Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Renee & Marcus in the Gardens

Renee contacted us to see about scheduling a maternity session at the gardens location. She was so excited to hear that we had availability that worked with their schedule, and asked to makeup services as well. We paired her with Brielle, who is one of our most requested artists and super fun to hang out with while having your beauty needs taken care of. We also penciled Renee in for a maternity fitting appointment to look through the studio wardrobe a couple of weeks before her session date!

On Renee’s fitting date, we had a lot of fun going through the dresses and getting to know each other. She looked beautiful in so many of the options and snapped selfies of her top favorites so she could take some more time to think. Renee had let us know prior to her fitting that she was pretty tall and was worried we might not have things long enough. We reassured her that we work clients of all shapes, heights, and sizes from 0-16. Our tallest female client so far was 6’2” and our shortest was 4’10”. We have a variety of styles from glamorous to bohemian to understated elegance. If you decide to wear your own clothing, 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 we believe that your session experience should be as stress free as possible.

Renee narrowed down her choices and emailed us a photo of one selected dress. She let us know that she was going to wear a last minute dress of her own as her second option that was in keeping with the style guide suggestions. We have wardrobe pieces dry cleaned or laundered after being worn for a session, so we need to know your selection four business days in advance of your scheduled session date. This ensures we have enough time to get it to the dry cleaners and back if necessary! If you can’t decide on your choices the day of your fitting, no worries at all - we’ll let you know the exact deadline to let me know by. Before Renee left, she and I determined that based on her husband’s personality and her choices, his wearing a suit for one look and a more casual look for the other would be the best choice for their session. That being said, the vast majority of our guys wear just one outfit - so don’t feel like you need to have two outfits for your guy too! It’s totally a matter of personal preference.

The evening of their session we met at the gardens and got started wearing the more casual look. I love photographing at the gardens since there are lots of different areas and varying backgrounds to photograph. I definitely choose where to photograph within the gardens depending on what my couple’s outfit looks like. Certain areas lend themselves well to a dressier look, while other areas are better for a relaxed and casual feel. Marcus looked great in both of his outfits, and it was so much fun to photograph the two of them together. They’ve been together a while, and were lots of fun to be around! .

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their gardens maternity session! Renee was absolutely radiant, and it really shines through.

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 | Jai in the studio

Jai contacted us at the very last minute to see if we had any availability for a studio maternity session. She had come across my work on Instagram and knew immediately that I was what she had been looking for. So many of our clients come to us through Instagram - it’s such a visual platform and great for finding that thing you’ve been looking for but couldn’t quite find. I know I’ve personally been there with the “I’ll know it when I see it” when I’ve been searching for something!

We scheduled a maternity fitting for Jai, and she came to the studio with her best friend to try on pieces. Jai already had one specific dress in mind that she knew she wanted to try, but was open to everything. The minute she tried on the backless halter dress, her smile said it all. She knew she’d found her first option, and mentioned she’d really like to show her belly in some of her images. I suggested a split front dress, so I pulled out the few that we have. Don’t worry if you don’t want to show your belly in your maternity photos - it’s completely client preference. All of our split front dresses can also be worn closed. After trying on a few, she decided on a strapless split front gown with a white bandeau top and soft pink bottom. It complemented her first dress choice perfectly! We chatted a bit about what Jai’s partner should wear, and she and her best friend headed out.

The afternoon of her maternity session, Jai showed up and had brought along a cool bohemian hair clip she’d picked up. She asked what I thought, and I told her that if it was her style, the color was perfect for both dresses and would look great. I’m always a big fan of accessories! The kind you select is important though, because we want to keep the focus on your bump. If you wear a flower crown that’s bigger than your head, or a statement necklace the size of Texas, they may take away from your bump since the viewer’s eye will immediately be drawn there instead of your belly. Most of my clients bring along their favorite jewelry the day of their session and we go through it and make selections then. How you wear your hair also affects which jewelry I suggest wearing - there are so many factors that go into styling a session. I’m here to help every step of the way.

After Jai got dressed, her partner arrived as well. I introduced myself and learned that he was also an artist, and worked as a clothing designer. I always love meeting other creatives, no matter what industry they’re in. Once I explained the ground “rules” for how to stand and where we got started. The two of them didn’t need much guidance during their session - but if you do, don’t worry! I’ll make sure you know exactly what’s happening and what you need to do the entire time. You’ll never be left standing there feeling awkward and confused about what to do next.

