Atlanta Maternity Photography | A Mountain Maternity Session with Irene, Steve & Oona

Many of my clients first work with me for their maternity session with their first child and then choose to keep working with me throughout the years as their family grows... for newborn, milestone, and family photos each year. I absolutely love developing relationships over the years and watching families grow. Sessions also become easier and easier each time for clients and it eventually feels like we're just hanging out for an hour!  

I worked with Irene and Steve several years ago when they were expecting their first daughter, Oona. Oona is such a fun little girl but definitely has opinions and preferences! One of them is to wear high heels - the sparklier the better! I reassured Irene that this wasn't a problem and to roll with it. Someday when Oona is an adult they can look back and laugh! 

Irene came into the studio to try on dresses and fell in love with one that was reversible! She wore it both ways during her session as you'll see in the photographs. Because I have worked with their family for so long, I had pulled a few dress options for Oona from our studio wardrobe for little girls. I had a feeling that this gorgeous peaches and cream dress with beautiful detailing would be absolutely perfect for Oona! Steve and Irene agreed immediately when they saw it - and it even matched her shoes. 

Oona is a child that doesn't like to have her picture taken. She wants to explore and do her own thing. Irene and Steve are two parents who fully embrace her true personality and want authenticity in their images. So simply put: if Oona doesn't want to smile for the camera or make eye contact, they love the natural family interaction images just as much, if not more! It can sometimes feel frustrating for clients when their child doesn't want to "cooperate". Remember that children often love to push buttons! If they can see they are managing to make you feel stressed out, they will sometimes amp that up with glee. (I speak from personal parenting experience with my own three children!) Going into our time together with a laid back attitude and having fun is the key. I'll help with some guidance for that! I'll also gauge how your little one reacts to me and temper my approach accordingly. Every child is so different - I have literally seen it all at this point! 

We started at the base of the mountain and worked our way up to the top. This location is gorgeous, but be forewarned that it does require a bit of effort on your part! For exertion determining purposes: my 2 year old son was able to hike his way up with no assistance. Should you choose to shoot at the mountain, please be prepared to carry your child to the top, or to take frequent breaks for rest if needed. 

Without further ado, here are a few of my favorites from this family maternity session. I absolutely love Oona's personality! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photography | A spring maternity session in the field

When Rashida contacted me to let me know she was expecting baby number THREE (a girl after two boys!), I was so excited for her! I had worked with her beautiful family for their second child's maternity, Fresh 48, and newborn sessions and was absolutely thrilled to get to work with them again. Rashida and Jordache are such a lovely couple, and their boys are just the cutest! 

Rashida told me she was in love with the field sessions and that she knew she wanted her maternity session to be there. I also adore the field as the light is so gorgeous, and it's a fun place for family sessions as well. There are lots of thing to see and little things for the kids to explore with a beautiful background that doesn't distract from your family's dynamic and connection. 

Rashida lives right in the neighborhood where my studio is located in Grant Park, so she popped by one day to check out the wardrobe. She fell in love with two dresses, and we chatted about what her men should wear. After looking through our helpful style guide that we send to all booked clients, she pulled together the perfect look for her husband and sons. The style guide is super to the point and easy to read! If you're still concerned or need some extra help - just ask! We are here to serve our clients however we can. We want your experience to be stress free and easy, and work hard to ensure that. 

When we arrived at the field, everyone got dressed and we headed out to shoot. Family sessions are guided natural interaction with built in breaks for dad and kids while I photograph mama alone. They're so much fun and easy, and we keep moving so older siblings don't get bored. Be aware that I work VERY quickly during sessions to make sure that we have enough family images. You never know when a toddler will decide they're done with having their photo taken, so I like to be on the safe side with that. 

I just adore Rashida's session so much! The light was beautiful and the family all had so much fun together. Enjoy some of my favorite images from their gorgeous field session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | A Mommy and Me studio session

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Camille & Daniel at the park

Camille called the studio phone to inquire about booking a maternity session at the park. She explained that her husband's job required him to travel a lot and that she had very limited availability to schedule a session. Fortunately, the date that we had available worked for them! 

