The Benefits of Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

03.24.24

We’re finally seeing those first few hints of spring after a long Pennsylvania winter! It’s enough to make anyone want to run outside and just bask in the sunlight we’ve all been missing this winter. One way you can take advantage of the beautiful spring is with outdoor family photography in Harrisburg PA. If you’re deciding between an in-studio or outdoor photo shoot, here are some special perks of outdoor portraits.

Best Family Photographer near Harrisburg PA — Outdoor Family Photoshoot

Authentic Family Fun

The best family photos always come from genuine smiles. I want your family to have fun during your photo shoot! Outdoor environments are a perfect way to do this. For many people, photography studios can be intimidating, but when your photo shoot is in a park, you’re in an area that is meant for fun and recreation, so it’s easier for the whole family to let loose and have a great time.

toddler girl smiles big next to bright red flowers at her outdoor family photo session in downtown Harrisburg PA

Low-Stress Environments for Parents of Active Kids

When you have active and energetic little ones, a photo studio can be a stressful place. You’re worried about your child running into equipment that could be dangerous or expensive, or messing up a carefully constructed background, so you feel the need to govern every step your child takes.

Outdoors, that’s not a problem! There’s plenty of space for kids to run around and be themselves, showing off that fun spirit that we want to celebrate in your family portraits. We can even choose a photo shoot location that your family is familiar with, like a park that you often visit, where you know your kids can run and play without safety hazards.

little girl plays outside at her Harrisburg family photo session

Taking Advantage of Nature’s Beauty for Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

An indoor photo studio can be designed to make for beautiful photo backgrounds, but why create a pretty background when nature has already done the work for us? We’re fortunate in the Harrisburg area to have plenty of gorgeous parks and outdoor settings that are perfect for family photos, and as a local family photographer, I know all the best spots! I’ll work with you to choose a photo shoot location based on the look and colors you want in your portraits.

Outdoor Family Photography session at The Peter Allen House near Harrisburg PA — Family Photography at The Peter Allen House

Creating Memories in the Moment

You want your family photos to be beautiful artwork for your home, of course, but they should be so much more than that too. A family portrait can transport you back in time to this amazing stage in your life, no matter how many years pass. It’s even better when the photo itself is linked to specific memories with your family. That’s my goal for family photo shoots: to allow your family to simply have fun and enjoy the day together while I turn that experience into gorgeous artwork. Outdoor photography is perfect for this - every time you see the portrait, you won’t just remember bringing the family to a studio, you’ll remember all the fun you had at that park spending quality time together.

Harrisburg PA Family of 4 smiles together at their Outdoor family photo session

Make the Most of This Spring! How to Book Your Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

Outdoor family photography in Harrisburg PA is an investment you’ll thank yourself for in the years to come, and this spring is the perfect time to take advantage of our stunning local scenery! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your family photo session.

The Benefits of Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA Read More »

My Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography: Why I Do In-Person Consultations

03.12.24

If you’ve shopped around for photographers in the past, you might know that every photographer has a different process or experience for their photo sessions. Some provide more hands-on support, service, and guidance while others use simplified processes that don’t involve as much time or one-on-one attention. In my central Pennsylvania newborn photography studio, I’m all about attentive service!

I know how important your newborn portraits are to you - the first professional photos your little one will ever have and the only ones you’ll have when they’re this tiny. These portraits are worthy of an investment, not only from you but from me too. I’m dedicated to creating custom portraits that are unique to your family, and one of the ways I do that is by starting with an in-person consultation. Here are a few insights into why I provide in-person consultations and the difference they make for my clients.

Newborn baby girl studio photo on cream backdrop with lace hat

Providing a Full-Service Experience for Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography

As a mom, I know first-hand that life is busy when you’re preparing for a new baby…and that’s an understatement! You have so much on your plate already, and my philosophy is that you should be able to get stunning newborn photos without adding more chores to your list. In-person consultations allow you and I to sit down for some dedicated planning time so I can use your preferences and vision to plan your photo session, help you decide what to wear, and more.

