There’s a lot about Mechanicsburg newborn photography that isn’t common knowledge, and in fact, there are many myths and misconceptions about this type of photo session. As a photographer, I’m here to bust those myths and help you have a better idea of what to expect from newborn photos.
Newborn Photography studio near Mechanicsburg PA
Myth #1: Newborn Photos Must Be Taken in a Specific Timeframe
You’ve probably heard people say that “real” newborn photos have to be taken before a baby reaches a certain age – some say 14 days, some even say 10 days. That’s gatekeeping at its finest and I’m not here for it.
Yes, it’s ideal to take newborn photos in a baby’s first two weeks of life because you can capture how new and tiny they are at this early stage, and because they sleep so much during these days. But there’s no set deadline for newborn photography, and it’s not uncommon for NICU stays or other circumstances to require us to wait until after that 14-day mark.
Posed Newborn Photos
Myth #2: Studio Flash Photography Will Hurt a Newborn’s Eyes
It used to be common advice to avoid flash photography in front of newborn babies, but according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, extensive research has shown no evidence that camera flashes damage babies’ eyes. While harsh camera flashes in a dark room can irritate babies (just as they can with adults), studio camera flashes are designed to be gentler.
Froggy Pose in Mechanicsburg PA newborn photography studio
Myth #3: Your Baby Needs to Sleep for Their Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography
Many parents worry that their photographer won’t be able to take newborn photos if their baby won’t sleep, but that isn’t the case. Sleeping babies are easier to pose and photograph, sure. But nearly all babies will sleep for at least part of their photo session, and even while your baby is awake, we can capture plenty of beautiful portraits.
Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer
Booking Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography
If you have a baby on the way, I can help you preserve a piece of their first days that will last a lifetime. Contact my PA photography studio today.
Newborn Baby Girl Photography PosesNewborn Baby girl Photographed in Central PA photography studioBaby Girl Newborn Photos
Every parent has a vision for what their baby will be like when they finally meet them after all those months of feeling them growing. Even a fairly common birth defect can throw you for a loop, but it just makes your family’s journey that much more unique. In my Mechanicsburg newborn photography studio, I recently had the honor of taking newborn portraits of a beautiful baby girl who was born with clubfoot.
Beauty and Awareness Through Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography
Along with showing off this gorgeous baby girl’s newborn photos, I’d like to use this blog as an opportunity to spread awareness of clubfoot and the basics about this treatable condition.
What Is Clubfoot?
The clinical name for clubfoot is talipes equinovarus or EV, but it’s best known as clubfoot. In a baby with clubfoot, their foot points downward and inward. It actually happens more often than most people realize – about 1 in every 1000 babies is born with clubfoot. It may not be common, necessarily, but it isn’t as rare as you might think.
It’s typically treated in a child’s first years of life, though, so by the time they go to school, no one would ever know that they were born with the condition. In fact, there’s a good chance that you know someone today who was born with clubfoot, even if you don’t know it!
What Causes Clubfoot?
Clubfoot is actually a very simple condition: it’s just a short Achilles tendon. This is what keeps the baby’s foot from flexing. It’s largely genetic, but doctors don’t really know why some babies have it and some don’t.
How Does Clubfoot Affect a Child?
Any birth defect is scary when you first discover it, but clubfoot doesn’t have any serious health risks. It’s also very treatable, so babies born with clubfoot can eventually have perfectly healthy, active lives. This little girl has a bright future ahead of her, especially with all those proud big brothers who will help out throughout her treatment!
Treating clubfoot essentially involves stretching the Achilles tendon little by little throughout the first months of the baby’s life so the tendon lengthens to a typical size.
The treatment starts with a process called Ponseti casting. A week or two after a baby is born, the doctor will put their clubfoot in a cast that is designed to slightly stretch the Achilles tendon. Every week to 10 days, the doctor replaces that cast with a new cast that stretches the tendon a bit further, since the tendon has adjusted to the cast it’s in.
That progressive process continues for about a month to six weeks. At this point, the doctor does a small in-office procedure to further lengthen the Achilles tendon, and then puts the baby in one last cast for a few weeks.
After the baby has “graduated” from their last cast, the doctor will fit them for a brace to maintain their longer Achilles tendon. The baby will wear the brace throughout the day and night for two months, and then they only need to wear their brace while they sleep until they reach kindergarten age.
Treating clubfoot can be a long road, but ultimately, your child can have all the function and ability they would have had if they hadn’t been born with clubfoot.
Honoring Every Chapter of Your Family’s Journey with Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography
My Mechanicsburg newborn photography is all about celebrating this incredible time in your family’s life. I want to chronicle your authentic journey of welcoming this precious new child into your family, and sometimes that involves unexpected twists like clubfoot. I’m honored to tell your family’s story, whatever that story may be, and surprises like clubfoot just make your story that much more unique.
I loved capturing these memories so this lovely family can always look back and recall the journey they’ve been on, and I would be thrilled to do the same for your growing family. Reach out to my Mechanicsburg newborn portrait studio and let’s chat!
Your baby’s newborn portraits are a gift you give to yourself and to your family. You’re creating once-in-a-lifetime heirlooms you’ll cherish more and more as the years go by. As wonderful as Mechanicsburg newborn photography can be, though, it does have its risks if it isn’t done properly.
If you have a baby on the way or you’re preparing for newborn portraits, reading up on the essentials can help you make sure your baby is safe throughout the session. As a professional newborn photographer, I have five top facts that can help you get the spectacular portraits you want while putting your mind at ease.
There is newborn photography safety training, but not all newborn photographers have it.