Camille came in for a styling appointment, which is available to all booked clients. We will meet for about twenty minutes whether you want to borrow from the studio wardrobe or have me look over your clothing options and help you pull everything together. If you're not borrowing from the wardrobe for your maternity session, you're more than welcome to coordinate things via email or right before your session, but I much prefer to meet my clients and get to know them in advance. You'll be more comfortable too if this is the first time you're working with me! :) 

Camille decided on two off the shoulder dresses, and we talked about what her husband should wear. She later emailed me to ask where one of the dresses was from because she loved it so much that she wanted to buy one for her upcoming baby shower. 

The day before her session, the weather forecast looked absolutely horrible. I asked her if she'd like to change her session due to the heavy thunderstorms that were forecasted. Her response was that they didn't have any other availability, and they would take the risk, and we would get what we could get. When I arrived at the studio, Camille was sitting in the hair and makeup chair being worked on by Megan and a huge, ugly storm was brewing outside. Camille and her husband, Daniel didn't seem to be too concerned. They explained that when they had their engagement session, it also stormed and they ran out in between storms. Daniel also informed me that the radar indicated that the storm would move through pretty quickly, so we all crossed our fingers and waited. BOY, did it storm. The rain was insane... but just as Daniel had predicted, it blew through and we hurried outdoors to the park location, and had a truly magical session. The rain had a side benefit that none of us had thought about...it cooled the temperature off by quite a bit. Atlanta in the month of July is no joke, so it was definitely appreciated by us all! 

Here are a few of my favorites from their maternity session. Doesn't Daniel have some of the best hair ever? We joked that he was channeling Clark Kent. I loved working with this sweet couple, and they went on to have the most adorable little baby boy last fall! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Abby & Justin at the park

Abby contacted us in her second trimester to schedule an outdoor maternity session, and chose the park location and added on hair and makeup services. She and her husband had just relocated from the New York area, and she chose to work with us because of our laid back approach.

When she came in for her maternity session, she "warned" me that she and her husband weren't naturals in front of the camera and didn't know what to do. Guess what? Most of my clients feel this way, and it's totally fine! Unless you're a professional model, that's 99% of the population. The good news is that I'll be walking you through the entire session and guiding you. A lot of my sessions are me putting my client together, and then stepping back for some natural interaction. If you freeze up, don't worry - I'll give you some prompts that are really easy to understand and do. 

The evening of their session, I met Abby and Justin at the studio and chatted with Justin as Abby changed into her first dress. We headed to the location, and got started. It was a hot and humid summer evening, but gorgeous sunset light always makes it worth it. I know my clients are already uncomfortable from being pregnant, so I keep my sessions efficient. I don't rush through them, but we're not going to waste time either. Lots of clients are worried about their makeup "melting" off, but with our HMUA team you needn't worry. They all use the highest quality products that can handle heat and humidity - all of them are in the wedding industry as well, so makeup that stands the test of a busy day is their specialty. 

At the end of our time together, both Abby and Justin mentioned how much fun it was and how much easier it was than they thought it would be. They were thrilled when they received their gallery, and have since welcomed their sweet little GIRL! They waited to find out whether they were having a boy or a girl until birth, which I just love since I did the same for all three of my own children. I met Grace at our annual Santa event, and am so excited to photograph her first birthday session this coming August! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photography | Sara & Jay at the field

Sara contacted me to ask about booking a newborn and maternity session for her rainbow baby, and mentioned she'd been referred by one of my long time clients who did maternity, birth, and baby sessions with me for both of her children. I always love when new clients are sent to me with a vote of confidence from existing ones! 

She loved the field location, and asked to add on hair and makeup services to both sessions as well.

Sara was concerned about being able to wear anything from the wardrobe because she is very petite. I assured her that my shortest client is 4'11" and we have lots of options for petite mamas. When it comes to maternity sessions, it's not a bad thing if the dresses are "too" long. They pool around the feet and look gorgeous, and in the field location it doesn't even matter since the dress is tall.  When she arrived at the studio, she expressed surprise (and happiness!) that there were so many options that would work for her. She wanted an open front dress so she could have some bare belly images as well. Bare belly images aren't for every mama! The good thing is that it's your choice. If you want to have a few with the belly, you can definitely do that, or you can opt to leave the split front gown closed for all of your images. It's all about you and your preferences. 

