Answering Your Hershey Newborn Photography Questions About Lifestyle Newborn Photos

02.09.23 04.22.23

If you have a baby on the way, you’ve probably noticed that every newborn portrait session has a look of its own. Photography is an art form, so naturally, each photographer has their own aesthetic style, but one of the largest differences you might notice is between posed in-studio portraits and lifestyle portraits that seem to just show the new family sharing their lives together. In my Hershey newborn photography studio, I’m happy to offer both!

Curious about lifestyle newborn photos? I’m answering your top questions about this popular option.

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In Hershey Newborn Photography, What are Lifestyle Newborn Photos?

Lifestyle newborn photos are photos that are usually taken in your home and they create a lovely picture of your baby’s first days of life. Instead of posed or themed portraits, these photos focus on authenticity, reflecting your daily life with your baby and your newly expanded family.

How Do Lifestyle Newborn Photos Fit into Hershey Newborn Photography?

Your baby’s first professional portraits are incredibly special for your family, so I want to create the look and feel that you want for the portraits that will adorn your walls for decades. Some families choose to exclusively have lifestyle newborn portraits or exclusively have in-studio portraits, while other families choose a combination of both. Many of my clients prefer to take their baby’s solo portraits in the studio and then do an add-on lifestyle session at home so they can include their baby’s siblings too.

How Should You Prepare for Lifestyle Newborn Portraits?

When parents ask this question, they’re really asking, “Does my home need to be spotless for this photo session?” Absolutely not! I typically limit lifestyle portraits to your baby’s nursery and potentially a couple of other spots in your home if they have particularly great lighting or aesthetics. As far as the rest of your home, I’m a mom too – this is a judgment-free zone!

Learn More About Hershey Newborn Photography

Want to chat about a lifestyle photo session for your baby? Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today!

Hershey Newborn Portraits Tips: How to Get Your Newborn to Sleep

11.29.22 11.30.22

If you’ve browsed Hershey newborn portraits online for inspiration for your baby’s photo session, or if you’ve just seen your friends’ newborn photos, you’re probably already in love with those portraits of cozy, sleepy newborns. Sleeping newborn photos have such a precious look of sweet innocence, and when you look back on them years later, they can bring back memories of watching your little one slumber.

As every parent knows, though, getting a newborn to sleep isn’t always easy. So what is the best way to get your baby to sleep for their newborn photo session?

How to Get a Newborn to Sleep for Hershey Newborn Portraits

Newborn portraiture is one of my specialties as a photographer, so rest assured that I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve for lulling newborns to sleep. As a parent, though, there are some things you can do to make those adorable sleepy portraits possible.

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Try to Time Your Baby’s Sleep Purposefully

On the day of your newborn photo session, try to keep your baby awake for a few hours before the session. You might bathe them and play with them for a while, for example. You don’t want them to be uncomfortable – you just want them to be awake and in a good mood if possible. That way, when you arrive for your session, they’ll be ready for a deep nap.

Fill That Baby Belly

Once your baby has been awake for a few hours and is getting tired, you can seal the deal by feeding them right before their session or when you arrive for your session. When your baby has had their fill, they’re likely to fall right into that amazing, deep “full belly” type of sleep.

Some babies start to fall asleep while you’re feeding them. It’s tempting to let them fall asleep right then, but it’s important to burp them before we start the portrait session. If your baby has air in their belly, posing them for photos can make them uncomfortable and wake them up.

Prepare Your Baby for Sleep Before Feeding Them

While we do want a moment to burp your baby after you feed them, we want them to then be able to transition into sleep easily and stay asleep as we start taking photos. If your baby falls asleep clothed, they may wake up when we try to undress them for their portraits.

Consider undressing your baby and wrapping them loosely in a blanket while you feed them. This way, it’s much easier to wrap them or pose them nude without having to take off a onesie or anything else that could be complicated. As an added bonus, a loose blanket won’t leave lines on their skin, so they’ll look especially smooth and soft for their portraits.

Bring Your Trusted Favorites

Many babies will fall right asleep after you feed them, but others need a bit more effort to be lulled to sleep. I have a variety of tricks and tools at my Hershey newborn photography studio to soothe babies to sleep. You know your baby better than anyone, though, so when it’s time for your baby’s newborn session, you will probably have found the newborn sleep techniques that your baby loves most.

I encourage you to bring anything that helps your baby sleep at home. Maybe it’s a book you read to them, a lullaby you sing or play on your phone, a scent you use in their nursery, or whatever it may be. We may need to soothe them back to sleep a few times throughout the session, so anything can help.

What If Your Baby Doesn’t Sleep for Their Newborn Portraits?

With all the tips above chances are that your baby will be asleep for at least part of their session. Regardless, though, don’t worry! I have plenty of experience photographing both awake and asleep newborns, and we can still create absolutely beautiful newborn portraits while your baby is awake.

Keep in mind as well that if you’re stressed about trying to get your baby to sleep, your baby may pick up on that stress, making it more difficult for them to sleep. Just relax, follow the tips above, and know that you’re in the hands of a professional and it will all turn out wonderfully.

If you have a baby on the way, I would love to help you get the heirloom Hershey newborn portraits of your dreams. Contact Karissa Zimmer Photography today and let’s book your session.

Should You Include Siblings in a Hershey Maternity Photo Shoot?

