What to Bring to Your Mechanicsburg Newborn Photo Session

05.29.22

When I’m planning a Mechanicsburg newborn photo session, I know that these sessions inevitably happen when your family is in the middle of a huge adjustment period. You just welcomed a brand new family member into your home, and that family member needs a lot of time and attention. No matter how experienced you are as a parent, every newborn is different, so you never know exactly what to expect.

That’s why I aim to make the newborn photography process simple and stress-free for you. This is an incredible time in your life and you’re capturing photos you’ll treasure for the rest of your life, so the beauty of this moment shouldn’t be sullied by chaos and anxiety. For that reason, I make sure to have a thorough discussion with every family who schedules a newborn photo session with me to discuss the process ahead, how they can prepare, and what they should expect.

If you’re preparing for a newborn photo session, what should you bring with you? While every photographer has their own supplies and recommendations, I’m sharing a quick list of the top items you should plan to bring.

What You Should Bring to Your Newborn Photo Session

While I provide just about everything you’ll see in your baby’s finished newborn portraits, there are some items you can bring to keep your baby and your family comfortable. My newborn sessions can last up to six hours because we give your baby as many breaks as they need to eat, rest, get changed, and more. To make sure you have an enjoyable and relaxed experience, I recommend that you bring:

Anything your baby will need to be comfortable throughout the session, such as extra diapers, pacifiers, and so on
Any items you need to comfortably feed your baby during their session, including bottles, a breastfeeding cover, a breastfeeding pillow, etc.
An extra change of clothes for any family members who will be in the photos…because accidents happen, especially when nude newborns are involved!
Any special items you want to incorporate into your newborn photos, like family heirlooms, a family member’s armed services or first responder uniform, or other pieces
Items to keep you comfortable during your session – remember, we’ll spend much of the session photographing your baby solo while you relax, so feel free to bring snacks, drinks, a book, or even a pillow if you’d like, as well as your breast pump
Anything that may help entertain your baby’s siblings if they’re coming to the session, like books, games, puzzles, a tablet for watching videos, and so on –make it easier on the entire family, though, I recommend a sibling add-on session instead for “big siblings” under the age of five, which allows us to get sibling photos with the new baby at home so your kids can stay home or with a sitter instead of attending a lengthy newborn photo session

What Your Photographer Will Supply for Your Newborn Photo Session

As a newborn photographer, I will of course have all the photography equipment I need to create stunning newborn portraits. In addition to the obvious items, though, I also supply:

Cushions and fabrics to create cozy backdrops for your baby’s portraits
Wraps for your baby in countless colors to customize your color scheme, as well as complementing accessories like hats and headbands
Props needed to create sets that align with your desired theme

Booking a Stress-Free Mechanicsburg Newborn Photo Session

If you’re in the exciting and life-changing time of preparing to bring a new baby into your family, I would love to help you commemorate this experience and chronicle your baby’s first days with custom, one-of-a-kind newborn photos. Schedule your Mechanicsburg newborn photo session with me today for a simple, easy experience with outstanding results.

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Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer

03.25.22

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.

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Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer – Tips For Getting Your Newborn To sleep

01.27.22

Mechanicsburg Professional newborn photographer captures image of newborn baby girl smiling during photoshoot in studio — Baby Girl smiles during her newborn photoshoot with Karissa Zimmer Photography near Mechanicsburg, PA

As a Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer, I know a few things about baby whispering! I can’t hold a tune to save my life or whip up a gourmet meal, but I sure can put a baby to sleep like a pro! After all, that is part of the job description, right?! As you can imagine, many of my clients are first time parents. First time parents who often offer me part time, middle of the night baby sitting jobs due to my baby whispering skills! Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing I love more than snuggling a newborn baby! However, this full time Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer gig keeps me super busy. So, I’m not really available for a side hustle at the moment! HA!

Mechanicsburg newborn photographer, karissa zimmer photography poses with professional baby whisperer t-shirt in her Camp Hill Pa photography studio — Mechanicsburg PA newborn Photographer, Karissa Zimmer, in her newborn photography studio

Newborn Photographer to save the day! Or Night.

