Expecting a Baby? Here’s How to Start Preparing for Your Newborn Photos in Mechanicsburg, PA

04.24.24

When you’re pregnant, you’re doing so much planning and preparation – readying the nursery, stocking up on clothes, diapers, and other essentials, and so much more. But now is also the perfect time to start preparing for your baby’s newborn photos. After all, you want to capture those beautiful newborn portraits in your baby’s first ten days of life, so if you can have all the details taken care of in advance, it makes your life so much easier after you give birth. From your friendly newborn photographer, here’s your pregnancy checklist for your newborn photos in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Studio newborn photography of baby girl posed on purple with flower crown.

What to Do During Pregnancy to Prepare for Your Newborn Photos in Mechanicsburg, PA

What should you have on your to-do list during your pregnancy to prepare for your newborn photos? Don’t worry, it’s very simple! All you need are these key steps:

Choose and book your photographer. Ideally, book your photographer by the time you start your third trimester so we can start planning ahead for your session. If you book with me, this is actually the only thing you have to do – I’ll walk you through the rest!
Make a plan for displaying your newborn portraits. You don’t need to know the specifics, but it’s great to have an idea of where in your home you want your portraits to be so I can design your session to suit the room’s decor. I’ll meet with you for an in-home consultation to help you with this too.
Pick out your outfit. While you don’t have to be in your baby’s newborn photos, a few portraits with your growing family can be such meaningful treasures! Neutrals and classics are typically best, but I’ll help you pick out your outfit during your consultation.
Consider any special requests. This isn’t a must but think about and let me know of anything specific you want in your session, like sentimental items or family heirlooms you want to incorporate, whether you’ll be including your baby’s older siblings if they have them, and so on.

New parents pose with their newborn baby girl in newborn photography studio near Mechanicsburg PA

Preparing for Your Newborn Photography with a Full-Service Photographer

As a parent-to-be, there isn’t too much to do in planning your newborn photos especially if you hire a full-service photographer like Karissa Zimmer Photography, but following these simple steps now makes such a difference when your baby is born. To learn more, contact my photography studio.

Studio newborn photography of baby girl wearing green and resting head on heart pillow at Karissa Zimmer Photography

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Why Display Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos?

10.27.23

Every new parent loves to post their newborn photos on social media to show everyone their adorable little one. As much fun as that is, it doesn’t have to be the only way you put your newborn portraits to use. As a photographer who takes countless Mechanicsburg newborn photos, here are my favorite reasons you should display your newborn portraits in your home.

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Turning a House Into a Home

No matter how long you’ve lived in your house, it can become more of a home every day with each new bit of personalization you add. Photos of your family are one of the best ways to do this. Your Mechanicsburg newborn photos aren’t just beautiful works of art but they’re deeply sentimental pieces for your home.

Custom framed wall art by Karissa Zimmer Photography

Improving Your Child’s Sense of Family with Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos

Did you know that studies have shown that kids have stronger self-esteem and a sense of belonging when they grow up in a home that has photos of them? Psychologist Dr. David Krauss has explored these benefits. Proudly displaying your child’s first professional portraits is a subtle way to remind them every day of how much they are wanted, loved, and valued.

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Cherishing a Walk Down Memory Lane

Your baby’s first weeks of life are truly one of a kind, and every parent enjoys an opportunity to reminisce about the beauty of introducing their little one to the world. Those tiny hairs, little fingers and goes, and delicate sleepy eyelids will soon be only a memory but you can preserve that memory by hanging your newborn photos in your home to enjoy on a daily basis. You can turn every walk down your hallway into a walk down memory lane.

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How to Display Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos

Not sure of the best way to turn your newborn photos into custom artwork in your home? I can help! I provide full-service newborn photography and that includes helping you design and order your bespoke framed prints, canvas prints, and so much more. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to get started.

Framed newborn photos by Mechanicsburg newborn photographer

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Summer Outdoor Family Photos in Mechanicsburg PA: How to Stay Cool

07.27.23

Summer has arrived, and for many local families, this is the perfect time for outdoor family photos in Mechanicsburg. The kids are out of school, there are plenty of daylight hours - it’s perfect for portraits you can treasure for years. There’s one problem, though: the heat can make a photo session uncomfortable. Not to worry, because I have some tricks! Use these tips to stay cool for your summer photo session.

Family Photography session in Mechanicsburg PA

Keep the Session Moving

This is the most important tip of all: be prepared to keep the photo session moving. Kids have short attention spans, and that’s especially true when they’re getting too warm. That’s why I try to make all family sessions brief while still allowing for the time we need to get beautiful photos. While I’ll take care of most of the pacing, I advise parents to be ready to get started as soon as you arrive.

Brother and sister outdoor family photography near 17055

Try a Portable Fan for Your Outdoor Family Photos in Mechanicsburg

Handheld, portable battery-powered fans can be lifesavers for any parent in the summer. Bring one of these little fans and feel free to pull it out every so often during your session to cool off your kids (and yourself).

Choose Breathable Outfits

As you’re planning the family’s wardrobe for your portraits, make sure the outfits are set up with summer in mind. Go for light, airy fabrics like linen. Lighter colors will help you to stay cool too. Ideally, choose items that don’t show sweat easily and are loose enough to allow for airflow.

Booking Your Outdoor Family Photos in Mechanicsburg Today

The summer will be over before we know it! If you want to make time for family portraits this summer, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s book your photo session. I'll work with you to plan a photo shoot the whole family will love.

Baby girl at Outdoor Family Photoshoot in Mechanicsburg PA

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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.

Mechanicsburg first birthday photographer — First Birthday Milestone Portraits

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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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.

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.

Newborn Photography Froggy Pose on Green — Froggy Pose in Mechanicsburg PA newborn photography studio

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.

Baby girl smiling in newborn portraits — Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

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.

Newborn baby girl photographed on orange — Newborn Baby Girl Photography Poses

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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.

baby boy sitter session photography — Baby Boy 6 Month Sitter Photography

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.

baby boy in photography studio near carlisle pa

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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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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Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer Answers Your Top Questions About Sitter Session Photography

03.15.23

As adults, it’s easy for a year or two to pass without our lives changing much at all. Your baby, on the other hand, will only be a baby for a short time, so you want to preserve as many memories as you can from this special, fleeting time. That’s exactly what I do! As a Mechanicsburg baby photographer, I want to help you know your options so I’m answering some of the top questions about sitter session photography.

When Should You Take Sitter Session Portraits with a Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer?

Sitter sessions are meant for a specific developmental stage: when your baby can comfortably sit up on their own but they aren’t yet walking and, ideally, they aren’t crawling yet either. Generally, this is between 6-9 months of age.

Why Take Sitter Session Portraits?

A sitter session marks a fun point in your baby’s developmental journey, but it’s also done for logistic purposes. At this stage, we can get all those adorable seated poses but your baby isn’t so mobile that we’re chasing them around the studio or struggling to keep them in one place. It’s a “sweet spot” for baby photography!

What Sitter Session Outfits Should I Bring for My Baby?

As a baby photographer, I have an abundant client closet with beautiful baby outfits for my clients to wear, so you don’t need to worry about planning outfits. In fact, I’ll custom style your entire photo shoot, from the sets and props to your baby’s outfits and accessories. However, if you want portraits in a particular meaningful outfit like an outfit you wore as a baby, bring it along and I’m happy to use it.

Booking Your Sitter Session with a Specialized Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

Celebrate this beautiful stage in the adventure of your baby’s first year with custom sitter session photography! To book your session, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s chat.

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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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