Mechanicsburg PA child photographer

Summer Outdoor Family Photos in Mechanicsburg PA: How to Stay Cool

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.

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A Baby Boy Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg: Why Your Little Boy Deserves One Too

You’ve made it through your baby’s first year! How do you celebrate? Why not with a cake smash photo session? For several reasons, a baby boy cake smash session in Mechanicsburg is a gift that just keeps giving, a birthday celebration you and your family will treasure.

Celebrate a Special Occasion

Your baby’s first birthday is a major milestone! It’s the first of many birthdays you’ll have with them and it’s a time to reflect on all the amazing ways they have changed in a year. A photo session isn’t just a birthday celebration, it’s a birthday celebration that will last forever because the portraits will be a lifelong memento.

Enjoy the Fun, Unique Tradition of a Baby Boy Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg

Cake smashes are a hollowed first birthday tradition, and your baby deserves to be part of the fun! As much fun as it is to do a cake smash at your baby’s birthday party, it can be tough to get good pictures of the experience in this setting. A cake smash session gives you the best of both worlds: you can have professional portraits of this fun tradition, but during your baby’s party, you can relax and enjoy the experience.

Complete the Picture of Your Baby’s First Year

Getting pictures of your baby’s most monumental milestones in their first year is something you’ll always be grateful for as a parent. A cake smash photo session is the perfect way to complete that picture, creating a compilation of portraits from this incredible year in your family’s life.

Celebrating Your Little Guy with a Baby Boy Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg

If your little boy is turning one year old, a cake smash session is a unique way to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. If you’re in the Mechanicsburg area, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s start planning this beautiful occasion together.

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Questions to Ask Your Mechanicsburg Family Photographer (Before Hiring Them)

Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone in your family’s life or you’re just due for updated family portraits to chronicle this chapter of your family’s story, the photographer you hire will be the most important choice you make in the process. Before you make it official and book a date in a photographer’s calendar, how do you know if that Mechanicsburg family photographer is the right fit for you and your family?

While it’s partially a matter of human-to-human chemistry and whether you feel comfortable with a photographer, there are questions you can ask as well to make sure that a photographer aligns with you and your needs. Ask these questions before you hire a Mechanicsburg family photographer.

What Is the Process for Your Client Experience?

This is a biggie! The family photography experience varies significantly from one photographer to the next, so you want to find a photographer whose process aligns with what you want. Some photographers do all the planning over email, send you an online gallery when your images are ready, and have minimal contact with you throughout the process. Others take a more full-service approach with a personal consultation to plan the session as well as an individual appointment to choose your finished images and more. It’s just a question of whether you prefer that your family photos be quick and convenient or personalized and meaningful.

Make sure you also ask about the timeline for the process, especially if you want your portraits for a specific date or occasion. Ask the photographer how much guidance they will provide along the way as well, such as whether they can give you advice and feedback on planning your family’s outfits.

Do You Provide Printed Products or Digital Images Only?

As a full-service photographer, I’m passionate about making sure every family has beautiful portraits they’ll enjoy, so I work with you directly to help you design and order your framed prints, canvas prints, photo albums, or other products you choose, and I offer digital images as well. Some other photographers exclusively offer digital images. Make sure to ask your photographer what they offer in advance to make sure it aligns with what you want.

Where Can I Find a Portfolio of Your Work as a Mechanicsburg Family Photographer?

You’ve probably already seen the photographer’s work before you reach out to them, but I had to include this question for good measure! Photography is an art, and just like any other artist, every photographer has their own aesthetic style. Make sure to review some of the other family portraits your photographer has taken to make sure you love their style.

Questions About Your Specific Vision or Needs

If there’s anything specific you have in mind for your family portraits or anything unique about your family that may affect the photo session, it’s always best to ask in advance. For example, you might have a specific location where you’d love to take your photos or a theme you want for your photo shoot, and you’ll want to ask the photographer if they can bring that vision to life.

This can also apply to special circumstances regarding your family. Perhaps you have a child who is on the autism spectrum and want to know if your photographer has experience working with kids with ASD. If they don’t have this experience, it doesn’t mean they won’t do a wonderful job, but it’s always best to know in advance regardless.

