Best Mechanicsburg Newborn Photographer | Why are they so expensive?

02.18.21

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.

new mother is photographed by best Mechanicsburg newborn photographer Karissa Zimmer

baby boy posed in bucket and photographed by mechanicsburg pa best newborn photographer

newborn baby boy photographed in Mechanicsburg pa by karissa zimmer photography

newborn baby photography by karissa zimmer photography

karissa zimmer photography photographs newborn baby boy on plaid

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!

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What to Wear to a Family Photo Session (And What to Avoid)

10.26.20

One of the most common questions I get is what to wear to a photo session. Family sessions are especially challenging because you want every member of your family to look good together, but you don’t want everyone to wear the same outfit. Choosing a wardrobe for each person that’s comfortable and complementary can definitely take some work, but it’s not impossible!

To help you out, I’ve put together this handy guide on all the dos and don’ts of dressing your family for a portrait session.

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Opt for neutral colors
While bright colors may be your thing, they don’t work for everyone. If you want your family to match, go for subtle neutral tones that work well together. The neutral look is also more timeless, meaning your photos will still look great years in the future.

Have fun with patterns and layers
Florals, stripes and even plaids are all fun options for mixing and matching with denim and solid colors. You can even add layers to easily give everyone a couple of different looks without worrying about having enough time to change. Trust me, getting multiple kids into different outfits can be a challenge, so having fun jackets or cardigans that everyone can put on or take off is a much simpler way to add variety to your images.

Make sure your clothes fit
A fitted outfit also looks better than a loose or oversized one. Try your chosen outfits on before your session and make sure everything fits and looks good together, and be sure to choose a style that looks good on each member of your family. Everyone can wear a different cut or fit as long as it’s flattering to their body type.

Keep comfort and movement in mind
While it can be tempting to choose the cutest possible outfits for your kids, be sure to keep their comfort in mind. An uncomfortable child is quicker to throw a fit during your session! An outfit like jeans and a nice shirt or a longer dress is perfect because it allows your child to move comfortably and have fun during the photo session.

Avoid graphics and logos
When choosing what to wear, stay away from graphic t-shirts or other clothing with logos or brand names on them. You don’t want anything on your outfits to draw attention away from your smiling faces!

Pay attention to dress length
You want your children to be comfortable, but you should be comfortable too! A dress or skirt that’s too short can inhibit your ability to pose comfortably and limit what sort of poses you can do. If you plan to wear a dress for your family photo session, be sure to try it on beforehand and make sure the length allows you to move comfortably and easily.

It takes a little planning, but you can choose outfits that make your whole family look amazing, ensuring you get photos you’ll love and cherish for years to come!

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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Camp Hill Newborn Photography

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!

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STUDIO REOPENING AND CLEANING POLICIES | CAMP HILL NEWBORN BABY & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

06.06.20

How I’m Keeping Your Family Safe For Your Studio Portrait Session

I AM SO EXCITED TO BE BACK! Yes! This means that I am able schedule studio and outdoor portrait sessions again! With a few added studio reopening and cleaning policies, I am ready to be doing what I love again! As a Camp Hill Newborn Baby & Family Photographer, it has always been a priority to take extraordinary safety precautions to protect my clients during their portrait sessions. From safely posing your newborn to extensive cleaning practices for my studio. I pride myself in maintaining the highest level of safety in my industry.

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Health and safety has certainly been a concern over these past few months due to COVID-19. Because I am a newborn photographer, studio hygiene and cleaning policies have ALWAYS been a top priority at Karissa Zimmer Photography. I know we are in a time where clients and families want to know a little bit more about what that entails. Especially because I interact and work with the tinyest members of your family, here are some ways that I work to protect them and your entire family.

Safety and Cleaning Policies I have always used

I thoroughly clean before and after each client that comes into the studio. Each consultation, portrait session and ordering appointment. This includes cleaning floors, sanitizing all hard surfaces, cleaning the restroom, wiping door knobs, switches and appliances.
All fabrics and props are washed after each newborn session. Beyond washing fabrics that just baby comes in contact with. I frequently wash/clean other surfaces such as pillows and cushions.
HAND WASHING. I very frequently wash my hands during a newborn session. Not only does it help warm up my cold hands before I touch baby, but soap and water is the most effective way to kill germs on skin. I’ve always looked at my tiny clients as these perfect, new creatures that I want to protect from any possible germs and illness.
It has always been a priority to me to give my clients my undivided attention. Rest assured that when you are working with me, I will be the only person in the studio with your family.
Again, because being fully present with each client is important to me, I have only ever booked one client in the studio per day. This also gives me time to do a full cleaning before I welcome my next client in.
Sick Policy: I will absolutely never work or meet with a client while I am sick. Even if just a case of the sniffles. I ask that you do the same. If your baby or someone in your family is sick or has a fever, I ask that you reschedule. I ask that clients please contact me if any member of the family is exhibiting cold or flu symptoms within 72 hours of your appointment.

