Harrisburg PA Photography

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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Maternity Photo Ideas for Your Harrisburg Maternity Photos

When you’re getting ready for a new baby, there are so many items on your to-do list, from items to buy or assemble to ways to protect your health, but your Harrisburg maternity photos are so much more than another item to check off your list. Your maternity portraits should be unique to you, celebrating your growing family and the magic within you. But how do you make your maternity photos feel personal and genuine?

As a maternity photographer, I have plenty of ways to customize every maternity session but I also let my clients guide the specifics and decide what they want from their session. If you’re trying to decide how to make your maternity photoshoot special, try these ideas.

Nursery Portraits

One of the most fun parts of preparing for your baby is getting the nursery ready in your home. So why not incorporate that beautiful nursery into your maternity photos? It’s a special way to capture just how excited you are to meet your little one, and as your child grows up and forms memories in their room, it will be such a joy for them to look back and see that you felt the warmth of this special room too.

Outdoor Harrisburg Maternity Photos

Harrisburg is full of gorgeous outdoor locations where you can take stunning maternity portraits. You just have to look in the right places! I have a few favorites like local parks and green spaces, but you might also have some spots in town that you love too. It’s even better if there’s a beautiful background that also means something to you and your family, like a park where you enjoy a run every morning or a site where you host a family barbecue each summer.

Maternity Photos in Your Own Yard

Some of my clients have trouble deciding between the idyllic beauty of an outdoor photoshoot or the intimacy and personalization of an at-home photoshoot. Why not do both and have your maternity photo session outside your home? I can capture amazing scenes by posing you with pillars or columns on your porch, in the greenery of your yard, alongside the flowers and trees in your landscaping, and so on.

Windswept Maternity Gowns

Truth be told, I know that many women feel insecure about their looks while they’re pregnant. Your body changes so much in such a short period of time, and in ways that you’ve probably never experienced before. But the fact is that a loving mom-to-be looks absolutely breathtaking and gorgeously feminine. Nothing highlights the majesty and beauty of your pregnancy like a flowy maternity gown that flows in the wind.

Charming Historic Harrisburg Maternity Photos

Along with plenty of outdoor backdrops, Harrisburg has plenty of lovely photo opportunities with a historical aesthetic too. There are Harrisburg neighborhoods full of old-world charm, and there are plenty of historic homes and buildings in the area that could also add an exquisite look to your maternity photos. Of course, if you prefer a more modern or urban aesthetic, Harrisburg has no shortage of these scenes too.

Sentimental Elements

As I mentioned, your maternity photos should be personalized to fit you and your family. One of the best ways to do this is to incorporate some elements that are particularly sentimental to you. Maybe there’s a necklace that’s a family heirloom, for example, and you can have a portrait with this necklace draped over your baby bump.

Or, you can incorporate special hobbies and passions in your life that you plan to share with your baby, like reading, playing an instrument, or knitting a blanket for your bundle of joy. Your child will love looking back on these portraits as they grow up and see how excited you were to share these treasures with them.

Scheduling Your Harrisburg Maternity Photos Today

If these ideas have kicked your creativity into high gear and you’re excited to start planning your personalized maternity photo session, it’s not too early to start planning! If you’re expecting a little one, call my photo studio today to schedule your Harrisburg maternity photos.

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Harrisburg Family Photography | The Peter Allen House

When the Colello Family inquired about a super special Harrisburg family photography session, I was struck immediately by their very significant and sentimental location request! I never could have guessed how adorable they’d all be in person! What is most extraordinary about this family, though, is undeniably the love they all have for each other!

Harrisburg Family Photography session at The Peter Allen House

Jenn and Pete had been married for almost 10 years. They wanted to go back to the location where they said their wedding vowels a decade earlier. Since saying “I do” at The Peter Allen House they’ve welcomed 3 beautiful little girls into their sweet family. And what an adorable crew they make! I absolutely loved the significance of their location choice! Jenn and Pete are still so into each other. And it’s evident in the way work together to parent their precious girls. Their kiddos are some of the most photogenic, friendly and kind little souls! Middle daughter, Julie even takes lots of hair pulling from her little sis with so much patience and grace! And while it’s natural for parents to worry about kiddos struggling to sit still during a session, I always tell parents to let them be kids! And as you see, it always works out!

The Family Portraits

As you can see from even just a quick glance through their photos, genuine connection, love, and joy are the qualities that turn beautiful family photos into the kind that take your breath away! Those sincere moments of connection are the ones families like the Colellos will treasure on the walls of their home for decades.

When I’m planning every Harrisburg family photography session, my number one goal is to bring out the unique personality of the family in front of my lens! I noticed right away that the Colellos were especially easy going yet sentimental. So, I made it my mission to capture that in photos! By taking them back to the spot where it all began 10 years ago, I was able to highlight something so special!

Full Service Portrait Photography

It’s also so important to me that family photos this magical don’t just hide away on your computer hard drive forever. This is why I am a full service portrait photographer. Therefore, I encourage all my clients to invest in displays for their images. Whether that be through an heirloom album to pass around on holidays or a gallery full of wall art. During your order appointment, I will use special design software to show you exactly how your family portraits will look like on your very own walls!

I had such a blast telling the Colello’s family story with my camera during our Harrisburg family photography session at The Peter Allen house! I hope to see them for another photo session again soon!

Are you looking to take family photos of your own? Let’s chat! Shoot me a message and I will be in touch to help you create something special. Every step of the way!

