Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Amber & Chris in the gardens

Amber called the studio to inquire about maternity sessions and had some questions about the process and how everything worked. Caroline (our full time studio manager) spent some time on the phone with her answering all of her questions, and Amber decided she wanted to book her session at the gardens location.

I love all of my locations equally - the gardens location is a perfect choice for the client who wants interesting architecture in the background. While flowers are not always in bloom there, it’s still pretty in the winter months too! As a reminder, if you’re considering the gardens: be sure you are available on a weeknight as they are typically not available on weekends.

Amber came into the studio a couple of weeks before her session for her maternity fitting and I enjoyed getting to know her. She has the coolest job working in neurology! I always enjoy asking clients questions about their lives and getting to know what makes them the person they are. Bonus: my clients are so much more comfortable on the day of the session than they would be if we had never previously met! As a side note: we do have tons of clients who come from out of town for their sessions and aren’t able to meet me beforehand. I always allot some extra time before the session gets started for getting to know each other a bit before we dive in!

Amber really enjoyed trying on dresses from the studio wardrobe, and was able to narrow it down to her two finals. We talked about what her husband, Chris, could wear from his own wardrobe and what kind of jewelry she could wear with her choices.

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens and I absolutely loved Amber’s hairstyle and makeup! Her hair was in such a gorgeous and glamorous updo, and the shade of lipstick was the perfect pop of color. While Amber was changing into her first choice, Chris and I chatted a bit and he told me she definitely had the more exciting job of the two! Chris was such a sweetie and told me that he wasn’t so great in front of the camera, but he’d do his best. I reassured him he was going to be just fine, and that sessions with me aren’t hard or complicated. I literally guide my clients through everything - so if you’re worried about how to stand or where to put your hands, you can put those to rest. I’ll tell you exactly what to do and make modifications and adjustments if I see they’re needed. All you need to do is relax and have fun! You’ll be a seasoned pro by the time we’re finished with your session.

We started in the white off the shoulder gown that Amber had chosen and on the sweeping stone staircase. I always consider the style of gowns before determining where we will be shooting for each. The gardens have quite a few options within it to choose from! After we finished that portion, Amber changed into her purple dress and we headed into the gardens to incorporate the hydrangeas and other plants as well as the Grecian columns. Chris also opted to change shirts as well! The majority of my dads stick with just one outfit, but there are definitely a few who opt to change when their partner does. It all comes down to your personal preference!

Some of my favorite images from the session are towards the end. Most of my clients have relaxed quite a bit after a few minutes, and are comfortable with being photographed - and that’s when the authentic connection begins to show between them. The two of them were able to forget that I was there and follow my prompts for guided natural interaction, and I just love the sweet moments between the two of them that unfolded as a result!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Jazmine & Chander

Jazmine contacted the studio to inquire about all of the sessions we offer! Caroline (our full time studio manager) spent some time on the phone with her answering her questions and learning about what she envisioned for her maternity session. Jazmine chose to book both maternity and newborn with us, and wasn’t sure if she wanted to have her maternity session in the park or gardens location. After looking through our Instagram feed and reading through the blog, she fell in love with the gardens. The gardens are a perfect choice for those who live in intown Atlanta if they don’t want to battle traffic. Be aware that they are only available on weeknights, and weekends are generally not an option for scheduling - ESPECIALLY during wedding season.

Jazmine had ordered a dress to wear for her session, but also came to the studio for a maternity fitting just in case what she had ordered online didn’t work. Good thing she did - the dress she ordered did not fit her and she didn’t like it. The good news: she loved our studio wardrobe and had chosen two dresses from it to wear!

She also elected to add on hair and makeup services, and she worked with one of our HMUA team members, Hope . All the members of our HMUA team are amazing and very skilled. They’ll take your inspiration images and preferences into consideration and craft a gorgeous look for you that enhances your features and showcases the natural beauty that’s already there. Many of our clients, like Jazmine, prefer a very natural look, while others request a bit of drama and glam. Whatever your preference is: any of our team members can accommodate it! Jazmine has the most beautiful freckles across her nose, and I was thrilled to see she hadn’t covered them up when she arrived!

The evening of our session was absolutely gorgeous and perfect weather wise. Some of the garden flowers had started blooming, and the light was warm and pretty. Jazmine had brought a couple of different shirts for Chander, and asked me to choose which he should wear for the session. LOTS of clients do this if they’re not 100%, so don’t be afraid to bring different options along with you! I’m more than happy to look through it, and I can make decisions immediately upon first glance. Your only job is to make sure that what you have brought along as options fits them well! :)

Maternity sessions if you’re expecting your first child are really more like a couples sessions with a baby bump involved. This is the last time that you’ll have images with the two of you before your new addition arrives! A lot of my clients comment on how they want the “lovey dovey” images that they see from my other sessions, but they’re not sure how to do that. Worry no more - I handle that for you. We’re going to spend some time shooting and getting you comfortable in front of the camera at the beginning of our session. Once I see that your partner and you are relaxed and having fun, then we’ll bring on those snuggles. While I do place my clients into specific positions, the interaction that you see is all unique to each couple’s individual dynamic. I have yet to put two people who love each other extremely close together and not see any emotion or smiles! :) And don’t worry - telling your partner to drop to his knee and kiss your belly is definitely not part of my repertoire.

I can’t wait to meet their sweet little baby sometime in the next month! Enjoy a few of my favorites from Jazmine & Chander’s maternity session in the gardens.

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Michelle in the studio

Michelle had recently relocated to Atlanta, and was searching for the right photographer. When she found my website, she spent some time looking through it and picked up the phone to call the studio. Caroline, our studio manager, answered and spent time chatting with Michelle about the process and how it all works. Michelle was thrilled to hear that she could borrow from the studio wardrobe as it was one less thing for her to worry about. Caroline took care of scheduling her maternity session in the studio and also made an appointment for her to come into the studio for her maternity fitting the next week.

