As a newborn photographer, I serve clients often who have never had a newborn photo session before. Any new experience can be intimidating, and a newborn photo shoot looks very different from family photos or other photo sessions you’ve had in the past. It helps to have an idea of what to expect. Here’s a peek at what to expect in a Camp Hill newborn photo session.
How a Newborn Photo Session Works
During a newborn photo shoot, you and your spouse or partner will bring your little bundle of joy to my cozy home studio. Based on the details we discussed in our pre-session consultation, I’ll have a plan for what newborn props and sets I’ll use, what wraps, outfits, and accessories I’ll dress your baby in, and so on. You just show up looking camera-ready!
I typically begin with the photos of you and your partner with your baby, creating those precious portraits that highlight the deep bond you have with your new little one. After that, you and your partner can relax on the comfy furniture I have in my studio. I’ll spend the rest of the session gently posing your baby and creating the looks you love for your baby’s portraits. I’ll call on you as needed to feed or soothe your baby, but for most of the session, you can kick back and rest.
How Long a Camp Hill Newborn Photo Session Takes
Newborn photo sessions run on the baby’s timetable! Whenever your baby needs to take a break for a feeding or to fuss for a bit, we stop and give them what they need. Because of this, expect your session to last about six hours.
Planning Your Camp Hill Newborn Photo Session
Hopefully, your newborn photo session feels a bit less intimidating now that you know the basics of what to expect. If you’re expecting a baby or even if your baby has already arrived, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography to book your session.
You only get to take beautiful newborn photos of your baby once, and you want them to be truly stunning. Every gorgeous newborn picture starts the same way: with excellent planning. As a photographer who specializes in Camp Hill PA newborn photos, I love working with families to plan their newborn sessions in a way that celebrates their beautiful new babies. Details like your color palette will make a difference.
How do you choose that color palette? I’ve got you covered.
Camp Hill Newborn Photography SessionNewborn Baby girl photos
Tips for Choosing a Color Palette for Your Camp Hill PA Newborn Photos
As your trusted neighborhood photographer, I’m happy to help you pick the perfect colors for your baby’s portraits. Keep these tips in mind.
Newborn Photography Studio near Camp Hill PANewborn baby girl photos
Decide Where You’ll Display Your Portraits
I’m all about giving families tangible portraits they can hang on their walls and enjoy every day. While you’ll love your baby’s newborn photos no matter what, you’ll love them even more if they complement the room where you hang them. Think about where and how you want to display your baby’s portraits and consider what colors in the portraits will best suit the colors and decor in that room.
Newborn Photos
Consider a Cultural Homage
A wonderful way to honor your cultural heritage is to incorporate colors into your newborn session that are special to your culture. Maybe they are colors that signify renewal or simply are central to your culture, but either way, I’m happy to bring in your cultural aesthetic.
Newborn photographer near meStudio Newborn Photos with props
You’ll Never Go Wrong with Neutrals
It’s true, neutrals are always an excellent choice for your Camp Hill PA newborn photos. Every baby looks beautiful in white or shades of tan and brown!
Neutral newborn girl photosNeutral color newborn photos
Talk to Your Photographer
As a photographer, I’m not just there for my clients during their photo shoot. I’m here to support you through the entire process, and that includes offering my expertise in the planning. I’m happy to make color recommendations based on my experience.
If you’re browsing my portfolio of newborn portraits, you might notice that some seem to be taken at clients’ homes. These in-home portraits can be a beautiful way to tell the story of your growing family. Let’s take a closer look at in-home Camp Hill newborn portraits and how you can prepare for one of these sessions.
Lifestyle Newborn Photography near Camp Hill PA
Why Might You Have a Newborn Photo Session at Home?
In-home newborn portraits are often referred to as lifestyle newborn photography. It’s all about creating stunning and genuine portraits of your family enjoying your time together.
I generally perform my clients’ core newborn photography session at my studio. For families who have other young children they want to include in their baby’s newborn photos, though, I offer a sibling add-on session at your home.
With this process, you don’t need to bring your children to your baby’s newborn session and entertain them for the several-hour session. You’ll still get the meaningful sibling portraits every parent loves, though. Throughout my years of specializing in newborn photography, I have found this to be the best of both worlds.
Sibling and Newborn Portraits
Preparing for Camp Hill Newborn Portraits at Your Home
If you have a sibling add-on session on the schedule, follow these helpful tips to prepare for your home session.
Have Your Nursery Photo-Ready
When I arrive at your home, I’ll be able to see the lighting in various areas of your home and choose the best places for portraits. For the most part, though, I’ll take your photos in the baby’s nursery. There’s no need to have the house spotless but if the nursery is tidy, it helps so much.
Prepare Your Children
Chat with your kids about the upcoming photo session, and be sure to frame it in a fun way. The best family portraits happen when everyone is relaxed and having a great time! Let them know they can just have fun and be themselves.
Booking Your Camp Hill Newborn Portraits
Have a baby on the way? I’d love to help you preserve these special moments. Book your photo session today.
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.
Newborn Baby Photographed In the “Froggy Pose” in Camp Hill PA Newborn Photography Studio
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.