Am I the Right Mechanicsburg Family Photographer for You?

I strongly believe that the best family photos happen when a family and photographer feel comfortable with each other and when the photographer can capture the family’s personality in the camera. That’s why I think it’s important to speak with my clients in advance to learn more about you and your family and plan a portrait session that speaks to your one-of-a-kind spirit. That’s why the questions above are so important.

To find out if I’m the right Mechanicsburg family photographer for you, let’s chat! Contact my PA family photo studio to learn more or to book your family photography session.

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Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography for a Baby with Clubfoot: One-of-a-Kind Beauty

Every parent has a vision for what their baby will be like when they finally meet them after all those months of feeling them growing. Even a fairly common birth defect can throw you for a loop, but it just makes your family’s journey that much more unique. In my Mechanicsburg newborn photography studio, I recently had the honor of taking newborn portraits of a beautiful baby girl who was born with clubfoot.

Beauty and Awareness Through Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography

Along with showing off this gorgeous baby girl’s newborn photos, I’d like to use this blog as an opportunity to spread awareness of clubfoot and the basics about this treatable condition.

What Is Clubfoot?

The clinical name for clubfoot is talipes equinovarus or EV, but it’s best known as clubfoot. In a baby with clubfoot, their foot points downward and inward. It actually happens more often than most people realize - about 1 in every 1000 babies is born with clubfoot. It may not be common, necessarily, but it isn’t as rare as you might think.

It’s typically treated in a child’s first years of life, though, so by the time they go to school, no one would ever know that they were born with the condition. In fact, there’s a good chance that you know someone today who was born with clubfoot, even if you don’t know it!

What Causes Clubfoot?

Clubfoot is actually a very simple condition: it’s just a short Achilles tendon. This is what keeps the baby’s foot from flexing. It’s largely genetic, but doctors don’t really know why some babies have it and some don’t.

How Does Clubfoot Affect a Child?

Any birth defect is scary when you first discover it, but clubfoot doesn’t have any serious health risks. It’s also very treatable, so babies born with clubfoot can eventually have perfectly healthy, active lives. This little girl has a bright future ahead of her, especially with all those proud big brothers who will help out throughout her treatment!

Treating clubfoot essentially involves stretching the Achilles tendon little by little throughout the first months of the baby’s life so the tendon lengthens to a typical size.

The treatment starts with a process called Ponseti casting. A week or two after a baby is born, the doctor will put their clubfoot in a cast that is designed to slightly stretch the Achilles tendon. Every week to 10 days, the doctor replaces that cast with a new cast that stretches the tendon a bit further, since the tendon has adjusted to the cast it’s in.

That progressive process continues for about a month to six weeks. At this point, the doctor does a small in-office procedure to further lengthen the Achilles tendon, and then puts the baby in one last cast for a few weeks.

After the baby has “graduated” from their last cast, the doctor will fit them for a brace to maintain their longer Achilles tendon. The baby will wear the brace throughout the day and night for two months, and then they only need to wear their brace while they sleep until they reach kindergarten age.

Treating clubfoot can be a long road, but ultimately, your child can have all the function and ability they would have had if they hadn’t been born with clubfoot.

Honoring Every Chapter of Your Family’s Journey with Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography

My Mechanicsburg newborn photography is all about celebrating this incredible time in your family’s life. I want to chronicle your authentic journey of welcoming this precious new child into your family, and sometimes that involves unexpected twists like clubfoot. I’m honored to tell your family’s story, whatever that story may be, and surprises like clubfoot just make your story that much more unique.

I loved capturing these memories so this lovely family can always look back and recall the journey they’ve been on, and I would be thrilled to do the same for your growing family. Reach out to my Mechanicsburg newborn portrait studio and let’s chat!

Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography for a Baby with Clubfoot: One-of-a-Kind Beauty Read More »

Mechanicsburg Family Photo Tips: What to Bring for Outdoor Portraits

This is a popular time of year for Mechanicsburg family photo sessions in the outdoors. We have all the stunning colors of fall, families are getting new portraits to use on their Christmas cards, and the weather isn’t yet so cold that it’s too uncomfortable to get great portraits.

