Newborn photography

Everything You Need to Know About a Newborn Session

Everything You Need to Know About a Newborn Session

When selecting a photographer, she will tell you everything you need to know about a newborn session! Every parent knows that kids grow up so fast. That’s why having photos of your children at every stage of their life is so important, especially when they’re newborns. Those images can help you remember years later just how small your little ones were.

As you’re getting ready to welcome a new addition to your family, take time to consider booking a newborn session to capture this amazing moment in your life. Not sure what a newborn photo shoot is like? That’s why I am here to help guide you through the process. I will teach you Everything You Need to Know About a Newborn Session!

new parents are photographed with newborn baby boy during posed newborn photography session with karissa zimmer photography

How old should my little one be for the photo session?

The best age for a newborn session is under two weeks, although I find the “sweet spot to be between days 7-10 of life. At that age, babies still spend a majority of their time sleeping and are easier to pose in those curled up positions everyone loves! When you’re scheduling your session, keep in mind that your newborn will grow VERY quickly and will look completely different at one month than they did at birth. As they grow, they’ll begin moving more. In those first few days they will be much more comfortable with posing, as well as less likely to remain asleep during the photo shoot.

newborn photographer karissa zimmer photographs new father with baby boy at his newborn photography session in camp hill pa

When should I book my session?

The earlier you can book your newborn session, the better! I recommend having your session reserved before the third trimester approaches if possible. Session times fill up fast, and since you only have a limited window of time in which to get the photos taken before baby gets too big, you want to be sure that your photographer is available.

everything you need to know about a newborn photography session in camp hill pa

What if my baby arrives earlier than expected?

Every newborn photographer knows that babies arrive when they’re ready. With that in mind, I book a very limited number of newborn sessions each month. This allows me to be flexible with early or late newborn arrivals. Once your session has been booked and reserved during your consultation, I will hold time around your scheduled session to make sure you and your little one get in for your photos.

new parents snuggle their newborn boy at photo session in camp hill pa

How long does a newborn session last?

Typically, a newborn photo shoot lasts several hours. If that sounds long, have no fear—you won’t be in front of the camera the whole time! A majority of that time will be spent feeding and soothing your newborn for photos. Each and every baby is different. Therefore, each session will take a different length of time. There certainly is no rushing a newborn session!

new father is photographed during photo session with karissa zimmer photography

How should I dress my newborn for photos?

Most newborn photography involves nude and swaddle wrapped portraits of your little one—the better to capture those tiny fingers and toes and their precious soft skin! Dress your baby in clothes that are easy to take off and put back on and that are loose enough it won’t leave marks on their skin.

newborn photographer karissa zimmer photography captures image of newborn boy with parents

What should I bring to my newborn session?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and that’s because it’s so important! You’ll want to bring your whole diaper bag, of course. That means pacifiers, extra diapers and wipes, and formula and bottles, if you formula-feed. I alway suggest that you’ll also want to bring a change of clothes for yourself because posing in photos with a naked baby can lead to messiness! All props, wraps, bonnets and accessories are conveniently provided and coordinated for your baby’s session by yours truly!

Most importantly, ask me any questions you have about your session. And don’t be nervous! It’s my job to help you feel comfortable and get the images you want of this precious moment in the life of your family!

posed newborn baby boy on gray by camp hill newborn photographer
karissa zimmer photography captures images of posed newborn baby
newborn photographed by karissa zimmer photography in camp hill pa
newborn photography session in camp hill pa shows baby boy posed in blue and white bucked
newborn baby boy is posed during his newborn photo session with karissa zimmer photography
baby boy is wrapped and photographed by camp hill newborn photographer

Hi & Welcome to Karissa Zimmer Photography! I am a full service photography studio and I am proud to photograph expecting parents, newborn babies, children, families and high school seniors throughout Central PA including Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg and surrounding areas. My style is classic, timeless and forever. My goal for each session is for you to leave with family keepsakes that you and your family will enjoy and share for generations to come. I will create beautiful fine art albums, custom framing and wall art made just for you, your family and your home. Your special memories are forever and I am so blessed to be a part of each and every one of my client’s lives.

Please contact Karissa for more information about planning your newborn session. I can wait to meet you at your consultation!

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Camp Hill Newborn Photography

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!

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!

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

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.

Newborn and family photographer in camp hill pa is scehduling photography sessions with new studio reopening and cleaning policies in 17011, 17050, 17050

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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:

  1. Clients will be asked to wash hands upon entering.
  2. Photographer will wear a face mask during all newborn sessions.
  3. I will kindly ask that you remove shoes upon entering.
  4. All props will be provided by me in the studio. No outside props, please.
  5. Only immediate family members and persons being photographed are permitted to attend.
  6. Camera and lighting gear will be disinfected prior to the session.
  7. 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

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!?

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

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.

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

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!

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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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Newborn Kyla {Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photography}

Newborns are my favorite!

It's no secret that I LOVE all babies. Newborn babies, sitter babies, crawling babies, new walkers...ALL of them! And there is just something about babies with lots of dark hair that make me fall extra hard! Miss Kyla is one of the prettiest little things I've laid eyes on. She was just so tiny and sweet!  It was such an honor to work with her and her beautiful Mama. <3

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I want to snuggle your babies! I want to make sure that you remember them at this tiny, delicate, precious stage.  Let's work together to freeze these fleeting moments.  Portraits of your newborn will mean everything to you one day. I promise!

I will be booking a VERY limited number of newborn sessions through the summer months.  Please contact me now to reserve a session spot for you! I can't wait to work with you!

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Gibson Family Portrait Session

There is no doubt that I love to photograph The Gibson family portrait session each year! I can say with all honesty that this family is very special to me.  This is our 7th photo session together!  I first met them when I photographed Taylor, their oldest (and only!) daughter for the cover of Central Penn Parent Magazine when she was in middle school.  Now, she is about to begin her first year in college!  One of my absolute favorite things about being a portrait photographer is the opportunity to develop a relationship with families and capture how they grow and change over the years.  This year, the Gibson clan grew by one more adorable little guy!  All three little boys are extremely blessed to have a big sis like Taylor! I don't think I've ever met a big sister who is anything like her.  The love she has for her little brothers is without a doubt, something very, very special!  Each year, I walk away from their session with a smile on my face, and my heart full.  The Gibsons are a family who truly love one another AND they know how to have FUN together!

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This is probably one of my favorite sibling bonds ever <3

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The littlest Gibson and all his cuteness!!!

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Love and laughter! My favorite combo <3

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The part that makes what I do most worthwhile is that I know the Gibson's cherish the memories we capture, forever.  The walls of their home tell their family's story perfectly.

 

Every family is special. Portraits of the people you love are the most invaluable possessions you can own.  Let's work together to capture and tell your family's special story.  Send me a message here to chat about planning your own custom portrait session!

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Sweet Caroline | Newborn Photography in Mechanicsburg, PA

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
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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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