WHAT TO EXPECT | THE LILY SOPHIA PHOTOGRAPHY CLIENT EXPERIENCE
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here and considering working with me for natural, unforced, and heartfelt images of your little one(s) and your growing family
I’m so proud of the fact that we are well known for the phenomenal experience that we provide to our clients. This is what keeps our clients returning year after year and why they recommend us to their friends. It’s why my clients keep in touch as their families grow, even when they’ve relocated to another state. And last, but not least, it’s why our First Year Collection is so popular. Once you’ve experienced being cared for the way we do, you won’t want to settle for anything less for your most important moments.
We are detailed, attentive, honest, and genuinely care about you as a person. Our goal is to make your portrait experience enjoyable and stress free. We are a relationship oriented business, and we have a heart for serving people well.
THE FIRST STEP: A PHONE CONVERSATION!
The first step for everyone interested in learning more about what we offer is a phone call with our Client Happiness Director, Caroline. Caroline is our full-time studio manager, and has been in this role for the last eight years. Her zone of genius is the care of all our inquiries and clients! She allows me to focus on the artistic and client service aspects of running the studio (which is MY zone of genius), and keeps everything running smoothly like a “well oiled machine” as several of our clients have told us. Caroline lives in Florida, and works remotely. Even though you aren’t likely to meet her in person unless you attend our Santa event, you’ll absolutely love her! Everyone tells me that she’s so much fun to talk to and they want to be her friend.
After your phone call, Caroline will send you all the relevant information you need, and if you have any questions at all, she’s available to answer them for you via phone or email!
OUR STUDIO SAFETY
Another thing you should know is that I am up to date on my flu and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines, and am fully protected with Pfizer COVID vaccine and booster. The vaccine records are posted on our studio fridge for clients to see! I wear an NIOSH approved and certified American made N95 mask in the studio while photographing newborns in the studio, and have an endless supply of hand sanitizer and disinfectant cleaning products!
SECURE AND CONVIENENT ONLINE BOOKING
Once you’ve decided to work with us, we’ll make it official with our session agreement and session fee invoice. The booking process is handled online and is 100% secure - no need to for you to print out and scan anything to send back…because who has time for that!?
SCHEDULING YOUR STYLE CONSULT
If you’re interested in looking through our client wardrobe for your session, or just want to schedule a style consult with your own clothing in the studio or virtually, we’ll get that scheduled for you as well! Your session type determines when this will take place.
We schedule maternity clients to come in 1-2 weeks before their session, other portrait clients to come in 2-4 weeks beforehand. Newborn clients look through the wardrobe and choose the morning of their session! It’s impossible to know what will fit you before you give birth due to postpartum body changes that women experience, and it’s different for everyone.
We have a super helpful style guide that we send to all booked clients, and provide as much styling assistance as you need when it comes to shopping your own closets. We’ll also provide you with a bunch of resources if you prefer to shop for something on your own.
ADD-ON HAIR AND MAKEUP SERVICES COORDINATION
We have an incredible hair and makeup team and you can add on their services to your session! WE will take care of coordination and making the scheduling arrangements for you to make sure a member of our team is available on your date. No need for you to stress out and frantically play tag back and forth between multiple parties trying to figure out a date that works for all! If your session date needs to be rescheduled because of weather (outdoor only), we’ll also take care of contacting your assigned team member to move your date.
We take care of all the stressful planning details so YOU can relax and enjoy!
STUDIO LOCATION AND PARKING
Our studio is located on the Beltline very close to Ponce City Market and the Jimmy Carter Center and very convenient to 75/85. If you’ve ever been to two.urban.licks, we’re literally right next door!
There is plenty of free parking available in both our building lot and on the street, and there is elevator access to our studio as well for strollers.
OUR STUDIO
For those of you who are scheduling an in studio session, you’re in for a real treat! Our 1,000 square foot natural light studio is calm and serene and has its own private bathroom and kitchen. It has abundant and beautiful light coming from our 25 foot wide wall of windows that is still more than adequate on rainy days! We are fully equipped with studio lighting in the case of really bad storms to augment the available natural light and for our popular modern maternity portrait sessions.
DURING YOUR SESSION
During your session, I will guide you through everything. You will never be left to awkwardly try to figure out where to put your hands, and I won’t let you give yourself a self-inflicted double chin. If you’re a new parent and not yet used to handling your baby while standing, I’ll gently coach you and demonstrate as needed - and modify whatever we need to so you’re 100% comfortable! If you have a toddler or younger child experiencing shyness or big emotions, I will meet them at their level, and I have endless patience and empathy. I believe in treating all clients with respect and kindness, and that includes your little ones too!
OUTDOOR SESSIONS
On the day of your session, everything will be ready to go for you. If you’re borrowing from the wardrobe, your pieces will be cleaned and steamed as applicable. When you meet me at your outdoor location, I’ll have your selected wardrobe pieces with me and all ready for you to get dressed in! I bring along a privacy tent for you, so there’s no need to awkwardly change in the backseat of your car while praying that no passerby notice. During the hotter summer months, I’m known to bring cold bottled water for you so you don’t get too thirsty, and I always have Off! Family bug spray on my person should you forget yours.
NEWBORN SESSIONS
During newborn sessions, new parents help themselves to a drink from the fully stocked fridge while relaxing on the couch. For those who need some stronger caffeine, we have a Nespresso Vertuo machine with assorted pods (or feel free to bring your own favorite from home!). High speed Internet access is provided by Google Fiber is also available for parents who might need to work when not being photographed, and we have extra iPhone and Android chargers for those who forget to bring theirs from home.
Everything is taken care of for you at our studio. No need to worry about cleaning your house, or whether you can get your home warm enough for your baby to sleep well, or if there will be enough light for your baby's first images! We are fully stocked with Honest, Pampers and Huggies newborn diapers, sensitive wipes, nursing pads, nursing pillows, etc. We also have a bottle warmer here should you need one.
There is no need to bring anything from home for your baby’s first photographs! We have plenty of neutral wraps and blankets that are soft and cozy for your newborn baby as well as a beautiful collection of tasteful and dainty headbands for baby girls that are not distracting. YOU choose whether headbands are used! If you’d rather your baby girl not wear any headbands at all for her first portraits, that’s totally fine! There are no flower headbands the size of Texas around here, because I keep the focus of newborn portraits on your baby.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR SESSION
After your session is over, we’ll be in touch in 7-10 business days to go through your images and you’ll decide which of our offerings is the best fit for you!
I’m here to help you make decisions, design beautiful artwork for you should you choose that route, and will answer any and all questions you may have throughout the process. Our most popular newborn offerings are our gorgeous heirloom album with custom debossing or a gorgeous statement piece of wall art for your home. I know clients are busy, so I don’t require in person meetings at the studio after your session unless that’s your preference! Post session meetings are conducted via Zoom conferencing or FaceTime at a time that works best for your schedule within my availability.
Once you’ve made your decision on what to do with your session images and placed your order, your chosen images will go into production for the final editing (8-12 business days), and your applicable final artwork will be ordered. Once your order is in, I’ll let you know and arrange for you to pick up at the studio! We do not ship orders due to sales tax regulations.
Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity and family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.