If you have an outdoor family photo session on the schedule, what should you bring to make the experience and the portraits even better? I help every family strategize and create their packing list so they know what to bring. From a seasoned Mechanicsburg family photographer, add these items to your packing list:

  • A change of clothes for each person (kids have a knack for getting messy at inconvenient times!)
  • Layers like scarves, jackets, wraps, and blankets that coordinate with your wardrobe color scheme
  • Snacks and drinks to keep your kids comfortable (be sure to choose items that aren’t messy or won’t stain, like water, pretzels, and goldfish crackers
  • Tissues and wet wipes
  • A favorite toy, book, or other item for each child in case we need to cheer them up or use it to coax them to smile
  • Makeup in case you need a mid-session touch-up
  • Items to enjoy the outdoors! We often take outdoor portraits at parks, so you may want to stick around after the session to enjoy the park for a while with the kids
  • Accessory options – if you’re not sure what jewelry or accessories to wear, bring them along and I’m happy to help you choose the ones that photograph best or work best with the color scheme

All the items above can help you enjoy a more relaxed portrait session and get photos you’ll treasure even more. If you don’t have a Mechanicsburg family photo session on the books yet and you’re due for new portraits, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s chat.

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Ask a Mechanicsburg PA Photographer: What Is Custom Photography?

For as many different family photographers as there are in the world, there are just as many different types of family photography experiences. Many of us, whether in our childhoods or as parents, have had one of those stressful photos shoots in a sketchy studio when we just stood in one spot and smiled over and over, feeling awkward the entire time. That’s why, from the first day I started performing photo shoots as a Mechanicsburg PA photographer, I wanted to create a different experience – an opportunity for priceless memories that brighten your home for generations.

That’s why I choose to provide custom portrait photography. Allow me to shed light on custom photography and walk you through the journey you can expect.

From a Mechanicsburg PA Photographer: What Is Custom Photography?

Custom portrait photography is a full-service photography experience. It’s all about taking your investment beyond just snapping pictures you’ll post on Instagram once and then forget about. Custom photography focuses on giving you a tangible way to treasure your portraits and ensuring that those finished products are of the highest quality.

Many types of photography merely give you the first half – digital files of your family photos. Custom portrait photography finishes the entire journey with you so by the time we’re finished, you have a gorgeous display in your home, ready for you to enjoy.

What to Expect from a Custom Photography Process with Your Mechanicsburg PA Photographer

Each photographer will provide a different experience. When you book your custom portraits with me, though, whether it’s newborn, maternity, family, baby, or senior photos, here’s a peek into what you can expect from the process.

Step 1: Getting in Touch

It all starts with a message or phone call from you! When you reach out to me, we’ll chat for a few minutes about what you’re looking for in a Mechanicsburg PA photographer and we’ll schedule your consultation.

Step 2: The Consultation

A magical photo session always starts with careful planning and, most importantly for me, listening. I want to hear all about your vision for your portraits, how you want to display your photos, what styles and poses you love, and more. We’ll chat about the details and I’ll plan all the essentials for your dream photo session based on your intended purpose and placement for your portraits.

Step 3: The Session

The day has arrived! By the time it’s your session date, you’ll know all about where to go and what to expect because we’ll talk about it all during your consultation. Your photo shoot isn’t just a means to an end, though. I want it to be a memory-making experience too. As a Mechanicsburg PA photographer, I’ll be able to guide you through each pose and set so you can just relax and enjoy.

Step 4: The Reveal and Ordering Appointment

After your session, I’ll get to work combing through each shot, picking out the best of the best, and doing an initial edit. Two or three weeks later after your family photo shoot, you’ll come to my studio for one of the most exciting moments of the process: the big reveal!

I’ll unveil a display of all your amazing portraits and at first, you can just take it all in and enjoy them. Then, we’ll sit down and chat so you can choose your favorites for your finished products. This is also when you’ll decide on the details like the specific products you want and we’ll place the order for your custom pieces. We source a variety of products from top artisans around the world, including:

  • Farmhouse-style framed portraits
  • Heirloom photo albums
  • Folio display cases
  • Canvas or acrylic Italian wall art
  • Amalfi panels

Step 5: The Delivery

When your items arrive at my studio, I’ll give them a close exam to make sure they’re of the highest quality. Then, I’ll give you a call right away to arrange a time for me to deliver your new artwork. I’ll bring your custom pieces to your home and even help you install them if you wish.

