Family Photographer near Harrisburg PA

What Age Should Your Kids Be for Harrisburg Fall Family Photography?

Fall family portraits are a favorite for so many families because of the beautiful autumn aesthetics. The colorful leaves make the perfect backdrop, so many families take advantage of the season. But are outdoor family photos an option when you have a baby? Is there a minimum age your kids should be for outdoor Harrisburg fall family photography?

A Mother,Father, and their two young daughters pose at a beautiful outdoor location during their outdoor photo session with Best fall family photographer near Harrisburg PA

The Best Ages for Outdoor Family Photos

There’s not a hard-and-fast rule about how old your kids should be before an outdoor family photo shoot, and I’ve worked with families whose kids are all ages, including infants! It’s really just a matter of your child’s development, your comfort level, and your expectations for the photo session. This is one of the many reasons why I have a personal consultation with my clients before their photo shoot - to plan the session and discuss any special considerations that we might have to think about.

Two young sisters laugh together on a little bench at their outdoor family photography session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Considerations for Harrisburg Fall Family Photography with a Young Child

If you have a baby or toddler, there are several things you’ll want to consider when you’re thinking about whether they’re old enough for an outdoor fall family photo shoot:

  • Make sure your child is able to be outside in the fall weather for long enough to have your photo shoot. We can discuss how you can make sure they’re bundled up enough to be warm while still looking adorable for your portraits.
  • Your child doesn’t have to be able to stand or walk to be in a family photo shoot! But if they can’t, keep in mind that someone in the family will need to be holding them in most of the photos.
  • If your child can’t stand or walk without help, and you want some photos where no one is holding them, this is a perfect opportunity for us to lay down a cozy blanket and take some seat portraits of the family together.
  • During a family photo shoot, I love to have different combinations of family members - some of the whole family, some of the parents alone, some of the kids together, and so on. For a small or especially playful child, you might consider bringing along a grandparent or family friend who can care for them for a few minutes when I’m taking portraits of just you and your partner.

These are just a few of the things that you and I will discuss when we’re planning your Harrisburg fall family photography session if you have a young child. Rest assured that I work with families of all ages, and even if there’s some extra planning involved, I’ll create a beautiful family photo shoot that you can all cherish for years to come. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning!

Harrisburg PA photographer captures a family of 4 as they laugh together in a beautiful outdoor fall setting

 

What Age Should Your Kids Be for Harrisburg Fall Family Photography? Read More »

My Child is Nervous for Our Harrisburg PA Outdoor Family Photos. What Can I Do?

As a photographer who has spent years capturing dozens of Harrisburg PA outdoor family photos, I’ve worked with families and kids of all ages, and some of the sweetest little kiddos are also very shy in front of a camera. I don’t blame them - plenty of adults are camera-shy too! But as a parent, you want to help your child feel more comfortable for the photo shoot, both because then their beautiful smile shines and because you want them to have fun. These tips can be a huge help.

A mother, father and 2 young children embrace one another during their family portrait session

 

Go Easy on the Behavior Talk

I know that your family photo shoot is important to you and you want your child to be on their best behavior. As well-meaning as you may be, it might backfire if you put too much pressure on your child to behave or make the session feel like a big deal. Instead, when you’re telling your child about the upcoming photo shoot, talk more about how much fun the photo session will be. It’s great to tell them that the photographer will be telling them what they should do and that the whole family will be following the photographer’s directions, just keep it light-hearted and present the photo shoot as something fun.

A brother and sister jokingly hug each other during their family's outdoor photo session

Introduce Them to Your Photographer Before Your Harrisburg PA Outdoor Family Photos

Whenever possible, I have a consultation in person with my clients before their photo shoot where I meet not only my client but their kids too. This way, your kids can get to know me a bit without the camera, and while they’re in their home where they feel safe and comfortable.

It also helps to use the same photographer each year if you can, so your child feels more comfortable each time. In fact, the family featured in this blog is a family I’ve been working with for many years - I’ve taken family portraits for them nearly every year since their 7-year-old was born! Because of that, every session feels like reconnecting with old friends, and the kids feel comfortable around me, which shines through in their easy smiles.

A young girl hugs her father at a beautiful outdoor location near Harrisburg PA during their family photoshoot with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Consider a Familiar Setting for Your Harrisburg PA Outdoor Family Photos

Your child might be more at ease if the photo shoot is a place where they go often, like your family’s favorite local park, or even your own backyard if it’s well-suited to a family photo shoot. Being in a familiar place means that there’s one less “new” thing that they have to adapt to, so it might be easier on their nerves.