When Michelle walked in on the day of her fitting, I was glad to meet another tall person! I’m six feet, and the vast majority of my female clients are significantly shorter than me. Actually, the vast majority of people I encounter in life are! So it’s always fun to meet another tall person! :) We discussed Michelle’s style preferences and favorite colors (your least favorite is also good information to know!) and pulled a few of the pieces for her to try on. After trying on several, she narrowed it down to two gorgeous gowns - both split front. All of our split front gowns can also be worn closed if baring your belly isn’t your thing. I had fun chatting with her during our time together. Maternity fittings serve a dual purpose - they’re for pulling together your look, but they’re also for getting to know one another! I’ve found that clients come in for their session much more relaxed and ready to go when they’ve spent time with me first. When we have out of state clients who are unable to come in a week or two beforehand, we simply schedule the fitting to take place right before the session. This enables us to spend some time getting to know each other before I start photographing you.

On the day of her session, Michelle arrived at the studio and I had her dresses prepped and ready to go! She looked absolutely gorgeous, and was excited to get started. She warned me that she wasn’t quite sure of what to do, and I reassured her that she didn’t need to know. I guide my clients through the entire experience from start to finish. Maternity sessions are what I photograph the most of in my studio, so at this point, I think it’s safe to claim expert status. ;) From leg to hand positioning, to gentle adjustments of your head angle, I’ve got you covered! I’ll also be on the lookout for a bra peeking out, fix stray hairs, and make sure you look your absolute best. Your job is simply to relax and have fun!

Enjoy a few of my favorite portraits from Michelle’s maternity session! I can’t wait to see her again in the future!

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity & Family Photographer | Nick, Jasmin & Olivia in the Gardens

Nick and Jasmin had just moved here from Virginia, and didn’t know of any photographers in the Atlanta area. Jasmin looked around online, looked through my website, and fell in love with my maternity sessions in our gardens location. She contacted us and then told her husband that she had found the perfect photographer for their maternity session, and then he contacted us too! We straightened out the crossed wires after speaking with both of them and booked their maternity session on a weeknight. The gardens are not available on weekend evenings, so if you want your session to take place there, you will need to arrange for your schedule to accommodate a weekday.

When the family came in for their maternity fitting at the studio, I was delighted to meet all three of them! Big sister Olivia was absolutely adorable and reminded me of my middle child with her spunky personality. She was so excited to be a big sister, and said she would share her toys with her new baby sister once she was here. Nick will be surrounded by women, and he couldn’t be happier about it!

Based on the olive green dress that Jasmin was wearing when she arrived, I could tell she leaned towards bohemian inspired style and pulled out a few options for her. She had a lot of fun trying on the different options and Nick seemed to have fun giving his feedback on each! She settled on two dresses and let me know that she already had the perfect outfit for Olivia so they were all set.

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens, and Olivia’s dress and floral crown were indeed perfect! I always start with family and child images just in case they decide they’re over the session and don’t want to participate anymore later on. That way our bases are covered no matter what! The gardens are a fun location to shoot in since there are so many different places to shoot in that provide a lot of variety. We will often be working around other photographers and their clients, so if you’re hoping for seclusion and privacy during your session, this is likely not the best location choice for you. I can assure you that nobody is paying any attention to anyone else as we’re all there for our own sessions!

The family had a lot of fun playing together and walking around the gardens. As we walked, we chatted about all sorts of things and I learned that one of my photographer friends in the same town their from is a co-worker of Jasmin’s mother! I also learned that Jasmin and Nick met in high school but didn’t start dating until after college. I can honestly say that one of my favorite parts about what I do is getting to know my clients and listening to their stories. I am constantly reminded of what a small world we live in and how much we can have in common with others from my conversations with them.

When Jasmin changed into her second dress, I took the opportunity to photograph Nick and Olivia together for some daddy-daughter images. I am so close to my own dad, and my husband is the same way with our daughters, so I think these images are really important to create. When Jasmin came out, she was holding Olivia’s flower crown and asked if it wold be silly to wear it. I told her I loved the idea, so on her head it went, and it was perfect with the dress and the garden setting!

I LOVED working with this sweet little family of three (soon to be four!) and can’t wait to see them again in the future!

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Deepa & Sumesh

Deepa was looking for a photographer for her maternity photos, and asked friends if they knew anyone. Her husband asked around as well, and a former co-worker and friend of his strongly recommended me. Deepa called the studio to book a maternity session, and we scheduled a time for her to come for a fitting the next week.

The fitting appointment is for you to bring what you’re planning to wear for your session, or try on studio pieces to borrow for your session! The vast majority of our maternity clients opt to borrow from the wardrobe. Even if you’re not planning to utilize the studio wardrobe, I love meeting clients in advance when possible. It allows us to get to know each other a bit, and for me to provide assistance with styling your final look. It’s a quick 20 minute appointment, and we schedule in late afternoons or evenings during the week and sometimes on weekends depending on our studio schedule.

When Deepa arrived for her fitting, we talked about her style and body coverage preferences. I pulled several pieces from the wardrobe that I knew would fit her and work well with her skin tone. I’m somewhat of an expert at sizing up bellies and knowing what will work for each one! As a photographer, my biggest concern is the color working with each individual client’s skin tone. Not everyone looks good in a specific shade of white! My job is to make sure your photos are as gorgeous as they can be, so choosing the right pieces for you that you feel beautiful and comfortable in the foundation of your session. This goes for any session with me, not just maternity! After trying on a few dresses, Deepa fell in love with a beautiful lace overlay sleeveless dress, and a cream long sleeved dress. My wardrobe pieces are chosen in such a way that the majority of them flow very well with each other so your final gallery will look cohesive between looks. We discussed what her husband, Sumesh should wear based on his personality and style preferences. She wanted to know if jeans would be ok, and my answer was “Absolutely!” It’s so important for your guy to feel like himself and like what he’s wearing.