The evening of the session, we met at the field, and I met her sweet pups! Pets are always welcome to be a part of outdoor sessions as participants. In studio sessions are on a case by case basis depending on size and training. You will need to bring along a helper to take care of your pets when they are not being photographed as they will not be in every image. I typically photograph clients with their pets for about 10 minutes during sessions, so it's not very long at all. 

Jay and Sara were so affectionate towards one another. When Jay learned he didn't have to look at the camera and smile, and that his job was to love Sara, he ran with it. And he nailed it too. These pictures make me smile because they take me back to that evening in the field with their quiet love for one another, the whispered secrets, and the laughter. It was such an incredible session to photograph. Here are a few of my most favorite images from our time together. Doesn't Sara look absolutely gorgeous? I love the beautiful braided updo that Margaret created for her! Check back in a couple of days to see their beautiful baby boy's newborn session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Amy & Brian at the field

Amy moved here from Manhattan, and we actually met in a Facebook group when she asked some questions about registering her business here in Georgia. I had all of the information she needed in a document and sent it her way. When I found out she was moving to Atlanta, I told her to let me know when she was in town, and we'd schedule a brunch. 

Amy is a successful wedding planner (A Dream Woven Events) and has such an eye for detail and organization. She has planned and executed some absolutely stunning weddings, and is such a lovely person. If you know someone who needs a wedding or event planner, definitely contact Amy!

Once Amy was in Atlanta and settled in, she took me up on the brunch and we met at one of my favorite places: Homegrown. It's on Memorial Drive, and if you haven't been, definitely plan to go! The comfy chicken is my go to, and it's just a really cool place. At brunch, we got to know each other and then she asked if she could book a maternity session with me. I was surprised, as I hadn't invited her to brunch to turn her into a client! I told her I'd send over all the information later, and she emailed back asking to book a field maternity session. We scheduled a date, and then scheduled a maternity fitting as well. 

Amy chose one of the dresses in the wardrobe and opted to wear just one dress for her session since she liked it so much. When I look at this images, I laugh to myself, because underneath that dress she's wearing tennis shoes! Not everyone can get away with that as it depends on your height and dress length, but I love that she showed up in tennis shoes. It was a hot summer day at the field, but was had beautiful light and it didn't storm like we had been worried about. Brian, her husband, is a total sweetheart and madly in love with Amy. The two of them snuggled up to each other and I think they may have even forgotten I was there at times. 

After our session, Amy asked to book a newborn session as well for when their son arrived. I was delighted, and you'll see those pictures in a couple of days here on the blog! For now, enjoy some of my favorite photos from their maternity session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Nicole & Jerry at the park

Nicole contacted us to book both a newborn and maternity session. She asked to add on hair and makeup services for both, and chose the park as her maternity session location. 

A couple of weeks before her session, she came to the studio to try on dresses from the wardrobe. She was so happy that she didn't have to go shopping for something to wear because she's a busy attorney and had a lot going on at work and with getting ready for her baby's arrival! We had fun chatting and getting to know each other as we went through the dresses. She chose two beautiful and feminine pieces, and we also discussed what her husband should wear. 

The evening of her session, I met her in the studio where our HMUA was working on her. I like to arrive a few minutes early so I can meet the dad to be and get to know him a bit before we start. Making dads comfortable is a big priority of mine. Yes: mom and baby are the real stars of the show, but dad has a pretty major role too. Maternity sessions for first time parents are so special, and I absolutely love photographing them. They're not just about you and your pregnancy, it's about the two of you and the love that you share for each other and your child. They will likely be the last photos of the two of you before you welcome your baby. 

Nicole changed into her first dress, and we headed down the street to the location within the park. Nicole used to be a ballet dancer, and I had a lot of fun photographing her graceful movement. The two of the were so sweet together, and even though it was incredibly hot and humid outdoors, the evening summer sunset light was amazing. I provided Jerry with direction for what to do, and Nicole is just one of those people who instinctively knew what to do in front of the camera. Even if you're not one of those, you don't need to worry. I walk all of my clients through the entire experience and will direct you and demonstrate exactly what to do for you! 

Enjoy some of my favorite images from this maternity session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Emily & Dustin in the gardens

Emily contacted us to schedule an outdoor maternity session. She wasn't sure which location she wanted, but after viewing images on our website for the gardens location, she fell in love with it. She also asked to add on hair and makeup services with Margaret, so we set that up for her as well. We scheduled a time for her to come by during the week for her maternity fitting, and she brought along her mom to help her decide. Her mom told me that Emily brought her along for prom dress and wedding dress decisions too!

