Harrisburg PA Photography

Is Harrisburg Sitter Session Photography Worth It?

04.22.23

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.

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Harrisburg PA Baby Photography Session

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.

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6 Month old Baby Photography near Harrisburg PA

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.

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Studio Baby Photography Harrisburg PA

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.

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Sitter Session Baby Photography

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.

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Harrisburg Baby Photographer 6 month sitter photos

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.

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Baby photos near Harrisburg

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!

baby photographer in harrisburg, sitter session photography
baby photographer in harrisburg, sitter session photography
baby photographer in harrisburg, sitter session photography
baby photographer in harrisburg, sitter session photography

Your Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography Questions Answered

04.22.23

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.

Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography

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!

Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography

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.

Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography

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.

Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography
Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography

Booking Your Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography Session

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

Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography
Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography
Harrisburg Studio Newborn Photography

Harrisburg Baby Photographer Shares Tips for Cake Smash Portraits

04.22.23

The first year of your baby’s life is an incredible time of learning (for both you and your baby) and constant changes from one day to the next. Their first birthday is an incredible milestone, so why not celebrate with the time-honored tradition of cake smash portraits? As a Harrisburg baby photographer, I love celebrating little ones with these one-of-a-kind portrait sessions!

If you want to make sure your baby’s cake smash session is as smooth and successful as possible, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these top tips for your cake smash portraits.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer
Harrisburg Baby Photographer Cake Smash

Consider the Photography When Ordering Your Smash Cake

The cake, of course, is an essential prop for cake smash photos. While I’m happy to source a cake for you for an added fee, most of my clients prefer to get their own cake so they can get exactly what they want.

If you’re getting your own smash cake, though, make sure you think about how the cake will photograph. I suggest cakes with either white or pastel icing. Chocolate cake doesn’t photograph well, nor does chocolate icing or red icing. Frosting with very deep colors and strong dyes can stain your baby’s skin, and we want to make sure they look fantastic for the rest of their portraits.

Make sure you also tell the bakery that it’s a smash cake so they don’t put anything inside the cake to stabilize it, like a stick which can be dangerous. I also recommend that you don’t get a cake with fondant because this can present a choking hazard.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Consider a Practice Run Before Meeting Up with Your Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Not sure how your baby will react to the smash cake? You can do a practice run to let your baby try it out. Get them a small cake or a cupcake a day or two before your photo session and let them play around with it, discover that it’s tasty, and figure out how to dig into it.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Don’t Stress About Your Baby’s Reaction to the Cake

Every parent wants those adorable pictures of their baby covered in cake and giggling with absolute glee. I’d love to get those for you too! Truthfully, though, some babies love their cake smash and others don’t. Your baby may just not like the feel of the cake or frosting on their fingers.

All of that is okay! I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to get great portraits, and honestly, portraits of babies that aren’t quite sold on their cake can be precious too. They’ll bring back memories you can laugh about, so don’t worry about how your baby will react to the cake.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Plan Your Schedule Accordingly

Over my years as a Harrisburg baby photographer, I’ve learned that you can’t rush portraits, especially when there are babies involved. Your baby might need some time to get comfortable with me and get comfortable in front of the camera, and that’s perfectly fine. Just make sure you plan your schedule accordingly so you’re not feeling rushed.

I also do my first birthday portraits a bit differently from some photographers. I take the cake smash photos in my studio in the morning and then you go home to get your baby cleaned up and rested. We’ll meet back up in the late afternoon for some gorgeous outdoor portraits. Make sure you arrange your day so you can take your time and enjoy the milestone experience.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Bring Outfit Options – Your Harrisburg Baby Photographer Can Help

Trying to figure out what you should have your baby wear for their cake smash portraits? It’s always a good idea to bring several different options. You want your baby to be comfortable and be able to be their active, mobile self, and that might mean that your favorite outfit isn’t the best choice. I can help you decide between your options at the studio.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Relax and Enjoy!

This is your baby’s first birthday – have fun! You earned it! Relax, enjoy the session, and be joyful. It will make your baby’s photos even better because they take their cues from you so they’ll be happier and more relaxed too.

cake smash photographer harrisburg pa, Harrisburg Baby Photographer

Booking a Harrisburg Baby Photographer for Your Baby’s Cake Smash Photo Session

If your baby’s first birthday is coming up, let’s start planning! Book your cake smash portrait session at my Harrisburg studio today.

Downtown Harrisburg Family Photography: The Advantages of a Fun Downtown Photo Shoot

04.22.23

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.

Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
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.

Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
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 Photographer
Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
Harrisburg 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.

Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
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 Family Photography, family photographer near me
Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
Harrisburg Child Photography
Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
Harrisburg PA Photographer
Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
Baby Photographer Harrisburg PA
Harrisburg Family Photography, family photographer near me
One Year Old Baby Photography near Harrisburg PA

Harrisburg Family Photo Locations: Some of My Favorites

02.02.23

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!