Central PA Maternity Photographer

A Mechanicsburg Outdoor Fall Maternity Photography Shoot: Pros and Cons of Outdoor Maternity Portraits

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.

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!

Your Guide to Combining a Maternity and Family Photoshoot

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.

Planning Your Maternity Family Photoshoot

If you have a precious new baby on the way and you want to preserve this moment with your entire family, now is the time to book your session. Contact my photo studio today to get on the schedule and start planning this gift to yourself that you’ll treasure forever.

Camp Hill PA Maternity & Newborn Photography

Camp Hill PA Maternity & Newborn Photography

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 maternity and newborn photography session by karissa zimmer
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!

little boy giggles during his family's outdoor maternity photography session
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!

family of 3 photographed at outdoor maternity photography session in camp hill
Camp Hill Maternity & Newborn Photographer | Maternity and Newborn photography near Camp Hill
family photographed in the spring at outdoor maternity session in camp hill pa
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!

little boy poses during his family maternity photo session
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!