On the evening of their session, Sumesh and Deepa arrived at the studio. While Deepa was getting changed into her first dress, Sumesh and I chatted and got to know each other. We talked about the coworker and friend who had sent them to me, and about his job, the baby girl they were expecting, and how he and Deepa met, etc. If I don’t meet your partner at your fitting, I always like to spend a few minutes before our session time getting to know them so they don’t feel like I’m a total stranger.

Once Deepa was ready, we headed down the street and got started. Sumesh is one of the most jovial and hilarious guys I’ve ever met, and it made for a really fun time! Deepa is more quiet and reserved, but even she was laughing at our jokes throughout. I want your session to be relaxed and lots of fun. Don’t worry about what you’re supposed to do, because I will guide you through the entire thing. My verbal direction is very clear, and I’ll step in to fix a piece of hair or turn you a few inches in the right direction. I’m always demonstrating for my clients, and am often told how easy I made it for them when we’re finished! Most of what I photograph involves me getting you situated and then stepping back to capture what unfolds naturally, The emotion you see in my photographs cannot be manufactured or faked - it’s real. The only involvement that I have in that area is getting you positioned for a beautiful photograph, choosing the best lens from my bag, and photographing from the best angle. It’s a marriage of many elements, and I love it!

Doesn’t Deeps look absolutely lovely in her dresses?! Enjoy some of my favorites from this couples’ 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Claire & Chris

Claire found us while searching online and loved what she saw in the portfolio. She contacted the studio and asked to book a maternity session at the park location and newborn session with added on hair and makeup services as well.

Claire is a teacher, so we scheduled her maternity fitting to take place after her school day. We often schedule maternity fittings outside the 9-5 window during the week to accommodate work schedules! Some weekend fittings are also available as well and always take place first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon depending on the studio schedule that weekend!

When she walked in, she mentioned how much she loved the studio and how calm and peaceful it was. We started chatting and talking about travel - something both of us love to do. Her husband is Finnish, and they have been so many places all over the world. My husband and I also traveled quite a bit before children, but have not been out of the country since our oldest was born. We plan to go for a two week trip somewhere in 2020! I’m taking suggestions: we’re currently considering a European country hop tour, Argentina, Australia, or ____? I’m totally serious - I’m open to suggestions!!! So if you have been somewhere wonderful that you think everyone should visit in their lifetime, let me know and tell me all about it.

Claire had brought along a dress she purchased in Italy during their travels that she had worn for their engagement photos. I loved the sentimental meaning of the dress and thought she looked beautiful in it! However, she loved SO many of the studio dresses that she ultimately decided to wear pieces from the wardrobe instead of her dress. I suggested that she consider wearing the dress she brought with her for her newborn session and she thought that was definitely something to consider. It was fun watching Claire’s reaction each time she came out of the room and saw herself in a dress. She had such a hard time narrowing it down, but I really love what she chose to wear as it suited her free spirit and complemented her skin tone and brown eyes beautifully. We discussed what her husband, Chris should consider wearing as well.

On the afternoon of their session, they arrived at the studio. I was there working in my office and Margaret had not yet arrived, so I took the opportunity to get to know Chris a bit. The two of them are just so much fun, and Chris is hilarious. I knew from Claire that Chris and I share a love of Cherry Coke Zero, so I presented him with one from our studio fridge. He and I agree that drinking a Cherry Coke Zero is like having dessert. I can’t stand Diet Coke, but Coke Zero? Sign me up. It’s actually the most popular drink in our studio fridge next to Lacroix water - I struggle some weeks to keep it stocked with how fast it flies out!

Margaret arrived and got set up in the studio, and Claire and Chris followed her. I stayed behind in my office to finish working for the afternoon and joined them when it was time to start steaming Claire’s dresses. We picked right back up where we had left off in the office and talked about different countries and the experiences we had there. Claire and Chris are headed to Finland late this spring to introduce their son to his family. Ooooh maybe we should go to Finland? Iceland is another place I am DYING to go visit.

Back on track! Once Claire was all finished, she changed into her first dress and we headed to the park location. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the sunlight was GORGEOUS. We started with just Claire and had Chris jump in and out. There’s a pretty significant height difference between the two of them! You will NEVER see me try to diminish a height difference between a couple. Why? They already know there’s a height difference, and so does everyone who knows them? There is absolutely no reason to make a man crouch down. It’s part of the couples’ story and who they are, so I embrace it. I often hear from these couples that they were made to feel very self conscious about it from other photographers when I ask why the guy is hovering down by his partner’s shoulder. If this has happened to you, I’m sorry, You’ll be standing up straight when you get in front of my camera!

Almost everyone is a bit nervous when we first get started with any type of session. This is totally normal! It’s also not something you need to worry about, because I’m going to guide you throughout your entire session. I want your images to be natural and unforced, but we also want them to be flattering. So I’ll walk you through some things to avoid doing during our time together and make gentle adjustments as needed throughout. My verbal direction is clear and to the point, and you’ll never be left wondering what you’re supposed to do next. Promise!

