best newborn photos

Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photos: Can You Bring Your Own Props?

Newborn baby girl is wrapped in blue floral and photographed in Mechanicsburg PA newborn photography studio

You don’t need a special occasion or a milestone to give your family the gift of beautiful new portraits, but there are times in life that you always want to capture in artwork. One of them is welcoming a beautiful new baby into your family. If you’re looking ahead to newborn photos, you might already be thinking about your session and how you want your portraits to look. What’s involved in the planning process? Notably, should you be thinking about props for your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photos?

A new father poses with his newborn baby daughter on his arm during their newborn photo session near 17055

What Props Are Used for Newborn Photos?

Every newborn photo shoot is an entirely customized experience, so the props vary a lot from one baby to the next. Overall, my style tends toward more simplistic and classic looks, so the props that I use will be minimalist. For example, I might have your baby curled up on a cozy blanket, snuggled into a basket, or swaddled among flowers and decor. But I keep the portraits uncluttered so that your baby is always the focal point.

Along with these props, I also use a variety of simple yet adorable accessories to craft a special look for your little one. For example, I use swaddles in a wide range of different colors, as well as headbands, hats, and more.

Mechanicsburg PA best newborn Photographer Karissa Zimmer Photography all pink newborn baby girl photos

Should I Bring the Props for My Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photos?

No, you don’t have to worry about props or accessories at all! At my studio in the Mechanicsburg area, I have an abundant selection of pieces that I can pair together to create the perfect aesthetic for your baby and your family. This is one of many benefits of hiring a professional newborn photographer - I already have everything we need, so you can simply arrive with your baby and enjoy the experience.

A new mom cradles her newborn baby girl and is poses on a black backdrop during their newborn photoshoot with Karissa Zimmer Photography

With that said, some families do like to bring a few sentimental items to incorporate into their baby’s session, like an heirloom baptismal outfit, a handmade baby item, or a parent’s firefighter uniform or military attire, and that’s completely fine! Just mention this during our planning consultation so that I can prepare accordingly.

Best newborn photography near Mechanicsburg PA

Already dreaming up your dream Mechanicsburg PA newborn photos? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s bring that dream to life!

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Lifestyle In Home Newborn Photographer Near Harrisburg PA: Is It Worth the Hype?

Every newborn photo shoot is precious and is a once-in-a-lifetime memory moment that I think every parent should be able to enjoy. But some parents in my area have their hearts specifically set on having a lifestyle in home newborn photographer near Harrisburg PA, and I can’t blame them! These sessions and their results are stunning and special.

A new family of 4 is photographed interacting together in their family's large soaker tub.

Is a Lifestyle In Home Newborn Photographer near Harrisburg PA Worth the Hype?

A Harrisburg PA photographer captures images of a mother and her daughters, a toddler and a newborn baby.

Every parent has their vision for their baby’s first portraits and their first portraits with them as a newly growing family, but in home newborn photos hold a special place in my heart. So many parents love them because of several reasons:

  • Your portraits feature not only your family but the home that you’re raising your family in - double the sentimentality and double the memories that you’ll cherish!
  • You can have a lifestyle photo shoot for each of your child’s milestone photos, which lets you one day take that walk down memory lane and see not only how your little one grew and changed but also how they changed in your home.
  • You get the convenience of not needing to pack up the diaper bag and everything you need and go to a photo studio, because the photo studio comes to you!
  • It takes less prep than you think - we only need a couple of areas in your home to be camera-ready!
  • You have all the amenities of home with you during the whole session - your older kids have space to play during times when they don’t need to be in the photos, you have your whole closet of back-up outfits in case your little one makes a mess on you, you have your own bathroom with all the comforts you’re used to, your furniture is there any time you want to take a break and relax, it’s all conveniently within reach.

Best Lifestyle newborn photography near Harrisburg PA

Planning Your Perfect Newborn Photo Shoot, Made Easy

If you love the idea of an in home newborn photographer near Harrisburg PA for your baby’s first portraits, I’m here to make the whole process surprisingly simple! I’ll walk you through everything and plan the session with you, customized to what you want for your baby’s portraits. Reach out to Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start dreaming up your baby’s photos together!

A toddler sits in her family's kitchen sink while mom and dad hold her newborn baby sister at their in home. Lifestyle newborn photography in the comfort of the client's home Black and white lifestyle newborn photography of a family of 4 in their Central PA home.

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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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Hershey Newborn Photography – 6 Ways to Make Your Newborn Portraits Special

If you have a baby on the way, you’ve probably been browsing newborn portrait galleries and dreaming of your baby’s first professional photos. There are countless adorable poses and themes out there for newborns, but what if you want your baby’s portraits to be more unique and personal? In my Hershey newborn photography sessions, I customize every photo shoot, but there are several ways to make your newborn portraits even more special.

1. Incorporate Family Heirlooms

While my photo studio is well-stocked with beautiful essentials like wraps, sets, and accessories, I can also incorporate any personal items you want to include. One suggestion I make to families is to use a family heirloom in their baby’s portraits.

For example, maybe you have a piece of family jewelry that has been passed down for generations. Or, you could use a more recent sentimental item like your wedding veil or the train of your wedding dress. Regardless, items that are meaningful for your family can be a touching addition to your Hershey newborn photography.

2. Honor Your Cultural Heritage in Your Hershey Newborn Photography

Your culture will be an important part of your baby’s life, so why not make it a part of your baby’s portraits too? If you’d like to honor and highlight your culture in your portraits, I can use symbols, garments, or other items that are meaningful to your culture. I can also incorporate a color scheme that reflects your culture.

3. Include an Homage to Your Career

For some parents, their career is more than a job – it’s a calling and a legacy they are creating for their family. If you bring in items related to your career, like your uniform or equipment, I can use them in your baby’s newborn session. For example, you can wear your military uniform while holding your baby, or I can photograph your baby inside your firefighter’s helmet, laying on your scrubs, and so on.

4. Capture a Sibling Portrait

Sibling portraits are always especially beautiful and meaningful. You’re capturing the first days of an incredible bond that will blossom over the years to come.

For my Hershey newborn photography sessions, I offer a sibling add-on session that is performed at your home. This way, your kids don’t need to sit through a lengthy newborn studio session, and we’re more easily able to maintain a quiet, sleep-friendly environment for your baby during the studio session. At your home, your kids can be relaxed and comfortable so we can take gorgeous, genuine portraits of them with their new baby sibling. We can even include “fur” siblings if you wish!

5. Envision the Final Product

Your baby’s newborn portraits should be designed with you in mind, and outside of incorporating sentimental elements into your baby’s photos, I recommend thinking about your finished product. How and where in your home do you want to display your baby’s portraits?

This way, I can customize the session to get portraits that suit your vision. I can use color schemes that complement the room where you want to display the portraits, or I can do a set of portraits that go together if you want to use a collage or photo wall.

6. Consider a Multi-Generational Portrait

Your baby is coming into a family full of love who will care for them as they grow. It’s wonderful to be able to involve that family into their newborn photography.

You may be able to do this by creating a multi-generational portrait. You can be holding your baby alongside your parent or even your grandparent. Seeing these generations together can be a unique way to honor the newly growing family.

If you plan to do this, though, be sure to talk to your photographer well in advance. Adding more people means adding more planning and coordination, so it’s important that we have time to set it up in advance.

Planning Your Hershey Newborn Photography Session

At my Hershey newborn photography studio, every family’s portrait session is unique and designed to create the beautiful photos they want. With the techniques and ideas above, I can help you make sure your baby’s portraits are one-of-a-kind. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

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