Emily expressed some concern that her bump was on the smaller side. Part of that reason why is because she's a personal trainer and has an incredible set of abs! When you have abdominal muscles that strong, you tend to have a smaller baby belly as a result. I reassured her that she wasn't too small, and that she would look noticeably pregnant in her images. I will direct you throughout your time with me for the best hand placement, angles, etc. I've got you covered - all you have to do is show up! The dresses that Emily chose also highlighted her bump well, and looked absolutely beautiful on her. 

Emily's husband, Dustin, was unable to come to the fitting, so we talked about options of what he should wear. I always ask about your husband's personality and style preferences. If your husband is a casual kind of guy, there is no sense in asking him to wear a suit. I want your portraits to be authentic to who you are as individuals and as a couple, and for the experience to be a fun and relaxing one for both of you. Let's be honest: the majority of men don't love participating in photo sessions and agree to it because they love their wives. I'm married to such a man myself.

However, I do believe that the photographer and the experience that your husband has with them shapes how they feel about photos in general. I can't tell you how many times I've heard grumblings about how long an an engagement session lasted and how many outfit changes there were. I've also heard horror stories about wedding photographers driving dads crazy. It's for this reason that I let dads know exactly what to expect at the beginning of a session and keep things moving efficiently. I've been high fived many a time at the end of a session by the dad, who admitted that he might actually have had a little bit of fun. So if you're married to a guy who hates having his photo taken, I promise to make it easy on him. 

The day of the session, we met at the gardens and Emily changed into her first dress. The sun was behind clouds for a bit and then broke through as it lowered in the sky. We had lots of fun walking around the gardens, and the two of them were just so cute together! They've been together since high school, and got married when they were just 18 and 20. It's been quite a few years since then, and during that time they've built their own business together, and were so excited to welcome their baby boy! 

Here are a few of my favorites from their gorgeous maternity session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Briana & Will in the gardens

Briana contacted us at the last minute to see if we had any availability for a maternity session and requested the gardens location. She was in luck because all of our weekends were already booked... but the gardens are typically only available on weeknights, and we had two weeknight dates remaining in our calendar for her that very next week. There are some months that we are completely booked for outdoor sessions and cannot fit anyone else in. It makes us so sad to have to turn people away, but it does happen. If you're reading this and you've waited until the last minute, contact us to see if we have availability. If you're not due for a few more months, now is the time to reserve your session to make sure you can schedule a date that's within your preferred timeframe. 

Briana and her husband, Will, came to the studio for a maternity fitting. Will gave his opinion on each dress and she chose two dresses that looked beautiful on her. While she was trying on dresses, Will and I chatted about what he should wear and then the conversation turned into life details. I truly enjoy getting to know my clients on a personal level and am so fortunate to be able to work with such wonderful people - many of whom become friends. I learned that Will was a former athlete who was now a self taught painter. Painting has always fascinated me, and I asked him lots of questions about which canvas size was his favorite, how long it takes to create a portrait, what type of paint he used, etc. Full disclosure: I'm no expert on painting, but I love hearing the thought process behind art! I have my own thought process when I create portraits for my clients, and am always thinking through each session about how best to capture my clients in true authentic form while making adjustments if necessary.

We said our goodbyes and agreed to make the call on whether to shoot the session on the morning of due to a very unpredictable weather forecast that seemed to change every hour. The morning of the session, I was convinced that rain would be in the forecast before I checked it and to our great surprise, it was not! Briana elected to work with Margaret for add on hair and makeup services, and headed to see her prior to our session. 

We met up at the gardens, and it was a pretty warm winter day. I love shooting on overcast days just as much as I do on sunny days. For winter sessions, overcast days add to that winter feel in the tones, and I think they're just as beautiful as sun drenched images. Each session I photograph is so unique when it comes to the couple being photographed, the weather that day, and the season.

