6 Things Your Family Photographer in Hershey Wants You to Know

06.28.23

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.

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5. It Helps to Stick with the Same Family Photographer in Hershey

There are so many family photographers out there, and you might find yourself wishing you could try them all. There’s a special advantage to hiring the same photographer for all of your family’s professional portraits, though.

The best photos happen when everyone is comfortable and confident, and this naturally happens as your family gets to know your photographer and vice versa. As your kids get more comfortable with your photographer, they’re more likely to relax and make every session a better experience with better outcomes.

6. What Matters Most is Having Fun!

When parents think of family photos, their minds often immediately go to the work involved, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t need to be stressing about things like a few wrinkles on clothing or a dirt spot or two. My aim is to capture your family’s spirit on camera - the laughter, the affection, the way you relate to each other. It’s this authenticity that will make your family portraits that much more special. So during your session, just relax and enjoy the time with your kids. I can retouch a pimple or a grass mark, but I can’t put a genuine smile on your face.

Creating the Best Experience with Your Family Photographer in Hershey

As a trusted family photographer, I’ve spent years helping families throughout the Hershey and Harrisburg areas to create the beautiful, lifelong heirlooms that are custom family portraits. The tips above can help you to enjoy not only a smoother, more positive experience but better family portraits you’ll love forever. Want to learn more? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat.

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Outdoor Baby photos by Hershey PA family photographer

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A Baby Boy Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg: Why Your Little Boy Deserves One Too

06.19.23

You’ve made it through your baby’s first year! How do you celebrate? Why not with a cake smash photo session? For several reasons, a baby boy cake smash session in Mechanicsburg is a gift that just keeps giving, a birthday celebration you and your family will treasure.

Baby boy first birthday photography near Mechanicsburg PA — First Birthday Photography near Mechanicsburg PA

Celebrate a Special Occasion

Your baby’s first birthday is a major milestone! It’s the first of many birthdays you’ll have with them and it’s a time to reflect on all the amazing ways they have changed in a year. A photo session isn’t just a birthday celebration, it’s a birthday celebration that will last forever because the portraits will be a lifelong memento.

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Enjoy the Fun, Unique Tradition of a Baby Boy Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg

Cake smashes are a hollowed first birthday tradition, and your baby deserves to be part of the fun! As much fun as it is to do a cake smash at your baby’s birthday party, it can be tough to get good pictures of the experience in this setting. A cake smash session gives you the best of both worlds: you can have professional portraits of this fun tradition, but during your baby’s party, you can relax and enjoy the experience.

First birthday cake smash photography in Mechanicsburg PA photography studio — First Birthday Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg PA Photography Studio

Complete the Picture of Your Baby’s First Year

Getting pictures of your baby’s most monumental milestones in their first year is something you’ll always be grateful for as a parent. A cake smash photo session is the perfect way to complete that picture, creating a compilation of portraits from this incredible year in your family’s life.

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Celebrating Your Little Guy with a Baby Boy Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg

If your little boy is turning one year old, a cake smash session is a unique way to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. If you’re in the Mechanicsburg area, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s start planning this beautiful occasion together.

Cake smash photoshoot near Mechanicsburg — Cake Smash photos near Mechanicsburg PA

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Family Photography in Hershey: Are Family Photos Worth It?

06.08.23

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.

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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

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Camp Hill Family Photography Tips: Summer Family Photo Outfits

05.25.23

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.

Father and baby boy at family photoshoot near Camp Hill — Father and son photos near Camp Hill

Camp Hill PA Family Photo session — Father and son photos near Camp Hill

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Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography Myths Busted

05.14.23

There’s a lot about Mechanicsburg newborn photography that isn’t common knowledge, and in fact, there are many myths and misconceptions about this type of photo session. As a photographer, I’m here to bust those myths and help you have a better idea of what to expect from newborn photos.

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Myth #1: Newborn Photos Must Be Taken in a Specific Timeframe

You’ve probably heard people say that “real” newborn photos have to be taken before a baby reaches a certain age - some say 14 days, some even say 10 days. That’s gatekeeping at its finest and I’m not here for it.