During my maternity sessions, I don’t ask my expecting mama to move around a lot. Partners are the ones jumping in and out of the photos. Your body is doing a lot of work growing a baby, so I like to go as easy on you as possible! This also allows me to flow through the session efficiently in each dress. I’ve been told by many partners that it was the easiest and quickest maternity session they’ve ever had and that they enjoyed the experience despite thinking they wouldn’t. It seems that prior engagement sessions are mostly to blame for the intense dislike of photo sessions among my male clients. I will not keep you here in the studio any longer than necessary. Studio sessions here are super relaxing. It’s a completely relaxed vibe, and we have a whole fridge of drinks, snack buffet, Google Fiber, and a comfy couch to hang out on. Your partner will be well taken care of when they’re not being photographed!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Jai’s maternity session! If you’re considering maternity photos, I would love for you to browse the maternity portfolio and reach out to see if we’re the perfect fit for you!

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 | Srividya & Raghu, a studio maternity session

Srividya contacted us to schedule a maternity session and asked for the studio as her location. We arranged a time for her to come in with her husband for a maternity fitting a couple of weeks before her session too. We schedule maternity fittings for 1-2 weeks before the session date. We will not schedule for earlier than two weeks because of the potential of belly growth! If a client tries on a dress that’s pretty tight without much wiggle room, I will have them choose a backup dress for it just in case. This has never actually happened, but I’m all about covering all the bases so there are no unpleasant surprises on the day of!

My maternity fittings are about 20-30 minutes long, We send ahead a tip sheet with directions, where to park, and what to bring along. I also have my clients take cell phone in the dresses they like the most if they’re not 100% sure of which should be their final choice. This gives them time to think about it and poll their trusted friends and family members for opinions if you want more help. Once the decision has been made, my clients simply attach the photos of their final choices and email them to me at least four business days (M-F) before their session date! This allows me to make sure your dress will be clean and steamed before your session.

Srividya and her husband, Raghu came together on the day of our fitting. She had lots of fun trying on dresses and her eyes lit up when she saw one of our sequin and tulle studio dresses. It was the perfect choice for her skin tone and personality. She chose to wear a more simple white off the shoulder dress for her second look, and then we were all set.

A couple of weeks later, Srividya and Raghu returned to the studio for their maternity session. Brielle was there waiting for them as they had added on hair and makeup services. I arrived a few minutes before our session start time and loved the look that Brielle had created for her. Srividya mentioned she felt absolutely beautiful and was so confident and excited to get started!

Once Srividya was dressed, we got started! At first Raghu was a bit nervous but I reassured him that I would walk him through everything. He wanted the experience and photographs to be perfect for his wife (such a sweet husband!) so he wanted to make sure he didn’t mess anything up. There’s no need to worry about that with me. I will give you verbal direction and I’ll also come right up and move your head where it needs to be. Most guys prefer if I just come up to them and move them instead of saying “Ok, turn your head two inches to the left.” It’s just easier for all of us! Srividya was a natural in front of the camera and needed very little direction. By the time we were midway through, Raghu was relaxed and enjoying the session. You can see by the genuine smiles that we had a lot of fun!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this 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 Photographer | Melanie in the studio

Melanie contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session in the studio. She wanted to document her pregnancy and knew she just wanted a few images so she could show them to her baby someday and remember what she looked like pregnant.

While chatting on the phone with Caroline, Melanie was excited to hear that we have a studio wardrobe available for our clients to use, but said she wasn’t so sure we would have anything for her. Melanie went on to explain that she was quite petite, but Caroline quickly reassured her that we’ve had clients as short as 4’10” and that they have all found something that fit them perfectly and that they loved. After sending her everything she needed to book her session, Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her as well.

When Melanie came in a couple of weeks before her session date for maternity fitting, we talked about what she was hoping for in terms of a dress. She let me know that she wanted something that would show off her belly. If you’re not a person that is interested in that for your maternity pictures, don’t worry - we have plenty of dresses that don’t bare the bump! After looking through all of her options, she settled on a gorgeous pinkish beige dress that draped beautifully. As a note, all of our split front options can be worn closed too! We also chatted about what her husband could wear that would complement her dress choice and also stay true to his own style preferences and personality.

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio with her husband all ready to go. While she got dressed, I chatted with him and got to know him a bit. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t LOVE having his photo taken, but when I let him know that the session would be a snap and I’d show him exactly what to do the whole time, he was good to go. I think it’s completely normal to be a bit nervous going into a session. You’ve invested a lot of time into all the planning, and the last thing you want is to stand there awkwardly hoping that the way you’re standing looks good. Clients in my studio never have to deal with this because I literally guide them through the entire process. In the beginning, there’s a lot more direction and mid way through when my clients have relaxed, they start interacting naturally all on their own. From that point, I just make sure to watch out for things like a bra strap peeking out, stray hairs, etc. and slightly adjust bodies if needed for the most flattering positions. It’s EASY, I promise!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Melanie’s studio 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 | Cirleen & Donnie in the studio

Cirleen contacted us to schedule a maternity session at the very last minute. She hadn’t planned to have maternity photos taken, but friends convinced her that she should and would regret not having them. After speaking with Caroline, our studio manager, she decided on the studio as her location. Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her a couple of days out and also scheduled her to work with Margaret for add on hair and makeup services. Cirleen had her own eyelash extensions already in place, so Margaret did not work on her lashes.