11.23.22 11.30.22

Maternity portraits celebrate one of the most unique and treasured times in your life. I’m honored to help families throughout the Hershey, PA area to preserve lifelong memories of this meaningful time. If you’re planning a Hershey maternity portrait session, you may have the same question that countless other families ask: should you include your children in your maternity photos?

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The Beauty of Family Maternity Portraits

When you’re preparing to welcome a new baby into your family, the entire family is involved. Your older child may be excited to meet their baby sibling and eager to become a big brother or big sister. In many families, there’s already a unique bond before the new baby has even arrived.

This is why including your kids in your Hershey maternity portraits can be so meaningful. You’re paying homage to the fact that the entire family is ready to embrace the new baby with love and warmth. If your older child is somewhat distant from their soon-to-be sibling, this photo session can also be a fantastic way to help them feel more involved in the pregnancy. You can even use the photo shoot as an opportunity to take some solo portraits of your child or children before the new baby arrives.

Celebrating Your Special Time

While some moms-to-be enjoy bringing the entire family for their maternity portraits, it’s also important to remember that this photo session is in honor of you! Amid the discomforts, physical changes, and stresses of pregnancy, maternity portraits can help you remember that you are an absolute bombshell who deserves to feel strong and confident. For some moms-to-be, maternity portraits are incredibly personal in this way, and you may not want to incorporate the entire family.

Your Hershey Maternity Portraits, Your Call!

Ultimately, the question of whether you should include your kids in your maternity portraits comes down to you. This is your photo session, and I’m happy to work with whatever makes you feel comfortable and will help you enjoy your session most. There’s no wrong answer!

To start planning your maternity photos, contact my Hershey area portrait studio today.

Camp Hill Newborn Photography

07.13.20 07.13.20

Newborn Baby Photographer In Camp Hill, PA

Camp Hill Newborn Photography – Brinley. Isn’t Miss Brinley just THE SWEETEST? I photographed her older cousin as a newborn a few years back. I could distinctly remember him as an overly adorable, dark haired, sleepy baby! So, when Brinley’s grandmother contacted me (before she was born!) about purchasing a newborn session to gift to Brinley’s Mama I was very excited! Brinley did not disappoint! She totally filled my newborn baby loving heart the moment I met her!

newborn baby girl photography by karissa zimmer

Your Camp Hill Newborn Photography session customized to fit your style and the things you love. During your consultation we will talk about the color tones you like, how you decorate your home and the colors you used to decorate your newborn’s nursery. Of course, you put lots of thought and love into making her room just perfect. We will do the same for your newborn portraits! Brinleys Mama had requested this dusty pink/purple color for her baby girl. I LOVE it on her. How could you not fall in love with her sweet little face?! And, she made it so easy for me to pose her!

newborn photographer karissa zimmer photographs baby girl with dad

New parents photographed with their newborn baby girl near camp hill pa

One of my favorite things to include in a Camp Hill Newborn Photography session are shots of new parents with their sweet, new baby. This is something both you and your little one will treasure forever. You will only be able to hold your child in your arms just like this for such a short time. Once this fleeting moment has passed and you have these images to look back on – they will mean everything to you!

baby girl photographed by camp hill newborn photographer

baby girl posed in bucket for camp hill newborn portraits

Planning Your Custom Newborn Session

So, now that you’ve been able to fall in love with some sweet, sweet baby images it’s time to book your own custom newborn portrait session! Are you expecting a newborn anytime through February 2021? It is never too early to reserve a session and is ALWAYS best to plan ahead before your baby arrives. Therefore, there is no better time than now to start planning! I am here to help and walk you through the entire custom newborn photography process. You can sent me a quick message HERE to get in touch and start planning! I can’t wait to work with you!

Mechanicsburg Newborn and Baby Photographer

12.18.19 12.30.19

Mechanicsburg Newborn and Baby Photographer – Colton

Mechanicsburg Newborn and Baby Photographer. Colton, you certainly could not have possibly been more of a photographer’s dream baby. You slept so soundly, were so snuggly, and I could have held you all day. When you started to wake I would simply say “Shhhhh, Colton. We’re going back to sleep now.” And like no newborn baby I have every photographed before, YOU WENT RIGHT BACK TO SLEEP! Not only once or twice, but a few times! It was amazing and I will always remember you for exactly this.

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newborn baby photography in bucket near camp hill pa

It’s no secret that newborn photos are my favorite! It’s the greatest feeling in the world to become a parent of a new baby. That moment when you first hold your precious baby in your arms is like nothing else. This tiny creature is all yours! It’s also no secret just how fast these little ones grow. These tiny feature will grow by the day and soon you’ll have a toddler, child, and teen. This phase is so important to capture. These memories of your baby as such a tiny newborn will be invaluable. They’ll mean everything to you as your baby grows and all throughout life.

I would love to help you capture and preserve this extra special time in yours and your baby’s life. It is best to plan ahead, so that a session can be reserved and customized especially for you. Sessions are limited and newborns are photographed within the first 10 days of life. However, if your baby has already arrived- do not hesitate to call! I will always squeeze a newborn client in when possible!

Let’s chat about planning a special session to capture the new, tiny love of your life! Please send me a quick message HERE and I will be in touch to set up a consultation with you! I can’t wait to meet you and create something beautiful and timeless for you!