A young girl poses to have her picture taken in Harrisburg PA during her family photoshoot

Planning a Family Photo Shoot Everyone Enjoys

I know how to make your next family photo shoot fun for everyone, including your kids! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat.

A young boy poses at his outdoor Harrisburg Family photography session

My Child is Nervous for Our Harrisburg PA Outdoor Family Photos. What Can I Do? Read More »

Why Fall Is a Great Time for Harrisburg PA Family Photos

It’s that time of year again, folks – get ready to see your social media feeds overflowing with adorable fall family photos! As a photographer, I love to see families coming together for portraits during this time of year, like the beautiful young family featured in this blog, but have you ever wondered fall is so popular for Harrisburg PA family photos? There are several reasons, actually.

Parents admire their baby daughter while standing on a bridge during their family photoshoot near Harrisburg OPA

Fall Aesthetics

Especially in Pennsylvania, the outdoor landscape in the fall is absolutely stunning! With beautifully colorful trees and a cozy aesthetic, mother nature creates a backdrop for us that’s perfect for family photos

Best Family Photographer near Harrisburg PA

Getting Ahead for the Holidays

When it comes time for Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter holidays, there are so many reasons you might want to have a recent family portrait on hand. Many of my clients use photos for Christmas cards, for example, and there are so many meaningful gifts you can give that involve family photos, from framed portraits to mugs to ornaments. While the main goal for a family photo session is to create custom artwork for your home, it’s always handy to have a recent portrait during the holidays.

Mom, Dad and Baby daughter are photographed in a candid moment at their outdoor family photo session.

Comfort and Convenience for Harrisburg PA Family Photos

As beautiful as fall family photos are, the autumn also happens to be a convenient time to take family portraits. For one, it’s a wonderful middle temperature – not so hot that you get sweaty during your session but also not so cold that you’re shivering and uncomfortable. The middle temperatures of the fall can help your whole family look and feel great during the session (which means we get great smiles and great portraits!).

The other convenience in the fall is the timing. Everyone loves photos taken during what we call the “golden hour,” which is the hour before sunset when there’s a gorgeous glow in the air. During the summer, though, golden hour might not be until 8:30 or 9:00 which is tricky if you have little kids with early bedtimes, and during the winter, golden hour might be at 4:00 which is challenging for working parents. Golden hour during the fall is usually around 6:00 or 7:00 which is much more schedule-friendly.

Harrisburg PA best family Photographer

Creating Your Harrisburg PA Family Photos This Fall

Want to capitalize on the fall with your own family portrait session? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s make it happen!

Baby girl is photographed in a patch of red fall flowers during her family photo session in Harrisburg
A mom is photographed in flowers with her baby girl by outdoor fall family photographer, Karissa Zimmer Photography

 

Why Fall Is a Great Time for Harrisburg PA Family Photos Read More »

Family in All Forms: Nontraditional Family Photos in Harrisburg PA

When you think of family portraits, you probably picture a conventional family, as most of us do: two parents and a few kids. While that’s what most of my family photos in Harrisburg PA look like, every so often I have the joy of photographing a nontraditional family or chosen family. Recently I had that joy in my family photo session with two wonderful best friends and their children and it reminded me of how truly special these types of nontraditional family portraits in Harrisburg PA are. 

Mom best friends share a fun moment with their kids during their non traditional family photo session near Harrisburg PA
Best Family Photographer near Harrisburg PA

What Do Nontraditional Family Portraits Look Like?

Nontraditional family portraits can look so many different ways! In this case, it was a mom and her child with her dear friend and her child. It could also be a co-parenting family – children with their parents and stepparents. Or, your photo session could be your traditional family along with someone else who plays a strong role in your family, like your kids’ nanny or an extended family member who lives with you.

Ultimately, your nontraditional family portraits can include anyone who feels like family to you (within reason of course, because a family photo shoot with 20 people is a whole different ball game!). And that’s what makes it so special: it’s the people who are your family in a truly authentic way.

Toddler best friends share a sweet moment during their outdoor photography session with Karissa Zimmer Photography
Best outdoor portrait Photography | Harrisburg PA

The Beauty of Nontraditional Family Photos in Harrisburg PA

Nontraditional family photo sessions hold a special place in my heart for so many reasons.

First, they honor the relationships in your life that go beyond the bounds of genetics and our typical ideas of family. There’s no reason that your best friends or your cousins, for example, should have the joy of a photography session together just because it’s not a societal tradition (yet).

Second, these sessions celebrate the amazing fact that as people we can form amazing bonds with each other regardless of details like genetics or marriage certificates. Sometimes the most important and meaningful relationships in our life aren’t with our birth family, and in fact, it can be even more special that you and these people found each other in the world and developed such a deep relationship.

