Harrisburg PA Baby photographer

Why Are Harrisburg Newborn Portraits Taken Indoors Only?

The trend for a lot of professional photography today is to take photos outdoors – that’s the case for family photography, for example, as well as senior photography and maternity photography. But you might notice that it isn’t the case for newborns, and as a newborn photographer, I can attest to this. But there are reasons for it! Here’s why Harrisburg newborn portraits are typically only taken indoors.

Controlling the Environment

During a newborn photography session, we want your little one to sleep as much as possible. In the studio, we can set up the environment so it’s irresistible for a nice nap – soft lighting, quiet sounds, cozy warmth, you name it. Outside, we don’t have control over all those elements. If a loud vehicle drives past or an unexpected rain starts, that could be all it takes to wake your baby and make it hard to get the sleepy portraits parents love (plus it leaves you with a not-so-baby baby when you go home).

Quaint Lighting

Outdoor lighting can be harsh and overly bright. Not only might that make it harder for your little one to sleep but it’s also just not necessarily the look you want for newborn photos. We want newborn portraits to reflect the gentle sweetness of your precious baby, and in the studio, I can create the nice soft lighting that helps to create this look.

Safety for Harrisburg Newborn Portraits

This one is so important! Your baby is precious and we want to keep them safe during their photo session. There are so many risks outdoors that we don’t have indoors – overheating or sunburns, bug bites, and so on. My photo studio is specifically set up for safe and beautiful newborn photo sessions, with things like cushions made to keep them from rolling or falling.

Planning Your Studio Harrisburg Newborn Portraits

If you have a baby on the way or a newborn in your home, I’d love to create a safe and stunning newborn photo session for your growing family in my comfortable and well-appointed studio. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

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Common Questions About Sitter Session Photography Answered by Your Harrisburg Baby Photographer

A sitter session is such a fun milestone to photograph for your baby! It gives us an opportunity to get adorable portraits of them sitting sweetly and showing their developing personality before they start crawling so fast that it will be hard to keep up with them. If your little one is approaching that milestone, you might be curious about sitter session photography. As your Harrisburg baby photographer, I’m happy to fill you in!

What Should I Bring to a Sitter Session with My Harrisburg Baby Photographer?

This will depend on your photographer but in my case, I aim to make baby photography as easy on parents as possible! My studio is fully equipped with everything we need including outfits, sets, props, and accessories. All you have to bring is anything you’ll want to keep yourself and your baby comfortable during the session like bottles or other feeding items. I’ll take care of the rest!

Can My Older Kids and I Be in My Baby’s Sitter Session Portraits?

Baby photography celebrates milestones that bring joy to your whole family, and I think it’s beautiful to include the whole family in your baby’s sitter session photos. During your pre-session consultation, we’ll talk through all the details so you’ll know what to wear and what to expect.

When Should I Schedule My Baby’s Sitter Session?

Scheduling can be tricky for sitter session photography because every baby hits the milestone of sitting unassisted in their own time. I recommend reaching out a few months before you expect your baby to reach that milestone so I can set aside time in my calendar. Don’t worry, we can pencil in a general timeframe when you book and then set the specific date once your baby has started sitting up on their own.

Booking Your Sitter Session with a Harrisburg Baby Photographer

As a Harrisburg baby photographer, I have the joy of celebrating so many babies’ special milestones, including the sitter session for the beautiful baby girl featured here. I’d be honored to do the same for your little one! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning your session.

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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.

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.

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!

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My Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography: Why I Do In-Person Consultations

If you’ve shopped around for photographers in the past, you might know that every photographer has a different process or experience for their photo sessions. Some provide more hands-on support, service, and guidance while others use simplified processes that don’t involve as much time or one-on-one attention. In my central Pennsylvania newborn photography studio, I’m all about attentive service!

I know how important your newborn portraits are to you - the first professional photos your little one will ever have and the only ones you’ll have when they’re this tiny. These portraits are worthy of an investment, not only from you but from me too. I’m dedicated to creating custom portraits that are unique to your family, and one of the ways I do that is by starting with an in-person consultation. Here are a few insights into why I provide in-person consultations and the difference they make for my clients.

Providing a Full-Service Experience for Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography

As a mom, I know first-hand that life is busy when you’re preparing for a new baby…and that’s an understatement! You have so much on your plate already, and my philosophy is that you should be able to get stunning newborn photos without adding more chores to your list. In-person consultations allow you and I to sit down for some dedicated planning time so I can use your preferences and vision to plan your photo session, help you decide what to wear, and more.

Getting to Know Your Tastes

Custom photography, including central Pennsylvania newborn photography, is all about capturing your special memories in a way that’s authentic to you and your family. Your family’s personalities should shine through in your portraits. Spending time with you in person lets me get to know you and your family so I can create portraits that are true to who you are.

Designing Your Session for the Final Result

I believe portraits should be displayed and loved in your home, not sitting on a storage drive or in the cloud. An in-person consultation gives us a chance to talk about how and where you might want to display your portraits. This way, I can design your session using color schemes, compositions, and other details that will coordinate perfectly with your home decor.

