baby’s portraits so it’s an optimized set-up.

Another Option: Combining Lifestyle and Studio Newborn Photography

Can’t decide between lifestyle and studio photography for your newborn? You can have both! I offer the option to book a studio newborn session as well as a lifestyle add-on session at your home.

In fact, if your baby has older siblings under age 5 and you want portraits of that special bond, it’s best to keep the siblings at home during the studio session and book a sibling lifestyle add-on session. This way, you still get treasured lifestyle portraits and sibling portraits but you don’t have the struggle of managing your kids during the studio session which can last up to six hours.

Studio session as primary newborn session & then lifestyle add-on

Scheduling Your Harrisburg PA Lifestyle Newborn Photography or Studio Newborn Photography

Your newborn portraits are all about creating one-of-a-kind heirlooms you and your family can cherish for generations, and that starts with choosing the perfect type of photo session to suit your family. Not sure which one is best for you? I can help! Contact my photography studio today to chat about your options and book your session.

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8 Things Your Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer Wants You to Know

07.14.22

Your baby is only a tiny newborn for a matter of weeks, and newborn photography is the perfect way to preserve little pieces of this special time for you to treasure for a lifetime. I’ve been a Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer for nearly 20 years, and I can tell you that we want you to absolutely love your baby portraits!

How can you get the best possible photos (and make your session go smoothly too)? I’ve laid out a few bits of advice your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer wants you to know.

Your Newborn Will Guide the Session

Every baby is different – they’re comfortable in certain positions over others, they’re willing to indulge us for certain poses or they aren’t, etc. We go with your baby’s flow during your session, taking breaks when they need breaks and sometimes acknowledging that they don’t want to give us a particular portrait or pose. Know that we can’t guarantee that all your dream poses will be possible.

Your Baby Will Be Safe with a Specialized Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

Newborn photographers need to be trained specifically in safe posing for newborn babies. Feel free to ask your photographer about their expertise with posing safety for newborns. We won’t be offended and we want you to rest easy knowing that your baby is safe.

We Love Inspiration Photos! But Try to Pull Them from Our Gallery

A photographer’s goal is to create portraits you love, so it’s fantastic when you can show us some photos to give us an idea of your taste. Try to look for inspiration in your photographer’s gallery, though. Photography is an art form, so there is some ethical gray area if you show us another photographer’s work and want us to recreate it. Plus, we may not have the supplies to make it happen

Messes are Normal

You might notice that you don’t usually see diapers in newborn photos, but babies don’t stop having bodily functions for their photo session. Messes happen often, and that’s okay! Don’t be embarrassed because I promise you, we’ve seen it all. Do bring an extra outfit for yourself, though, especially if you’ll be in photos with your baby.

Yes, You Really Can Relax During Your Session

Take a load off, Momma! Exhaustion is an unavoidable part of having a newborn, but your newborn photography session is a chance to rest. Baby photographers have plenty of tricks for soothing your baby, and we’ll let you know if we need you to hop in to feed or soothe your baby, but for the most part, you can take a break and even grab a nap in the studio.

We Love When You Post Your Pics on Instagram, but Please Credit Your Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

When parents love their child’s newborn photos enough to share them with the world on social media, it always brings a smile to my face. I’m thrilled that you love your portraits! Please remember to credit your photographer, though, because the portraits are copyright-protected as original artwork.

Our Preparation Guides Benefit You, Us, and Your Baby

When you book your photo session, your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer will probably send you a preparation guide. This could include a list of things to bring, tips for making sure your baby is sleeping and in the ideal mood for their session, and so on.

These guides are the result of years of experience and trial and error in creating the best circumstances for your photo session. They’re our best way to get a smooth, stress-free session for you, your baby, and everyone involved, so please take some time to read through them and follow the suggestions.

We Really Do Love to Hear Your Thoughts

You and your photographer are a team – we both have the same goal of creating stunning newborn photos you’ll be able to enjoy forever. As on any team, communication is key. We really do want to hear your thoughts, ideas, and questions both before and during your session. In addition, if you have any concerns about a pose or anything else during your session, please let us know because your comfort is important to us.

A Final Note from Your Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

Getting fantastic newborn photos is a matter of teamwork. I promise you that your photographer is just as motivated as you are to create newborn portraits you love, and the insights above are designed to make that happen. You are the reason we do what we do! If you haven’t booked your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer yet, contact my photo studio today and we can start planning your session for truly magical portraits.

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