One of my favorite images from this session is the hand kissing photograph. Before you roll your eyes (yes, it does sound cheesy, doesn’t it?) check it out! I think you’ll be surprised at what a beautiful and natural moment it was - which is exactly what the goal is. And if you’re wondering - yes, this is something that Chris does with Claire on his own, so it’s not unusual for them. We’ll discuss your specific dynamic and ways that you physically connect with each other on a daily basis, and I’ll come up with guided prompts for natural interaction during your 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Michelle, Kalyan & Henry

I first met Michelle and Kalyan in their labor and delivery room. It’s not exactly the normal initial meeting that I have with my clients, but I was there to photograph the birth of their baby and they had literally just booked me the evening before while heading to Northside for their induction. So, there wasn’t time to meet beforehand!

Since Henry’s birth, I have photographed multiple sessions for their family over his first year. When Michelle texted to let me know that she was expecting again, I was SO excited for their sweet family! Michelle and Kalyan are such loving parents and some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet. Michelle had not done a maternity session during her pregnancy with Henry and decided she wanted to do one for this pregnancy. We scheduled her maternity session for the park location and reserved her newborn session as well with hair and makeup add on services for both. Michelle has worked with our HMUA team since Henry’s newborn session and absolutely loves working with all of them!

A week before her session, Michelle came to the studio to look through the wardrobe. Since she’s been in the studio a few times, she already knew exactly which dresses she was thinking about wearing. The dresses she had in mind ended up being exactly what she chose. Every time she comes in and looks through she’s always thinking ahead to the next one!

The evening of their session, we met at the studio parking lot and headed to the park. Henry was FULL of energy that night much to the bewilderment of his parents. They could not figure out why he was so excited and running around at full speed. I’m used to it and basically expect it, so it didn’t throw me at all. I reassured them that everything would be fine, and to run around with Henry and make it a game. When they saw their gallery later, they told me that they were amazed because Henry didn’t seem to stop for one second. I love the images that they chose of Henry - pure glee! He’s a little boy having a blast, and it shows. Those real smiles during moments of genuine fun are what I love the most.

Kalyan handled chasing after Henry and I just rolled with Henry and his proximity. There is no set standard flow for any session I photograph involving babies or children. I’ve been working as a professional photographer for six years now, and if I have learned anything - it’s that you must be flexible and meet the little ones where they’re at. They may not be in the mood for photos one minute, and then two minutes later they’re ready to engage. I’m always ready for that and waiting for it! A great example of this is when a child doesn’t want to be in the photos and protests. I ask mom and dad to simply ignore them and we take a few couples images. Their child watches from the distance and realizes that we aren’t including them! Their little brain starts spinning at the injustice, and sure enough, almost every single time runs back over not willing to be left out.

Enjoy some of my favorites from this family’s session - and check back in a few days to see their adorable baby girl’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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Amber & Kason

Amber contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session in the studio. Her husband was only in town for a limited amount of time over the holidays and she needed it to be scheduled during that period. Our weekends were already fully booked, but because they were able to make a weekday work, we were able to schedule them!

Amber came to the studio ahead of their session to try on studio pieces. She wanted her husband’s input, so she took photos of herself wearing the top contenders for him to look at later. Lots of clients do this, and this is totally fine! We do need your final choices at least four business days before the session. Our pieces are professionally cleaned after being worn for sessions, so it’s important we have enough time to get them to and from the cleaners if another client wears the same piece in the same week before your session. This doesn’t happen often, but we like to cover our bases just in case!

Amber later emailed with her two dress selections - she chose a fitted strapless lace gown with a sweetheart neckline and one of our glam options - a split front tulle gown with a gorgeous lace bodice and sleeves. Some of our wardrobe pieces are restricted to indoor sessions only to prevent them from being irreparably damaged, and this particular gown is one of them.

Before she left, we talked about what her husband should wear. One of the best sources of inspiration is to look right here through the blog! We also have a Pinterest board that’s super helpful to many of our clients and constantly add pins as well. Some clients choose to purchase items that were recently pinned that they fall in love with, and others look through the style board and realize that they already have something very similar in their own closet. We’ll also send you a super simple style guide that will help you coordinate colors and mix and match pieces and patterns. If you’re still feeling stuck, don’t worry! I’m available via email to look over options, and you can always bring an armful of things when you come in for your session and I’ll help you choose the best one for your session. Above all: I want you ALL to feel comfortable and like yourselves, and confident in what you’re wearing.

On the day of their session, the couple arrived early! I had another client in for a maternity fitting, so I stepped out for a bit to chat with Amber and Kason. Since I hadn’t already met Kason I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to get to know each other and get him comfortable with me before we began our session. Amber had done such an amazing job with his outfit! I absolutely loved the ivory waffle knit henley that she had picked up for him. He looked relaxed and comfortable, and his outfit worked perfectly with both of Amber’s options.

Once my maternity fitting client had left, we went into the studio and got started! The two of them were so sweet together, and Amber looked absolutely gorgeous. You can get a real sense of their dynamic and love for each other by watching the short film after the images shared.

Enjoy!

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Josh & Cassie

Josh contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a last minute maternity session for his wife, Cassie. Believe it or not, we have a lot of dads be the ones to contact us. After looking at the locations, Josh and Cassie decided they loved the field location the most because they enjoy being outdoors and it’s similar to where they live near Peachtree City with wide open spaces. We also went ahead and scheduled a time for them to come to the studio for a maternity fitting. They both had interesting work schedules that involved commuting to different cities from where they lived, so we scheduled for an evening after work that accommodated their schedule. We have limited weeknight availability for fittings, and if you’re in the medical field or another industry with odd hours - we’ll figure out a time that works for you!

The evening of their maternity fitting, they came to the studio and we discussed Cassie’s style preferences. Both of them were so much fun to talk to, and I really enjoyed getting to know them. We looked through the wardrobe, and Cassie tried on quite a few options! She ultimately chose a long sleeved cream dress and a light blue off the shoulder dress with fun lace trim and buttons. The buttons can be unbuttoned during sessions for bare belly images if that’s something that you want to incorporate in your images. We then discussed ideas of what Josh could wear from his closet that would work well with Cassie’s choices but also stay true to his personality and style preferences. We parted ways with a goodbye hug and headed to our homes.

