Top Tips: What to Wear for Fall Family Photos in Mechanicsburg PA

11.21.24

A lot of parents worry that planning a photo shoot for fall family photos in Mechanicsburg PA will be too much work, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think! In fact, as a full-service photographer, I can help you with all the details. The beautiful family featured in this blog chose their own location but I can help you with that, and I can even help you with choosing your family’s wardrobe. These tips can get you started, though.

Best Fall family Photographer near Mechanicsburg PA captures a candid moment between parents, their toddler and their family dog at their outdoor family photo session. — Best Fall Family Photography near Mechanicsburg PA

Take Advantage of Layers

For fall portraits, layers are your best friend! For one, they photograph well and they have a great fall look. For two, they’re comfortable and versatile. You never quite know what the weather will do, and it will depend on the shooting location too – it might be breezier there than it was at your home when you got dressed. Layers let you adjust to anything,

Little boy walks through a patch of orange marigolds at his family photo session with Karissa Zimmer Photography — Outdoor child photography

Choose Deep Colors and Jewel Tones for Fall Family Photos in Mechanicsburg PA

Generally, deep, rich colors work well for fall portraits. They go great with the colors of fall foliage, complementing the background while making sure your family stands out. Fall is a great time for jewel tones like ruby red, emerald green, or deep purple, along with neutrals and earth tones like shades of brown, sage green, and cream.

Little boy sits on his dads shoulders and laughs with delight at his outdoor fall family photo session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

Dress Mom First

In most families, especially if your kids are younger, Mom is the most difficult person to dress. We have curves and we want to wear something that makes us look and feel our best. That’s why it helps to find an outfit you love for yourself first. This gives you a starting point and you can then create the rest of the family’s outfits to complement it.

Mother and toddler son share a special moment at their outdoor fall family portait session near Mechanicsburg

Complement, Don’t Match

You’ll notice that I said that your family’s outfits should “complement” yours, and that’s a key word here. The trend is no longer for the family to match perfectly but instead to have a color palette of around four colors that look great together. This way, your family looks put-together but also natural. Plus, frankly it’s incredibly hard to find outfits when you’re trying to match exact shades, so broad palettes and color families are much easier.

Best Outdoor Family Photographer near Mechanicsburg PA

Balance Comfort and Style for Your Footwear

Footwear is easy to overlook but it’s such an important part of everyone’s outfit, and it should align with your overall style. I’m mostly looking at you, moms! Heels can flatter your body shape wonderfully in photos, but choose the right ones for the location. For outdoor photos where you’ll be standing on a grassy or dirt surface, choose block heels or wedges rather than stiletto heels that can sink in.

Karissa Zimmer Photography captures a fun moment where parents show their toddler something they found at their outdoor family photoshoot

Planning Your Wardrobe for Fall Family Photos in Mechanicsburg PA? I’ve Got You!

As a full-service photographer, I’m here to make your photo shoot experience a breeze and that includes advising you on your wardrobe. To start planning, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat!

Outdoor Fall Family photos in Mechanicsburg PA by Karissa Zimmer Photography

Father holds toddler son on his shoulders at their outdoor family photoshoot this fall season

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Choosing a Sitter Session Photographer for Your Mechanicsburg Baby Photos

08.27.24

Sitter session photography is a favorite for so many parents…and for me too! We get to capture portraits of your adorable baby as their little personality is just starting to show, while they’re still babies and before they become an unstoppable crawling machine. As with any other photo session, though, the results depend so much on whether your photographer is the right fit for you. Here are a few of my top tips for choosing a photographer for your Mechanicsburg baby photos.

Mint green baby photography milestone photos — Best Baby Photos near Mechanicsburg PA

Check Out Portfolios

Art is subjective and baby photography is no exception. You want to find a photographer who has the same taste as you and who creates artwork in a style you love. There’s no replacement for looking through photographers’ portfolios and seeing whose style stands out to you and has a look that you want on your wall.

6 month old baby girl sits on a bed prop wearing a white dress and flower crown at her sitter milestone baby photography — Mechanicsburg Baby Photography studio photos

Find Out Their Process for Mechanicsburg Baby Photos

There’s so much more to having a great baby photography experience than just getting great photos. Every photographer has a different process for their client experience. Some focus on efficiency, for example, so the extent of your planning might be a few emails back and forth, and the photo session might be the first time you meet your photographer.

In my case, on the other hand, my process is more collaborative with you. I want to know your vision for your baby’s portraits so I can bring it to life, and I’ll help you with all the details like planning your outfit for the session. We’ll consult before your session to put this all together so that you won’t have a thing to stress about when your photo shoot arrives.