Lucky for you, I am here to help by offering you some of my personal tips and tricks. Some may seem like “no brainers,” but let’s face it…pregnancy brain and new mom brain are a real thing. And that sometimes can make you feel like you lost your real one! Don’t worry. I think it returns sometime, but I can’t be certain since I still have regular bouts of mom brain and my baby is almost 14! We are in this mom thing together and we’ve got to help each other out. This is where my Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer Tips for getting your Newborn to Sleep come in!

Tips For Getting Your Newborn to Sleep – From a Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photographer

Shusher the Sleep Miracle – Sound Machine

baby-shusher-sleep-machine-in-newborn-photography-studio-camp-hill-pa — Baby Shusher Sleep Machine used in Mechanicsburg Newborn Photography Studio

Ok, so this one isn’t truly a tip or trick, but it’s definitely a MUST have little miracle machine. No professional newborn photographer can live without it, and no new parent should have to either! There is just no cell phone App that does the job just like the Baby Shusher. This little guy has even won awards such as: Mom’s Choice Award, Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA), OHbaby! 2018 Gold Award Winner, and BabyList’s 2019 Best Product Award. It uses a legit, real human voice to shush your baby right to sleep. It’s the next best thing to your own continuous shushing sounds, but that gets pretty tiring. And since you’re here I am guessing you might already be a little sleep deprived! Hop on Amazon right now and grab yourself one of these little machines and get yourself some sleep today! You’ll thank me later!

Two Words: THE SNUGGLE

The SNUGGLE is real around here, so the struggle is not! Yeah, I got jokes. Lame ones, but I guess that’s what happens when you work with tiny humans who can’t laugh at your dorky-ness yet! So, this is really just what it sounds like. Snuggle your baby tight. Pull his legs up to his abdomen and tuck his little arms in close while holding him. When my clients are here in the newborn studio holding their new babes I often notice their legs or arms stretched out or loose. It’s not something everyone notices or thinks about! One of the first suggestions I make is The Snuggle. Newborns love to have their limbs squeezed in tight against their little bodies (and yours!) since they just spent the last 9 months that way. It’s what they know best and will often drift right to sleep!

Third eye massage

Believe me, when my newborn clients don’t already know this trick it quickly becomes one the shove up their sleeve for later! There are great benefits to massaging the third eye. I very lightly rum my finger or thumb from the third eye position ( between your baby’s eyes) down the nose. Trust me. This works! It encourages baby to close his eyes and soon drifting off to a (hopefully!) restful sleep! Have pets? This works on animals too. Give it a try to practice if you’re still waiting on your babe to arrive!

Wrapping A.K.A. Swaddling

First, I’m pretty sure there is no newborn on planet earth who doesn’t like to be swaddled. Your baby just spent the last 9 months tightly packed in your belly. Being wrapped tightly in a swaddle is one of the most comforting and secure feelings to a newborn. Sometimes I will have a parent tell me during a newborn session that their baby doesn’t like to be swaddled. I say: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! I’ve yet to find a newborn who doesn’t like to be properly swaddled. Seriously, If you need a solid lesson – call me. I will never turn down the opportunity to snuggle a newborn, whether you’re my client or not! I will happily show you the tricks of this swaddle trade!

Center Yourself

I know it’s tough when you’re lacking sleep and you have a newborn who wants to party all night, but stay calm. If I am not calm during a newborn photography session then my tiny client won’t be either. The same applies to you at home also. No matter how stressful that scream sounds or how emotional it makes you feel try your best to react calmly. Your baby can sense and feel your emotions. Deep breaths, mama.

A full belly = sleepy newborn

It may sound like a no brainer. But I know I am not happy when I’m HANGRY. And, a hungry baby won’t be able to sleep. A full belly is one of the number one keys to a happy, sleepy baby during a newborn session. Feed your baby until she releases on her own.