Full service Newborn photographer, Karissa Zimmer, shows mockup of portrait of newborn and parents on black in a custom, handmade wooden frame.

Getting to Know Your Tastes

Custom photography, including central Pennsylvania newborn photography, is all about capturing your special memories in a way that’s authentic to you and your family. Your family’s personalities should shine through in your portraits. Spending time with you in person lets me get to know you and your family so I can create portraits that are true to who you are.

newborn baby boy posed on green backdrop at his Mechanicsburg PA newborn photography session

Designing Your Session for the Final Result

I believe portraits should be displayed and loved in your home, not sitting on a storage drive or in the cloud. An in-person consultation gives us a chance to talk about how and where you might want to display your portraits. This way, I can design your session using color schemes, compositions, and other details that will coordinate perfectly with your home decor.

Wall art display created by full service newborn photographer in Central PA

Experience the Difference of Full-Service Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography

Ready to see what it’s like to have the personalized attention of a full-service photographer? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

My Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography: Why I Do In-Person Consultations Read More »

Now is the Time to Book Your Central Pennsylvania Maternity Photos for the Summer!

02.07.24

It’s cold and wintery in Pennsylvania right now, so it’s refreshing to look back on this stunning maternity photo shoot in Gettysburg last summer and to think ahead to the warm, sunny summer maternity photos to come. It’s also the perfect time for me to remind you: now is the perfect time to book your central Pennsylvania maternity photos for the summer!

camp hill pa maternity photography, maternity portraits camp hill pa, maternity photographer near me

Why Book Your Central Pennsylvania Maternity Photos Early

January may seem early to be thinking about summer maternity photos, but trust me, it’s the perfect time! If you’ll be in the late stages of your pregnancy in the summer, there are several reasons to schedule and start planning your summer maternity portraits now.

Find Availability for Your Preferred Date

Simply put, my schedule fills up quickly! The cycle of life never stops so I photograph newborn, maternity, and baby photos all year round. The summer, though, is also a popular time for my clients to schedule family photos and senior portraits. I only accept a limited number of photo sessions each month so I can give every client the personalized attention and custom service you deserve, so my books fill up early. Now is the best time to schedule if you want to have options during the ideal time in your pregnancy for maternity portraits.

Start Planning Early for Summer Central Pennsylvania Maternity Photos

Every client I work with is different, but many moms-to-be love planning the outfits and fun details of their maternity photos! All of this, though, will depend on where and when your photo shoot will be. Booking your session now will allow you to set those details so you can start thinking about the fun aspects of your session.

Move On with Other Projects

While maternity photography is something many women look forward to, figuring out the logistics like the scheduling can be stressful. You have a lot on your plate during this exciting time! Booking your maternity session early lets you get the logistics set and out of the way so you can move on with your to-do list.

Book Your Summer Central Pennsylvania Maternity Photos Today

Let’s start planning your dream maternity portraits together! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your session.

Now is the Time to Book Your Central Pennsylvania Maternity Photos for the Summer! Read More »

Camp Hill Newborn Photos: Should You Include Siblings?

01.26.24

Bringing a new baby into your family is such a different experience when you already have children compared to when it’s your first baby. On one hand, you already have a lot of essentials at home like furniture, but on the other hand, there are so many new considerations to plan for and think about like preparing your children for the new baby. One of these considerations is your Camp Hill newborn photos.

If your baby will have a big brother or sister, should you include these siblings in your newborn portraits? What can you expect if you do? As your trusted neighborhood photographer, I’m happy to shed some light.

Camp Hill Newborn lifestyle Photos, lifestyle newborn photographer near me harrisburg lifestyle photographer

Should You Include Your Baby’s Siblings in Their Camp Hill Newborn Photos?

Ultimately, this is purely a matter of preference and it’s a question each family has to decide for themselves. However many of my clients do decide to capture sibling portraits and portraits of the entire family together. Sibling portraits often become parents’ favorites among their newborn photos!

Including your baby’s siblings is a way to capture a look at the one-of-a-kind bond between your little ones from their earliest days. The experience of taking newborn portraits with your baby and their big brothers or sisters can also be a bonding experience in itself, demonstrating to your older kids that you’re all welcoming this new baby together as a family.