Yes, it’s ideal to take newborn photos in a baby’s first two weeks of life because you can capture how new and tiny they are at this early stage, and because they sleep so much during these days. But there’s no set deadline for newborn photography, and it’s not uncommon for NICU stays or other circumstances to require us to wait until after that 14-day mark.

Newborn Baby girl photographed in bucket by Karissa Zimmer Photography — Posed Newborn Photos

Myth #2: Studio Flash Photography Will Hurt a Newborn’s Eyes

It used to be common advice to avoid flash photography in front of newborn babies, but according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, extensive research has shown no evidence that camera flashes damage babies’ eyes. While harsh camera flashes in a dark room can irritate babies (just as they can with adults), studio camera flashes are designed to be gentler.

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Myth #3: Your Baby Needs to Sleep for Their Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography

Many parents worry that their photographer won’t be able to take newborn photos if their baby won’t sleep, but that isn’t the case. Sleeping babies are easier to pose and photograph, sure. But nearly all babies will sleep for at least part of their photo session, and even while your baby is awake, we can capture plenty of beautiful portraits.

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Booking Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography

If you have a baby on the way, I can help you preserve a piece of their first days that will last a lifetime. Contact my PA photography studio today.

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

05.05.23

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

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

Family Pictures Near 17050 by Karissa Zimmer Photography

What Is the Process for Your Client Experience?

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

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

Mechanicsburg PA family poses together in the creek at their portrait session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Do You Provide Printed Products or Digital Images Only?

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

Mechanicsburg Family Photographer archival grade albums and keepsakes

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

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

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Questions About Your Specific Vision or Needs

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

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

Family portraits by Mechanicsburg Family Photographer

Am I the Right Mechanicsburg Family Photographer for You?

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

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

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Carlisle PA Sitter Session Outfits: What You Need to Know

04.27.23

Sitter session photography can create some of the most beautiful, treasured baby portraits you will ever have. Your baby is more alert than they were at their newborn session, able to engage with the session more and showcase their adorable budding personality. But, as with any photo session, parents always have one question for a Carlisle PA sitter session: what should we wear?

6 month old baby boy photographed by baby photographer karissa zimmer — Carlisle Baby Photography Session

Tips for Planning Your Baby’s Sitter Session Outfits

Planning your baby’s sitter session outfits might be easier than you think! If you have a session in the books, follow these tips.

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studio 6 month baby boy photo — Baby Boy 6 Month Sitter Photography

Find Out What Your Carlisle PA Sitter Session Photographer Provides

First things first, when it comes to wardrobe, talk to your photographer and find out what they have available. I have a well-stocked client closet so I can provide all the outfits and accessories you need for your sitter session! You can just come with your baby and your diaper bag.

Some families still want to bring some outfit options of their own too, and if you do, the rest of these tips can help.

big sister and baby brother on white at studio portrait session — Baby boy and big sister photoshoot

sibling studio photography by karissa zimmer photography — Baby boy and big sister photoshoot

Consider the Overall Looks for the Session

Before your photo shoot, I’ll take some time with you to plan and style your session, including the looks and themes you want to incorporate. Whether you’re envisioning a particular theme, a vintage aesthetic, a feminine look, or something classic and timeless, I’ll design your session in a way that captures the look you want along with my artistic style.

If you’re planning to bring some outfits or accessories to add to the selection for the photo shoot, keep that planning conversation in mind. Choose items that align well with the looks we’re going for.

baby boy wearing blue studio photography

Go for Snug Over Loose

It’s common to buy clothes that are slightly big on your baby because they grow so quickly, and that’s a great strategy for your home wardrobe…but not for a photo session. It’s better to choose pieces that fit your baby well and aren’t too loose on them. Otherwise, the items won’t lay as nicely and will be constantly moving around and needing to be adjusted during the photo shoot.

P.S., here’s a bonus tip: always have your baby try on the outfits you’re bringing to your sitter session a few days in advance. You always want to know for sure how they’ll fit rather than making your best guess.

