Camp Hill Newborn Photographer Answers Your Most Embarrassing Questions

10.28.22 10.25.22

So many of the families I work with are experiencing professional newborn portraits for the first time. Whether they’re new parents or they have other kids but they’re trying professional portraits for the first time, they usually have plenty of questions. As a Camp Hill newborn photographer, I’m happy to help and answer any questions you might have!

There are some questions that make parents blush, though, or that you might be too embarrassed to ask. First of all, let me assure you that I’ve been photographing babies and families for many years, so I’ve seen and heard it all! You can ask me anything. To help you know what to expect before your photo session, I’m answering some of the top embarrassing newborn photo questions in this blog.

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What happens if my baby pees or poops during the session?

Honestly, accidents happen – a lot! You might notice that you don’t often see diapers in newborn portraits. It’s a risk we willingly take.

If and when your baby pees or poops when they’re diaper-free during their photo session, don’t be embarrassed. Your baby is just being their natural and healthy self. I have plenty of clean-up supplies and extra items available.

However, I do encourage parents to bring an extra outfit for their newborn session. If your baby uses the bathroom on you during your portraits with the baby, a backup outfit lets us still get the sweet family shots we want.

I’m self-conscious about my postpartum body. Do I have to be in my baby’s newborn photos?

First things first: you have no reason to be self-conscious. I get it, your body has changed so much in the past several months (and several weeks), but it’s the mark of all that amazing work your body has done.

With that said, I want you to feel confident postpartum and at ease during your photo session. We don’t have to include you or your partner; we can just focus on solo newborn portraits. As a Camp Hill newborn photographer and family photographer, I can also strategically pose you in flattering ways. I can compose pictures as well that don’t show your belly, like photos of you holding your baby lovingly against your cheek.

Will I be able to pump or breastfeed during my baby’s photo session?

Absolutely! My private studio is designed for newborns and their parents, and I want you to be able to feel at home. I have plenty of quiet places where you can breastfeed or pump. Because newborn sessions can last up to six hours, this is something we plan for in every session.

What if my baby’s older siblings are being disruptive during the newborn photo session?

Is there anything more precious than portraits showing the instant love between your new baby and their siblings? Bringing young toddler siblings to a newborn session doesn’t work well, though, because newborn sessions are so lengthy. What child wouldn’t get antsy after sitting in a studio for six hours? We also want to maintain a quiet, relaxed setting so we can keep your baby asleep for most of the session.

That’s why, for families that want sibling portraits, I offer a sibling add-on option. We’ll do your baby’s full newborn session in my studio, and on a different day, we’ll do a brief sibling photo shoot at your home. This way, you get the stunning sibling shots you want but your kids have the space to have fun and be kids.

I want to maintain my baby’s modesty in their newborn portraits. Can a Camp Hill newborn photographer do this?

Of course! These are your newborn photos, and we can be as modest as you would like to be. Generally, nude poses are done in a way that hides any private areas other than possibly your baby’s butt in some poses. However, if you prefer not to do any nude poses, I’m happy to stick to wrapped newborn portraits.

Questions for Your Camp Hill Newborn Photographer? Ask Away!

As a Camp Hill newborn photographer, I can all but guarantee you that whatever you want to ask, I’ve heard it before! If you have questions or if you want to discuss a newborn photo session for your baby, contact my photo studio today.

Is Harrisburg PA Newborn Photography Worth It?

09.27.22 10.25.22

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When you’re the parent of a newborn, whether you’re brand new to parenthood or you’re balancing your newborn with other kids at home, life is tough! You’re exhausted by the constant cycle of caring for a new baby on minimal sleep, on top of recovering from childbirth. So adding a Harrisburg PA newborn photography shoot into the mix sounds like quite a hill to climb. I get it! But is it worth it?

As a parent myself and as a newborn photographer who has kept in touch with many of my client families, I can honestly say that yes, it’s absolutely worth it. You’ll never regret having these once-in-a-lifetime moments to look back on in the years to come.

Benefits of Professional Harrisburg PA Newborn Photography

If you’re on the fence about whether to make the investment in professional newborn photography, take these benefits into consideration.

Freezing a Precious Moment in Time

In the blink of an eye, your baby will no longer be a newborn. Those gummy baby yawns will be replaced with a mouth full of teeth and those tiny coos turn into toddler chatter. As much as you can cherish each stage in your child’s life, you’ll also miss little bits and pieces of your tiny newborn.