A couple of weeks later, I met Josh and Cassie at the field location. It was a teensy bit chilly, but not too bad. We had been watching the weather for a couple of days and made the call the day of the session since it was literally a coin toss as to whether it would rain. The sky was overcast, but as I’ve mentioned many times on the blog, it’s not a problem and is beautiful in its own right! Since this was a winter session, it lent well to the overall feel of winter too, and the tones looked gorgeous with their wardrobe choices. Winners all around!

Cassie was a bit nervous going in, but as soon as Josh got snuggled up to her, she relaxed a lot. He’s a funny guy, and adores her - and she him. I reassured her that I would make sure she looked beautiful and coached her through the session with the best ways to stand and place her hands. My direction is straightforward and clear, so you’ll never be left wondering what you’re supposed to do. Many couples are surprised when I ask them to do things they naturally do on their own - there are just a few tweaks made for the most flattering images! I want your images to be a reflection of who you are as individuals and as a couple. Every couple has their own unique dynamic: the one common thread that all of my clients have is that they deeply love each other. Sometimes it takes a little work on my part to get couples to show that love, but once they open up the magic starts!

Here are a few of my favorites from Josh & Cassie’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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Ashley & Marc

Ashley is an advance planner, and she contacted us early in her second trimester to schedule a maternity session at the field location. She also booked a newborn session as well, and opted to add on hair and makeup services to both. Most of our clients do reserve their sessions sometime in the second trimester and this helps in having more date options to choose from - especially if you need a weekend date outdoors! I only photograph outdoor sessions in the hour before sunset, hence the limited availability on the weekends. Many clients schedule their outdoor sessions in the summer months for weekdays since the sun sets closer to 9 PM and traffic isn’t an issue when we’re getting started.

Ashley came to the studio after the Thanksgiving holidays for her maternity fitting, and we discussed her style preferences. She was worried that it would be pretty cold for their December session, and I reminded her that there was just no way to predict that in the south! (keep reading to find out what the temperature ended up being on their session date!) After she tried on multiple pieces from our studio wardrobe, she chose a gorgeous off the shoulder dress and a floral gown with fun long sleeves. Before she left, we discussed what her husband Marc should wear based on what she had chosen. I followed up later that day by sending her our style guide so that she could refer to it while going through Marc’s closet! The style guide is super simple and most importantly - easy to follow. If you have any questions or want more input, I’m available via email. Many of my clients bring an armful of options with them to their session if they’re not sure, and I make a quick decision to pull it all together. You decide the level of support you need from me, and you’ll get it!

The week of the session, it rained, and rained, and rained some more. I don’t watch the weather too carefully because who needs the anxiety? I always warn clients not to stalk the weather until we are a couple of days out, but I know it’s hard to not check the forecast. Fortunately for us, the rain stopped and the temperatures warmed up… to a nice and mild 72 degrees on the day of their December session! It was sunny and felt like a gorgeous spring day. Mild winter days are another reason why I love living in Atlanta so much - I photograph outdoor sessions year round because it’s rarely cold enough to necessitate moving inside.

Ashley had told me at her fitting that she and her husband weren’t pros in front of the camera. Guess what? Hardly anyone is! I’ve had a few clients from the film industry that work as professional actresses, and even they sometimes feel a bit nervous in front of a camera. It’s totally normal! Don’t worry - I’ll take care of you. My direction is very straightforward, and we’ll have a lot of fun during your session. Just come ready to have some fun and connect with your partner, and I’ll handle the rest.

During the session I asked how adventurous they were, and they looked at each other and said “We’re up for anything!” So we tromped through tall grass and briars to get to the perfect spot, and the resulting images were absolutely stunning. I love when clients are willing to go outside of the box a little bit for creative purposes, because it’s always worth it.

Enjoy a handful of my favorite images from this beautiful session at the field. Ashley’s look was created by our lead HMUA, Margaret, and both dresses are from the studio wardrobe which is available to all clients (you don’t have to be pregnant!) to borrow from if they so choose.

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Something Different

I’ve had the honor of working with Holly & Eddie since they were expecting their oldest child four and a half years ago. I’ve photographed so many sessions of their family I may have actually lost count. In 2019, we are offering complimentary video to the First Year Collection members! Enjoy watching one of the sweetest little families you ever did see. I dare you not to smile at little Miss Willow’s spunk and Oliver’s sweet charm.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re packing their bags for college? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Katelin & Adam

This session wins the award for last minute scheduling!

Katelin contacted us to schedule a maternity session and asked for the studio as her location. Caroline, our studio manager let her know that we had an opening that same afternoon. I was in the studio that morning photographing other clients. When I checked my messages during a break between clients, I saw that Caroline had added a new appointment for a maternity session to the end of my afternoon. I had some time before my next client, so found out from Caroline that Katelin and Adam would be driving all the way from Buford for their session and that she had a dress of her own that she planned to wear.

When Katelin and Adam arrived that afternoon, I spent a little bit of time getting to know them. Typically this would happen during our maternity fittings which are scheduled for a couple of weeks beforehand but that doesn’t always happen. We have a lot of out of state clients who fly in for a session making that impossible, and sometimes life gets in the way. Since Katelin already had a dress that she loved, she opted to wear one dress for her session. The dress was very wrinkled from being in a bag, so I pulled out out the steamer and took care of getting it perfect while we chatted and got to know each other a little bit. While chatting, I found out that Katelin had a less than stellar experience with another photographer which resulted in her not going forward with her session. She looked for other options, and as soon as she found our website instantly felt that we would be perfect fit for her.