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Newborn Photographer near York Pa

Newborn Photographer near York Pa | Knox’s newborn photography session

Newborn Photographer near York Pa. Knox was the man! In other words, he was everything a newborn photographer dreams of! His whole session was perfect. It was only to be expected that he would be a super cool dude because he’s got a pretty cool mom and dad! And I could tell just how loved this little Knox man was when I first met them for their newborn and maternity photography consultation. They were so excited to capture everything about this special time in their lives. I am completely honored that they picked me for the job. I am certain that there is a serious level of trust in picking a newborn photographer. New parents don’t put their most precious little person in just anyone’s hands. And to trust a photographer to capture this new and greatest love is something really special. But first, look at this new adorable bond…

Can you sense this overwhelming, heart bursting, love they have for this little dude? Our babies only fit in our arms like this for the such a short, fleeting moment. I know they are going to look back at these photos and cherish this moment in time forever. And I am so glad I was able to capture this for all 3 them! But, Knox- you’re just so cute on your own too…

I could write about this adorable session forever. They’re just the cutest little family. Knox made a mark on my heart-that’s for sure!

Are you expecting a baby? Let’s capture these perfect tiny moments for you to remember forever.

Having a newborn baby will be one of the most special times of your whole, entire life. I would love to help you capture and preserve this moment to look back on forever. Any parent will tell you just how quickly this phase passes. Which one reason why newborns are photographed so early on – in the first 10 days of their little lives! So, the best time to set up a newborn photography session is as early as possible! You definitely want to start planning and have your newborn session reserved before your baby arrives. Most clients book before their 3rd trimester. But, if you’ve waited – don’t hesitate to call me! I will always try to get a newborn babe squeezed in my schedule! I never want to turn down a chance to cuddle a babe if I don’t have to!

So, send me a quick message HERE to get in touch and start planning! I can’t wait to work with you!

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Newborn-Maternity-Family and High School Senior Photographer in Mechanicsburg PA

Newborn-Maternity-Family and High School Senior Photographer in Mechanicsburg PA | 2019 year in review!

As a Newborn-Maternity-Family and High School Senior Photographer in Mechanicsburg PA 2019 was awesome! I’ve captured some of my most favorite images this year. I’ve snuggled, loved and photographed some of the most adorable babies in all of Central PA! I am totally sure of it! I’ve giggled with kiddos, ran around like a nut with toddlers, channeled my youthful soul while capturing high school senior pictures and watched my repeat client families grow up a little more this year. I mean, it will be hard for me to write this post without a few tears. Guys – this is not just my job. This is a genuine labor of love here. Some will say “you shouldn’t be emotionally connected to your job,” but I disagree. I do this with my whole heart. I look back on a year and feel so blessed to have crossed paths with each and every one of my clients. Some it was for the very first time and others who feel like they’ve become old friends. You guys are all gold to me. Every one of you holds a special place in this photographer’s heart of memories.

Now, for a moment of transparency…because, let’s be real-2019 wasn’t all sunshine, unicorns and glitter. It included some unexpected hurdles to jump at times- I guess you could say. This 2019 year required some serious faith to get through the things that are out of my control and the drive to conquer all that is within it. With those two things, the most amazing family, a few very close friends and a whole handful of the greatest clients any photographer could have – Here I am! Happy, healthy, and ready to take on 2020 and all it’s new adventures!

All of these moments that we turned into tangible, keepsake memories mean everything.

Not only to you, but to me. I have a genuine value for family and the people we love most. I know how much it will mean to you forever to have these memories of the babies,children, spouses and EVEN PUPPIES you love. Time will change us all. We’ll grow older as will our children. These moments you allowed me to capture for you are frozen forever. That is priceless. Thank you for trusting me to capture these memories for you this year. Thank you for allowing me to guide you through this process and allow me to help you choose tangible, heirloom artwork for your home so that your children’s children will have these special family memories. They’ll be just as important to you decades from now as they are today!

Let’s talk about 2020!

As we say goodbye to 2019 it’s important to plan for the future! Silly resolution time, I know! But, I’m excited! I’ve got big plans for the new year and I’m looking forward to connecting with all of you who will be a part of it! I will, however, be scheduling limited sessions each month. This keeps me on my A game so that I can give each of you a personal and custom portrait experience. Most important, I’m a mom myself, so being present for my daughter is my biggest priority. I’m all about “being the best version of ourselves” and a good start for me is by not overfilling my plate. I want to give everyone I care about the best version of me! So, with that being said…plan, plan, plan ahead! Yep, I know…lots of us a procrastinators, but it’s best to book your session several months in advance! If you’re expecting a baby this year – it is best to schedule your newborn session before your 3rd trimester. That way, all is set when baby arrives! Newborn session openings fill FAST! If you’re thinking ahead to spring and summer – now is a great time to get the planning started! It is MY MOST FAVORITE time of the year for family photography! Absolutely, positively the most beautiful time of the year! And Fall…welll….i’m still recovering from the past few months. We’ll revisit the idea of fall again soon! Hahaha!

Let’s chat about your family!

I’d love to chat about what makes your family special and how we can capture that for you. I’ll sit down with you and carefully plan all the details to how we will photograph your special people. I’ll walk you through my entire portrait process. Send me a quick message HERE to get in touch with me!

Do you follow me on INSTAGRAM? Catch all the sneak peeks and fun updates there!

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