When Cirleen arrived at the studio, I was immediately struck with how tall she was! I am six feet tall, so when I meet other women who are taller like I am, I immediately notice their height. :) We spent some time chatting about her preferences, and started going through the wardrobe together. Cirleen had been concerned we wouldn’t have anything she’d like but she found herself with an armful of dresses that she loved. She left armed with photos of her options and emailed a couple of days later with her final choices after getting her husband’s input.

On the day of her session session, Cirleen arrived and I was absolutely in love with the updo that Margaret had created for her! Donnie arrived with some clothing options that I went through and I chose the best complement to what Cirleen had chosen and he went to get dressed and then came back. While Cirleen was getting dressed, I spent time chatting with Donnie and getting to know a bit about him since this was our first time meeting. He was a fun guy to talk to, and I could see how much he loved his wife.

Once Cirleen was ready, she came out in her first dress, which was a strapless split front ivory gown with a sweetheart neckline. We have a few split front gowns in our wardrobe that can be worn both open or closed. Cirleen wanted to wear hers open for some images, and this is completely up to each individual client. If you have some stretch marks or a belly button ring piercing hole that you’re worried about, we can absolutely make those go away in post processing (if that’s what you want!) so don’t let that be the reason you skip baring the belly. If you’re just not a belly baring kind of gal, no worries at all!

I could tell Cirleen was a bit nervous as we got started. She had previously mentioned during her fitting that I’d most likely have to tell her what to do since she didn’t know how to go about a maternity session. If this is a concern for you also, please don’t worry - I expect this! Unless you’re a professional maternity model, why would you know anything about how to stand or where to place your hands? It’s my job to get you comfortable and help you relax and have a good time. I’ll make sure there’s no lipstick on your teeth, ensure your hair isn’t out of place, and that you’re not accidentally self inflicting a double chin.

I always start off my sessions pretty slowly to get my clients comfortable in front of the camera and to get a grasp for the “rules”. I explain everything as we go along, so you will never be wondering what to do next. Once we’re on a roll, then I add in dads.

The vast majority of my clients talk about about how they really appreciate the love and connection they see between expectant couples on my website and then say, “But my husband would never do that… he’s just not that romantic.”

Guess what? They still ended up with those kinds of images! My “secret” is to save those super close and personal images for the end, when you’re both relaxed and comfortable and have almost forgotten that I’m there. Nothing is forced or contrived between my couples. I simply position two people in love (ie: the two of you!) close to each other and gently give verbal prompts that lead to unique and natural interaction. Voila. That’s when the magic happens - and my clients are just as much a part of creating that as I am! The looks that you see exchanged between couples in my images aren’t faked, they’re very real. I love being able to give that to my clients.

Can I just say how much fun I had with these two during their time with me? I really enjoyed getting to know Cirleen & Donnie, and loved their sense of humor and personalities. Enjoy some of my favorites from this wonderful couple’s maternity session! I’m looking forward to seeing them again in the future and meeting their little boy!

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 | Katharine, Howard & Henry on the mountain

I first worked with Katharine & Howard for their maternity session when they were expecting their son, Henry. I went on to photograph Henry’s newborn and First Birthday sessions. They’re some of my favorite clients because they’re so much fun! Howard is absolutely hilarious and keeps us all laughing constantly. When Katharine emailed us to let us know she was expecting her second baby (a girl!) and wanted to book a maternity and newborn session, I was so excited for them and to get to see them again. I absolutely love photographing growing families! I’ve been photographing for a while now, and I’m seeing a LOT of second and third babies for my existing clients this coming year, which is so special for me.

Katharine also asked to add on hair and makeup services for both sessions, and we scheduled a time for her and Howard to pop into the studio for a maternity fitting. When they came in, I showed her a pretty blue lace dress that I thought would look amazing on her, and she and Howard loved it. She also chose a purple dress with pretty bust detailing paired with a sheer white shawl for arm coverage and we discussed options for Howard and Henry based on her choices. Your partner is not required to attend the maternity fitting with you, but they’re certainly welcome to! I enjoy chatting with my clients and getting to know them during that time together, so if they’re able (and willing) to come, bring them along!

The evening of their spring session in April was sunny and pleasant. One of the best things about living in Atlanta because for the most part I can shoot year round outdoors . It’s not common to have days that are so cold you can’t be outdoors for a shoot . If that happens, it tends to be mostly in December-February. But, it’s the south after all….I’ve had sessions in January where it was 71 degrees while I was shooting here and it reached 75 on another day in December one year. You just never know!