Every new parent goes through the learning process of discovering how to safely handle their delicate little baby. Photographers need to learn this too, but to a greater extent because they need to know how to pose babies safely. There are plenty of safety courses for newborn photographers, but photographers don’t have to complete any of these courses to offer newborn portraits.
It’s common to assume that if a professional is offering a service, they must know what they’re doing. The truth is that there is no legal regulation of newborn photography, who can offer newborn photography, or what training these photographers need.
As a parent, when you’re hiring a newborn photographer, be sure to ask about their safety training. I’m proud to have thorough training in newborn photography safety, and I have specialized in newborn photography for over ten years.
Not all poses are safe for every baby.
You’ve probably seen countless newborn portraits, either from browsing Pinterest or just seeing your friends’ babies’ portraits. Some of them feature elaborate or unique poses you may want to recreate for your baby.
It’s important to understand, though, that every newborn pose has its limitations. Some poses are only safe or practical for newborns who are still fairly curled up, for example, while others work best for babies who have stretched out more. Some babies also just won’t be comfortable in certain poses, and it’s safest not to try to force them into those poses.
As you’re planning your newborn session, it’s wonderful to share some ideas of what you love with your photographer. Try not to become too fixated on any one pose, though, and rest assured that you’ve hired a professional who will give you beautiful portraits regardless.
In a safe Mechanicsburg newborn photography session, the baby calls the shots.
During my newborn photography session, there’s no watching the clock – your baby is in charge and we take as much time as they need. I give your baby as much time as they need to get settled and comfortable whenever they need to throughout the session.
When it comes to posing, I let the baby decide what they’re comfortable with. If there’s a pose that they aren’t settling into, I simply move on and create a gorgeous portrait in another way. Not only does this make your baby’s portraits look more serene because your baby is sleepy and relaxed, but it keeps your baby safe in the process.
Follow your photographer’s instructions and guidance.
When you book your newborn photography session, your photographer will give you a guide of dos and don’ts – what to bring, who to bring, and so on. These instructions are designed to help everyone and ensure that you get the best newborn portraits possible, but they’re also designed for your baby’s safety.
For example, I request that parents don’t bring young children (besides their newborn, of course), grandparents, or anyone else to their newborn session. If the studio gets too crowded or if there are active kids moving around, it can create a safety hazard because of the equipment and other items in the studio. Please follow your photographer’s guidance because it’s there for the benefit of everyone.
Enjoying Safe Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography
Newborn photography can allow you to preserve priceless memories for your growing family, and it can all be done without putting your baby at risk. It all comes down to hiring an experienced, knowledgeable, and safety-minded newborn photographer and placing your trust in their guidance.
I am honored to provide this experience to countless families throughout the Mechanicsburg area, always keeping baby safety as my top priority. If you’d like to book your newborn photography session, contact Karissa Zimmer Photography and let’s chat.
Whether you’re a full-blown fashionista or you throw on the first thing you grab from your closet, planning a wardrobe for a portrait session is a challenge. You want to find colors and cuts that will flatter you, photograph well, and coordinate nicely among the entire family in the portraits. You’re not alone – you have me in your corner! If you’re planning Mechanicsburg newborn photos, here’s your guide to what to wear for your photo session.
Parents and Newborn Photos
Do I Need to Plan a Wardrobe for My Baby for Newborn Photos?
Here’s some good news: you don’t need to worry about clothing for your newborn. For newborn photography, I have an extensive selection of wraps and accessories to create all the looks you want for your baby. I often take plenty of nude newborn portraits too, as long as the baby will still rest comfortably.
Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography Studio Poses
What Parents Should Wear for Newborn Photos
Most of your newborn portraits, of course, will center on your beautiful new bundle of joy. But I always aim to take a few photos of the newborn with you, their loving parents, so you will want to bring some photo-friendly clothes for yourself and your spouse or partner.
My top recommendation is to bring something that is black and very simple – no logos, buttons, or embellishments. Dads will often choose a simple black Hanes-type t-shirt, though we also get a very touching, artistic effect in portraits of dads without a shirt holding their baby.
For moms, there’s no need to go out and buy something new – something simple and black is timeless and stunning. After all, I’ll be posing your baby in a way that covers much of your chest, so you won’t be able to see much of your top. It’s fantastic if you can show a bit of skin with a black sleeveless or short-sleeved top, but long sleeves are still beautiful.
For any parent, we can also take portraits with your newly growing family in special garments that are meaningful to you. For instance, members of the military and first responders may want to take portraits in their uniform with their baby.
I do encourage parents to bring a backup outfit for their newborn portraits too. You never know when your baby might have an accident, and we want to make sure you aren’t scrambling for a way to cover up an uncomfortable stain!
Mom and Newborn Photos
What Siblings Should Wear
I love a great sibling portrait when a new baby comes into the family! Rather than taking sibling portraits during your baby’s newborn session, I take these portraits in a separate add-on photo shoot. We typically take these photos at your home so your kids can be comfortable and relaxed.
I typically take some sibling portraits with a soft, neutral color palette. For these photos, I suggest something white or cream-colored for girl siblings. For boy siblings, we can do the same colors or have them without a shirt. Many parents choose khakis without a shirt for their sons’ photos with their newborn.
Other than this, though, we can take your kids’ portraits in anything that feels natural and has coordinating colors throughout the family. Since we’ll be at your home, you can easily make a wardrobe change at any time if necessary. Keep in mind that for sibling portraits, as for traditional newborn portraits, you’ll want to have backup outfits ready for each member of the family.
Sibling with Newborn Photo
Planning Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photos
Getting spectacular newborn portraits can be easier than you think. As a full-service photographer, I take the time and work off your plate. I’ll guide you through the entire process, including turning your newborn photos into incredible, heirloom-quality artwork that’s ready to display in your home.
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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.
