Alex called the studio phone to ask if we had any availability for a last minute studio maternity session. She wanted to include her toddler as well. Alex mentioned that she didn't love her first maternity session experience when she was pregnant with her first child and asked a lot of questions. We answered them all, sent her the information she needed, and then she dropped off the face of the earth. Bet you weren't expecting to hear that, were you?
Sometimes our last minute maternity requests get so busy with preparations for the new baby, wrapping up work before maternity leave, and life in general that they completely forget about officially reserving their session.
We contacted Alex a couple of weeks later to follow up and she immediately chose a time and date. We had her come in for a studio styling appointment to try on pieces from the wardrobe and look through the little girl options for her two year old daughter. Alex was worried that we wouldn't have things that would fit her since she is petite. We reassured her that we've had clients of all shapes and sizes in the studio! Our shortest female client was 4'10" and our tallest was 6'2". She tried on several pieces and commented that she didn't know how she would narrow it down because they were all so pretty. She eventually did choose her dress, and then we moved on to choosing a dress for her daughter.
The day of their session, they arrived at the studio. Alex was a little bit flustered because she didn't have a hair bow for her daughter. I pulled out a few options (yep, we keep some in the studio for little girls!) that matched her dress and we were all set. Mommy and me sessions are so much fun! Lots of mamas worry that their little one won't cooperate, but I like to make it fun for everyone. We play age appropriate games, make funny faces, dance, and sing songs. If your child is shy and needs space, they will receive it. We work around the needs of each unique client in the studio so a positive experience can be had by all. A low pressure and relaxed approach is best when working with little ones. If we're stressed out and worried about how things are going to go, toddlers can sense this. I know it's hard not to stress about how your session will go when you've invested so much time and want it to go perfectly! Ultimately, all I need is 1/800th of a second to capture each image.... and I'm a very patient person. It's a pretty major prerequisite for this particular career.
Here are just a few of my favorites from this beautiful mother and daughter duo before they welcome a new baby girl into their family!
If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video 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.