Professional Harrisburg PA newborn photography is a way to take just a taste of these precious days and have a memento that can transport you back to this time in your mind whenever you choose. As much as you expect to be able to remember every detail of your new baby for the rest of your life, time can push those memories to the back of your mind and newborn portraits can bring them back.

A Low-Stress Experience

A professional newborn photographer is so much more than a photographer. During your baby’s photo session, we handle all the details so you can have the rarest gift in the world of a new parent: a break!

We handle all the décor and set-up for your baby’s portraits, your baby’s “wardrobe” for the photos, and the poses and color schemes. Newborn photographers are experts at soothing babies to sleep, so we even handle most of your baby’s care and supervision during the shoot. You can just sit back and enjoy some restful time until your baby needs a feeding or a diaper change.

Professional Quality

The candid pictures you take of your baby in the course of day-to-day life will forever be cherished parts of your photo collections. As special as they are in showing what life is like for your little bundle of joy, they don’t take the place of professional portraits.

Professional newborn photos give you high-quality portraits that you can proudly hang on your wall and that complement your home’s décor. A professional has the ability, training, and equipment to control the lighting and positioning of your baby’s photos in a way others cannot, and even many families who try to take posed newborn photos on their own say they regret the fact that their baby’s photos don’t have that professional look.

A Ready-to-Display Portrait

Every Harrisburg PA newborn photographer has their own method, but I’m proud to be a full-service newborn photographer. This means I don’t just give you digital photos and send you on your way to figure out the rest. I guide you through the entire process, including helping you to decide how and where you want to display your baby’s portraits, design your display piece, and order your display for you. When all is said and done, you’ll have a stunning piece of custom artwork to display – a piece you know is of high enough quality to last for generations.

Planning Your Harrisburg PA Newborn Photography

At the end of the day, from my personal experience and the feedback of my clients, professional newborn photography is an investment you’ll be glad you made. Yes, it’s something new to fit into your schedule, but in the years to come when that tiny baby is hitting milestones, graduating from college, and having their own baby, you’ll be abundantly grateful to yourself for making time for the one-day photo shoot that gave you lifelong memories and priceless heirlooms.

To give your future self that gift, book your Harrisburg PA newborn photography session today.

8 Things Your Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer Wants You to Know

07.14.22 07.14.22

Your baby is only a tiny newborn for a matter of weeks, and newborn photography is the perfect way to preserve little pieces of this special time for you to treasure for a lifetime. I’ve been a Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer for nearly 20 years, and I can tell you that we want you to absolutely love your baby portraits!

How can you get the best possible photos (and make your session go smoothly too)? I’ve laid out a few bits of advice your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer wants you to know.

Your Newborn Will Guide the Session

Every baby is different – they’re comfortable in certain positions over others, they’re willing to indulge us for certain poses or they aren’t, etc. We go with your baby’s flow during your session, taking breaks when they need breaks and sometimes acknowledging that they don’t want to give us a particular portrait or pose. Know that we can’t guarantee that all your dream poses will be possible.

Your Baby Will Be Safe with a Specialized Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

Newborn photographers need to be trained specifically in safe posing for newborn babies. Feel free to ask your photographer about their expertise with posing safety for newborns. We won’t be offended and we want you to rest easy knowing that your baby is safe.

We Love Inspiration Photos! But Try to Pull Them from Our Gallery

A photographer’s goal is to create portraits you love, so it’s fantastic when you can show us some photos to give us an idea of your taste. Try to look for inspiration in your photographer’s gallery, though. Photography is an art form, so there is some ethical gray area if you show us another photographer’s work and want us to recreate it. Plus, we may not have the supplies to make it happen

Messes are Normal

You might notice that you don’t usually see diapers in newborn photos, but babies don’t stop having bodily functions for their photo session. Messes happen often, and that’s okay! Don’t be embarrassed because I promise you, we’ve seen it all. Do bring an extra outfit for yourself, though, especially if you’ll be in photos with your baby.

Yes, You Really Can Relax During Your Session

Take a load off, Momma! Exhaustion is an unavoidable part of having a newborn, but your newborn photography session is a chance to rest. Baby photographers have plenty of tricks for soothing your baby, and we’ll let you know if we need you to hop in to feed or soothe your baby, but for the most part, you can take a break and even grab a nap in the studio.

We Love When You Post Your Pics on Instagram, but Please Credit Your Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

When parents love their child’s newborn photos enough to share them with the world on social media, it always brings a smile to my face. I’m thrilled that you love your portraits! Please remember to credit your photographer, though, because the portraits are copyright-protected as original artwork.