Maternity sessions that involve families are full of fun and play so the big kids have fun too! I ask parents to check their expectations at the car, and to be ready to play games and follow gentle prompts for guided interaction. Trust me, I know how easy it is to become frustrated when you feel like your session isn’t going well. I know how much time and planning goes into the entire event. I have three kids of my own, so I really do get it. I have found that when my clients trust me and go with the flow, they are often pleasantly surprised by the resulting gallery even if they felt like the session was chaotic at times. If your children are full of energy and running around, that’s TOTALLY ok! Embrace it! Usually this also means they’re full of joy and their personality is shining through. We’re going to get images where that sheer happiness is clearly evident and their eyes are sparkling. All I I need is 1/1000th of a second to get those sweet and quiet moments…which might literally only last half a second before they’re running around again….but again, I don’t even need that long.

Henry enjoyed walking along with his parents and seeing all sorts of sticks and rocks. We spent some time at the base of the mountain, went into a forested area, and then we headed up to the top after Katharine changed into her second dress.

At the top, Henry had lost interest in participating, so I photographed just Katharine and added Howard in for some couples photos. Most of the time toddlers will see their parents working with me and it suddenly dawns on them that we are doing something WITHOUT THEM! :::indignant gasp::: In most cases, they suddenly appear with renewed interest in participating for a few minutes, and we’re able to photograph some sweet mommy and me moments and whole family moments too. I work around your child’s needs and mood, so we’ll get what we need at some point!

The mountain location is a favorite because kids have a lot of fun exploring, and the scenery is different than the norm. There are a few different areas to photograph in as we make our way up to the top. The constant moving and changing scenery keeps kids engaged and interested. It’s about a mile hike from our meeting place to the top. My own little boy hiked it successfully by himself with no assistance from me when he was twenty months old, and we’ve had several maternity clients get up there with no issues. So, physically, it’s on the easier side for families and pregnant women, but there is some physical effort involved. In the summer and fall months it can be extremely hot since the mountain is an all rock surface with nowhere for the heat to go. I share these facts with you so you can make the best decision on whether it’s the right location for you and your abilities.

I love photographing at the mountain location since it’s such a unique place. When’s the last time you climbed a mountain and watched the sunset or surveyed land for as far you can see in all directions? Been a while? Come do it with me in the near future, and you’ll have some gorgeous photos to show for it too! ;)

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this sweet family’s 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Saidie, Daniel & Zoe in the Gardens

Saidie contacted us pretty late in her third trimester to inquire about booking a maternity and newborn session. Because she had moved here from California after the birth of her first daughter, she didn’t know of any photographers in the Atlanta area. Saidie looked around online, looked through my website, and fell in love with my maternity sessions in our gardens location, and proceeded with booking her sessions with us. Please note that 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 weeknight.

When Saidie came in for her maternity fitting at the studio, I instantly loved her warm and bubbly personality. She is one of those people who is incredibly caring and kind to anyone she interacts with, and so genuine. She told me about her daughter Zoe, and her husband Daniel, and we started looking through dresses. Saidie’s problem wasn’t that she couldn’t find a dress… she loved so many of them that she had such a hard time narrowing them down! I reminded her that she could choose to wear one for her newborn session, and that made her feel better. ;) She chose a sleeveless lace overlay gown and a blush off the shoulder flowy gown. The vast majority of our dresses can be worn for both! Many of our pieces aren’t even maternity specific but accommodate growing bellies. Booked clients are welcome to borrow from the wardrobe as a perk, but not required. We looked through some of our little girl dresses as well and she chose one for Zoe to wear that worked perfectly with her own dress choices.

Their session was scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks, but Atlanta experienced a cold snap… and the weather was breezy and in the mid 70’s. I happened to have a weeknight open, so I emailed Saidie to ask if she’d like to move it up because of how perfect the weather was. She wasted no time in replying, “Yes, let’s do it!”

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens, and the weather was AMAZING. Saidie had brought along a flower crown and asked what I thought about her wearing it. I’m all for flower crowns if my clients want to wear them, and suggested she wear it with the bohemian dress as it was a better fit for that look. She agreed, and the family all got dressed and ready.

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. Zoe was tired and a bit emotional, so we worked around her mood. She did such a great job participating but would lose interest quickly. That’s never a problem! I’ll just photograph mom alone or parents together until the interest picks back up. Trying to “force” a toddler to participate is not possible. It’s best to approach them with a laid back attitude and invite them to join in when they’re ready. Removing pressure and creating a no-stress environment is the best way to engage positively with my little clients, so that’s what I strive for!

There’s lots of variety to be had in the garden setting with tons of areas to shoot in. Backlit photos with the setting sun are not always possible due to tree foliage. 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!

Daniel, Saidie, and Zoe enjoyed walking around the gardens and playing together. As we walked, we chatted about all sorts of things. One of my favorite parts about being a photographer that works with so many families 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.

