Summer has arrived, and for many local families, this is the perfect time for outdoor family photos in Mechanicsburg. The kids are out of school, there are plenty of daylight hours – it’s perfect for portraits you can treasure for years. There’s one problem, though: the heat can make a photo session uncomfortable. Not to worry, because I have some tricks! Use these tips to stay cool for your summer photo session.
Keep the Session Moving
This is the most important tip of all: be prepared to keep the photo session moving. Kids have short attention spans, and that’s especially true when they’re getting too warm. That’s why I try to make all family sessions brief while still allowing for the time we need to get beautiful photos. While I’ll take care of most of the pacing, I advise parents to be ready to get started as soon as you arrive.
Try a Portable Fan for Your Outdoor Family Photos in Mechanicsburg
Handheld, portable battery-powered fans can be lifesavers for any parent in the summer. Bring one of these little fans and feel free to pull it out every so often during your session to cool off your kids (and yourself).
Choose Breathable Outfits
As you’re planning the family’s wardrobe for your portraits, make sure the outfits are set up with summer in mind. Go for light, airy fabrics like linen. Lighter colors will help you to stay cool too. Ideally, choose items that don’t show sweat easily and are loose enough to allow for airflow.
Booking Your Outdoor Family Photos in Mechanicsburg Today
The summer will be over before we know it! If you want to make time for family portraits this summer, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s book your photo session. I’ll work with you to plan a photo shoot the whole family will love.
Some families enjoy a family portrait session every year while others only have the chance every several years. Either way, it’s not something you do every day. As a professional photographer, I aim to not only create beautiful works of personal art for my clients but to guide you through the process too and make it as simple and stress-free for you as possible. To help you manage your photo session planning process, I’ve put together a straightforward to-do list for any parent before outdoor family photography in Harrisburg PA.
#1. Choose Your Photographer
The first step in any photo session is to select your photographer, and frankly, that can be the hardest step too. You want a photographer you can work with well and someone whose work you love because every photographer has their own style. Keep in mind that each photographer has a different level of service too, so find a photographer who has the aesthetic and the service you’re looking for.
#2. Decide on a Location for Your Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA
After you’ve booked a session with the photographer of your choice (or during the booking process), you’ll coordinate with your photographer to choose a location for your photo session. The season, the look you want, and other factors will impact your location of choice. The beauty is, though, that you have an expert photographer in your corner, and we know all the best spots in town! I always chat with my clients about what they want for their session and recommend the best locations for them.
#3. Tell Your Family the Good News
Once you’ve worked out the major details, it’s time to bring your kids in on the plan. The rule of thumb is to be excited and position the photo session as a fun family experience. It’s contagious – if you’re excited about something, your kids will be too!
#4. Design the Family’s Wardrobe for Your Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA
Wardrobe planning is another item on your to-do list that I can help you with directly. As a full-service photographer, I gladly offer tips and help in planning your family’s wardrobe, including pointers about what does (and doesn’t) look good on camera, advice on what colors might best flatter you and your family, and more. I also advise having a backup outfit planned for each person in case an issue arises.
#5. Plan the Day of Your Photoshoot
Logistics can make a world of difference in your photo session, so make a plan for the day of the photo shoot. Based on when your session will be, plan a schedule that ensures everyone will be fed and rested during the photo shoot. Plan when you need to start getting everyone ready, how much time you’ll need to do your hair and makeup, and so on. Give yourself an earlier out-the-door time than you need in case there’s traffic or you’re running late.
#6. Make a List of Items to Bring
The last thing you want is to arrive at your photo session and realize you’ve forgotten something important. Give yourself more time to think of all the essentials by making a to-bring list. Include things like all the individual pieces for everyone’s backup outfits, snacks, drinks, diapers, wipes, and so on.
#7. Prep and Pack Your Items for the Photo Shoot
The day before your photo shoot, get everything packed and ready so that, when it’s time to leave, you just need to grab everything and go. Get everyone’s wardrobe and backup outfit items laundered and pressed if necessary. Put snacks and other items in a cooler or bag in the fridge. The goal is to make your life as easy as possible.
#8. Don’t Lose Sight of the Goal: To Have Fun!
This might not seem that important but it really is a biggie – remember to have fun! The best portraits happen when you and your family are genuinely enjoying your time together. Try not to stress about the little details. Spots on someone’s clothes can be edited out, but I can’t edit in a carefree smile.
Getting Started with Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA
Summer is a fantastic time for Camp Hill family photography. The weather and the scenery are absolutely gorgeous, and with the kids out of school (and school sports), many families have more flexible schedules. If you have a summer family portrait session in the plans, though, what should you and your family wear?
Outfit planning is among the top questions my clients ask, and I’m happy to help. Check out these tips.
Camp Hill Family Photography Session
Choose Neutral Colors That Complement Green
One of the reasons so many people love taking family photos in the summer is that the landscape is lush with beautiful plant life. While there are many places around Camp Hill that make for fantastic photo backgrounds, in most cases, you’ll have plenty of beautiful green scenery in the background. For that reason, choose colors that complement green.
Airy and soft neutrals like white and cream work excellently for summer. Variations of blue often look beautiful with these neutrals, and blush pink is a popular choice too. It’s usually best to avoid greens as they may clash with the background greenery.