Baby girl smiles in lot of images on a yellow backdrop during her sitter photography session at baby photography studio near Mechanicsburg

Consider What Items They Supply

This is part of the photography process that differs from one photographer to the next too. For example, I have a client closet full of beautiful outfits and accessories for babies, as well as an excellent stock of props. This makes your life easier because you don’t even have to choose or buy any outfits for your Mechanicsburg baby photos, so you don’t have to worry about finding outfit colors that go with your color scheme, knowing what types of outfits will and won’t photograph well, and so on.

Baby photoshoot on purple backdrop by Karissa Zimmer Photography

Think About What Other Photo Sessions They Offer

I always recommend to families that when you find a photographer you work well with, keep them! Having the same photographer take your family portraits and your kids’ milestone photos as they grow up will make each session better because we’ll both get to know each other and I’ll know your style and what you like. Plus, all of your portraits will have a similar photographic style so they’ll really look like they’re all chapters of the same story.

But keep in mind that some baby photographers only photograph up to one year old. While it isn’t a deal-breaker, it does help if you can choose a baby photographer who also takes other types of portraits so you can work together as your children grow up.

6 month old girl wears all green during her studio photoshoot near Mechanicsburg

Selecting Your Photographer for Mechanicsburg Baby Photos

Choosing a photographer isn’t easy but these tips can help you find the perfect fit for your sitter session. To find out if you and I are a great fit for your baby’s portraits, let’s chat! Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s connect.

Baby girl milestone photography session on all white setup

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How Often to Take Childhood Portraits in Camp Hill, PA

05.04.24

As a family photographer, I have the absolute pleasure of helping families capture the sweet stages of their kids’ childhoods, from those early baby days through your child’s adolescence as they grow into adulthood. Many of the families I work with will ask the same question: how often should you have professional photos taken for your kids? Here’s the advice I give about taking childhood portraits in Camp Hill, PA.

outdoor Baby photos by best Hershey photographer

The Short Answer: As Often as You Like!

At the end of the day, childhood photography is all about your family’s preferences - they’re your memories and your portraits so it’s up to you! There’s no consistent recommendation that works for every family, it all depends on how frequently you want professional portraits as well as what is reasonable for your schedule and budget.

little girl smells a flower at her family photoshoot

Is It Time for New Childhood Portraits in Camp Hill, PA?

With all of that said, I certainly understand that some families want guidance and recommendations, so I’m happy to help. While nothing is set in stone, here are a few signals that it might be time for updated childhood portraits.

Your child has reached a new developmental level since their last photo session. For example, maybe your little one was a toddler in their last portraits but now they’re elementary age - a new stage of life is a great time for fresh portraits.
You find yourself wishing you had professional photos of your child at this age, even if you love the day-to-day snapshots you take on special occasions or around the house. Both professional portraits and at-home photos have their place in your family’s prized memories.
Your child has reached or is approaching a meaningful milestone in their childhood, like starting elementary school or starting middle school, or a cultural milestone like their bar/bat mitzvah or quinceañera.

While there are no hard-and-fast rules that work for every family, these little life markers can be helpful ways to gauge when you’ll want new milestone photos.

Brother and sister outdoor family photography near 17055

Time for New Childhood Portraits? Here’s How to Get Started

If you’ve decided your family is due for some new professional photos, I can help! Contact Zimmer Photography and let’s start planning your childhood portraits in Camp Hill, PA.

A little girl smells an orange flower at her outdoor childhood portrait session with Camp Hill PA Photographer — Hershey Child Photography

Child Photographer, Karissa Zimmer, captures image of a little blond girl near flowers at an outdoor photo session near Camp Hill PA — Hershey Child Photography

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

07.27.23

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.

Family Photography session in Mechanicsburg PA

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.

Baby girl at Outdoor Family Photoshoot in Mechanicsburg PA

Mechanicsburg PA Child and Family photographer 17050

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

06.19.23

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.

Baby boy first birthday photography near Mechanicsburg PA — First Birthday Photography near Mechanicsburg PA

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.

Baby boy cake smash photography in Mechanicsburg PA — Mechanicsburg PA First Birthday photoshoot

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.

First birthday cake smash photography in Mechanicsburg PA photography studio — First Birthday Cake Smash Session in Mechanicsburg PA Photography Studio

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.

Mechanicsburg first birthday photographer — First Birthday Milestone Portraits

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.

Cake smash photoshoot near Mechanicsburg — Cake Smash photos near Mechanicsburg PA

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

05.05.23

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.

Family Pictures Near 17050 by Karissa Zimmer Photography

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.

Mechanicsburg PA family poses together in the creek at their portrait session with Karissa Zimmer Photography

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.

Mechanicsburg Family Photographer archival grade albums and keepsakes

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.

Portraits of Mechanicsburg PA Family Photography Session

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.

Family portraits by Mechanicsburg Family Photographer

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

02.27.23

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!

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Mechanicsburg Family Photo Tips: What to Bring for Outdoor Portraits

11.12.22

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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?

08.25.22

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.

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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

07.29.22

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Mechanicsburg PA child photographer