Booking Your Custom Photography Experience with a Mechanicsburg PA Photographer

Custom portrait photography is all about giving you a smoother, more guided process so you don’t have to navigate unfamiliar waters – your photographer will take care of it all and provide you with incredible one-of-a-kind artwork that’s ready for you to enjoy and cherish. To kick it all off, contact my photo studio today.

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From a Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer: An Overview of Baby Photo Sessions

When you become a parent, there’s a whole new baby world to learn. You’re trying to figure out everything you need to know about your child’s health, how to make them happy, and how to enjoy this stage of life. You’re learning it as you go, and I’ve been there with you! One of the many parts of baby parenthood for new parents to figure out is baby photography. As a Mechanicsburg baby photographer, I can help.

What photo sessions should you schedule for your baby? What are the key milestones you need to capture? I’m happy to guide you through this world. For starters, I’ve created a basic guide to the top types of baby photo sessions to help you understand your options and what to expect.

Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

Newborn Photo Session

A newborn photography session is all about capturing the fleeting newborn stage when your baby is at their tiniest and newest. Technically, newborn sessions should take place in the first 14 days of your baby’s life. Sometimes life gets in the way or your baby has a long hospital stay and the session doesn’t happen within 14 days, but we aim for as close to that timeframe as we can.

Your newborn session is often several hours long because we’re on the baby’s timeline. We take most of the photos while they sleep, so when they wake up and need to be fed, changed, or soothed, we take a break. This is also a relaxed session for you, proud parent, because I can take care of everything while you sit back and relax.

Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

Sitter Session with a Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

A sitter session is a photo session when your baby is comfortably able to sit up on their own – usually around 6-9 months. This is a popular photo opportunity for a few reasons.

First, your baby is able to sit up and give us adorable smiles but they aren’t yet walking so they’re easier to keep in one place. Second, we get to highlight your baby’s new skill and show it off so you’ll have mementos of these proud moments forever. Third, your baby is starting to show the first hints of their personality, so we get to put their precious little quirks front and center.

Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

One-Year Session/Cake Smash Session

Your baby’s first birthday is an incredible milestone, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to preserve this exciting moment! That’s what a one-year photo session, first birthday photo session, or cake smash session does.

The cake smash is a tradition for one-year baby photos. Your baby gets to dig into a birthday cake and get messy like babies do, and we capture all the gooey fun on camera.

Keep in mind that one-year photography sessions tend to be hands-on for you as a parent. Kids at this age are very mobile and energetic, and as much as we all love to see that fun, vibrant spirit on camera, it does mean I’ll need your help to keep them in place and happy.

Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

Milestone Photo Sessions with a Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

Milestone photo sessions are less specific than most other baby photography sessions because you can do them at any point you want. While newborn, sitter, and one-year sessions are designed for precise times of your baby’s life, you can opt for a milestone photo session for any milestone.

For example, many families like to have a photo story of their baby’s first year, so they schedule a newborn session, 3-month milestone session, 6-month sitter session, 9-month milestone session, and one-year session.

You could even make milestone sessions more personal and use them to celebrate unique achievements or landmarks in your baby’s life. For example, you could do a milestone session to celebrate the last of a series of surgeries to repair a congenital health condition, or to celebrate your baby’s first steps or first word.

Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

Navigating the World of Baby Photos with Your Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer

My hope is that you now feel more informed and comfortable with baby photography and the sessions you can choose to preserve memories of your baby’s first year. Remember, you can choose as many or as few photo sessions as you want – there are no rules and it’s all about giving yourself the gift of these memories! A trusted Mechanicsburg baby photographer like myself can guide you along the way.

From a Mechanicsburg Baby Photographer: An Overview of Baby Photo Sessions Read More »

Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer – Tips For Getting Your Newborn To sleep

As a Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer, I know a few things about baby whispering! I can’t hold a tune to save my life or whip up a gourmet meal, but I sure can put a baby to sleep like a pro! After all, that is part of the job description, right?! As you can imagine, many of my clients are first time parents. First time parents who often offer me part time, middle of the night baby sitting jobs due to my baby whispering skills! Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing I love more than snuggling a newborn baby! However, this full time Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer gig keeps me super busy. So, I’m not really available for a side hustle at the moment! HA!