Wear Multiple Textures for Your Camp Hill Family Photography
Textures can add dimension and visual interest to any family’s portraits. In the cooler months, you might do this with layers and scarves or other accessories. In the summer, try choosing outfits that have multiple textures. A dress with a lace overlay, for example, can be beautiful for Mom, and denim pants look excellent when paired with linen shirts.
Outdoor Family Photography
Consider Floral Prints
Floral prints are excellent for spring and summer, and they can serve as “anchor outfits” that you use to construct your color scheme. For example, Mom can wear a floral dress and the rest of the family’s outfits can pull colors from that floral pattern.
Mother and son outdoor family photoshoot in Central PA
Planning Your Camp Hill Family Photography Session
Take advantage of the beautiful summer ahead with a special family photo session – I’d be happy to help! Contact my Camp Hill PA photo studio today and let’s start planning.
Father and son photos near Camp HillFamily Photography near Camp Hill, PAOutdoor Baby Photography
For many of my clients’ family portraits, we take their photos in one of Harrisburg’s many beautiful parks and outdoor areas. As lovely as these can be, everyone has their own aesthetic style. If nature’s backdrops aren’t your style, you might find your perfect fit with downtown Harrisburg family photography.
Our downtown area has so many fantastic, photogenic spots where I can create portraits that feel authentic to your family. It’s actually a very practical choice too. Check out these benefits of an urban portrait session.
Family Photography Harrisburg PA
Many Aesthetic Options for Your Downtown Harrisburg Family Photography
Maybe you don’t want the same look for the background of every portrait – you want to mix it up a bit. Downtown Harrisburg has all the options you could want. We could create an industrial look or something more rustic, or take advantage of some artistic downtown lighting. We could also go to a public park where we can take some portraits amid trees and green space and other portraits in front of artsy brick buildings.
Downtown Harrisburg Family Photo shoot
Convenient Access to Amenities
When you’re packing for a family photo session, it can be hard to remember everything you need – extra outfits, snacks, water, wipes, items to make the kids smile, and so on. If you’re at a photo session in a remote or rural area and you realize you’ve forgotten something, or if someone needs an emergency bathroom break, you don’t have a lot of options. The downtown area is close to plenty of amenities for your convenience.
Harrisburg Family PhotographerHarrisburg PA Family Photos
Creating Hometown Memories
Who knows what life will bring and where your family will be in five or ten years? The hometown where you are raising your kids at this age will always have a special place in your heart. Downtown portraits can be even more special because you’ll always remember and recognize those streets, those quaint shops, and that neighborly feel of home.
Outdoor Family Photos Downtown Harrisburg
Booking Your Downtown Harrisburg Family Photography Session
Are you due for some new family portraits? Contact my photo studio today to chat about your downtown Harrisburg family photography session.
Harrisburg Child PhotographyHarrisburg PA PhotographerBaby Photographer Harrisburg PAOne Year Old Baby Photography near Harrisburg PA
When I’m working with a family to plan their family portraits, one of the first details we decide on is the location. The location for your Harrisburg family photo session sets the tone for the entire aesthetic, whether you’re looking for a backdrop that is natural and earthy, historic and charming, or anything in between.
Trying to find a location for your next photo session? Here are some of my top spots (note: the images pictured are not necessarily taken at the locations listed).
Shipoke, PA for a Harrisburg Family Photo Session
Shipoke is one of Harrisburg’s most picturesque neighborhoods. It’s lined with gorgeous rowhouses that would remind you of old-world San Francisco or Charleston’s Rainbow Row. It’s perfect for families who love that style of charm and want a richly colorful background for their portraits.
Shipoke, Harrisburg Family Photography Session
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
The Fort Hunter Mansion and Park overlooks the gorgeous Susquehanna River. The mansion’s exterior has a bold historical look and the grounds of its surrounding park have amazing natural beauty. It’s fantastic for family portraits surrounded by bright and lively greenery.
Family Photoshoot at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
Lower Allen Community Park
Located in Mechanicsburg, Lower Allen Community Park is one of my favorite spots for Harrisburg family photos. It features a variety of different landscapes, like woodsy areas as well as open green spaces, so I can capture a few different looks in the same place.
Downtown Harrisburg and the Harrisburg PA State Capitol
For families who want a stylish and urban aesthetic in their family portraits, downtown Harrisburg is a go-to choice. There are so many spots in downtown Harrisburg that make it easy to create the specific look your family wants.
Downtown Harrisburg Family Photography
Milton Hershey School Founder’s Hall in Hershey, PA
For families who live in the Hershey area or who are up for a short drive, I love taking portraits at the Milton Hershey School’s Founders Hall in Hershey. The building and its surrounding area has a lovely, unique look that can create a fantastic family portrait backdrop.
Outdoor Family Photography in Hershey PA
Choosing Your Perfect Location for Harrisburg Family Photos
If you’re due for some new Harrisburg family photos, hiring an experienced photographer will make the rest of the process simple and smooth. As a full-service photographer, I’m happy to help families choose a location, plan their wardrobe, and even design your custom portrait prints and other products. Get started today by contacting Karissa Zimmer Photography. I can’t wait to help you create new memories for this chapter of your family’s life!
