baby photographer near me Harrisburg

Tips for Including Siblings in Newborn Photos in Harrisburg PA

Newborn portraits will be some of the most special photos you’ll have in your family because they capture such a brief and meaningful part of your life. And among newborn photos in Harrisburg PA, the portraits of babies with their big sisters or brothers are often especially sentimental because they celebrate the first days in a lifelong bond that your children will share. I mean, as much as I love all of this baby boy’s newborn photos, the portraits with his sister (who I photographed as a newborn too - oh how time flies!) just have a little something extra special.

How can you make these types of photo sessions smooth and fruitful? Check out these tips for your sibling newborn photos in Harrisburg PA.

Lifestyle newborn photography session in Harrisburg PA

Set Expectations for the Session

Set aside some time to talk to your older kids about the photo session. Tell them what to expect and what the photographer might ask them to do.

But it’s also important to make sure your kids look forward to this photo session, because we want them to have fun! Explain to them that this is a fun way to make memories with their new little sibling and that this is a special experience.

A family shares their very first moments as a brand new family of 4 as they welcome a newborn baby girl

Plan the Logistics with Your Photographer for Sibling Newborn Photos in Harrisburg PA

As beautiful as sibling newborn portraits are, they do take specific planning and coordination. Especially if you have kids who are toddlers or elementary age, they want to run and play and they might not be able to sit still very long for the session, but we need to keep the environment peaceful during the session so your baby can sleep.

Every photographer has a different way they do this, so make sure you discuss this early in the planning process. In my case, I set aside a separate session for sibling portraits where I actually come to your home to photograph your newborn with their siblings. This way, we get our quiet and peaceful newborn session in the studio and your other children get to have some time in the spotlight while being in an environment where they feel comfortable and confident.

A mom, dad introduce their toddler daughter to her new baby sister during their in Harrisburg home newborn photography session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Embrace the Candid Moments

The true beauty of sibling photos with a newborn baby, and the reason they’re close to my heart, is because children can be so genuine. As a parent, I know you want your kids to be perfectly behaved and to follow instructions during the photo session, but some of your favorite portraits may be those that highlight authentic, heartfelt moments that your kids have with their new sibling.

A new family of 4 shares a candid moment in their Harrisburg PA home during their lifestyle newborn photography sesion

 

Planning Your Own Newborn Photos in Harrisburg PA

I know this blog already has you dreaming of how precious your newborn baby will be with their big brother or sister, so let’s get the ball rolling! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and we’ll start planning your sibling session and newborn photos in Harrisburg PA.

A new big sister poses with her brand new baby sister on all white

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Harrisburg Newborn Photography: 3 Reasons Why Parents Don’t Book Newborn Photos (And Why You Should!)

As a photographer with a specialty in Harrisburg newborn photography, I have the privilege of working with new parents month after month and seeing the joy and love on their faces when I reveal their newborn portraits. That reveal is always one of my favorite moments! But there are so many families who don’t have newborn photos taken. What are their concerns and should you worry about them too? These are some of the top reasons why some parents don’t book newborn photos.

A sleeping newborn baby boy displays a sweet little smile during his studio newborn photo session.

They Think It’ll Be Too Much Work

I’m a mom too, and I completely get it! Preparing for a baby takes so much thought and work, and the idea of getting yourself together for a photo shoot just days after giving birth, when you’re probably getting very little sleep, sounds daunting. But trust me when I tell you that it’s less work than you might expect!

As a photographer, one of my focuses is on making your session stress-free or as close to it as possible. I’ll take care of the planning and the styling, and I already have all the props, wraps, and accessories we need.

A new mom and new dad pose with the tiny baby boy and kiss him on his head during their first portrait session as new parents with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Harrisburg Newborn Photography Isn’t a Family Tradition

Maybe your parents didn’t have newborn photos of you and your siblings, or you didn’t take newborn photos for your first child so you worry that starting with your youngest child will be unfair. But it’s never too late to start a new family tradition! Newborn portraits are a beautiful gift to your future self and your family, whether you have them for one child or all your children.

tiny newborn baby boys photographed in all orange in Harrisburg Newborn photography studio

They Expect to Have Enough of Their Own Photos

You and your family and friends will take tons of photos of your new baby, of course, and that’s wonderful! But professional portraits fill a different need. Not only will they be expertly crafted and high-quality, but with professional newborn portraits, you’ll have baby photos of your baby with you. There are so few times when your entire growing family is in a photo together because someone’s always behind the camera, but a newborn photo shoot gives you these precious memories forever.

Newborn Photographer near Harrisburg PA captures sweet pose of a newborn baby boy posed on a little bed prop and dressed in blue

Booking Your Harrisburg Newborn Photography

Ultimately, there are always reasons why it might seem practical or reasonable to skip newborn photos. But those reasons will all feel so small when you have personalized, professional portraits of your baby at their tiniest (and of you with your newborn baby) in the years to come as you watch your child grow and change by the day. Reach out to Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s get your photo session in the books!