I LOVED working with this awesome family of three (soon to be four!) and can’t wait to share images of their new daughter’s newborn session later this week! In the meantime, enjoy a few 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Charmaine & Company

Charmaine’s husband, Sean, called the studio to ask about booking a maternity session as a surprise for his wife. He had looked through several websites and really loved what he saw on ours. He knew that we’d be the perfect fit for his family and his wife’s tastes. I always love when dads schedule a session as a surprise gift, and we’ve had many clients do this in the past few years. If you plan it far enough in advance, we can whip up a gift certificate to present to your partner.

Sean wanted his wife to dictate the location and actual session date, so he booked the session with us and told her he had a surprise for her. Caroline called Charmaine to go through the location options and talk about dates. After viewing the different locations, Charmaine fell in love with the field and was thrilled to hear that the location was just minutes from where they lived! Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting date with me at the studio for a couple of weeks before their scheduled date. We don’t schedule maternity fittings further than two weeks out because we want to ensure that there isn’t a really big growth spurt between the fitting and session. If a client chooses a dress that I’m concerned MIGHT not fit in two weeks, we have a backup option to that choice just in case. I’ve never had to default to that backup option, but you just never know.

Charmaine showed up for her maternity fitting, and I instantly liked her straightforward personality and cool South African accent. She and I both had a few things in common: we’re both business owners, we each have two daughters (who look very different from each other!) and we both choose to wait to find out what we are having until birth. If she has a boy as her third child, that’ll be another thing we have in common! After trying on several dresses, Charmaine opted for a blush pink lace off the shoulder dress with embroidery and a floral quarter length sleeved dress. Since her daughters did not attend the fitting with her, I showed her a few things we had in the studio for little girls and she eyeballed the size. I made a note of which dresses were possibilities to bring along with me to their session. Caroline also sent her our studio style guide to review when choosing her husband’s outfit, and we were all set! All clients receive our studio style guide which is short and easy to read. It’s super helpful when planning what to wear for the members of your family not utilizing the wardrobe. We’re here to provide as much assistance as you need with that if you want to run some options by us beforehand.

The evening of their session was absolutely gorgeous, and we were some of the only people there. It’s pretty rare for that to happen at this particular location, but you won’t hear me complaining. Charmaine asked if we could incorporate a family heirloom into their session and showed me this lovely lace parasol she had brought with her. I was thrilled to include it, and thought it was so perfect with what she had chosen to wear and the gorgeous sunlight in the background.

There is no set flow for a maternity session including a family. Kids sometimes lose interest for a bit, and I just work around who is up for participating. I definitely take advantage of fresh and ready to go kids right at the beginning. That way, if they lose all interest and just want to play, we’ve already gotten those family images. These little girls loved being with their parents and enjoyed walking and playing in the field together. The girls reminded me of my own, personality wise - my oldest is quite the camera ham and enjoys being photographed, while my middle daughter is more reserved and serious. We explored many areas of the field together, and had a lot of fun doing so.

When Charmaine looked through her proof gallery, she emailed saying how much she loved the images and how they had captured their family perfectly. She was amazed at how it truly looked like their family, and at how much fun the whole experience had been. So… she requested to book a newborn session for when baby #3 arrived! ;) Most clients book both their maternity and newborn sessions at the same time so they can be assured of a date when their baby arrives. We take a limited number of newborns each month to ensure the best level of service for our clients. Booking a newborn session in advance does not mean that we set an exact date for it. Babies are so unpredictable! I’ve had some of my clients deliver at 37 weeks and others at 42. When you book your newborn session, you are simply reserving one of our reserved spots. Once your baby arrives, you just let us know and we’ll get you on the studio calendar for your exact date after learning a bit about your baby’s stats and how you’re recovering. Typically, we schedule clients to come in between their baby’s first 8-16 days of life, but we’ve had plenty of newborns in the three week range too.

I can’t WAIT to find out if Charmaine and Sean have a boy or a girl and to see their awesome family again soon. In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorites 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Olivia at the cliffs of Montauk

I’ve wanted to photograph a session at Montauk on Long Island for YEARS ever since I saw photographs of my sister with the cliffs in the background when she visited with friends.

So, when the chance presented itself, you better believe I took it! Olivia is a fellow photographer and she and I trust each other to photograph each of our families. As a photographer, it can be so hard to find a photographer that understands your vision and can capture your family the way that you want them to be captured. Some of my most favorite images of my own family are from when she photographed us all when our children were 4.5, 2.5, and 6 months old.

When Olivia found out she was pregnant, she let me know that she wanted me to photograph her maternity and newborn sessions, and I was absolutely thrilled and honored to be chosen to do so! We set up a time for me to travel up to New York in April for her maternity shoot, and I blocked some time in the studio calendar to be able to travel back up to NYC in the summer after her baby’s arrival. Travel sessions are not something I do on a regular basis, but if you’re interested in having me travel to you, please do reach out and we’ll talk about details!

Please note that the first lace overlay dress is available in my studio, while the other two are not yet available but I’m thinking about adding them soon! :) I do have the second dress in ivory at this time, but not blush pink as shown. We pulled those dresses from Olivia’s client wardrobe as they were perfect for her in both fit and color.

