Atlanta Maternity, Newborn & Family Photographer | Take the stress out of finding something to wear for your portrait session!

Let's talk about the biggest stressor when it comes to portrait sessions.

WHAT DO I WEAR?! 

For expecting mamas, figuring out what to wear for their maternity session can be a super stressful experience. Trying to shop while pregnant in a body that you're not used to (especially if it's your first baby) and dealing with horrid store lighting is no fun. As a matter of fact, it was after receiving a few panicky texts from clients that I decided to start building a studio wardrobe. I'm pretty particular about what joins the wardrobe. You can rest assured that every piece photographs beautifully.  I'm looking for gorgeous flattering neutrals, colors, fabrics, and drapes. The majority of the wardrobe isn't even maternity specific, and is super comfortable to wear. We're always adding to it as we come across gorgeous pieces that we just can't pass up. Maternity clients come into the studio about two weeks before their session. We chat for a bit about what you're looking for, and I take a look at your skin tone. I'll then pull pieces for you to look at, and we'll narrow down choices from that. Then, you simply try them on and check them out. No horrid store lighting in the studio - and a nice full length mirror. I will give you my input as well, as I want to make sure that you're wearing the most flattering options to your skin tone and body shape possible. The below dresses are just a few of the ones we have in our studio collection! 

But, it doesn't stop at maternity. 90% of our newborn mamas choose something from the wardrobe for their maternity sessions. Not knowing what your bust size is going to be if you're planning to nurse, or trying to find something to wear with a brand new baby in the house is stress that you just don't need. Imagine showing up in comfy yoga pants and a sweatshirt and then choosing something from the wardrobe and slipping into the hair and makeup chair. Guess what? You don't have to imagine: that is reality for many of our Lily Sophia Photography newborn mamas every single week. 

But, wait! We're not finished yet. It doesn't stop at newborn sessions either. As babies grow and mamas return to their pre-pregnancy bodies, they're often comfortable in their own clothing. The studio wardrobe is available for family and milestone sessions too! However, if you'd rather pull from your own closets, no need to stress. I'm here to help you pull together a gorgeous and cohesive look that is perfect for your entire family and reflects who you are. I'll work with you by sending over a style guide in the month before your session, and I'll schedule a complimentary appointment in the studio for you to bring over options and we'll mix and match. Planning a session shouldn't be stressful - let me help make this an amazing and relaxed experience...the best you've ever had! 

If you're pregnant and looking for a maternity, newborn, or family 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!

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | How to get your newborn to sleep for your session at the studio

One of the biggest concerns that clients have is how to get their babies to sleep for their newborn sessions, especially since many of my clients are driving from 1+ hours away. Willingness to nurse or bottle feed as needed is an important part of a smooth newborn session, and I have the studio set up to accommodate that so that new mothers are comfortable. I remember how many different pillows I had to use to prop myself and my firstborn up when navigating nursing for the first few weeks! 

There are several "tricks" of the trade to get newborns to sleep for their sessions that I have in my bag, and one of them is my newborn preparation packet. This packet is sent to booked clients in the week before their newborn session. It's short and sweet, because you don't need to worry about reading a 50 page manual when you're already sleep deprived and in the newborn daze. 

The other tricks are my job to take care of! I make sure the temperature in the studio is between 80-85 degrees in the newborn shooting room, I know how to handle newborns carefully to minimize jostling, and I use a sound machine to help soften my camera shutter and movements around the room. I also have a few other secrets in my bag that you'll see me implement during the session. 

See this sweet little girl below? Her parents followed the simple instructions in my 6 page preparation packet, and she slept the entire time. I did not see her eyes open until I was putting her back in her sleeper for the ride home. 

So, what if your newborn won't sleep when you first arrive? That's ok! There's no need to stress if this happens. Your baby leads the session. I am not going to try and force your newborn to sleep if they aren't ready to. I simply switch up the flow of the session to meet the needs of your baby. We'll take some beautiful images of them looking right at the camera, and we'll have you naturally interact with your baby for images with each parent and the whole family together.

Every baby always eventually falls asleep, and I only need a few minutes of them sleeping to capture the sweet sleeping images of them. 

Are you ready to reserve your newborn session at the studio? I am booking all the way through September 2016, so please reserve your session early to guarantee availability. I can't wait to meet you and work with your sweet family to preserve this incredibly special time in your life. 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.