Newborn Photography Bucket Pose in Camp Hill PA Newborn Studio
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.
New Mom and baby posed newborn studio photographyMother and Newborn Baby Photographed together by Studio Newborn Photographer in Camp Hill PA.
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.
Parents are photographed with their newborn baby in Karissa Zimmer’s Camp Hill Photography Studio
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.
Newborn Photo Shoot Camp Hill
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.
Central PA Newborn Baby Boy Photography
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.
Newborn Baby Photo Session Karissa Zimmer PhotographyPosed Studio Newborn PhotographyNewborn Photography Studio Near 17011Newborn Baby Photoshoot Camp HillDad and Newborn Baby Boy PhotographyNewborn Photography Studio Shoot
When Should I book my Camp Hill Newborn Photographer?
When should I book my Camp Hill Newborn Photographer? This is a common question on the minds of many moms-to be early on in pregnancy! To be completely honest, there are so many things expecting a new baby that nobody ever prepares you for ahead of time. Let’s be real, without resources like “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and a few REALLY close and unfiltered friends, lots of us would be totally left clueless about things like mucus plugs, episiotomies and the struggles of breast feeding. Even after having my own very crazy childbirth experience, I still find myself continually learning things about pregnancy and childbirth. Things like “Who would have known a prenatal massage would give so much relief!” or “Who knew taking a newborn to a chiropractor could solve colic and reflux!”
Another of the numerous mysteries for expecting mamas seems to be how to find and when to contact and book a newborn photographer. Sure, you see some pretty darn amazing images of your friends newborns all over Instagram and Facebook, and you know you want beautiful portraits just like that of your very own new little one. You’ve likely even heard just how important it is to have newborn photographed in the first couple of days or weeks of your new baby’s life. But, how could you ever know when to set this date up when your baby may arrive early or even a few weeks late?
I am here to set this mysterious question straight for you! Certainly, the last thing you’ll want when you are trying to get accustomed to life with a new baby is to be trying to contact a newborn photographer to get in her schedule with the next few days!
I’ve answered the three most repeated questions I hear as a newborn photographer in regards to booking a newborn session.
When Should I book a newborn photographer?
The absolute ideal time frame to book your Camp Hill Newborn Photographer is during your 2nd trimester. By this point you’ve made it past the the 1st trimester and into the “safety zone” with less elevated risk. Now, it’s time to really begin to prepare for your new baby’s arrival. I HIGHLY recommend reserving your photographer in your 2nd trimester so that it’s one less thing on your on your lengthy “to do” list while preparing to welcome a new baby! Of course you can absolutely wait and try to book later during the 3rd trimester. However, there is a greater risk that the photographer you really want may be completely booked and not able to accommodate you. I personally will always try to take a last minute booking whenever possible. However, at times it can be tough to squeeze someone in around the already booked sessions.
How do you schedule a newborn session when you can’t be sure what day the baby will be born?
I can not be sure how every newborn photographer works, but I know most of us have an almost identical process when it comes to scheduling our newborn clients. When you reserve your session with me during your in person consultation, I will add your due date in my schedule. This will give me a good idea for when I need to be available for your baby’s session. Though, we will not pick an actual date for your photo session until you reach out to me to let me know that your baby has made her grand appearance! Once your baby has made her entrance into the world, we’ll set up your newborn session within the first 10 days of life. I am pretty acquainted with the unpredictable nature of newborns entering the world on their own timing. So, there is no reason to worry if your baby comes early or late!
Please keep in mind that I book a very limited number of newborn sessions each month! I want to make sure I can always accommodate both early and late arrivals for my tiny clients!
Why do you have to schedule newborn sessions when babies are so young?
Each photographer has their own favorite “perfect” for the age they prefer to photograph a newborn. Many photographers will not agree to book a newborn session after a this time frame has passed. There are several reasons for why this window of time for newborn photos exists.
1st, the newer your baby is, the sleepier he is. And sleepier newborns are more likely to cooperate when getting them into the snuggly little poses you see in my newborn gallery.
Also, the longer the baby spends outside of the womb, the more time their sensory nerves have to develop. This means that older newborns are more responsive to touch and likely to wake up from the slightest of pose adjustments.
Last, the longer a baby is out of womb, the less “snuggled” they get. Most newborn clients love the poses that capture their baby all curled up and illustrate just how new they are. These poses can become less comfortable a for a baby as they grow and spend more time outside of the womb. Thus making them much harder to achieve.
The general “rule” for the best time to have a posed newborn session is no later that 14 days old.
I hope these short tips help you feel a little more prepared to book your newborn photo session! There will be so many things to stress and prepare for as you are waiting to welcome a new little life into the world! Making sure you have the perfect photographer reserved to capture your memories while keeping your baby safe shouldn’t be one of them!
I am always excited to answer any questions or concerns you may have about my newborn portrait process. You can find many answers in the F.A.Q. section of my Newborn Page, but please feel free to send me a message!
Karissa Zimmer Photography is an experienced and professional Camp Hill PA Newborn Photographer based near Mechanicsburg PA and serving all of Central Pennsylvania including Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, York & Carlisle. I specialize in creating tangible heirloom portraits that will remain in your family for generations to come.