6 month old baby boy in box prop photography — Carlisle PA baby photographer

When in Doubt, Go Neutral

For any baby photography (or any photography in general), you can’t go wrong with neutrals. Every baby looks great in white!

If you don’t go for neutrals, stick with pastels and items that aren’t overly attention-grabbing. Avoid bold patterns, bright colors, and anything else that could take attention away from your baby, unless we’re purposely incorporating a particular look or color scheme that we’ve discussed in your planning session.

Don’t Stress About Your Carlisle PA Sitter Session Outfits - I’ve Got You!

You have a big job at home: raising that adorable little one of yours. Please don’t add to your stress by trying to find beautiful sitter session outfits! I have everything you need. If you have items you love and want to bring to the session, that’s great, but if not, I have enough items to create a beautiful and truly special sitter session for your baby.

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Booking Your Carlisle PA Sitter Session

Sitter session photography is an opportunity to get stunning baby photos at this fun time in your baby’s developmental journey, and I’m honored to make this happen for families throughout the Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Harrisburg areas. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today to book your sitter session and start planning the baby portraits of your dreams.

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Camp Hill PA Newborn Photos: Choosing a Color Palette

04.18.23

You only get to take beautiful newborn photos of your baby once, and you want them to be truly stunning. Every gorgeous newborn picture starts the same way: with excellent planning. As a photographer who specializes in Camp Hill PA newborn photos, I love working with families to plan their newborn sessions in a way that celebrates their beautiful new babies. Details like your color palette will make a difference.

How do you choose that color palette? I’ve got you covered.

Studio newborn photos on orange backdrop — Camp Hill Newborn Photography Session

newborn baby girl on orange studio portrait — Camp Hill Newborn Photography Session

Tips for Choosing a Color Palette for Your Camp Hill PA Newborn Photos

As your trusted neighborhood photographer, I’m happy to help you pick the perfect colors for your baby’s portraits. Keep these tips in mind.

newborn girl wearing green studio photo — Newborn Photography Studio near Camp Hill PA

baby girl on green backdrop in Camp Hill newborn studio — Newborn Photography Studio near Camp Hill PA

Decide Where You’ll Display Your Portraits

I’m all about giving families tangible portraits they can hang on their walls and enjoy every day. While you’ll love your baby’s newborn photos no matter what, you’ll love them even more if they complement the room where you hang them. Think about where and how you want to display your baby’s portraits and consider what colors in the portraits will best suit the colors and decor in that room.

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Consider a Cultural Homage

A wonderful way to honor your cultural heritage is to incorporate colors into your newborn session that are special to your culture. Maybe they are colors that signify renewal or simply are central to your culture, but either way, I’m happy to bring in your cultural aesthetic.

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You’ll Never Go Wrong with Neutrals

It’s true, neutrals are always an excellent choice for your Camp Hill PA newborn photos. Every baby looks beautiful in white or shades of tan and brown!

Talk to Your Photographer

As a photographer, I’m not just there for my clients during their photo shoot. I’m here to support you through the entire process, and that includes offering my expertise in the planning. I’m happy to make color recommendations based on my experience.

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Booking Your Camp Hill PA Newborn Photos

Ready to start planning your magical newborn photos? I’m here to help! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today.

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Is Harrisburg Sitter Session Photography Worth It?

04.14.23

When you have a beautiful baby at home, calling it “love” doesn’t feel descriptive enough. You’re *obsessed* with your new little one and you absolutely adore watching them grow and discover the world around them. If you want to preserve the memories of this exciting time of life, Harrisburg sitter session photography is a great way to do that.

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What Is Sitter Session Photography?

Sitter session photography is a photo session that occurs while your baby is confidently sitting up on their own but isn’t yet crawling confidently. This generally happens around 6-9 months of age.

Benefits of Sitter Session Photography

Why do we choose this particular time in a baby’s first year to take portraits? There are several benefits, actually.

Preserve a Beautiful Developmental Stage

Your baby’s sitter stage is such a fun time in their infancy! With sitting up, they can be more engaged with you and with everything around them, and it’s such a joy to watch their little eyes take it all in.