Baby boy is photographed in a bucket with an orange blanket during his first photoshoot with Best Newborn Photographer near Harrisburg PA

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Why Are Harrisburg Newborn Portraits Taken Indoors Only?

The trend for a lot of professional photography today is to take photos outdoors - that’s the case for family photography, for example, as well as senior photography and maternity photography. But you might notice that it isn’t the case for newborns, and as a newborn photographer, I can attest to this. But there are reasons for it! Here’s why Harrisburg newborn portraits are typically only taken indoors.

teal color newborn girl studio photo
Harrisburg Newborn Photography Studio Portraits

Controlling the Environment

During a newborn photography session, we want your little one to sleep as much as possible. In the studio, we can set up the environment so it’s irresistible for a nice nap - soft lighting, quiet sounds, cozy warmth, you name it. Outside, we don’t have control over all those elements. If a loud vehicle drives past or an unexpected rain starts, that could be all it takes to wake your baby and make it hard to get the sleepy portraits parents love (plus it leaves you with a not-so-baby baby when you go home).

New parents pose together with their newborn daughter to be photographed by Harrisburg PA newborn photographer Karissa Zimmer Photography
Parents and newborn baby posed photos near Harrisburg PA

Quaint Lighting

Outdoor lighting can be harsh and overly bright. Not only might that make it harder for your little one to sleep but it’s also just not necessarily the look you want for newborn photos. We want newborn portraits to reflect the gentle sweetness of your precious baby, and in the studio, I can create the nice soft lighting that helps to create this look.

New mother poses with her baby girl in Harrisburg PA newborn photography studio.
Mother and newborn daughter poses

Safety for Harrisburg Newborn Portraits

This one is so important! Your baby is precious and we want to keep them safe during their photo session. There are so many risks outdoors that we don’t have indoors - overheating or sunburns, bug bites, and so on. My photo studio is specifically set up for safe and beautiful newborn photo sessions, with things like cushions made to keep them from rolling or falling.

Posed newborn baby studio photo
Best newborn photography studio near Harrisburg PA

Planning Your Studio Harrisburg Newborn Portraits

If you have a baby on the way or a newborn in your home, I’d love to create a safe and stunning newborn photo session for your growing family in my comfortable and well-appointed studio. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

Newborn baby girl posed on all yellow for her first photoshoot with Karissa Zimmer Photography
PA posed newborn baby Photoshoot
Newborn baby is dressed in all green and posed on a little green bed to be photographed by Harrisburg PA best newborn photographer.
Newborn photography with props

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Common Questions About Sitter Session Photography Answered by Your Harrisburg Baby Photographer

A sitter session is such a fun milestone to photograph for your baby! It gives us an opportunity to get adorable portraits of them sitting sweetly and showing their developing personality before they start crawling so fast that it will be hard to keep up with them. If your little one is approaching that milestone, you might be curious about sitter session photography. As your Harrisburg baby photographer, I’m happy to fill you in!

Harrisburg Milestone baby photography studio
Best Harrisburg PA baby Photographer

What Should I Bring to a Sitter Session with My Harrisburg Baby Photographer?

This will depend on your photographer but in my case, I aim to make baby photography as easy on parents as possible! My studio is fully equipped with everything we need including outfits, sets, props, and accessories. All you have to bring is anything you’ll want to keep yourself and your baby comfortable during the session like bottles or other feeding items. I’ll take care of the rest!

6 month old baby girl milestone photo session with all green props
Harrisburg PA Sitter Milestone Photography

Can My Older Kids and I Be in My Baby’s Sitter Session Portraits?

Baby photography celebrates milestones that bring joy to your whole family, and I think it’s beautiful to include the whole family in your baby’s sitter session photos. During your pre-session consultation, we’ll talk through all the details so you’ll know what to wear and what to expect.

Baby girl photographed on monochromatic pink set up in Harrisburg Photography studio

When Should I Schedule My Baby’s Sitter Session?

Scheduling can be tricky for sitter session photography because every baby hits the milestone of sitting unassisted in their own time. I recommend reaching out a few months before you expect your baby to reach that milestone so I can set aside time in my calendar. Don’t worry, we can pencil in a general timeframe when you book and then set the specific date once your baby has started sitting up on their own.

Baby girl wears yellow and is photographed on little bed prop at her milestone sitter session in Central PA baby photography studio

Booking Your Sitter Session with a Harrisburg Baby Photographer

As a Harrisburg baby photographer, I have the joy of celebrating so many babies’ special milestones, including the sitter session for the beautiful baby girl featured here. I’d be honored to do the same for your little one! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning your session.

baby photography sitter milestone studio session
Best milestone baby photography studio near Harrisburg PA
Baby girl photographed on pink at her 6 month milestone session

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