Will and Briana were so much fun to work with. Because Will is an artist, I knew that they'd be up to trying whatever I asked, and they were! I love when clients give me the stamp of approval to play a little bit creatively during their session just to see if we create something amazing from a new idea. Just to clarify, I don't mean crazy ideas like standing on your head or asking for something super cheesy and awkward. My creative ideas always boil down to where I have my clients go within the location and the angle from which I shoot at. So, it's more like "How about we go over there?" My goal is for our time together to be relaxing and fun and to create beautiful images of this incredibly special time in your life that only happens once! 

Here are a few of my favorites from Will and Briana's session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | A Mommy & Me session with Allison and Rhodes

I was present for the birth of Allison's first baby, Rhodes, and was so excited when she let me know that they were expecting another little boy! She booked me for The Birth Session again, and she and Rhodes set up a time to come into the studio for a mommy and me maternity session. We talked about colors and the best choices for what to wear beforehand.

I knew that Allison would bring classic Southern clothes for Rhodes because that's what she loves. While most of my families prefer more modern clothing, I think Southern style can be quite sweet! Smocked dresses, one pieces, and Peter Pan collars are adorable... and you can really only manage dressing your children this way when they're small before they develop their own opinions about style. 

I had last seen Rhodes at a family session when he was 10 months old, so I was super excited to see him again! He sure does love his mama, and we had a lot of fun in the studio playing and snuggling. 

A couple of months after this session, baby brother Campbell arrived, and I was on hand for his birth as well. It was such a joy to document Rhodes and Campbell meeting for the first time, as well as the reactions of proud great grandma, grandma & grandpa, aunt and uncle. Wondering where the birth images are? I don't share them. Client privacy is paramount, and I only share specific sessions where permission has been granted. Clients interested in the Birth Session come to the studio for an in person meeting to determine if we're a good fit, and view the birth work I have been given permission to share in more detail at the studio during our time together. 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Roxanne & Jay

Roxanne contacted us at the last minute to see if we had any room for a maternity session. Since she was able to make what we had available work, she was able to book for the park location. 

Roxanne came to the studio for a maternity fitting, in which I learned that she likes purple. I pulled out some options for her, and she chose two which she looked absolutely stunning in, and which had purple tones. It's a common misconception that I only have and photograph neutral colors. On the contrary, I love color, and work with clients closely to choose the best colors and combinations for them if they choose to take that route with their palette. 

On the evening of her session, the sky was very cloudy and overcast. This is never a problem, as I love shooting on overcast evenings just as much as I do on clear and sunny ones. I have a lot of clients ask if it's going to be too dark without the sun: and the answer is no, not with the equipment that I use. When it's cloudy out, the light is soft and diffused and sometimes we actually have even more flexibility with where we can shoot since you can face the sun's direction without being blinded by it or too brightly lit. As we were coming to the close of our session, the clouds broke and the sun peeked out. I immediately pointed it out to Roxanne and Jay and asked if we could continue for a few more minutes to capture some with the sun. They were just as excited as I was about it and we were able to create some beautiful photographs with the setting sun as well. 

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.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The Primmers

Katie contacted us after being referred by another one of our clients who is a work colleague of hers. She had loved her friends' maternity images with us and wanted to book a family maternity session in the field. When she came in for her fitting, she let me know that they had never had professional family photos taken, and were a little bit nervous about the experience. I reassured her that quite a few of my clients are in the same boat, and not to be nervous because we'd have so much fun!

At her maternity fitting, she chose two dresses that she really loved, and we talked about wardrobe options for her husband and son as well. The weather forecast for their session date didn't look so great leading up to it, but I always encourage clients not to stress about this. We live in the South, after all! The weather forecast is almost always all over the place in spring and summer, and I usually will not call the session until 24 hours beforehand, or the day of.

In this particular case, we waited until the morning of to make the call, and decided to proceed. It turned out to be some of the most beautiful and gorgeous weather, and was such a fun session! During our time together, Katie told me that she really loved what she was wearing and didn't want to change into her other dress midway through, which was perfectly fine! We had such a fun time together in the field, and the resulting images perfectly reflect who they are as a 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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Kristin & Alex in the field

Kristin contacted me early in her second trimester because she knew she wanted to work with me and didn't want to miss out on being able to get on the calendar. While we sometimes do have last minute openings, there have been many times we've had to turn away clients because we're completely booked. 