What Does it Look Like to Include Siblings in Newborn Portraits?

If your baby’s siblings are over 5 years old, we may be able to include their portraits in your baby’s studio newborn session. For kids under 5, though, or those who might prefer having space to run around, I offer a sibling add-on session. This session will take place in your home within a week of your baby’s studio newborn session. It gives your children the opportunity to be comfortable in their environment and makes the sibling portraits smoother for the whole family.

Will You Miss Out on Solo Baby Portraits if You Include Siblings in Your Camp Hill Newborn Photos?

Don’t worry, if you opt for sibling portraits, you’ll still have plenty of newborn photos of your baby on their own. This is the primary focus of every newborn photography session. Either way, you’ll also have plenty of portraits of your newborn with both parents and each parent separately.

Planning Your Camp Hill Newborn Photos

Every member of your family has their special bond with your new baby. Newborn photography is all about capturing the beauty of these bonds and of this amazing time in your life. Whether or not you choose to add sibling portraits, I’m honored to preserve these memories for your family. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your session.

Camp Hill Newborn Photos: Should You Include Siblings? Read More »

Why Quality Matters in Your Central PA Newborn Photography Displays

01.18.24

Your newborn will only be tiny for a short time, and as a mom, I can tell you that you won’t realize just how short the newborn stage is until it’s over. That’s part of why I’m so passionate about my central PA newborn photography - because I know how precious these special portraits are and I want families to experience them before the opportunity has passed.

As you plan your newborn photography session, though, you need to consider another question: how will you display your portraits? As a photographer, I work with each of my clients to help you design and order beautiful, high-quality display pieces for your artwork, whether they’re Italian canvas prints, framed wall prints, premium photo albums, or whatever else you choose. Today, I’m sharing some insight into why it’s so important to choose quality displays for your newborn photos rather than using an inexpensive online service.

Newborn Photography studio, baby photos near me Harrisburg PA, Central PA Newborn Photography

A Finished Look Worthy of Your Investment

Custom photography comes with a price. That price is well worth it for the professional quality and attentive service you receive, but it’s still an expense. When you spend that money on a custom photo session, you want the finished result to have a “wow!” look. Low-quality printed products can cheapen the look of those portraits that you invested your time, care, and money into, while quality prints will do justice to your premium portraits.

Portraits That Don’t Age While the Memories Do

Newborn portraits have the amazing feature of becoming more and more precious the more time passes. You’re sure to love your portraits as soon as you see them, of course, but their real power doesn’t come out until you see that tiny baby in the portrait next to your child who has now grown and flourished, and the portrait becomes a portal to the past. Low-quality displays, sadly, will be fading and declining just as you want to enjoy them more. A quality display will stay with you and remain as vivid as the memories of your baby.

Long-Lasting Heirlooms of Your Central PA Newborn Photography

Newborn portraits are meaningful to you because they bring back memories from your first days with your little one. But for your children, they have a whole new meaning: a link to a time that they can’t remember. Portraits can become treasured family heirlooms that you pass down from generation to generation, but only if you choose prints or displays that are high-quality enough to last for all those years.

Custom Designs to Complement Your Home

Your baby’s beautiful newborn portraits should be a sentimental and cherished part of your household decor, so you want them to complement your decor in a stylish, intentional way. While it may be possible to do this with low-cost commercial printed products, investing in quality takes it to a new level. I work with my clients to design the perfect display for their aesthetic and the decor in the room where they want to display their portraits. You get a cohesive, custom look without spending hours scouring stores for the right frame or taking guesses about how a product will look in your space.

Quality You Don’t Notice Until You Do

One of the most heartbreaking issues with low-quality displays for your newborn portraits is that you may not regret your decision until it’s too late. In some cases, families order an inexpensive printed product and when it first arrives, it looks fine and they think they’ve lucked out. But after a few years, their canvas starts to loosen or sag, or their album starts fading the photos within it. By the time they realize the difference that quality makes, they could have lost access to their baby’s portraits and no longer have a way to get the quality displays they want. It’s always safer to invest in quality portraits from the start so you know your beloved portraits will last.