Katelin also mentioned that I’d have to tell them what to do since they didn’t know what they should do. If this is you also, don’t worry - I expect this! It’s my job to get you comfortable and into a place where you relax. I’ll make sure there’s no lipstick on your teeth, that your hair doesn’t look crazy, and that you’re not accidentally creating a double chin. Your only responsibility is to have fun and enjoy yourselves while you’re here!

I always start off slowly to get mamas comfortable in front of the camera, and then add in dads. So many clients comment about how they adore the love and connection they see between couples on my website and then follow up with “But my husband would never do that.” Guess what? The vast majority of my clients said the exact same thing, and they still ended up with those kinds of images! The secret is to save those for the end, when you’re relaxed and comfortable, and to follow my lead. Nothing is forced or contrived. It’s a simple positioning of two people in love close to each other with gentle guided prompts for your own unique and natural interaction. Voila. Then the magic happens.

Can I just say how much fun this session was? I really enjoyed getting to know them both, and loved their sense of humor and personalities. Enjoy some of my favorites from this awesome couple’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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer | Our Annual Blogging Break!

Every year we take a step back from administrative tasks to enjoy the holidays fully, and blogging is one of them! The studio is open for limited hours and we still have a couple of last minute spots remaining for sessions. Just contact us if that’s what you’re looking for and we’ll do our best to fit you in!

See you again on the blog in 2019!

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Nick & Nutan

Nick and Nutan had just relocated to Atlanta from NYC when Nutan contacted us to see about scheduling a maternity session at the gardens location. She was thrilled to hear that we had availability that worked with her husband’s schedule, and asked to add on hair and makeup services as well. We also penciled her in for a maternity fitting appointment to look through the studio wardrobe a couple of weeks before her session date!

On Nutan’s fitting date, we had a lot of fun going through the dresses. Nutan loved so many of the options and commented on how amazed she was that we had so many choices available to our clients! We regularly outfit clients of all shapes and sizes from 0-16. Our most petite client was 4’10” and our tallest was 6’2”. We have a wide variety of styles from glam to boho to understated simplicity. If you choose not to borrow from the wardrobe, we’ll help you out with an easy to follow style guide and are available for feedback on anything you’re considering! We are here to help in any way we can, because your experience should be as stress free as possible. Nutan couldn’t decide on her final two choices that day, so she left armed with iPhone photos of herself in her favorites to go through with her husband later. She did eventually narrow it down and emailed me the photos of her selected pieces. Because we have our wardrobe pieces cleaned after being worn for a session, we do need to know in advance so we have enough time to get it to the dry cleaners and back if necessary! If you can’t decide the day of your fitting, it’s totally okay - I’ll let you know the exact deadline to let me know by. Before Nutan left, she and I determined that based on Nick’s personality and her choices, his wearing a suit would be the best choice for their session.

The day of their session we met at the gardens and got started on the beautiful sweeping stairs. I enjoy photographing at the gardens since there’s a wide variety of different areas and backgrounds to shoot in and it lends well to a more dressy look. Nick looked sharp in his relaxed suit, and it was so much fun to photograph the two of them together. They’ve been together quite a long time, and are absolutely the sweetest. I love photographing couples who deeply love each other and aren’t afraid to let that show.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their gardens 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Eva & Phil

Eva contacted the studio to book an outdoor maternity session for her husband and herself at the park location and a newborn session for when their baby arrived. We scheduled a time for her to come into the studio for a maternity fitting, and she found two dresses that she absolutely loved. Once she had chosen her dresses, we discussed what her husband should wear for the session to be most cohesive with her choices while also remaining true to his personality and style preferences! Simply put: if your partner doesn’t like to wear khakis….don’t put him in khakis! There are so many options of what your guy can wear that will look great with what you’re wearing, and it doesn’t have to be any specific thing. In Phil’s case, he wore stone chinos and a button down that he already owned and was very reflective of who he is.

Eva asked to add on hair and makeup services, and we paired her with the best fit for her who was available on her date. We talk to each individual client who books about what their vision is and then we see who on our team that we know will be a great match for them is available. She loved her hair and makeup so much that she emailed immediately after her maternity session to let us know she wanted to add it on to her newborn session too. I’m so looking forward to photographing their new baby girl in just a couple of weeks!

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Alina & Chandler

Alina contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session in our gardens location and asked to add on hair and makeup services as well. She loved that we had a studio wardrobe so it would be one less thing to worry about coordinating, and we scheduled a time for her to come in.

I met Alina and her husband, Chandler, when they came to my studio for her maternity fitting. Alina saw sequins on my studio wardrobe rack and immediately asked to try that one on. While she was changing, Chandler and I chatted for a bit. I learned that he was in the middle of taking his CPA exams and we talked about how my husband has an accounting degree as well. Those exams are no joke! (I’m happy to report that Chandler PASSED them!) Alina was torn between multiple dresses, so I suggested that she think it over and then let me know in advance of her session. We schedule fittings to take place 1-2 weeks before your session date so that your baby doesn’t have a big growth spurt that could potentially affect fitting into your choice. Because our dresses are cleaned after wearing, we have to make sure we have enough lead time to get them taken care of if another client wears your choices in the days before your session. I always have moms take phone selfies of their favorites so that they can think it over before deciding 100%. Alina did just that and emailed us a few days before her session to let us know what her final two choices would be!

The evening of their session, I met them at the gardens and Alina changed into her first dress. We had some absolutely gorgeous light that evening, and I always like to take advantage of the setting sun in the background whenever possible. Backlighting is my absolute favorite! We made our way around and through the different areas of the gardens, and had such a fun time together. The two of them are just the sweetest and I so enjoyed working with them!