Newborn Photographer to save the day! Or Night.

Lucky for you, I am here to help by offering you some of my personal tips and tricks. Some may seem like “no brainers,” but let’s face it…pregnancy brain and new mom brain are a real thing. And that sometimes can make you feel like you lost your real one! Don’t worry. I think it returns sometime, but I can’t be certain since I still have regular bouts of mom brain and my baby is almost 14! We are in this mom thing together and we’ve got to help each other out. This is where my Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer Tips for getting your Newborn to Sleep come in!

Tips For Getting Your Newborn to Sleep – From a Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer

  • Shusher the Sleep Miracle – Sound Machine
  • baby-shusher-sleep-machine-in-newborn-photography-studio-camp-hill-pa
    Baby Shusher Sleep Machine used in Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography Studio

    Ok, so this one isn’t truly a tip or trick, but it’s definitely a MUST have little miracle machine. No professional newborn photographer can live without it, and no new parent should have to either! There is just no cell phone App that does the job just like the Baby Shusher. This little guy has even won awards such as: Mom’s Choice Award, Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA), OHbaby! 2018 Gold Award Winner, and BabyList’s 2019 Best Product Award. It uses a legit, real human voice to shush your baby right to sleep. It’s the next best thing to your own continuous shushing sounds, but that gets pretty tiring. And since you’re here I am guessing you might already be a little sleep deprived! Hop on Amazon right now and grab yourself one of these little machines and get yourself some sleep today! You’ll thank me later!

  • Two Words: THE SNUGGLE
  • The SNUGGLE is real around here, so the struggle is not! Yeah, I got jokes. Lame ones, but I guess that’s what happens when you work with tiny humans who can’t laugh at your dorky-ness yet! So, this is really just what it sounds like. Snuggle your baby tight. Pull his legs up to his abdomen and tuck his little arms in close while holding him. When my clients are here in the newborn studio holding their new babes I often notice their legs or arms stretched out or loose. It’s not something everyone notices or thinks about! One of the first suggestions I make is The Snuggle. Newborns love to have their limbs squeezed in tight against their little bodies (and yours!) since they just spent the last 9 months that way. It’s what they know best and will often drift right to sleep!

  • Third eye massage
  • Believe me, when my newborn clients don’t already know this trick it quickly becomes one the shove up their sleeve for later! There are great benefits to massaging the third eye. I very lightly rum my finger or thumb from the third eye position ( between your baby’s eyes) down the nose. Trust me. This works! It encourages baby to close his eyes and soon drifting off to a (hopefully!) restful sleep! Have pets? This works on animals too. Give it a try to practice if you’re still waiting on your babe to arrive!

  • Wrapping A.K.A. Swaddling
  • First, I’m pretty sure there is no newborn on planet earth who doesn’t like to be swaddled. Your baby just spent the last 9 months tightly packed in your belly. Being wrapped tightly in a swaddle is one of the most comforting and secure feelings to a newborn. Sometimes I will have a parent tell me during a newborn session that their baby doesn’t like to be swaddled. I say: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! I’ve yet to find a newborn who doesn’t like to be properly swaddled. Seriously, If you need a solid lesson – call me. I will never turn down the opportunity to snuggle a newborn, whether you’re my client or not! I will happily show you the tricks of this swaddle trade!

  • Center Yourself
  • I know it’s tough when you’re lacking sleep and you have a newborn who wants to party all night, but stay calm. If I am not calm during a newborn photography session then my tiny client won’t be either. The same applies to you at home also. No matter how stressful that scream sounds or how emotional it makes you feel try your best to react calmly. Your baby can sense and feel your emotions. Deep breaths, mama.

  • A full belly = sleepy newborn
  • It may sound like a no brainer. But I know I am not happy when I’m HANGRY. And, a hungry baby won’t be able to sleep. A full belly is one of the number one keys to a happy, sleepy baby during a newborn session. Feed your baby until she releases on her own.

