The Carr Family | Gifford Pinchot State Park Summer Session | York County Family Photographer

I have had the honor of photographing the Carr Family on a number of occasions. (Like this session at Blue Marsh Lake, and this one at Copper Mountain in Colorado. ) We have had more sessions together, but I’m not sure if I ever blogged them. (Oops!) I always love the time we spend together - and it’s not just because Jeff and Ashley treat me to incredible dinners afterwards! (But I will not deny that I love that part, too!)

Last week, we met up at Gifford Pinchot Park, and walked along some of their favorite trails. Then we stopped at Simpson Park in Mechanicsburg to dip our feet in the water, and finally at a sunflower field near their home. We arrived at the sunflowers just as the sun was setting. It’s rare to find a sunflower field at golden hour that isn’t overrun with photographers (like me) and instagrammers these days - but we hit the jackpot!

Here is a selection of my favorite photos during our evening together. I can’t wait to do it again!!

Nora | Harrisburg Lifestyle Newborn Session | Pennsylvania Family Photographer

Over the past few months, I have cut back on photographing everything except weddings and engagements, in order to dedicate enough time to finishing my elusive doctoral degree. This summer, I will be finished with my PhD (Woohoo!!), and will be regularly booking non-wedding clients again.

I thought it would be a nice time to share some of the non-wedding sessions I have photographed recently.

First up is this sweet in-home lifestyle newborn session that I photographed in downtown Harrisburg. Congrats again, Kelly and Al! Thank you for welcoming me and my cameras into your home.

Lisa + Collin (+1) | Hershey Gardens Engagement Session | Central Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Last week, I met up with Lisa and Collin for their engagement session.  I was so excited to see them again, since we actually first met a little over a year ago at one of my favorite weddings ever!  (I'm talking about you, Jackie and Dustin!)  Even though I only live an hour away from Hershey Gardens, this was my first time visiting.  I can't believe it took me so long to go, and I'm definitely planning on making another trip in the near future.

I'm so glad that Lisa and Collin chose this location as the backdrop for their photos.  We got there as soon as it opened (on one of the hottest days of the year), and we practically had the place to ourselves!  They were so much fun to photograph, and I could tell right away how absolutely head over heels in love they are with each other.  Their engagement session also doubled as a maternity photoshoot, since they will be welcoming a baby into their family in a few short months!  I'm so excited to photograph their wedding next year, and I can't wait to meet their little one the next time I see them!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together.  Big thanks to my husband, Mako, for assisting me.

Erin | Bishop McDevitt Class of 2018 | Riverfront Park | Harrisburg Senior Photographer

In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share my latest session that is full of spring blooms - and an incredible high school senior!  Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting up with Erin at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg to photograph her senior portraits.  She is a member of Bishop McDevitt High School's Class of 2018, and I know in my heart that her future is very bright.  I only met Erin yesterday, but she exudes a glow and warmth that instantly captures your attention and pulls you in.  Her sense of style was spot on, and she was naturally confident in front of my camera.  She has a great sense of humor, too, which is something I personally value.

It was a bit chilly out, but the light was amazing.  We really couldn't have asked for a better evening.  Besides a few runners, groundhogs, and some tourists, we had the place to ourselves!  About those tourists... every portrait session is an adventure, and I often leave with a few stories to tell - not necessarily about my clients, but rather about other things that happened around us. Last night was no different.  As we were walking around downtown Harrisburg, 8-10 people got off a bus (I'm assuming they were on a tour of Harrisburg).  They proceeded to follow us, and when we would finish taking photos at a spot, they whipped out their cell phones and also took a few photos of themselves there!  It was so bizarre.  As Erin's father said, it felt like we were in a Seinfeld episode.  I don't know if they thought Erin was famous, or if they thought the spots we were using were famous, but they insisted on photographing themselves there when we left.  I just loved the light, colors, and textures of the locations I chose.  Who knows, maybe they did, too.  ;)

Congratulations on this accomplishment, Erin!  Best of luck in your next adventure! 

It was such a pleasure meeting Erin and her family, and I love how our photographs turned out!  Here are a few previews so that you can see how stunning Erin is for yourself.

(Big thanks to my husband for assisting... and for clearing out a few spider webs for us!)

The Dibeler Family | Christmas Mini Sessions | Reading, Pennsylvania GoggleWorks Studio Photographer

I know with Halloween still a few weeks away, it's a bit early to start thinking about winter and Christmas.  The weather finally started cooling off to fall temperatures over the past few days, and where I live many of the leaves haven't even started changing colors yet.  However, due to a booked fall calendar, I had to offer my Christmas mini sessions a bit earlier than usual this year.  All of my sessions sold out for this past Sunday, and both repeat clients and new clients came to visit me from near and far.  (Some families were local, and some drove all the way out from the Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas!)  I had six different backdrops to choose from, and each of my sessions turned out great!  All of the kids were so much fun to work with - I even had to dodge snow balls that made their way right to my camera lens!  (These kids had great aim!)

I'm so thankful for my clients who made the time to drive out and visit me at my GoggleWorks studio in Reading yesterday.  It was such a pleasure photographing your children and spending time with your families.  I hope you enjoy these previews from your session.

If anyone else wants to get in on the action, I still have some openings for my mini sessions being held on Friday, November 3rd!  Click here for more information or to book:  http://carriekizukaphotographyllc.bigcartel.com/product/winter-christmas-studio-mini-sessions

Up now - the Dibeler Family!  These two adorable guys are packed with personality.  I have the pleasure of hanging out with them and their awesome mom and dad all winter, because we share a mutual love for snowboarding!  Thanks for driving all the way out here from Harrisburg!

Late Night Netflix is Dead | High School Senior Session | Harrisburg Photographer

Last week, Kaiya and I took an impromptu trip to Harrisburg to snap a few photos.  We brought along one of her prom gowns, just for fun!  We started off at the Late Night Netflix is Dead mural, then wandered around the surrounding area.  There are so many great spots there!!  I definitely want to go back.

On the way home, we stopped at Stoudtburg Village for a few more photos before the rain eventually chased us away.

Here are a few of our shots from the day.  Enjoy!