Experience the Difference of Full-Service Central Pennsylvania Newborn Photography

Ready to see what it’s like to have the personalized attention of a full-service photographer? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

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Why Quality Matters in Your Central PA Newborn Photography Displays

Your newborn will only be tiny for a short time, and as a mom, I can tell you that you won’t realize just how short the newborn stage is until it’s over. That’s part of why I’m so passionate about my central PA newborn photography - because I know how precious these special portraits are and I want families to experience them before the opportunity has passed.

As you plan your newborn photography session, though, you need to consider another question: how will you display your portraits? As a photographer, I work with each of my clients to help you design and order beautiful, high-quality display pieces for your artwork, whether they’re Italian canvas prints, framed wall prints, premium photo albums, or whatever else you choose. Today, I’m sharing some insight into why it’s so important to choose quality displays for your newborn photos rather than using an inexpensive online service.

A Finished Look Worthy of Your Investment

Custom photography comes with a price. That price is well worth it for the professional quality and attentive service you receive, but it’s still an expense. When you spend that money on a custom photo session, you want the finished result to have a “wow!” look. Low-quality printed products can cheapen the look of those portraits that you invested your time, care, and money into, while quality prints will do justice to your premium portraits.

Portraits That Don’t Age While the Memories Do

Newborn portraits have the amazing feature of becoming more and more precious the more time passes. You’re sure to love your portraits as soon as you see them, of course, but their real power doesn’t come out until you see that tiny baby in the portrait next to your child who has now grown and flourished, and the portrait becomes a portal to the past. Low-quality displays, sadly, will be fading and declining just as you want to enjoy them more. A quality display will stay with you and remain as vivid as the memories of your baby.

Long-Lasting Heirlooms of Your Central PA Newborn Photography

Newborn portraits are meaningful to you because they bring back memories from your first days with your little one. But for your children, they have a whole new meaning: a link to a time that they can’t remember. Portraits can become treasured family heirlooms that you pass down from generation to generation, but only if you choose prints or displays that are high-quality enough to last for all those years.

Custom Designs to Complement Your Home

Your baby’s beautiful newborn portraits should be a sentimental and cherished part of your household decor, so you want them to complement your decor in a stylish, intentional way. While it may be possible to do this with low-cost commercial printed products, investing in quality takes it to a new level. I work with my clients to design the perfect display for their aesthetic and the decor in the room where they want to display their portraits. You get a cohesive, custom look without spending hours scouring stores for the right frame or taking guesses about how a product will look in your space.

Quality You Don’t Notice Until You Do

One of the most heartbreaking issues with low-quality displays for your newborn portraits is that you may not regret your decision until it’s too late. In some cases, families order an inexpensive printed product and when it first arrives, it looks fine and they think they’ve lucked out. But after a few years, their canvas starts to loosen or sag, or their album starts fading the photos within it. By the time they realize the difference that quality makes, they could have lost access to their baby’s portraits and no longer have a way to get the quality displays they want. It’s always safer to invest in quality portraits from the start so you know your beloved portraits will last.

Preserving Your Family’s Memories with the Quality They Deserve: Your Central PA Newborn Photography

In my central PA newborn photography studio, it’s such an honor to create custom portraits for my clients. I want you to be able to enjoy your portraits for decades and generations to come, and that’s why I’m so passionate about quality displays. To learn more about the premium displays I help you create, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography.

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Tips for Your Harrisburg Winter Maternity Photo Session

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

Dreaming of gorgeous, wintery maternity portraits? Let’s get started! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today to book your session.

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A Parent’s To-Do List for Outdoor Family Photography in Harrisburg PA

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

Ready to tackle your own family portrait to-do list? I can help! Contact my Harrisburg photo studio to book your session today.

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Carlisle PA Sitter Session Outfits: What You Need to Know

Sitter session photography can create some of the most beautiful, treasured baby portraits you will ever have. Your baby is more alert than they were at their newborn session, able to engage with the session more and showcase their adorable budding personality. But, as with any photo session, parents always have one question for a Carlisle PA sitter session: what should we wear?

Tips for Planning Your Baby’s Sitter Session Outfits

Planning your baby’s sitter session outfits might be easier than you think! If you have a session in the books, follow these tips.

Find Out What Your Carlisle PA Sitter Session Photographer Provides

First things first, when it comes to wardrobe, talk to your photographer and find out what they have available. I have a well-stocked client closet so I can provide all the outfits and accessories you need for your sitter session! You can just come with your baby and your diaper bag.

Some families still want to bring some outfit options of their own too, and if you do, the rest of these tips can help.

Consider the Overall Looks for the Session

Before your photo shoot, I’ll take some time with you to plan and style your session, including the looks and themes you want to incorporate. Whether you’re envisioning a particular theme, a vintage aesthetic, a feminine look, or something classic and timeless, I’ll design your session in a way that captures the look you want along with my artistic style.

If you’re planning to bring some outfits or accessories to add to the selection for the photo shoot, keep that planning conversation in mind. Choose items that align well with the looks we’re going for.