  • Cozy and warm
  • It is warm in the womb! That sauna is all your baby has known for 9 long months. It probably feels a little chilly compared to those tropical-like temps! Newborns are sensitive to cold temps. This is why your baby likely cries when you change his diaper. He is just simply cold. I keep my studio at about 80 degrees during newborn sessions. No, you don’t have to crank your thermostat that high, but be cautious temps dropping too low for baby’s comfort!

    If all else fails…

    Ask for help! Now, I’m certainly hoping these few tips are helpful in getting you and your newborn on your way to a couple winks of sleep. However, ALWAYS trust your gut! Your mom or dad instinct is almost always on point. If something feels off and your baby just doesn’t seem to settle please do not hesitate to call your pediatrician! It’s possible there are underlying reasons why your baby won’t settle and these little tips are not meant to get you through it all. Your doctor is always a quick phone call away and is there to help you along this new parent journey. No question or concern is too silly. Trust those instincts. God gave you them for a reason!

    Booking a Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photography Session

    I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to document this extra special phase of life for you. There is nothing more special than having images of your precious tiny human to look back on. To learn more about booking a newborn photography session with me, please check out the F.A.Q. section of my newborn gallery!

    Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer – Tips For Getting Your Newborn To sleep Read More »

    Newborn Photography in Camp Hill | Wyatt

    Specializing in Newborn Photography in Camp Hill is an honor! My clients come to me with trust. I believe that is the foundation behind what I do as a newborn portrait photographer. Handing your precious little new baby over to anyone requires a ton of trust. My clients trusting me to capture images of their most important milestone in life, but above all else, they’re trusting me to keep their precious little baby safe. They trust me to guide them through this portrait process. To create images they will hold close to their hearts forever. The amount of trust a new parent places in who they chose to capture their newborn photography in Camp Hill is huge. It is not something I ever take for granted.

    I hold the Smutz family close to my heart. There is no greater feeling than having clients trust me enough to return more than once. To bring not only their first precious newborn to me, but to return with baby number two! I first met this adorable couple in 2018 when they were looking for newborn photography in Camp Hill and expecting their first little guy, Ford. They told me all about him, his name, the special meaning behind how he got his name and how excited they were for his arrival. I knew he was so loved before he was even here. Fast forward to 2020 and they were just as excited to welcome Ford’s baby brother, Wyatt in the beginning of 2021! I was equally excited to see them all again and especially excited to meet the newest member of their family! I couldn’t wait to see Ford as a big bother!

    Studio Newborn Photography in Camp Hill

    Mom, Dad and Baby Wyatt came to my Camp Hill newborn photo studio within the first 10 days of Wyatt’s like for his first photo session. It’s amazing to see the ease in moms and dads of newborns the second time around! Laura and Joe were already pros by this session! In other words, they knew exactly what to expect and were much less sleep deprived than when Ford entered the world! Sleep deprived or not, a newborn photography session should be relaxed, laid back and stress free for new parents!

    Sibling Add-On Photography Session

    The Smutz Family chose to do a Sibling Add-On Session in their home. A perfect way incorporate a very young (BIG) brother in their newborn photos! A Sibling Add On Session is additional lifestyle session that takes place in the clients home. A studio newborn session can make for a long day and toddlers need their space to run around! Therefore, a Sibling Add on Session is absolutely a perfect solution for incorporating young and toddler age siblings!

    Booking your Camp Hill Newborn Photography Session

    Are you expecting a newborn this year? If so, it’s best to contact me many months before your baby is due! I take a very limited number of newborn clients each month. This allows me to give my undivided attention to each and every client from the start of planning your session through delivery and installation of your wall portraits. Let’s set up a consultation and plan your most special photo session ever! Send me a message HERE to get in touch! You can expect a phone call from me, so please list the best time of day to reach you by phone! Then, we will set up a time for you to come into my Camp Hill newborn photography studio so that we can meet for a consultation. I believe you should always meet your photographer in person. After all, you’re going to be handing your most precious little love to this person! I can’t wait to work with you!

    To keep up, Follow my Central PA portrait photography adventures on Instagram!

    Karissa Zimmer is an experienced professional Harrisburg photographer based in Camp Hill and serving the surrounding areas, including Mechanicsburg, Hershey and Carlisle.

