family photography in harrisburg

Harrisburg PA Family Photos: Why Moms Need Family Photos the Most

As a family photographer in southern central Pennsylvania, and as a mom myself, I know that family portraits are gifts that don’t just keep on giving but that give more and more with every passing year. The more your family changes and your children grow, the more you’ll cherish the memories you made with them and the Harrisburg PA family photos that transport you back to when they were little.

But for moms, family photos give you a little something extra that you don’t often get…photos of you with your kids.

Early Fall outdoor family photos with a family of 4 near Harrisburg PA

Moms Need Photos with Their Kids

We live in a time when we all have a camera with us at nearly all times (in the form of our phone), and it’s wonderful to be able to take snapshots of your day to day life with your little ones. But take a moment to look through the latest photos you have of your kids. How many of them actually show you with your kids? Maybe 1 in 10, at best?

Of course, that’s because you’re always the one taking your kids' photos, especially if you’re a single parent or co-parent. While it comes from a place of the best intentions, with you wanting to take photos of your kids’ daily antics and all the exciting new things they’re doing, you’re an important part of their life that’s missing from those photos. For so many families, professional photo shoots are one of the only times you’ll have photos with your children.

A mother holds and embraces her young daughter while posing for outdoor family photos in Harrisburg PAMother and Son photos with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Why You and Your Kids Will Treasure Harrisburg PA Family Photos Together

As much as you enjoy having home photos of your kids, there’s something so much more special that is captured when you’re in the photo with them: the interaction and love between the two of you.

For both you and your child as they grow older, those family photos of you and them together will be so much more than a reminder of what you looked like in these years. They’ll capture the way you look at your child and the way your child looks at you. They’ll capture your laughter as the two of you are having fun together. And they’ll bring you both back to this exciting day you shared and to so many other memories that are tied to it.

Being in photos with your kids will give you these more tangible, powerful reminders of the past, and it will give those reminders to your children too, who will one day treasure these portraits as they grow up too.

If you don’t have enough family photos with your kids, I’m here to help! Reach out to Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your own Harrisburg PA family photos.

A mother, father and their 2 young children share a moment and laugh together at their family photoshoot this fall A family of 4 embraces one another at a beautiful outdoor photoshoot location in Central PABest Harrisburg PA family photographer captures images of a A little girl as she plays in a garden of fall flowers

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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

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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

 

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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

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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.

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Five Questions You Should Ask Your Family Photographer

When it comes to portrait photography, many people put a lot of effort into their search for the perfect photographer to capture their wedding or engagement. They often forget that finding the perfect person to capture their family’s most special memories is just as important! These images of your family will be something you cherish forever and that your children, grandchildren, and future generations will have to look back on.

If you’re looking for a family photographer, take time to ask them these questions—and don’t shy away from voicing your concerns or clearly asking for what you want. The best way to get the images you want from your session is to communicate clearly with your photographer and let them know right away if you have any questions or concerns.

family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer
family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer

How much experience do you have?

While it’s great to help out a friend, if you’re looking for gorgeous images to display in your home for years to come, you don’t want to book a photographer who’s just starting out. Ask about their experience and look at some of their past work to determine if their images are consistent and their style would be a good fit for your family. You want a photographer who knows what they’re doing, has high-quality equipment and can handle any type of lighting situation—or any rambunctious kids.

family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer

Do you specialize in a specific type of photography?

If you’re looking for a certain kind of photography, make sure to choose a photographer whose style matches what you’re seeking. Some photographers do more posed photos, and some go for a more candid look, while others do both depending on the client. If you want something specific for your images, don’t be afraid to ask.

family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer

Do you have a lot of repeat clients?


The best photographers often capture multiple milestones for the same families, from engagements to newborns to their baby’s milestones, or child’s high school senior photos and beyond. If a photographer has the same clients coming back again and again, that’s a good sign that their work is strong and consistent—and that they’re easy to work with.

family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer

What is your policy for canceling or rescheduling?


You never know what could happen to keep you from making it to your family photo session. Be sure to ask about your photographer’s cancelation policy and whether you would be able to reschedule your shoot, if necessary.

family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer

Have you had any experience with _____________?


You may have unique concerns based on your family’s needs or challenges. Maybe you have a special needs child or a situation that may require some poses outside of the norm. While it helps to have a photographer who has some experience with concerns similar to yours, the most important thing is finding someone who will be understanding and compassionate and who will work with you and your family to get great photos.

When you’re looking for a photographer to capture the love your family shares, it’s important to choose someone who’s willing and able to help you create your vision for your family portraits. Be sure to check out as many of their galleries as you can and be open about what you want for your images.

family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer
family photography in harrisburg, family portraits, professional family photos, mechanicsburg family photographer

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