Our Preparation Guides Benefit You, Us, and Your Baby

When you book your photo session, your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer will probably send you a preparation guide. This could include a list of things to bring, tips for making sure your baby is sleeping and in the ideal mood for their session, and so on.

These guides are the result of years of experience and trial and error in creating the best circumstances for your photo session. They’re our best way to get a smooth, stress-free session for you, your baby, and everyone involved, so please take some time to read through them and follow the suggestions.

We Really Do Love to Hear Your Thoughts

You and your photographer are a team – we both have the same goal of creating stunning newborn photos you’ll be able to enjoy forever. As on any team, communication is key. We really do want to hear your thoughts, ideas, and questions both before and during your session. In addition, if you have any concerns about a pose or anything else during your session, please let us know because your comfort is important to us.

A Final Note from Your Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

Getting fantastic newborn photos is a matter of teamwork. I promise you that your photographer is just as motivated as you are to create newborn portraits you love, and the insights above are designed to make that happen. You are the reason we do what we do! If you haven’t booked your Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer yet, contact my photo studio today and we can start planning your session for truly magical portraits.

Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer

03.25.22 04.25.22

Newborn photography is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve this incredibly special and brief time in your baby’s life. You only get one chance for these sentimental portraits, so of course, you want to make the most of this opportunity. And who’s the expert in making the most of your session? Your newborn photographer, of course!

As you’re hiring a newborn photographer in Camp Hill PA or wherever you are, asking the right questions can allow you to enjoy a smoother process with outstanding results. To help you make that happen, I’m laying out the top questions to ask your newborn photographer.

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What Can I Expect from the Process Ahead?

Every photographer has their own process and their own steps they follow. Will there be an in-person consultation or just a chat over the phone? How long will your photo session be? When and how will you be able to order your finished products? This varies for each photographer, so it’s not a good idea to make assumptions.

As an example, here’s a rundown of my process:

In-person Consultation – We’ll chat about how to prepare for your session and what to expect during your session, as well as your vision for your newborn portraits and the ways you want to use your finished portraits (where you might want to hang them in your home, for instance) so I can customize your session to fit your vision.
Your Newborn Photo Session – We’ll meet in my comfortable and well-equipped home studio, starting in the morning for a relaxed session of up to six hours so we can allow as much time as you need for feeding and soothing your baby between shots.
Editing – I’ll custom edit the best photos from your session to give you that true “wow” factor.
Viewing and Ordering Appointment – You’ll return to my studio for your appointment about two weeks after your photo session, where I’ll present you with a slideshow with all your amazing newborn photos and you’ll decide what finished products you want to order
Delivery – I’ll deliver your finished heirloom-quality products to you about 4-6 weeks after your ordering appointment and help you hang your pieces in your home so you can enjoy them immediately.

How Should I Prepare for My Newborn Photo Session?

In newborn photography, I recognize that many of my clients have never had a newborn photo session before, and for those who have, it was probably years ago. Make sure you’re receiving clear guidance about how to prepare for your session. For example, is there an ideal time you should feed your baby before the session? Should you try to get your baby to sleep when you arrive? Is there anything you should do or avoid to make sure your baby is feeling and looking picture-perfect?

What Should I Bring to My Newborn Photography Session?

As you saw above, my newborn photography sessions can last up to six hours. Babies have so many “accessories” they need over that amount of time, and so do new mamas – diapers, wipes, potentially a breast pump, snacks, and so on. There might also be specific items you want to incorporate into your newborn portraits, like family heirlooms or other items of significance. Make sure you get a list from your newborn photographer of anything they suggest that you bring to your session.

Can Parents and Siblings Be in the Newborn Photos?

Some families want the spotlight to be entirely on their new baby, while others want their photos to show this special moment in life for the entire family. Make sure you ask about this in advance so you know who to bring to your session and who should be picture-ready.

Each photographer has different policies, but I include parents in newborn portraits for no additional fee. For families with other children, I recommend my add-on sibling portrait session. This one to two-hour lifestyle session will take place at your home within one week of your newborn photo session. This way, your kids can be where they’re comfortable and you don’t have to bring them to your six-hour newborn session and keep them occupied for that length of time.

What Types of Photo Products Do You Offer as a Newborn Photographer?

Ultimately, the most magical part of newborn photography is having high-quality items that will last for generations. Make sure you know what your options will be, because each photographer sources these items from different artisans or businesses, and some don’t handle finished products at all. At my studio, for example, I proudly offer fine art custom framed prints, well-crafted Italian wall art, customized heirloom albums, mounted prints, and more.

