Jason contacted me to schedule a studio maternity session as a surprise for his wife. Yomaira, for a Mother's Day gift. They were expecting their third baby, another little girl! Professional photos were not something they had done before, other than their wedding, and he wanted to go all out. He asked if he could bring her to the studio for her maternity fitting (unbeknownst to her) and surprise her with the session there.

I loved that he was gifting her with a maternity session and images to have forever of their growing family. I mean, I would personally just be so excited if my husband gifted me a photography session! It's truly a gift that lasts a lifetime and that means so much to me personally. Plus, I have something to show and give to my children as well!

The day they arrived for the maternity fitting, I had expected him to have already told his wife why she was there... but no. They walked in and she asked, "Okay, so why are we here?" I said...."Surprise! Happy Mother's Day!" She was a little bit concerned we were going to shoot the session right then and there without having had the time to do her hair and makeup to her liking, but I assured her the session wasn't until the following week and that she was only here for the fitting. Her older children, Tony and Julie were also along for the ride and they are just the CUTEST and sweetest kids! Julie tried on dresses from the children's wardrobe and found one that she loved. While Yomaira was trying on dresses, Patrick and I chatted about what he and Tony should wear.

The day of their session, the family arrived, and we began shooting. Family sessions tend to take a little bit longer since we have so many different groupings to do. We shot Yomaira alone, with just her husband, the entire family together, mother and daughter, and mother and son. And I just had to take a few of just the kids lounging on the studio bed while their mother was getting changed. They were just too cute not to! Baby girl is so lucky to be coming into such a close and loving family with the best big siblings ever. I so enjoyed working with the Patrick family, and can't wait to have them back in the studio again in the future!

Family of 5 touching their mother's pregnant belly during a family maternity session in an Atlanta natural light studio.

A little African American girl in Atlanta hugs her mother's pregnant belly and gazes up at her mother.

A pregnant mother expecting a baby girl lies on her bed with her older daughter smiling at her during their family maternity portrait session in Atlanta.

An African American mother and her ten year old son hug while big brother touches her pregnant belly.

A black and white image of a pregnant woman in an Atlanta natural light photography studio wearing a split front gown and her husband looking at the camera .

An Atlanta African American couple expecting a baby girl give each other a kiss while embracing

Maternity family portraits of an African American family of four in Atlanta, Georgia.

A black and white portrait of an African American brother and sister sitting on a bed and smiling in the natural light studio of Lily Sophia Photography located in Atlanta.

A sweet portrait of an African American brother and sister touching foreheads and smiling at each other in Atlanta.

A black and white image of an Atlanta couple facing each other and embracing the mother's pregnancy belly during their natural light studio maternity photography session.

A black and white family maternity portrait taken in the natural light studio of Lily Sophia Photography in Atlanta.

A pregnant mother expecting a baby girl is surrounded by her family during a natural light studio maternity session in Atlanta.

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!