Kristin decided to book both maternity and newborn sessions and added on hair and makeup services.  She and her husband Alex came into the studio a couple of weeks before their session, and we all immediately hit it off. While Kristin was trying on pieces from the wardrobe, Alex and I chatted about what he should wear. I always recommend that dads dress in something that's true to who they are style wise. If you're more casual and always dress that way, it's completely fine to do that for your session. I just want to make sure that the colors and textures complement what your partner is wearing. Since their session took place on a hot summer day, Kristin opted for some summery dresses that were the perfect length for her more petite stature. 

The day of their session, we met at the field location. It was a typical humid summer evening in Atlanta, and Kristin was a little bit worried about her makeup. I reassured her that all of our makeup artists use products that can hold up to Georgia summers. Some perspiration is normal, and quick dab or two of a handkerchief will take care of most of it for everyone participating. For that stray bead of sweat that sneaks in, Photoshop proves to be very helpful. ;) 

Kristin and Alex both expressed nervousness at not knowing what they should do during their session. I can tell you that pretty much every single person who steps in front of my camera feels this way. The reality is that most of us are not professional models. It's my job to guide you through your session, and I'll work with both of you the entire time in a gentle and unobtrusive way. Sometimes I'll come up and actually move a hand or chin the way it needs to go (or move a wayward piece of hair, straighten a dad's shirt, etc)... it's a lot easier than calling out complicated directions that sound something like, "Okay bend your chin 3 inches to the left at a 36.75 degree angle..." 

Kristin and Alex are absolutely adorable together and we were all laughing throughout the session. It was a bit cloudy and overcast with occasional peeks of sunshine, but I absolutely loved the way it looked. We all had a great time, and the sunset was absolutely beautiful. When I reviewed the images, I was struck at how the sunset colors actually matched Kristin's dress. That's one thing about sunsets... having clouds present make the colors that much more beautiful! 

Check back in a couple of days to meet this wonderful couple's ADORABLE baby boy! 

Image of a pregnant woman, and her husband, standing in a field, facing each other and holding hands. 

Image of a pregnant woman, wearing a spaghetti strap, white dress, while her husband wraps his arms around her neck. 

Image of a pregnant, woman, with one hand under her belly. while her husband hugs her from behind. 

Image of a woman, wearing a white spaghetti strap dress, cradling her pregnant belly, while her husband has one hand on her shoulder and is kissing her head. 

Side by side images of a pregnant, woman, in a white spaghetti strap, maxi dress, smiling in afield. 

Side by side images of a pregnant couple, holding hands, and smiling at each other, in a field. 

Image of a pregnant woman, kissing her husband, while the sun shines down on them lighting up their hair, 

Image of a pregnant couple, kissing in an Atlanta field. 

Side by side image, of man and his pregnant wife, walking down a path, in a field at sunset. 

Image of a man, placing his hand on his wife's pregnant belly, while they are standing on a gravel path in a field. 

Image 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Avis & Thomas

I've known Avis for awhile, and she's such a lovely person. When she contacted me to let me know that she was ready to schedule a maternity session, I was so excited for her! 

When she came in for her maternity fitting, she expressed interest in working with Margaret but was also concerned about her ability to work on women of color. I reassured her that all the members of our HMUA team are absolutely wonderful and very skilled at working with every skin type and tone, and that she had nothing to worry about. Feedback during the process is key, and our HMUA's welcome inspiration photos that they will draw from to create the look that you want. Whether you want a very understated and clean beauty look or a dramatic glam look, they've got you covered and know exactly how to accentuate your features and enhance the gorgeousness that's already there! Avis chose to add on hair and makeup services and was very happy she did. 

Avis was also concerned that we wouldn't have anything that would fit her as she's very petite. The shortest client we've had in the studio was 4'11", and we definitely have plenty of options that will work. For studio maternity, it's ok for dresses to pool around the feet or have a train. Knowing that she was petite, I pulled out the options that I knew would best work for her and narrowed them down based on her skin tone. She fell in love with what has been dubbed "The Princess Dress" because the tulle is so fun. She also chose a very form fitting dress which shows off the pregnant shape just beautifully. 