Enhanced safety and cleaning procedures implemented in Studio Reopening and Cleaning Policies

In acknowledgment of the current health crisis, I am going above and beyond to assure the utmost in saftey for my clients. In addition to all of the standard safety and cleaning procedures listed above, I will now also implement the following enhanced procedures and policies for all portrait sessions:

Clients will be asked to wash hands upon entering.
Photographer will wear a face mask during all newborn sessions.
I will kindly ask that you remove shoes upon entering.
All props will be provided by me in the studio. No outside props, please.
Only immediate family members and persons being photographed are permitted to attend.
Camera and lighting gear will be disinfected prior to the session.
An ozone generator will be safely run in studio between each client to eliminate any airborne (microorganisms) bugs!

Thank you to all my wonderful clients for your support!

I want to thank all my clients for all of your support over the years and especially through the past few months. Your loyalty and encouragement mean the world to me. Karissa Zimmer Photography is a professional photography studio dedicated to photographing newborn babies, families and high school seniors since 2010. Karissa Zimmer Photography studio is located in Camp Hill Pa and serves all of Central PA including Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Hershey and Carlisle. My plan is to continue to provide the highest level of service possible while keeping your newborn baby, children and family safe. As always, my promise is to provide you with the most beautiful keepsake images of the people you love most.

If there is anything we’ve learned throughout the past few months, it’s that life as we know it can change in an instant! Let’s work together to capture some visual memories of the ones you love most. Get in touch HERE to start planning a special portrait session for your newborn baby, family or high school senior. I can’t wait to work with you!

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Newborn and Baby Photographer near Camp Hill Pa

01.15.20

Newborn and Baby Photographer near Camp Hill, Pa – Aitha

Newborn and Baby Photographer near Camp Hill Pa. Just LOOK at this little guy’s gorgeous head of dark hair! I mean, it would make most of us girls jealous! I really, really have a thing for babies with a full head of hair. Especially dark hair! If you follow my work, you are probably already aware of that! Maybe it’s because my own girl had super dark hair as a newborn. Maybe because I am a dark haired girl? I am not sure, but there is just something about a whole lot of dark hair on a newborn that I love so much! When I first laid eyes on this guy I knew he was going to make the most perfect newborn baby art ever! I WAS RIGHT! You have got to agree!?

newborn photographer near camp hill pa photographed newborn boy with parents — Newborn Baby Boy photographed with parents near Camp Hill, Pa

newborn boy with parents photographed in mechancisburg pa — Newborn Baby Boy photographed with parents near Camp Hill, Pa

If you ask me what my ONE favorite part of my job is I don’t think I’d be able to give you an answer. That’s the honest truth. I truly love so many things about what I do. From snuggling these tiny, perfect and new creatures to building lasting relationships with my clients to watching their families grow and their children grow up. But, one thing that means so much to me is to see everything come together in the form of tangible, heirloom portrait art. To see my clients expressions when their portraits are hanging on their walls – IN PRINT! Where it is meant to be! So you can see and enjoy your memories every single day. It is truly rewarding – to you and to me!

Send me a quick

Send me a quick message HERE to start planning your newborn’s custom portrait session! I can’t wait to work with you!

Follow me on INSTAGRAM to catch more sneak peeks of my images and all that’s new at Karissa Zimmer Photography!

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Mechanicsburg Newborn and Baby Photographer

12.18.19

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.

mechanicsburg pa newborn photography baby boy

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!

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Abigail | Newborn Photography Mechanicsburg PA

01.01.19

Newborn Photography Mechanicsburg PA

Doing newborn photography Mechanicsburg Pa, this is what I live for! Babies! There is nothing that makes my heart more content than snuggling a brand new, tiny human. I tend to get lots of BIG babies to snuggle. So, this teeny, tiny, Little Miss Abigail was a welcomed change of pace for me! She was just a little bit over 5 pounds of cuddly, little love! Abigail has the best big sister and brother who just couldn't get enough of her. They were both so excited to hold her, care for her and have their picture taken with her. It's safe to say she is one very loved little baby girl!

Are you expecting your own little addition in 2019? I would love to work with you to capture your absolute most important memories though portraits and help you to preserve them through heirloom artwork. Please Send me a message here to set up a complimentary consultation. Let's plan how we'll customize and capture your newborn's first portraits!

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Sweet Caroline | Newborn Photography in Mechanicsburg, PA

05.25.17

Tiny, cuddly, perfect.

Oh Sweet Caroline...Yep, that was intentional. :) However, "sweet" is the perfect word to describe this little Caroline! She has such tiny and perfect little features. I love the opportunity to snuggle perfect little babes like her! So, friends, this is exactly why I love being a newborn photographer! <3
Newborn Photography baby photographer Mechanicsburg PA Newborn photographer_0008.jpg

Karissa Zimmer specializes in custom newborn, baby, maternity and family photography in Mechanicsburg, PA and surrounding areas including but not limited to Camp Hill, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Hershey, York, and all of Central PA.

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Twins!! :)) {Mechancisburg PA Newborn Photographer}

08.16.16

These babies are already getting lots and lots of love and care from their awesome big sis! I could tell just how much she adores them from the moment I met her. They're some lucky little babes! :)