Here are a few of my favorites - aren’t Alina’s blue eyes absolutely stunning?

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photography | A Field session with Melissa & Josh

Melissa contacted the studio to book a maternity session at the field location. When she called she was concerned because she and her husband were only available on Monday evenings, and she wasn’t sure if we would have an opening.

The good news for Melissa was that weeknights are much more readily available than weekend nights! If you leave work a bit early one day, and can be flexible with scheduling your session for a weeknight you have a better chance of being able to schedule for when you want to! Weekend dates are the first to go and are often fully booked a few months in advance.

Melissa was thrilled to hear that we could schedule her for a Monday, and we arranged for her to come to the studio for a maternity fitting a few weeks later.

Maternity fittings are 20 minutes long and fun! It’s a chance for us to meet, and you can ask any questions you might have. I’ll look at you and assess your skin tone and belly shape and then pull dresses that will work well for you and look perfect in the location you’ve chosen. You’ll try them on, and you’re welcome to take some phone snapshots of yourself in the ones that are top contenders to decide on later. Lots of clients love to get the input of family and friends and poll them for which one they like best. If you don’t plan to use the studio wardrobe, I’d still love to meet you and see what you’re wearing if you have the time in your schedule! I’ve found that clients are so much more comfortable when they’ve had the chance to meet and chat for a bit in advance of being in front of the camera. We have a lot of out of town clients who travel to us for sessions, and I still set aside time before their actual session start to get to know each other.

When Melissa arrived, I asked what she did for a living, and she responded that she was a cardiac ICU nurse. I said, “Which hospital?” She told me the name of the hospital and I immediately asked if she knew two of my other maternity and newborn clients who were ALSO cardiac ICU nurses at the same hospital. She did! What are the chances? Such a small world to have three very specialized nurses on the same floor in the same hospital come to me. I love it!

Melissa decided on her dress choices pretty quickly and loved how they looked on her. She wasn’t sure if she wanted hair and makeup services and asked me to give her more insight into them. She was concerned that because she didn’t wear a lot of makeup that it might be overkill for her. I was happy to share my experience with her! First of all, you should know that I don’t wear makeup at all. I don’t even own any at this present time. (This could change in the future though because I’m considering taking some makeup lessons from my team, so don’t hold me to this if you’re reading this a year after this is posted!) I never wore it in high school or college, but I DO have it professionally applied for my team whenever I am stepping in front of the camera. They do an absolutely amazing job of really enhancing my features while keeping the look very natural and true to me. They will tailor your look exactly to your specifications and comfort level. So if you never wear makeup and want to for a session, they’ll work their magic for the “no makeup” look! After our discussion, Melissa ultimately decided to add on hair and makeup services, and worked with Megan.

We met at the field on the evening of their session and it was completely deserted! (another perk to a weeknight session!) It was a cloudy and overcast evening, but I love these just as much as when it’s sunny. One of the pros to overcast evenings are that the light is soft and diffused, and we can be anywhere we want to be without needing to worry about squinty eyes or harsh light. Melissa had told me they were a bit worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera and not knowing what to do. I reminded her that it was my job to worry about that, and that I would take care of them. I walked Melissa and Josh through their entire session and directed them with prompts for natural interaction, and they were total pros halfway through. My directions are clear and easy to follow, and I have three simple and easy to remember “rules” that we will go over at the beginning of our time together. It’s a stress free and laid back experience, and I promise we’ll have a great time!

After we finished our session and were walking back to our cars, the cloud cover broke through and there was an absolutely amazing sunset sky. I asked if we could take one more image that night, and they readily agreed. They were a little surprised when I laid down on the ground, but they understood why later! I’ll do all sorts of crazy things to capture that perfect image, and it’s always worth it.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity & Family Photographer | Back for round two!

I first worked with Jessica & Danny when they were expecting their son, Everett. They booked their maternity and newborn sessions at the very last minute, and we were thankfully able to fit them in. You can view their field maternity session images by clicking here, Everett’s newborn session images by clicking here, and Everett’s First Birthday by clicking here.

This time around? Jessica texted me in her first trimester to tell me they were expecting baby #2! I squealed in my kitchen when I read the message, and was just so excited for them! A few weeks later she let me know that baby #2 was a GIRL! I really love getting to know my clients, and hearing about events in their lives and how they’re doing even if we haven’t seen each other in a while. Jessica let me know she wanted to be sure to get on the books for maternity and newborn so she didn’t put it off. Booking in the second trimester is definitely recommended to ensure our availability and that you have the best chance of booking the date and location you’re hoping for!

A couple of weeks before their maternity session, Jessica came to the studio to look through dresses. I had just added a couple of new pieces from Free People and had bought one of them specifically with her in mind because I knew she would look amazing in it. I was right, and she fell in love with it also - it was made for her! Jessica is also one of my petite clients - she stands at 5’3”. So rest assured that whether you’re tall or short, we have something for you in the studio wardrobe should you wish to borrow from it!

Jessica also elected to add on hair and makeup services and worked with Margaret, who is our lead HMUA so she could relax and enjoy herself beforehand! The day of our session, I was up in the studio working on a few things when they all arrived. Jessica worriedly informed me that it was currently POURING outside, and asked what we were going to do. There had been absolutely ZERO indication of potential rain in the forecast. That’s Atlanta weather sometimes! I suggested that they get dressed and we’d see if the rain would pass. Often Atlanta will have random pop up storms that pass through as quickly as they started. Fortunately for us, about 15 minutes later it was clear again outside so we headed down the street.