Avis' husband Thomas wasn't sure he wanted to participate in the session because he was worried that the images would feel forced and look cheesy and awkward. Pinterest and Buzzfeed have kind of ruined the maternity session experience for men before it even begins, haven't they? On the day of the session, Thomas arrived shortly before Avis did, so I took the opportunity to address his concerns and reassure him a bit. He went from not wanting to participate to agreeing to a "couple" of images. Then he found himself actually having fun, and ended up enjoying himself... so he happily participated in WAY more than just a couple. Needless to say, Avis (and I!) were delighted. 

When Avis viewed her images, she let me know that they were beyond her expectations and she was so happy with them. She chose to order a large 16x24 print for display at her baby shower and then at her home permanently. A few weeks later, she emailed me some photos of her baby shower. They had printed out several images and clipped them to clotheslines. I always love seeing the creative ways that my clients come up with the integrate their maternity images in their shower decor! 

Enjoy just a few of my favorite images from Avis and Thomas's maternity session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Jennifer & Company

Jennifer contacted us to ask if we had any last minute availability. Because she wanted a studio session and had weekday flexibility, we were able to get her in. She wasn't able to schedule time for a maternity fitting beforehand, so I had her arrive a bit early ahead of her scheduled session time. Her husband and son submitted their votes for each piece she tried on, and it was pretty unanimous all three ways! Jennifer's son didn't have a shirt that worked well, so I pulled out one of our studio shirts for boys. We keep 12 months through 7 years old sizes in our simple white and grey t-shirts, and have other options 12 months through 5T. As a mom of a boy, I understand that most mamas aren't out there dressing their sons in neutrals because of how hard kids are on their clothes. A white shirt wouldn't last very long at my house! TONS of clients elect to use the studio wardrobe for their kids for this reason, and love not having to worry about going shopping or buying something that will be worn a couple of 

I really love working with families for maternity sessions. It's such a wonderful time in your lives, and the anticipation and excitement of older siblings is so sweet. Many of our clients have toddlers or preschoolers, but this family's son was 8 years old. I love including the big siblings, regardless of age! I focus on the connection between the members of your family, including your unborn baby. Once I get families situated close together, so many genuine and authentic moments unfold naturally! I watch for those moments when you've forgotten that I'm there. When that look passes between your eyes, when that spontaneous hug or kiss happens. Those are the moments that I want you to have forever, and those are also the moments that can't be forced or manufactured. 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Tiffany & Logan

Hearing the stories of my clients is one of my favorite parts about my job. Tiffany and Logan met and married later in life, and found themselves pregnant with a baby girl. They were surprised and so excited. When Tiffany called the studio, she told us she knew it was incredibly late in the game but she had loved what she'd seen on the website and wanted to see if we could fit her in for a maternity session. We told her that if she had the flexibility to shoot on a weeknight, we had one day open for the park location coming up in three days that had been released in the calendar.

Quick tangent: outdoor sessions have a backup date scheduled so there's no stress if there's rain and rescheduling becomes necessary. Having a backup date ensures that calendar stays open for reschedules and nobody is panicking or stressing about finding another day because we already know what the date will be if it's needed. Sometimes we have out of town clients where a backup date isn't an option. We plan to default to an indoor session at the studio if rain is predicted. When an outdoor session happens as planned, the backup date is released in our calendar. There are many months that we have a waiting list, and we go down the wait list in the order they're in - first to grab the date gets it. Some months we don't have one, and this was one of those months. 

Tiffany came to the studio the next day to try on pieces from the wardrobe and loved two of the dresses. We discussed jewelry options and what her husband should wear. The evening of their session, they arrived and Tiffany put on her first dress. She cracked open a giant box of jewelry options and I gave my input on what would look best with each dress. Then we headed off to the location and began our session. Despite the heat and humidity, it was an absolutely GORGEOUS evening with such beautiful sunset light. Tiffany looked so radiant and joyful, and I just absolutely love the images from their session! Enjoy a few of my favorites below. 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Tracey-Ann & Jason

Tracey-Ann contacted us to book a maternity session in the studio. She'd seen my work because she had worked with one of our makeup artists before and saw when I tagged her in some Instagram posts. She and her husband, Jason, came to the studio for her maternity fitting and it was such a cool experience getting to know them!

I learned that Jason works as a financial planner in a company that has a completely unique approach - designing your financial strategy around the life that you want. He was clearly passionate about his job and was so much fun to talk to. Tracey-Ann is an actress, and I'd actually seen a few of her commercials before! She was absolutely lovely and had some funny on-set stories to share. 