Preserving Your Family’s Memories with the Quality They Deserve: Your Central PA Newborn Photography

In my central PA newborn photography studio, it’s such an honor to create custom portraits for my clients. I want you to be able to enjoy your portraits for decades and generations to come, and that’s why I’m so passionate about quality displays. To learn more about the premium displays I help you create, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography.

Why Quality Matters in Your Central PA Newborn Photography Displays Read More »

Choosing a Harrisburg Newborn Photographer: Why Your Photographer Matters

01.04.24

Newborn portraits are a special treasure for your family, and you only have one opportunity to capture these beautiful memories for your child. Every Harrisburg newborn photographer is unique, though, so the portraits and the experience will be different based on the photographer you choose. Let’s look at a few of the many reasons your choice of photographer matters.

Mother and baby posed newborn photography

Well-Composed, Quality Photos

Your baby’s newborn photos are an investment - you’re creating family treasures that you’ll cherish for decades to come. You want those treasures to be high-quality! You need a photographer who has the experience and skill to create well-composed, professional photos.

Best newborn photography studio photos in Central PA

A Keen Aesthetic Style

Photography is an art form, so of course, the artist you hire needs to have a style you love for your baby’s portraits. The camera settings, the framing, the way each pose and set is designed - all of this will combine into the finished look.

Best Newborn Photographer near Harrisburg PA

A Positive Experience with Your Harrisburg Newborn Photographer

Newborn sessions are multi-hour photo shoots, and that doesn’t even include the planning, ordering, and more - you want to enjoy the person you’re working with! The photographer you choose will affect your overall experience, not only because of how well you get along with the photographer but also because every photographer handles their planning and process differently.

Father holds baby girl for newborn photos near Harrisburg PA

Designing Display Products for Your Photos

Your choice of photographer will affect your portraits as well as what you ultimately do with those portraits. For example, I sit down with every client and help you plan, design, and order your wall art or other custom pieces to display your newborn photos. Each photographer handles the finished photos differently, with some sending digital files only.

Newborn baby girl photography by Harrisburg PA baby photographer

Choosing Your Harrisburg Newborn Photographer

You’re celebrating a beautiful new addition to your family, and you deserve to get stunning portraits with an enjoyable, attentive experience, and all of this will depend on your photographer. To find out if I’m the right fit for you, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography.

mother poses with newborn baby girl in Harrisburg newborn photography studio

Choosing a Harrisburg Newborn Photographer: Why Your Photographer Matters Read More »

Tips for Your Harrisburg Winter Maternity Photo Session

12.20.23

Unless you have meticulous planning and a lot of luck on your side, you can’t choose the season for your maternity portraits. You’re at the ideal point in your pregnancy for maternity photos for only a short time, and that will fall at whatever time of the year that it falls. Here’s the good news: a skilled maternity photographer can make your portraits stunning in any season! That includes your Harrisburg winter maternity photo session.

What can you do to make your winter maternity session even better? I’ve got you! Follow these top tips.

Best Maternity Photography near Harrisburg

1. Embrace Wintery Accessories

Winter is the perfect time to play with some gorgeous accessories for your maternity photos. Think luxurious scarves, fur or faux fur wraps, couture gloves, and so on. Not only are these the peak of winter fashion but they’ll keep you warmer during your session. They add fabulous texture to your portraits too, making for more dimension and calling more attention to your gorgeous self.

winter maternity photography near Harrisburg PA

2. Moisturize and Hydrate Before Your Harrisburg Winter Maternity Photo Session

We all know our skin tends to be dry in the winter, thanks to the dry winter air and the drying effect of heaters. When you’re taking portraits, though, hydration is your friend. Hydrated, moisturized skin is brighter, smoother, glowier, and even younger-looking! In the week before your maternity photo session, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water as well as moisturizing your skin.