So what about those fifteen minutes we “missed out on”? Here’s the thing: sessions with me aren’t about how much time we spend together. It’s about how we spend that time. I’m super efficient with how I work, and in this particular case we had a toddler involved. With toddlers, we don’t have any choice but to work fast and keep it exciting for them. They don’t have a long attention span, and we might only get fifteen minutes out of them before they’re over it. When we arrived, we got straight to it, and they had the same gallery that they would have without those fifteen minutes we spent waiting for the rain to pass.

I absolutely love this family and their gallery - I wish I could share them all, but then you’d be scrolling for hours! Aren’t Jessica’s dresses just absolutely perfect for her? I adore the beautiful half updo with the fishtail braid that Margaret created for her too. Enjoy scrolling - and check back tomorrow to view their beautiful baby girl’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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photography | A Garden session with Isabel & Macey

Isabel contacted us to schedule a maternity session in our gardens location. Unfortunately, because of her limited availability due to her work schedule as a NICU nurse, we didn’t have any dates during the month she wanted to schedule. She ended up deciding on the park location instead…. but keep reading for the story of what happened!

On our original scheduled date, the weather was absolutely horrible. It poured rain all day and afternoon, and we made the call to reschedule to another date. We always leave dates blocked in our calendar to be used as backup dates for the clients who need them. When dates are not needed by booked clients for reschedules, we open them to our waiting list on a first come first serve basis.

Looking at the calendar, her next availability wasn’t for a few more weeks, right before she was 35 weeks pregnant. We really prefer to schedule sessions between 30-34 weeks whenever possible so we don’t run the risk of an early delivery causing clients to miss out on their maternity session, but this isn’t a hard and fast rule. We’ve photographed clients at 41 weeks pregnant, and at 28! When we settled on a reschedule date, we checked the gardens availability and saw that it was open! Isabel jumped at the chance to have her session at the location she initially wanted and was absolutely thrilled.

When Isabel came in for her maternity fitting, she had chosen two dresses that I knew would still fit her even though our session had been rescheduled. We typically have our mamas come in 1-2 weeks before their session date so that we have a pretty accurate idea of fit! The vast majority of our dresses will grow with mamas, but if you try on a dress that just barely fits well, we’ll have you choose a backup for that one in case it doesn’t fit well on the day of your session. We cover all our bases so you don’t need to stress.

The evening of the session, we met at the gardens location and Isabel changed into her first dress. She had chosen to add on hair and makeup services with our lead HMUA, Margaret - and looked absolutely gorgeous! Margaret has such a wonderful chair side manner and will create the perfect look for you that enhances your best features and is true to who you are. All of our artists are incredible, and our clients love working with them!

Isabel’s husband, Macey, is such a fun guy. He’s in love with his wife, and the world knows it by how he interacts with her and looks at her. I love it! Their session was quiet, intimate, and very sweet. I enjoyed working with the two of them and photographing their steadfast connection. During our session, I wondered out loud if their little boy would be blessed with a head of hair at birth…. check back tomorrow to find out when I share images from their 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Dawn in the studio

Dawn contacted us to schedule a maternity session and asked for the studio as her location. We arranged a time for her to come in for a maternity fitting a couple of weeks before her session as well. Maternity fittings are done 1-2 weeks beforehand, and not earlier than that due to the potential for a mama to grow to the point that a dress she had selected didn’t fit! If you try on a dress that’s pretty tight, we will have you choose a backup dress for it just in case you grow to the point where you can’t comfortably wear it for your actual session. This has never actually happened, but I’m all about covering all the bases!

Maternity fittings are about 20 minutes long, We send ahead a tip sheet with directions, where to park, and what to bring along. I also suggest that mamas snap selfies in the dresses they like the most if they’re not 100% sure of which should be their final choice. This gives you time to think about it and poll your trusted friends and family members for opinions if you want their input! Then you simply attach the photos of your choices and email them to me at least four business days before your session date - easy peasy. I enjoy meeting my clients and chatting with them during their fittings. Partners are also welcome to come along too, but not required to. If your guy needs some time to warm up to new people or you think he’d be more comfortable meeting me in advance of your session, then by all means bring him along! He and I will chat while you’re trying on pieces.

Dawn drove all the way from her home in Woodstock to the studio on the day of our fitting. She had lots of fun trying on dresses! She had been worried we wouldn’t have anything that would fit her since she was petite. I reassured her by letting her know that we work with petite clients all the time - our shortest was 4’10”! She fell in love with a backless dress that draped her belly so beautifully and also chose a strapless split front dress with a sweetheart neckline. Our split front dresses can be worn even if you don’t want to photograph the bare belly. We’ll talk about your preferences and comfort level, and go with whatever that happens to be.

In Dawn’s case, her husband had elected to not participate in the session and wanted it to be about her and their baby girl. If this is you or you’re a single mom: you’re in for a treat! We’ll have so much fun during your session, and it’s almost like a girl’s morning out - except you’re having your photo taken!

A couple of weeks later, Dawn returned to the studio for her maternity session, and we had SO much fun. She has the best giggle, and looked absolutely radiant and beautiful. She was a little bit nervous at first, but let me share something with you…almost everyone is. I expect it! It’s my job to get you comfortable and into a place where you relax. I’ll make sure there’s no lipstick on your teeth, that your hair doesn’t look crazy, and that you’re not accidentally giving yourself a double chin. It’s MY job to worry about all those little details… and your only responsibility is to have fun and enjoy yourself!

Dawn went on to have the most ADORABLE baby girl named Cadence and I was just so excited when I got the email letting me know she had arrived! I was able to meet her for the first time when they traveled to the studio a few months later for a mommy and me milestone session, and she was just absolutely adorable. I love seeing my maternity clients later as new moms - they all assume that role so well and are the most loving mamas.

All clients receive their final galleries with both color and black and white images. I really loved Dawn’s images in black and white, so I’m choosing to share my favorites in this post!

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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.