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    Best Mechanicsburg Newborn Photographer | Why are they so expensive?

    You know you want the best Mechanicsburg Newborn Photographer to photograph your new baby. Every parent wants to have high-quality, professional photos of their newborn, but sometimes the cost can be a little daunting. I’ve often had people ask me why I charge the prices I do for my photography. After all, everyone has a decent camera on their phones these days, right? How hard is it to snap a few photos?

    baby boy photographed by Best Mechanicsburg newborn, karissa zimmer photography

    Hiring the best Mechanicsburg newborn photographer is an investment.

    Hiring a professional photographer is an investment. You’re paying for so much more than “a few photos.” You’re paying for many years of continued education, experience and their unique talent and expertise. You wouldn’t pay just anyone to cut and style your hair or to fix your car, would you? Of course, you want someone who is knowledgeable and who can get the job done correctly and done well.

    The same goes for photographers. While you want an experienced professional for any kind of photos you need, it’s especially important with newborn photography. Posed newborn photography requires training and knowledge on how to pose an infant safely. That’s not something you want to trust to an amateur! The wrong pose or a lack of care can actually hurt your child or even cause long-lasting damage, but a photographer certified in newborn posing can create adorable images while keeping your baby’s safety as their number one priority.

    best mechanicsburg newborn photographer karissa zimmer photographed newborn baby boy

    Like any product or service, you get what you pay for when you hire a photographer.

    You’ve likely heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for.” If you opt for a “cheap” newborn photographer or a family friend who is just starting out, you likely won’t get the images you want. However, when you invest in a professional newborn photographer, you get so much for your money, including:

    • A professional studio space, accessories and props
    • Lighting expertise
    • Years of experience and knowledge
    • Safe, adorable poses
    • Professional, high-quality editing of your images
    • Quality wall art, albums and tangible products that will last forever

    And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A professional newborn photographer has likely gone through years of training, purchased expensive professional equipment and become certified in how to safely pose newborns. They have invested countless time and money in their business in order to provide you with a high-quality service and products. Running a successful, professional photography business costs a significant amount of money and is a full-time job for most photographers. And as a client and a parent, you want to work with someone who is focused on meeting your needs and creating images you will love and cherish forever.

    A professional photographer is a storyteller. They capture the story of your family’s growth and love in a way you can visually see, freezing a moment in time and creating memories that your whole family will cherish.

    While newborn photography may seem costly, it is an investment that will increase in value as the years go by. As your child grows into a toddler and a teenager and even an adult, you will have their newborn images—and hopefully other professional photos as well—to look back on to remind you where this unique and special journey began. That’s something you simply cannot put a price on.

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    Choosing the best Mechanicsburg Newborn Photographer for you

    Hi! Welcome to Karissa Zimmer Photography! If you are expecting your first baby, or even your fourth baby, I am here to make sure your newborn photography session is a wonderful experience, while creating keepsakes for your family to cherish forever.

    Karissa Zimmer Photography is a boutique photography studio located in Camp Hill PA (Hampden Township). She serves all of Mechanicsburg PA, Harrisburg PA and all surrounding areas including Carlisle, Enola, New Cumberland, Lemoyne, Hershey, Palmyra and York PA. Karissa photographs expecting parents, newborn babies, children & families, including high school seniors. Karissa’s style is timeless and forever.

    The goal for each session is for you to leave with printed, tangible artwork including heirloom albums, fine art framed prints, and modern Italian wall art. Your memories are forever and they deserved to be displayed in your home and preserved forever.

    Contact Karissa

    Please enter your information and I will be in touch shortly to set up your in person consultation. Just a little reminder: Newborn, maternity and family sessions do book several months in advance. For newborn sessions please contact me while you are still pregnant. Maternity sessions take place between 33-36 weeks. Newborn sessions take place within the first 10 days of your baby’s life, and not more than 2 weeks of age. Newborn sessions are very limited each month and are scheduled on a first come, first to reserve basis. So, please contact me as soon as you can to reserve a spot just for your baby. I can’t wait to meet you and capture your most special memories!

    Best Mechanicsburg Newborn Photographer | Why are they so expensive? Read More »