Harrisburg PA best maternity photographer

3. Bring Warming Items for In Between Shots

This isn’t a must, but if you choose, you can bring some extra items for warmth that you can use in between poses and shots. This could include hand warmers and feet warmers, gloves, blankets, and so on. Regardless of whether you bring these items, though, I’ll always be mindful of your comfort and aim to work quickly while creating all the lovely winter portraits you love.

4. Discuss Logistics for Your Harrisburg Winter Maternity Photo Session

Choosing a fantastic location is always important for outdoor photography, but it’s even more essential for outdoor winter maternity photography. Not only do we want a location that has the aesthetic look you want but we want that location to be practical too (you won’t want to hike half a mile into the woods when it’s 20 degrees out). Don’t worry, I’ve been taking outdoor winter portraits for years and I have a well-planned list of the perfect winter photo shoot sites. As we plan your maternity photo session together, we’ll talk about which location will best suit all of your needs.

Maternity portraits in winter near Harrisburg PA

5. Be Open to Recommendations and Flexibility Due to the Weather

Some moms-to-be have specific visions in mind when they picture their winter maternity photos. Maybe you want a certain type of landscape in the background or you want a nice snow covering on the ground. I love it when my clients are already dreaming of their photos. Just keep in mind, though, that you may need to be flexible with your timing if we need to adjust your photo session for the weather, either to create the look you want or to make sure we can all be safe on the roads.

mom to be poses at outdoor winter maternity photo session near Harrisburg pa

6. Wear Winter-Friendly Footwear

In most winter maternity photo shoots, we stick with long, flowy maternity gowns so you won’t see your feet. If you do have a pair of shoes or boots you want in your portraits, though, I’m happy to make that happen. I just suggest that you wear winter boots to walk to the photo shoot location and only bring those beautiful shoes or boots along so you can wear them as little as possible. This helps you stay safe on the wintery ground and keeps those featured shoes from getting too dirty.

7. Try to Relax

When the weather is cold, many of us unintentionally tense our bodies against the cold. This can make you look stiff in portraits, and we want to showcase what an effortless beauty you are. As much as possible, try to relax your body and allow me to guide your posing.

Booking Your Harrisburg Winter Maternity Photo Session

Dreaming of gorgeous, wintery maternity portraits? Let’s get started! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today to book your session.

Tips for Your Harrisburg Winter Maternity Photo Session Read More »

Preserving Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos: Benefits of a Newborn Photo Album

12.11.23

As a photographer, I’m passionate about making sure that my clients don’t just get amazing portraits but that they also have a way to display those portraits. Every family has their own preferences, whether you want wall art, display folio cases, or other options, but one of my favorites for my clients is a premium custom photo album. There’s no wrong way to enjoy your Mechanicsburg newborn photos, but there are a few unique benefits of these albums that you might not realize.

Newborn photo album by Karissa Zimmer Photography

Seeing More of Your Baby’s Portraits

Wall art is fantastic, but it does limit you to highlighting one or two favorite portraits. An album gives you the opportunity to see a full collection of your many favorites in front of you. You can, of course, do both wall art and an album! Either way, adding an album allows you to enjoy more of your newborn photos in your home.

Best newborn photos near Mechanicsburg PA

Displaying Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos in a More Concise Way

As wonderful as wall art can be, it undeniably takes up a lot of wall space. Not all families have that space available, or you might not like the look of a gallery wall or multiple portraits on your wall. With a bespoke photo album, you’ll have your favorite newborn photos at your fingertips in a space-friendly way.

Best newborn baby photographer near me 17050

Maintaining a Portable, Shareable Heirloom

Portrait albums offer a convenience that many families enjoy because they’re easy to transport and move around. For families who may move often, this can be a way to keep your child’s newborn photos within reach without the logistical difficulties of wall art. Albums are also easy to pass down within your family, like gifting the album to your child when they grow up and move into their own home.

professional newborn photography albums near Mechanicsburg PA

Celebrating Your Harrisburg Newborn Photos with Custom Photo Albums

If you’re interested in learning more about custom portrait albums or booking your Harrisburg newborn photos, let’s chat! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography.