Third, I believe that a family photo session is a joy that everyone deserves to have. There are so many people who don’t have close family members or who don’t have a relationship with their family for countless different reasons. A nontraditional family photo session opens the door for all of these people to have the same joy and memories of a family photo shoot that people with traditional families get to enjoy.

Best Harrisburg PA family photographer captures a special bond between best friends and their children.

Creating Your Own Nontraditional Family Photos in Harrisburg PA

Whoever those people are in your life who are family in your heart, even if they’re not family by blood or marriage, I’d be honored to create stunning portraits for you! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning.

Two moms who are best friends and their toddlers have a outdoor family photoshoot together in a creek near Harrisburg
Best friend moms and their toddlers walk together in the woods at their outdoor family photoshoot

 

Family in All Forms: Nontraditional Family Photos in Harrisburg PA Read More »

Harrisburg PA Family Photography is for Nontraditional Families Too!

When you see family photos online, whether you’re looking for inspiration for your own family portraits or you’re flipping through the family photos your friends and relatives are posting on Instagram, you probably see a lot of the stereotypical nuclear family. You see a lot of portraits with mom, dad, and 2-3 kids. But as a photographer who has the privilege of bringing Harrisburg PA family photography to life on a daily basis, I believe in inclusion and have a special place in my heart for photographing beautiful nontraditional families.

The gorgeous single mom and her baby boy featured in this post are just one of the many nontraditional families I’ve had the privilege of working with recently. For any nontraditional families who wonder if your family portraits can be just as wonderful as the ones you see online, yes they can! Here’s why.

Mother embraces her toddler son during their outdoor photoshoot near Harrisburg PA
Best Family Photography locations near Harrisburg PA

A Custom Harrisburg PA Family Photography Experience

There are certain poses and dynamics you’ll see often in family photos, and sure, those poses might not transfer over to some nontraditional families. But truthfully, that doesn’t matter much at my Harrisburg PA family photography studio because every photo session I perform is customized.

From the start, I’ll meet with you to learn about your family, your style and your personality. I’ll create a custom photo session that’s purely designed for your family, no matter who your family includes.

One year old baby boy and his mother are photographed between evergreen trees at a beautiful outdoor location in Central PA
Mother and son outdoor family photos in Harrisburg PA

Telling Your Family’s Story

It’s important to me to communicate that family photography isn’t just about creating pretty artwork and it’s not meant to make every family look like a Norman Rockwell painting. It’s about your family and what makes you special! Your portraits are a way to tell your family’s story in a form that will last for generations. They should capture your personality in a meaningful and authentic way and highlight the love among your family.

Beautiful family photography is an experience and an heirloom that every family deserves, and there’s no family who can’t get stunning family portraits that they cherish. I would be honored to create your heirloom portraits so contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

Harrisburg family photographer captures a moment between a mother and her one year old son at their outdoor portrait session
A little boy and his mom are photographed under beautiful flowering trees by Harrisburg PA best Family Photographer

Harrisburg PA Family Photography is for Nontraditional Families Too! Read More »

The Benefits of Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

We’re finally seeing those first few hints of spring after a long Pennsylvania winter! It’s enough to make anyone want to run outside and just bask in the sunlight we’ve all been missing this winter. One way you can take advantage of the beautiful spring is with outdoor family photography in Harrisburg PA. If you’re deciding between an in-studio or outdoor photo shoot, here are some special perks of outdoor portraits.

Best Family Photographer near Harrisburg PA
Outdoor Family Photoshoot

Authentic Family Fun

The best family photos always come from genuine smiles. I want your family to have fun during your photo shoot! Outdoor environments are a perfect way to do this. For many people, photography studios can be intimidating, but when your photo shoot is in a park, you’re in an area that is meant for fun and recreation, so it’s easier for the whole family to let loose and have a great time.

toddler girl smiles big next to bright red flowers at her outdoor family photo session in downtown Harrisburg PA

Low-Stress Environments for Parents of Active Kids

When you have active and energetic little ones, a photo studio can be a stressful place. You’re worried about your child running into equipment that could be dangerous or expensive, or messing up a carefully constructed background, so you feel the need to govern every step your child takes.

Outdoors, that’s not a problem! There’s plenty of space for kids to run around and be themselves, showing off that fun spirit that we want to celebrate in your family portraits. We can even choose a photo shoot location that your family is familiar with, like a park that you often visit, where you know your kids can run and play without safety hazards.

little girl plays outside at her Harrisburg family photo session

Taking Advantage of Nature’s Beauty for Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

An indoor photo studio can be designed to make for beautiful photo backgrounds, but why create a pretty background when nature has already done the work for us? We’re fortunate in the Harrisburg area to have plenty of gorgeous parks and outdoor settings that are perfect for family photos, and as a local family photographer, I know all the best spots! I’ll work with you to choose a photo shoot location based on the look and colors you want in your portraits.

