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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Have a baby on the way? Congratulations! Maternity photography is a phenomenal way to celebrate this one-of-a-kind stage in your family’s life, honor your body for the beautiful work it’s doing, and create mementos you will forever treasure. What type of maternity photo session is the best fit for you? Should you book a Mechanicsburg outdoor fall maternity photography shoot?
All of my maternity photo shoots take place on location, either at an outdoor location we can choose together like a local park or, for a more intimate setting, at your home. Both types of sessions have the potential for absolutely stunning and meaningful maternity portraits; it’s just a matter of your personal preference. To help you decide, let’s look at some of the pros and cons of outdoor maternity shoots.
Mechanicsburg Outdoor Maternity Photography
Pro: Beautiful Natural Scenery for Mechanicsburg Outdoor Fall Maternity Photography (or Spring or Summer)
I have the honor of living in an area with incredible natural beauty and with pronounced seasons that each have their own look, and I love taking advantage of this for my client’s benefit. You can have effortlessly gorgeous backgrounds in your photos.
The look of your outdoor portraits will depend on the location we choose, and I’m here to help. You and I can choose a location together based on the aesthetic you want for your portraits and the season when your session will take place. I have plenty of location recommendations around Mechanicsburg, whether you want vibrant fall colors, open green space, misty lakes, or even an outdoor urban look.
Con: Difficulty Taking Semi-Nude Portraits
Some moms-to-be love those semi-nude maternity portraits that showcase their baby bump in all its glory and celebrate their body for the incredible work it’s doing. These often turn out to be my clients’ favorite portraits in their collections, and rightfully so!
Taking these intimate portraits outdoors can be a bit uncomfortable for some women, though. Depending on the season, you might be physically uncomfortable and self-conscious as well about being partially undressed outside. Some moms-to-be prefer a photo session at home for these types of portraits.
Pro: Create Special Family Memories
An outdoor maternity session is more than just a means to an end for getting the maternity portraits you want. It’s an adventure! An outdoor photo session gives you and your family a chance to enjoy a new experience together in a park or other fun spot.
This is especially fantastic if you have other children you’re bringing into the portraits too. Your family gets the opportunity to not only create beautiful portraits but to make new memories together at the same time.
Con: Potential Weather-Related Challenges for Mechanicsburg Outdoor Fall Maternity Photography
The same thing that makes outdoor portraits gorgeous is the thing that makes them unpredictable: the outdoors. Natural landscapes are lovely but you never know for sure what the weather will do. There’s always a risk that you’ll need to reschedule or make accommodations for rain, strong winds, or other weather changes.
Pro: No Need to Prep Your Home
Lifestyle portraits at your home are always unique and special, and I tell all my clients that your home doesn’t need to be spotless by any means. Still, it can be stressful for some moms-to-be to have a photo shoot in their home, and some women just don’t think their home will be very photogenic. Maybe you’re still working on your baby’s nursery or other projects around the house and you don’t feel like it’s camera-ready. For some families, it’s just more comfortable to take their portraits elsewhere.
Con: Wardrobe Limitations
Some clients who come to me have been dreaming of their maternity portraits for months and have an idea in their mind of the exact wardrobe they want to wear. I love when clients are excited about their portraits! It’s important to keep in mind, though, that for outdoor portraits, your wardrobe will depend on the weather. For instance, for Mechanicsburg outdoor fall maternity photography, you’ll need to wear something fall-appropriate so that your outfit aligns with the fall aesthetic (and so you’re comfortable, of course).
Creating the Mechanicsburg Outdoor Fall Maternity Photography of Your Dreams
I love working with moms-to-be who are thrilled to celebrate their pregnancy and this special time in their lives with maternity portraits. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s start planning your dream photo shoot!
Pregnancy is a time full of magic for any excited mom-to-be, but in some ways, it’s even better when you have other kids in the house too. Kids have the ability to experience the pure and genuine joy that’s unsullied by the worries of adulthood that are nagging under the surface for every parent-to-be. When you see that glee in your kids’ eyes as they think about their arriving baby brother or sister or when they feel the baby kick in your belly, it pushes those worries aside and reminds us all of the beauty of pregnancy. What better way to celebrate your pregnancy and the happiness it’s bringing to your family than with a maternity family photoshoot? As a family maternity photographer who has captured countless growing families over the years, I’m proud to share some insight into this experience and how you can get the most from your session.
Why Incorporate the Family into a Maternity Photo Session?
In a maternity photo shoot, the star of the day is always the mom-to-be. After all, it’s your body that’s doing the wondrous work of creating a new baby, and we need to get that glorious glow on camera!
In a family pregnancy photoshoot, you and your baby bump are still the primary focus. We just add a few shots of your family into the mix. It’s a fantastic way to capture the last few weeks you’ll spend with your older kids alone before adding a new baby to the family. Including your kids in your maternity photos is also a great way to help them feel more involved in your pregnancy and in the new baby, encouraging them to develop more of a bond with the baby before their little sister or brother arrives.
Tips for a Smoother Maternity Family Photoshoot with Kids
If you want to give your kids the gift of a family maternity shoot they’ll treasure as much as you do, there are plenty of ways you can make it a smoother, easier experience for everyone and a fun memory for your kids.