What you can’t see in these photographs is how COLD the temperatures were that day. I couldn’t feel my fingers or my lips by the time we were done and we were only out there for about 30 minutes tops. Olivia toughed it out, and trusted me to work as fast as I possibly could without compromising the photographs. We took a few warm up breaks and incorporated a shawl into some of the images to help block the wind and make it a bit less cold. In the end, it was completely worth it all!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this bucket list shoot. Isn’t Olivia absolutely stunning? I can’t wait to share the images from her baby girls’ newborn session soon!

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 | Ima

Ima contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session for the very next week. She had been pretty busy and then realized she was running out of time, and panicked a little bit! Fortunately, we had some last minute availability for studio sessions and were able to work her in to our schedule.

While chatting on the phone with Caroline, Ima was thrilled to hear that we had a studio wardrobe available for her since that was one less thing for her to worry about finding in time for her session, since it was so last minute. She expressed concern about her height since she is a petite woman, but we assured her that we have dressed clients as short as 4’10”, so she needn’t be concerned. Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her with me the very next day as that was our first mutual availability.

When Ima came in the next day for her maternity fitting, she informed me that she knew several of my clients! This seems to happen so often. We have so many clients book a session, and then peruse our website or Instagram and start recognizing friends. The client then texts or calls the friends, hears all about their experience with us, and then feels even more confident they made the right choice! It’s always fun being reminded of what a small world we really live in. After looking through all of her options, she settled on one of our most glam options that is restricted to in studio use only. It’s a gorgeous lace bodice with a split front tulle skirt. Ima knew she wanted to show off the belly, so the split front was something she loved. Not all of our clients are interested in showing their belly off! Split front gowns can also be worn closed, so no worries there!

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio all ready to go. Because Ima just wanted a handful of images, she had chosen our smallest collection which is available for in studio sessions only. It’s a short session (20ish minutes) and has one outfit and up to two participants. So, if you’re being photographed solo or just want a few images of you and your partner. this might be the right choice for you! While most of our clients choose to book our higher collections, this was the perfect fit for Ima and what she wanted. She loved her gallery so much that she wasn’t able to narrow it down to the included number and ended up adding some extra images to what was included. If you’re not sure what’s the best fit for you, we can help you decide that!

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 | Bethany & John

Bethany and John contacted us to ask about booking a newborn and maternity session for their baby girl. They let us know that they wanted to include their two dogs in their maternity session, and we said “No problem!”

They loved the park location, and asked to add on hair and makeup services to both sessions as well. We scheduled a maternity fitting for them, and when they came in, we spent some time chatting. When I heard where Bethany worked, I asked if she knew another one of my clients that worked at the same place. She responded by telling me that she had seen that client on the website after they had booked their sessions with me, and had asked her about how it was working with us! That client reassured her that she couldn’t have picked a better studio, told her all about their experience, and Bethany and John felt even more confident in their choice. I love hearing this from clients - and it happens a lot!

At their maternity fitting, Bethany was overwhelmed by all of her choices. She told me “I hate off the shoulder and I hate florals” when I asked for her style preferences. She tried on so many different options, and then asked me to pick a wild card dress for her. I picked a floral off the shoulder dress and handed it to her. Haha…. and SHE PICKED IT! (and looks absolutely stunning in it) I will always respect your style preferences, but please know that sometimes how a dress looks on a hanger is not how it will look on you… and you just may fall in love with something you didn’t think you would! Keep those options open. ;)

The evening of the session, we met at the park, and I met their sweet pups, Nashville & Lincoln. They had dropped them off at a friends’ house prior to the session, so they were all tired out and calmer than usual. 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. 

Bethany and John were so affectionate towards one another, and I really loved working with them. These pictures make me smile because they take me back to that evening in the park with their quiet love for one another, the whispered secrets, and the laughter. It was such an beautiful session to photograph and made me so excited to meet their baby girl! Here are some of my favorite images from our time together. Doesn't Bethany look absolutely gorgeous? I love the beautiful and simple blowout that Margaret created for her.

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 & Corey

Ashley wasn’t really sure that she wanted a maternity session, but her friends kept telling her she should have some photographs taken because she would regret it if she didn’t. 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 Ashley about the process and how it all works. Ashley was so excited to hear that she could borrow from the studio wardrobe as it was one less thing for her to worry about. She was a little concerned that we wouldn’t have anything that worked for her style preferences, but Caroline assured her that we had quite a few different style options! 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 Ashley walked in on the day of her fitting, she told me that she actually knew a few of my other clients! She had texted them after seeing some of their images on the website, and after hearing their rave reviews, felt confident she had chosen the right photographer. We discussed her style preferences and favorite colors (your least favorite is also good information to know!) and I pulled a few of the dress for her.