Flexible Posing Options

A large part of why sitter session photography is so popular is its practicality. We can get a much better variety of poses and portrait options because your baby can sit up on their own and look at the camera. However, they haven’t yet hit the point when they’re mobile and wanting to explore. The sitter stage is a perfect opportunity to get precious baby photos you’ll love for decades without having to chase your baby around the studio.

Capture the First Hints of Baby’s Personality

Compared to their newborn days, your baby is showing so much more personality in their sitter stage! You’re starting to see some of their little mannerisms, expressions, and quirks. Now is a great time to capture those on camera so you can look back on them when your child is older and see when that sweet personality started.

So…Is Harrisburg Sitter Session Photography Worth It?

What’s the verdict? Every family has to answer that for themselves, but for many, the answer is a resounding “yes,” sitter session photography is worth it! To get the ball rolling, contact my Harrisburg photo studio today and let’s chat!

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Preparing for Your Downtown Harrisburg High School Senior Portraits: Top Tips

03.31.23

So many of the photo sessions I perform are centered on a specific moment in my clients’ lives, and creating lasting mementos of this moment that they can cherish in the decades to come. That’s certainly the case with downtown Harrisburg high school senior portraits. Your child (or young adult) is about to launch a new life for themselves, and I’m here to make sure these portraits are the exciting milestone celebration they should be.

Want to make sure your teen’s senior portraits go as well as possible? Follow these tips as you’re planning and preparing.

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Be Strategic with Outfits for Your Downtown Harrisburg High School Senior Portraits

Clearly, the outfits your teen chooses will make a great difference in the final look of their portraits, so it’s important to choose outfits wisely. It can be difficult to know what will and won’t photograph well. While planning your session, I’ll chat with you about my recommendations based on your teen and the look we’re aiming for, but here are a few other tips to keep in mind:

Choose solid colors or simple patterns over busy distracting patterns - we don’t want a shirt to steal the spotlight from your teen! The same goes for your jewelry: simpler is better.
Select outfits that are comfortable so your teen feels confident for their photo shoot.
Make sure the wardrobe feels authentic to your teen and their style.

When in doubt about an outfit, bring it! I can check out the outfits you’ve brought and give you my expertise on which ones will photograph best.

Leave Some Safety Time for New Looks

You don’t want to do anything *too* new on the photo shoot day. A fresh haircut is great, but make sure you schedule it for at least a week before your teen’s photo session. That gives it time to even out a bit if necessary and time for them to get used to styling it (or to fix it if they don’t like it). If your teen wants to try a new hairstyle or makeup look for their portraits, practice a few times at home first.

Work with Your Photographer on Props for Your Downtown Harrisburg High School Senior Portraits

During your teen’s high school senior portraits, props are a fantastic way to highlight who they are at this fun stage in their life. I’m always up for incorporating props like their sports jerseys, musical instruments they play, and props that align with their other hobbies and interests. We may even be able to take portraits with your teen’s beloved car or bike!

With props, though, you don’t want to bring any surprises to the photo shoot. Chat with me in advance about what props you want to bring so I can strategize the best ways to incorporate them.

Make Skincare a Priority

It’s so easy to fall out of your skincare routine, but your teen should make it a priority to maintain theirs in the weeks before their senior portraits. If your teen wants a facial, talk to your aesthetician in advance about when to schedule it based on their photo session, because some facials can cause irritation for a day or two.

With that said, don’t worry if your teen has some pimples during their photo shoot. Editing software is our friend!

The Ultimate Advice for Your Downtown Harrisburg High School Senior Portraits: Use Your Photographer’s Expertise

All the tips above are helpful but here’s the end-all-be-all: take advantage of your photographer’s expertise. I’ve been taking senior photos for many years and have first-hand experience with what works well and what doesn’t. When you hire me, you’re not just paying for my camera and my photography skills, you’re paying for my expertise. So, if you have a question, just ask!

Ready to start planning the outstanding downtown Harrisburg high school senior portraits your teen deserves? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today.

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