Give Everyone Time in the Spotlight
Over the years, I’ve seen that kids can have many different reactions to the idea of a baby sibling. Some are thrilled from day one and want to be involved in everything. Other times, kids are more hesitant. If you have a big-sibling-in-training who might have a hard time getting on board for a family maternity session, it can help to make sure each child feels special by giving them their own photos. This way, every child feels valued on their own and they’re more likely to fully participate in the photoshoot.
Coordinate Everyone’s Outfits
You already know that you and your loving kids go together like peas and carrots, but in your family maternity shoot, you want to create a visual cohesiveness too by coordinating everyone’s looks. All of my photo sessions are performed on location, either at your home or at an outdoor location. Think about where you’ll have your session and what colors will look best against those backgrounds. Not sure about the color scheme? I can help!
There are a few reminders to note as well. First, have a backup outfit for each person. Kids have a special knack for getting messy at the most inopportune times, especially if you’re having an outdoor photo shoot. Second, keep in mind that you can wear a few different outfits for your maternity portraits, and your family’s outfits only need to coordinate with one of them. Feel free to choose stunning maternity gowns in bold colors for your solo photos.
Pack for Comfort
My family maternity sessions last for 1-2 hours, and they’re all done on location. If you choose a location other than your home, that means your family will be out of the house for up to two hours plus the time it takes to get there and get home.
Remember that while you’ll be busy striking gorgeous poses throughout the session, your kids will have some downtime while we’re taking your solo portraits. Plan ahead to bring anything your kids will need to be comfortable for those few hours. That could include toys, on-the-go games, snacks, drinks, blankets, diapers, and more.
Choose Your Photographer Wisely
As you’re looking for a photographer for your portraits, make sure you look for experienced family maternity photographers. Not all maternity photographers have experience working with kids. I’m proud to have spent years pulling together my bag tricks for working with kids. I’ve mastered the art of getting kids into every parent’s favorite poses, capturing candids of kids being themselves, and coaxing smiles out of even the most hesitant of faces.
I love Camp Hill PA Maternity & Newborn Photography! This time of year is always my favorite time for any outdoor photo sessions. Especially maternity and family portraits! As times have certainly changed this spring, I am reliving my favorite moments from this adorable family’s spring maternity photography session. This April day started out with a serious wind storm. We were worried we wouldn’t get to shoot. However, it turned out to be a GORGEOUS spring evening! I couldn’t have possibly had a more beautiful and excited mom-to-be! Her two guys were equally as excited to welcome another boy to the family a few weeks later! Spring blooms make me so happy. It symbolizes new life! And with the combination of welcoming a new baby, nothing could be more perfect than a spring maternity photography session! Can we just take a moment to remember when it was safe to have outdoor maternity and family photo sessions?! And photographers were able to operate their businesses and capture the memories like these. I am hoping AND praying these beautiful, wonderful portrait photography sessions can be captured again soon! These are the moments that fill my heart…and my clients walls with love!
Camp Hill PA Maternity Photography | Pregnancy Pictures in Camp Hill Pennsylvania
It was impossible not to fall in love with this big brother to-be! I have seriously never met a more well behaved toddler in my life! Baby boy is lucky to have a perfect role model to grow up with!
Camp Hill Family & Maternity | Child portraits in Camp Hill PA
Outdoor Family Maternity Photography
Check out these beautiful spring blooms! There is no time like spring for outdoor portraits. I am missing this like CRAZY this year. I wait all year to be able to photograph portrait sessions during this my favorite season! World, please get healthy soon. I’m ready to be back outside doing what I love!
Camp Hill Maternity & Newborn Photographer | Maternity and Newborn photography near Camp Hill Maternity and Newborn Photographer Camp Hill | Family Maternity Pictures Camp Hill PA
I couldn’t leave out my favorite image of the big bro to-be. He’s the sweetest face!
Maternity Photographer Camp Hill | Pregnancy Images in Camp Hill PA
There’s no doubt that we’re living through some crazy, scary times right now. It is always my hope that my images can put a smile on the faces of the people who see them! It’s also is my greatest wish that the world will get healthy again in all the ways. That this pandemic will soon be over, less lives will be lost, kids will be back in school, families and friends will be gathering, and I will be able to capture the people and moments that mean the most to you. I believe times like this also help us to realize the importance of having visual memories of our most important moments and loved ones. I am praying for all of my clients and that I will be seeing you all again very, very soon!
Booking a Maternity or Newborn Photography session.
I would LOVE nothing more than to chat with you about planning your maternity and newborn photography sessions. Although I am not currently able to meet with clients in person for consultations or sessions, It doesn’t hurt to chat about planning for when the time comes. I am still talking with new clients daily! If you’re interested in booking a future maternity and newborn session please send me a message HERE! I will call you to chat about my portrait process and I will add you to my call back list. As soon as it is announced that it is safe for me to operate and begin photographing clients again, I will call you back to set up your consultation and plan your session! Besides, isn’t it nice to chat with someone outside of the walls of our homes right now?! If you’re anything like me, you’re missing people! I can’t wait to chat with you about big things for the future!
PS- I’m trying to keep my INSTA popping! Follow me on INSTAGRAM for updates and cute babies!