Getting the Scoop from Your Newborn Photographer

As you’re hiring a newborn photographer, the questions you ask will set you up for an easier, less stressful process because you’ll have a clear understanding of the road ahead. Finding the right questions to ask your newborn photographer is the first step. Use the questions above to get the best results from your newborn portrait session. If you’re in the market for a photographer, schedule your newborn photography session with me in Harrisburg, PA today.

When to Take Newborn Photos: Your Ultimate Guide

02.10.22 02.11.22

Karissa Zimmer Photography captures a smile on newborn baby boy — Newborn Baby boy smiles when posed in Camp Hill PA newborn photography studio

You’ve ooohed and aaahed over all your friends’ adorable newborn photos popping up on social media. You’ve made a mental note of the most amazing poses and portraits you’ve seen for newborns so you can re-create them for your own baby. But you also know, either from first-hand experience or from other parents, that newborns are unpredictable from one moment to the next – and that’s an understatement! How do you get those incredible newborn photos you want?

Much of it comes down to timing, believe it or not. When should newborn photos be taken in order to get the poses and sleepy baby snapshots you love? As a professional photographer in Camp Hill, PA, I’m here to give you the details you need to know to get the timing right.

Newborn Baby boy photographed in bucket by Karissa Zimmer Photography — Camp Hill PA studio Newborn Photography pose.

When to Take Newborn Photos

In general, the best time for newborn photos is during the first two weeks after birth. To be more specific, though, I’ve found that the best time to take newborn photos is between 7 days and 10 days old. During this stage, your baby is still sleeping most of the time. This makes them easier to pose and photograph for those sleepy newborn portraits parents love. Your baby is also still very “curled up” and hasn’t yet stretched out much. That allows us to safely and comfortably get them into those cuddly little newborn poses you’ll cherish forever.

When Should I Book My Newborn Portraits?

The thought of fitting a newborn photo session into such a tight window might stress you out. I get it! So much is in flux during your pregnancy and your baby’s first days that it’s hard to plan much of anything with any confidence. At the end of the day, babies arrive when they want to arrive. How do you know when that window of 7-10 days will be?

You can’t know for certain, but all we can do is make an approximation and adjust if necessary. To make sure you get a booking in the timeframe you want, it’s best to schedule your newborn photography when you’re in your second trimester of the pregnancy. At this point, you’re past the high-risk period of pregnancy. You’re not yet in the third trimester, though, when you’ll be busy with all the final preparations for your new baby.

Of course, there are many times when babies don’t follow our schedules and they arrive earlier or later than expected. In fact, only 5% of babies are born on their exact due date. Don’t worry! Just give me a call and we’ll see when we can fit your session in during your baby’s first two weeks.

Newborn baby boy photographed on tiny bed prop in camp hill photography studio

Can I Combine My Maternity and Newborn Photography in One Package?

As special as newborn photos are, it’s even better to have maternity photos as well. You want to chronicle every part of this incredible journey. To make the most out of both your maternity and newborn photography, you can schedule these photo sessions together with the same photographer, because I specialize in both!

Now that you know when to do newborn photos, the natural next question is when to do maternity photos. This can be tricky because every magical mom-to-be experiences her own pregnancy. You want to take your portraits when you’re far enough into your pregnancy that you have a beautifully pronounced belly. At the same time, you don’t want to wait so late into your pregnancy that you’re uncomfortable. You especially don’t want to worry that you might go into labor before your session happens. The sweet spot is usually between 28 and 36 weeks.

baby boy posed in green for newborn photography shoot

How Do I Find the Right Photographer for My Newborn Photos?

There are so many ways to make your newborn photos the perfect addition to your family’s home. The most important step, though, is to choose a photographer who can capture your vision. For newborn photography, in particular, you need a photographer who specializes in working with newborn babies and has dedicated safety training in newborn care and newborn poses. I’m proud to say that I meet those criteria.

Make sure you take a look at the photographer’s work too, particularly their newborn photo gallery. Photography is an art form, at the end of the day. You want to know if a photographer has similar aesthetic tastes to you and can create the portraits you want for your baby.

Booking Your Photographer for the Best Time to Take Newborn Photos

Now that you know the best time to do newborn photos, there’s just one thing left to do: book your session! Contact my Camp Hill photography studio today to book your newborn photoshoot or to learn what I have to offer.

Newborn baby smiles at his Camp Hill photoshoot