Go for Snug Over Loose

It’s common to buy clothes that are slightly big on your baby because they grow so quickly, and that’s a great strategy for your home wardrobe…but not for a photo session. It’s better to choose pieces that fit your baby well and aren’t too loose on them. Otherwise, the items won’t lay as nicely and will be constantly moving around and needing to be adjusted during the photo shoot.

P.S., here’s a bonus tip: always have your baby try on the outfits you’re bringing to your sitter session a few days in advance. You always want to know for sure how they’ll fit rather than making your best guess.

When in Doubt, Go Neutral

For any baby photography (or any photography in general), you can’t go wrong with neutrals. Every baby looks great in white!

If you don’t go for neutrals, stick with pastels and items that aren’t overly attention-grabbing. Avoid bold patterns, bright colors, and anything else that could take attention away from your baby, unless we’re purposely incorporating a particular look or color scheme that we’ve discussed in your planning session.

Don’t Stress About Your Carlisle PA Sitter Session Outfits - I’ve Got You!

You have a big job at home: raising that adorable little one of yours. Please don’t add to your stress by trying to find beautiful sitter session outfits! I have everything you need. If you have items you love and want to bring to the session, that’s great, but if not, I have enough items to create a beautiful and truly special sitter session for your baby.

Booking Your Carlisle PA Sitter Session

Sitter session photography is an opportunity to get stunning baby photos at this fun time in your baby’s developmental journey, and I’m honored to make this happen for families throughout the Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Harrisburg areas. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today to book your sitter session and start planning the baby portraits of your dreams.

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Is Harrisburg Sitter Session Photography Worth It?

When you have a beautiful baby at home, calling it “love” doesn’t feel descriptive enough. You’re *obsessed* with your new little one and you absolutely adore watching them grow and discover the world around them. If you want to preserve the memories of this exciting time of life, Harrisburg sitter session photography is a great way to do that.

What Is Sitter Session Photography?

Sitter session photography is a photo session that occurs while your baby is confidently sitting up on their own but isn’t yet crawling confidently. This generally happens around 6-9 months of age.

Benefits of Sitter Session Photography

Why do we choose this particular time in a baby’s first year to take portraits? There are several benefits, actually.

Preserve a Beautiful Developmental Stage

Your baby’s sitter stage is such a fun time in their infancy! With sitting up, they can be more engaged with you and with everything around them, and it’s such a joy to watch their little eyes take it all in.

Flexible Posing Options

A large part of why sitter session photography is so popular is its practicality. We can get a much better variety of poses and portrait options because your baby can sit up on their own and look at the camera. However, they haven’t yet hit the point when they’re mobile and wanting to explore. The sitter stage is a perfect opportunity to get precious baby photos you’ll love for decades without having to chase your baby around the studio.

Capture the First Hints of Baby’s Personality

Compared to their newborn days, your baby is showing so much more personality in their sitter stage! You’re starting to see some of their little mannerisms, expressions, and quirks. Now is a great time to capture those on camera so you can look back on them when your child is older and see when that sweet personality started.

So…Is Harrisburg Sitter Session Photography Worth It?

What’s the verdict? Every family has to answer that for themselves, but for many, the answer is a resounding “yes,” sitter session photography is worth it! To get the ball rolling, contact my Harrisburg photo studio today and let’s chat!

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Your Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography Questions Answered

Newborn portraits are one of the most precious treasures for so many parents. Your baby is only this tiny once, and only for a short time, so these portraits forever preserve the magic of those first weeks with your little bundle of joy. If you’re growing your family, I’m happy to help not only by taking your newborn photos but answering your questions and helping you know what to expect. Check out these answers to your top Harrisburg studio newborn photography questions.

How Is Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography Different from Lifestyle Newborn Photography?

There are two types of newborn photo sessions: studio sessions and lifestyle sessions. Studio sessions are performed, of course, in my professional portrait studio. The focus is largely on your baby, with Mom and Dad included in a few portraits as well. These are the cozy posed portraits you see most often. A lifestyle session, on the other hand, is taken at your home and focuses more on your family as a whole. If you enjoy both types of sessions, though, you can have both!

Why Do Poses and Portraits Vary So Much from One Baby to the Next?

There are a few reasons for this. First of all, every family is unique and I want to create portraits that speak to their sense of style and suit their home. Second, it’s always a question of what the baby will allow. Your baby guides the session, and some babies are more comfortable in certain types of poses compared to others. Ultimately, your newborn portraits will be one-of-a-kind for your child and your family.

Why Is Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography Expensive?

It’s true that newborn photography tends to be pricier than most other types of photo sessions like family portraits and senior portraits. This is because newborn photo sessions take longer, allowing time for your baby to settle and fall asleep as needed. Newborn photography also requires specialized training in baby safety and posing for newborns, as well as certain equipment like cushions, wraps, white noise machines or other items for helping babies to sleep, and so on.

Booking Your Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography Session

Ready to book your own studio newborn photo session? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

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