Cozy and warm

It is warm in the womb! That sauna is all your baby has known for 9 long months. It probably feels a little chilly compared to those tropical-like temps! Newborns are sensitive to cold temps. This is why your baby likely cries when you change his diaper. He is just simply cold. I keep my studio at about 80 degrees during newborn sessions. No, you don’t have to crank your thermostat that high, but be cautious temps dropping too low for baby’s comfort!

If all else fails…

Ask for help! Now, I’m certainly hoping these few tips are helpful in getting you and your newborn on your way to a couple winks of sleep. However, ALWAYS trust your gut! Your mom or dad instinct is almost always on point. If something feels off and your baby just doesn’t seem to settle please do not hesitate to call your pediatrician! It’s possible there are underlying reasons why your baby won’t settle and these little tips are not meant to get you through it all. Your doctor is always a quick phone call away and is there to help you along this new parent journey. No question or concern is too silly. Trust those instincts. God gave you them for a reason!

Newborn photographer near mechanicsburg pa photographs newborn baby girl during studio photoshoot

Newborn Baby girl photographed on yellow in mechanicsburg PA newborn photography studio

Booking a Mechanicsburg Professional Newborn Photography Session

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to document this extra special phase of life for you. There is nothing more special than having images of your precious tiny human to look back on. To learn more about booking a newborn photography session with me, please check out the F.A.Q. section of my newborn gallery!

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newborn baby girl swaddled in purple and photographed by newborn photographer near 17050

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Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer | Parker Man!

06.12.18

Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer

As a Mechanicsburg PA newborn photographer, I am absolutely honored when an old friend comes to me to have their precious new baby photographed. Parker is by far the BEST baby ever to snuggle. He slept like a champ. He let me pose him however I wanted and even cracked a whole bunch of sleepy baby smiles! And the dark hair!! If you know me, you know I love, love, love newborns with lots of dark hair. Ya know…for baby…he’s pretty much got everything going for him! He made my job easy peasy. I could do this all day, everyday!!!!

Try to look at these without smiling. I dare you! You won’t be able to do it!

Are you expecting a little one in the coming months? I am currently scheduling newborns through December 2018! Let’s work together to plan a special session to capture your baby’s first moments. You will cherish these memories forever! Send me a message to start planning your custom newborn portrait session!

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Harrison {Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photographer}

03.03.18

Harrison is a chubby little guy!

Being the mom of a once 9lb 9oz newborn, I am sucker for big, squishy newborn babies! Hand me a nine pound newborn baby and ALL the feels come right back every single time! I first met Harrison's mommy and daddy for a maternity session. I love when couples make it a priority to document the special journey of bringing a new life into the world. Being able to have tangible portraits to look back on of this amazing miracle is something they'll never regret. These tiny (or a bit bitter in Harrison's case!) babes...they grow up. And they love to have these portraits of their mamas and dads to look at one day. With that being said....BRING ME ALL THE BIG BABIES! Pretty please :)

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Portraits of your newborn baby are something that you will hold near and dear to your heart forever and ever. Long after they've outgrown your arms by a long shot and the sleepless nights are long gone...you will have these memories that you can look back on. I promise, you'll never regret the time or investment made in something so invaluable.

Let's work together to create a custom portrait session for your special bundle of love! Sessions are best booked months before your little one arrives to ensure that there is a reservation just for you. I am currently booking sessions now through October 2018 with very limited openings during the summer months. Let's chat about planning your very own custom portrait session.

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Newborn Kyla {Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photography}

03.02.18

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

08.23.17

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!

Family Photography baby photographer Mechanicsburg PA Newborn photographer Family Photos_0043

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

Family Photography baby photographer Mechanicsburg PA Newborn photographer Family Photos_0044

The littlest Gibson and all his cuteness!!!

Family Photography baby photographer Mechanicsburg PA Newborn photographer Family Photos_0045

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

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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Waiting on Baby! {Harrisburg PA Maternity Photography}

04.30.17

Look at this beautiful mama to be! Dad and puppy brother are pretty handsome, too! :)

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Big brother L<3VE {Mechanicsburg PA Newborn Photography} {York PA Newborn Photography}

09.11.16

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