Preserving Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos: Benefits of a Newborn Photo Album Read More »

What to Expect in Your Camp Hill Newborn Photo Session

12.01.23

As a newborn photographer, I serve clients often who have never had a newborn photo session before. Any new experience can be intimidating, and a newborn photo shoot looks very different from family photos or other photo sessions you’ve had in the past. It helps to have an idea of what to expect. Here’s a peek at what to expect in a Camp Hill newborn photo session.

Best newborn photographer near camp hill pa

How a Newborn Photo Session Works

During a newborn photo shoot, you and your spouse or partner will bring your little bundle of joy to my cozy home studio. Based on the details we discussed in our pre-session consultation, I’ll have a plan for what newborn props and sets I’ll use, what wraps, outfits, and accessories I’ll dress your baby in, and so on. You just show up looking camera-ready!

I typically begin with the photos of you and your partner with your baby, creating those precious portraits that highlight the deep bond you have with your new little one. After that, you and your partner can relax on the comfy furniture I have in my studio. I’ll spend the rest of the session gently posing your baby and creating the looks you love for your baby’s portraits. I’ll call on you as needed to feed or soothe your baby, but for most of the session, you can kick back and rest.

Newborn photos in camp hill photography studio

How Long a Camp Hill Newborn Photo Session Takes

Newborn photo sessions run on the baby’s timetable! Whenever your baby needs to take a break for a feeding or to fuss for a bit, we stop and give them what they need. Because of this, expect your session to last about six hours.

Planning Your Camp Hill Newborn Photo Session

Hopefully, your newborn photo session feels a bit less intimidating now that you know the basics of what to expect. If you’re expecting a baby or even if your baby has already arrived, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your session.

What to Expect in Your Camp Hill Newborn Photo Session Read More »

Harrisburg Senior Photos: What to Wear

11.06.23

Senior photos are a rite of passage that so many emerging young adults look forward to, and you want your photos to be as beautiful as you are! One important factor to plan for is your wardrobe. What should you wear for your Harrisburg senior photos? I’ll chat with you about specifics during your pre-consultation, but in the meantime, check out these tips.

Best Harrisburg Senior Photographer — Downtown Harrisburg High School Senior Photos

Bring Variety

All my senior photo sessions include multiple outfit changes, and you want your outfits to be different enough to capture all the looks you want. Consider bringing one casual outfit, one outfit that’s more formal, and one that reflects your personality or hobbies like your jersey for a sport you play, an outfit with a rocker aesthetic, or your culture’s traditional dress. It’s a good idea to have a few extra outfits too in case you change your mind or have a last-minute stain or broken zipper.

Boxing Senior Pictures in Harrisburg — Boxing Senior Pictures

Boxing Senior Photos near Harrisburg PA — Senior Boy Boxing Photos

Don’t Forget the Details

When planning your outfits, the clothes are just the starting point. Plan which accessories, shoes, and jewelry you plan to wear with each outfit too and try it all on together. This way, you can make sure it looks the way you want and that you have everything you need.

Senior Boy Photos by Karissa Zimmer Photography — Harrisburg Pa High School Senior Photography

Have Layering Options for Your Harrisburg Senior Photos

Layers are magic in a photo session! They give you more visual variety without a full outfit change and they add some depth and texture to your photos. Bring a denim jacket to go over your dress or a flannel shirt to layer onto a t-shirt and jeans.

Senior Pictures in Downtown Harrisburg PA by Karissa Zimmer

Avoid Going Overboard with Patterns

A good rule of thumb for photo shoots is to choose solid colors rather than complex patterns. Avoid anything with words or with a prominent logo too. The exceptions may be outfits that signify a particular hobby or interest you have.

Senior Boy Photo Session on City Island Walking Bridge — City Island Walking Bridge Senior Portraits

City Island Senior Boy Photos — City Island Walking Bridge Senior Portraits

Planning Your Harrisburg Senior Photos

Ready to start planning your once-in-a-lifetime senior photo session? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today!

Parking Garage Black and White Senior Photo Session

Best high school senior photographer in Central PA

Harrisburg Senior Photos: What to Wear Read More »