Ashley wanted simple and not fussy, and we have several pieces that fit the bill! After trying on several, she narrowed it down to two gorgeous dresses - that were exactly what she had envisioned. She couldn’t believe how perfectly they meshed with her vision and her skin tone, and she felt (and looked!) absolutely beautiful in them.

Maternity fittings do take up some time in your week, but they’re pretty important. Not only are we pulling together your look, but we are also 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, Ashley arrived at the studio and I had her dresses all ready to go. She looked absolutely gorgeous, and was excited to get started. She warned me that she wasn’t quite sure what to do and felt a little bit nervous, and I reassured her that everything would be just fine.I guide my clients through the entire experience from start to finish. Out of all the sessions we offer, maternity sessions are what we photograph the most of! At this point in my sixth year of business, 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 strap peeking out, errant stray hairs, etc. I’ll make sure you look your absolute best. Your job is simply to relax and have fun!

Ashley’s husband, Corey, was running a bit late but that was no problem. I simply started the session with just Ashley and when he arrived, I had him get changed and jump right in. Corey was lots of fun to work with and was also an amateur videographer, so we had fun talking shop during our time together! The two of them were adorable together and so much fun to work with.

Enjoy a few of my favorite portraits from Ashley and Corey’s maternity session! I 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 | Serena & Dan

Serena emailed 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 with her answering all of her questions, and Serena decided she wanted to book her session at the gardens location. Serena had contacted us VERY late in her pregnancy, and we only had one date open for her - which fortunately worked for her schedule! As a reminder, if you want to schedule your session in the gardens location: be sure you are available on a weeknight as they are typically not available on weekends.

Serene came into the studio a couple of days before her session for her maternity fitting and I enjoyed getting to know her and her husband. They had a lot of questions about what shoes they should wear and what Dan should wear. I told them that we needed to choose options for Serena before we could address those questions, so we set about looking at all the options!

Serena really enjoyed trying on dresses from the studio wardrobe, and fell in love with two options: a steel blue lace dress, and another purple lace dress paired with a sheer white shawl. Now that she had chosen her wardrobe, we talked about what shoes she could wear that would look great, and options for Dan as well.

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and I teased Serena that she had hit won the lottery with her maternity session scheduling! Dan and I looked at his outfit options that he had brought along with him while Serena was changing into her first dress. He had brought along a pullover argyle sweater that worked perfectly with Serena’s options, so we were all set!

We started in the blue lace dress that Serena had chosen and headed into the gardens. The gardens have quite a few options within it to photograph in. I always look at what my couples are wearing and then decide where it makes the most sense to shoot. The sweeping stone stairs were a gorgeous setting for her blue dress, and we also went into a specific area of the gardens with hedges and lots of blooming flowers.

After we finished the first portion, Serena changed into her purple lace dress and we headed into the gardens to incorporate the hydrangeas and other plants as well as the Grecian columns and walking bridges. There was no need for Dan to change, and the majority of my dads stick with just one outfit!

Some of my favorite images from this session are towards the end. Most of my clients have relaxed quite a bit after a few minutes in, and are comfortable with being photographed - and that’s when their true personalities and connection becomes evident. When couples almost forget that I’m there and follow my prompts for guided natural interaction, everything unfolds naturally and beautiful images are created 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 | A studio session with Rachel

I first worked with Rachel for her maternity session when she was pregnant with her second child. She had already booked an in home newborn photographer before meeting me, so I didn’t photograph that baby’s newborn session for her. The experience that their family had with their in home session was pretty stressful for a host of reasons. Even though she lives an hour away, when Rachel found out that she was expecting baby number three, she immediately contacted the studio to get on the calendar for a maternity and newborn session because she didn’t want to risk our calendar filling up. She did not want a repeat of the experience she’d had with her last baby, and she knew that a session with us would be easy and seamless because all she would have to do was show up.

I was so excited to see Rachel again for her second maternity session with me! She came into the studio for a maternity fitting a couple of weeks beforehand to look through the wardrobe and try on pieces. Almost immediately, she chose a gorgeous white dress that fit her vision perfectly. Rachel also chose to add on hair and makeup services. She had worked with Margaret for her first maternity session with me, and was paired with her again for this one!

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio all ready to go. Margaret preps non newborn portrait clients at her home studio which is located close by. If you’re a newborn client, your HMUA will come to the studio to prep you while your baby is being photographed alone. Because Rachel just wanted a handful of images, she had chosen our smallest collection which is available for in studio sessions only. It’s a short session (20ish minutes) and has one outfit and up to two participants. So, if you’re being photographed solo or just want a few images of you and your partner. this might be the right choice for you! While most of our clients choose to book higher collections, this was the perfect fit for Rachel and what she wanted. She loved her gallery so much that she wasn’t able to narrow it down to the included number and ended up adding some images to what was included. If you’re not sure what’s the best fit for you, we can help you decide that!