A lot of women worry that I won't have anything in the studio wardrobe that will fit them, especially if they've experienced some growth in the bust area due to pregnancy. We have many dresses that have considerable stretch to them and have had G cups wear studio dresses before. We have a pretty wide variety of sizes from 0-14 that can all accommodate pregnant bellies. Tracey-Ann fell in love with an ivory off the shoulder gown with lace sleeves, and looked absolutely radiant in it! 

On the day of their session, Jason brought a suit and a shirt with him. We discovered that the shirt had a stain on the front of it, and Tracey-Ann was dismayed. Not to worry! While Photoshop doesn't have an Oxiclean button, creative posing to hide such things will do the job. That's exactly what we did, and there was no issue. Part of my job is to handle when things don't go as planned. Trust me - newborns love to throw plenty of things my way! Over the years, I've become quite good at adapting to whatever a session might throw at me. 

Here are just a few of my favorite images from their maternity session - I can't wait to see them as a family of three when they come back for a family session! 

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.

Atlanta Maternity Family | The Kelly Family

Mallory contacted me on referral from another photographer who wasn't available due to her own maternity leave. She wanted to schedule an outdoor maternity session with her husband and son, and had fallen in love with what she saw on the website. Because she had waited until the last minute, we had really limited availability, but they were able to make it work for their schedules!

Mallory came into the studio a few days before her maternity fitting and we discussed her likes and dislikes as far as colors and necklines. I pulled out several options that I knew would look lovely on her, and she told me it was such a relief that she didn't have to go out and shop for something to wear. She chose two gorgeous dresses to wear, and we talked about what her men should wear during the session too that would look great with what she had chosen and also stay true to who they were too. 

The evening of their session at the end of September was warm and sunny even though it had threatened to rain all week. Atlanta weather loves to stress my clients out, but there's no need to worry. We keep backup dates open on our calendar to move to in case of inclement weather. This ensures that clients don't need to worry about not being able to reschedule due to weather. 

Aaron (Mallory's husband) and Kaeden (their son) were great to work with. I like to keep my sessions straightforward and simple for the guys and let them know what to expect throughout. If I see someone might need a break, I switch things around to give them one. Kaeden was such a sweetheart and just loves his mama. I told Mallory that I hope my own little boy is the same when he's 12! 

After the session, Mallory printed out quite a few to use for displaying at her baby shower, which seems to be what many of my clients do these days. I always love seeing snapshots from the showers showing how their images were displayed - there have been so many really creative things done!  

Here are just a few of my favorites from this family maternity session in the park!

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Janaia & Keenan

Janaia called the studio phone to discuss booking a studio maternity session. She had a couple of concerns that she wanted to address first - and these concerns are frequently echoed by so many of our clients. She first stated that she loved the work that she saw on the website but she was a bit concerned that she wouldn't look that beautiful. She also was concerned about where to get maternity dresses for her session.

I photograph so many pregnant women every week, and I've been doing this for several years now. Please know that I will be directing you in your session and giving you you guidance on how to best position your body to show off your gorgeous pregnant belly in a flattering way. The rest (lens choice, camera angles) is all on me and not for you to worry about. Having your hair and makeup professionally done also adds to the experience! Even more than the actual makeup, when women invest in working with one of our HMUA team, they feel incredibly confident and it shows in their images. 

As for the wardrobe, we have you covered there too. Literally. We have a clothing rack filled with gorgeous pieces that fit women size 0-14/16. A wide range of styles appeals to women who love the bohemian look to women who love the more glamorous look. We also have sweet and simple for those who don't like too much fuss, and a few open belly gowns too. All booked clients are scheduled to come in for a 20 minute appointment in which you'll try pieces on and I'll provide my professional input on which best complement your shape and skin tone. 

Janaia was excited after hearing that we had her concerns already taken care of, and we booked her into the calendar. She came in for her maternity fitting and fell in love with two of our dresses. We also discussed what her partner should wear for the session and what type of jewelry and makeup would look best. She wanted to work with one of our HMUA's but unfortunately, none were available since she booked so last minute. She did find one to work with who I thought did an excellent job! As you look through this gallery, you'll see how a simple change in lip color can change the whole feel and look of your maternity images. I loved working with this beautiful mama! 

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.