Outdoor Family Photography session at The Peter Allen House near Harrisburg PA
Family Photography at The Peter Allen House

Creating Memories in the Moment

You want your family photos to be beautiful artwork for your home, of course, but they should be so much more than that too. A family portrait can transport you back in time to this amazing stage in your life, no matter how many years pass. It’s even better when the photo itself is linked to specific memories with your family. That’s my goal for family photo shoots: to allow your family to simply have fun and enjoy the day together while I turn that experience into gorgeous artwork. Outdoor photography is perfect for this - every time you see the portrait, you won’t just remember bringing the family to a studio, you’ll remember all the fun you had at that park spending quality time together.

Harrisburg PA Family of 4 smiles together at their Outdoor family photo session

Make the Most of This Spring! How to Book Your Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

Outdoor family photography in Harrisburg PA is an investment you’ll thank yourself for in the years to come, and this spring is the perfect time to take advantage of our stunning local scenery! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your family photo session.

The Benefits of Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA Read More »

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography: A Pro’s Top Tips

There’s a whimsical, warm beauty that’s undeniable in outdoor family photos. On top of the gorgeous natural landscape, outdoor photos seem to make kids and parents alike more relaxed and joyful, not stiff and nervous, making for portraits that capture your personalities. It’s no surprise that Harrisburg outdoor family photography is so popular, especially during this time of the year.

If you’re planning an outdoor photoshoot, how do you make it a great one? Follow these pro tips.

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Ask Your Photographer for Location Tips

The golden rule for outdoor family photography is the same as the golden rule for real estate: location, location, location. When it comes to deciding where to have your photo session, your photographer is the best resource.

Photographers know all the best spots around town for photos. There might be parks and locales you’ve seen that look beautiful to the naked eye, but they may not photograph well. Rely on your photographer’s expertise on the best locations for photos. Of course, feel free to let them know your preferences, like a type of landscape you love or a color palette you want.

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Choose Layers for Your Family’s Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography Outfits

When planning outfits for your family, choose layers for everyone. There are a few reasons for this. First, the weather has a mind of its own so you want to be prepared for any temperature. Keep in mind that some outdoor locations feel cooler or warmer than you expect because of wind or shade (or a lack thereof).

The second reason has to do with your kids. Kids find ways to make messes on themselves and on you. If everyone is dressed in layers, you can remove layers that get stains on them or add layers to cover stains.

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Plan the Perfect Timing with Your Photographer

The time of day will have a huge impact on your Harrisburg outdoor family photography in multiple ways. First, it affects the lighting for your photos. This impacts the look of your photos, whether you prefer the warmth of the “golden hour,” the crisp light of morning, or another look. Second, it could make the difference between grumpy kids and cheery kids. Your photographer is a pro at finding the sweet spot. Chat with us about your kids’ daily routines so we can work together to figure out the perfect time for your session. If you’ll need to tweak your kids’ routines for that day, we can give you pointers on doing this smoothly too.

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Book Early for Special Requests

Scheduling a family photo session can be a challenge for active families. You might just have a small window between your kids’ extracurricular activities. You might be working around your summer vacations and special events. You may also want to aim for a particular time of year for your photos. For instance, maybe you want to take photos when a certain tree is blooming or when the leaves first start changing for the fall.

If you have a specific timeframe when your photo session needs to happen, book it as early as possible. The earlier you book your Harrisburg outdoor family photography session, the more likely you are to get the timeframe you want.

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Plan Ahead but Don’t Stress

It never fails, especially if you have kids: when you have to be somewhere at a particular time, there will be complications. Make your photo shoot day as problem-proof as possible. Have everyone’s clothes laundered, ironed, and set out the night before. Have a bag packed with everything you want to bring, like snacks, water, diapers, and pacifiers. Make that day easy on yourself.

At the same time, don’t stress about making everything perfect. Trust me, we’ll get amazing portraits no matter what you might have forgotten. I’m a pro at making do, so relax – we’ll figure it out!

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Planning Your Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography Session

Getting excited to capture all your family’s beautiful smiles in a way you’ll be able to cherish forever? You can start the process today. Contact my photo studio to book your Harrisburg outdoor family photography session.

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography
Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography

Harrisburg Outdoor Family Photography: A Pro’s Top Tips Read More »