Come back in a couple of days to see the newborn session of Rachel’s THIRD baby boy, and enjoy the handful of her favorites!

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 | Eden & Gizachew

When Eden called the studio to ask about scheduling a maternity session, she mentioned that she wanted to wear a linen dress with embroidery to honor her Ethiopian culture. I visited Ethiopia as a teenager, and knew exactly what she was talking about. She decided that the studio would be the best setting for her because she was concerned about our infamous Atlanta humidity affecting her hair. She came to the studio for a maternity fitting beforehand, and brought her dress along with her. After looking through the wardrobe, she fell in love with an off the shoulder ruffled sleeve dress that was a perfect complement to her Ethiopian dress, and we were all set for her session! We chatted about what her fiancé, Gizachew, could wear from his wardrobe and what would look best with each dress. We provide our clients with a style guide that is super easy to follow, and have a great Pinterest inspiration board as well. So many of our clients have the perfect clothing in their own closets and don’t realize it until they look through the boards and review the guide. We’ll provide as much assistance as you need: I’m available for style consults in the studio where you can bring in options for what session participants are wearing and I’ll help you put it all together, or you can email your outfit combinations and I’ll provide feedback. We’re here to make your session experience as easy as possible!

The day of their session, we met at the studio, and got started! Eden looked absolutely gorgeous, and it was clear how devoted Gizachew is to her and their unborn baby. He was a little bit nervous about what to do and told me he wasn’t sure where he should put his hands, and I reassured him that I would take care of all that for him and direct him along the way. The truth is, most of my clients aren’t really sure what do to. And that’s TOTALLY ok. I’m the one that can see what it looks like through the camera, and you can’t! I’ll make adjustments as needed and tell you exactly what to do the entire time: from where to look, how to stand, etc. It’s all taken care of for you. Most of my clients express relief that I take care of this for them, and comment on how easy it all was when we’re finished!

As we moved through the session, I photographed Eden alone and would call Gizachew in every so often. This is the most efficient way to photograph a session! Who wants be stuck for two or three hours being photographed?! I often hear from my dads that they hate photos because of their engagement session (not their wedding!). These poor guys were trapped in front of the camera and apparently got their fill of being photographed for life. Honestly, that sounds pretty awful to me! An hour is all I need for portrait sessions, and many sessions are more in the 45 minute range. As a note, newborn sessions are an exception as we need a couple of hours for those due to the time it takes to photograph a tiny baby with all of the nursing and diaper changes happening during that time!

Here are a few of my favorites from their studio 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 | Heather & Jason

Heather was referred to us by another long term client of ours. We love working with referred clients! Heather and I had actually met briefly at a party at that client’s house the year before, so we weren’t total strangers to each other. She contacted us in her second trimester to schedule a maternity session at the field location because she loved the look and feel of what she had seen on the blog and portfolio. She also opted to add on hair and makeup services and was paired with Margaret. Most of our clients reserve their maternity sessions when they are in their second trimester. To clarify: they are booking their session when they are in the second trimester: not scheduling their session to take place in the second trimester. Maternity sessions are scheduled during the third trimester -generally between 28-34 weeks! Reserving your session early helps with 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. Weeknights are also available as well.

Heather came to the studio for her maternity fitting, and we discussed her style preferences. She mentioned that she wanted to go ahead and reserve her newborn session as well, so I sent Caroline a quick message to get that taken care of for her. After she tried on multiple pieces from our studio wardrobe, she chose a gorgeous off the shoulder dress and a taupe backless dress. Before she left, we discussed what her husband Jason should wear and I made some suggestions based on what she told me about his personality and style preferences. Caroline followed up later that day by sending her our style guide so that she could refer to it while going through Jason’s clothes! The style guide is super simple and SO easy to follow. If you have any questions or want more input, I’m available via email. Many of my clients bring some options with them to their session if they’re not sure, and I make a quick decision to pull it all together. Every client decides the level of support they need from me, and I ensure they get it!

On the evening of their March session, it was sunny and gorgeous. Mild late winter days are another reason why I love living in Atlanta so much - I photograph sessions outdoors all year round because it’s rarely cold enough to not be able to shoot outside.

Heather had told me at her fitting that she and her husband weren’t pros in front of the camera and that Jason was a little camera shy. If this is you, know you’re not alone. I’ve had a few clients that work as professional actresses or models, and even they sometimes feel a bit nervous in front of a camera. It’s completely normal. Don’t stress - I’ll take great care of you. My direction for what to do during your session is very straightforward. I’m known to demonstrate exactly what I want my clients to do, 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 brave they were, and they said, “We’ll do whatever you ask!” So we made our way through tall grass and briars to get to a little spot that I love, and the resulting images were absolutely gorgeous. I love when clients are willing to go outside of the box a little bit for creative purposes, because it’s always worth it. Jason was a little bit nervous at first, and I could tell by how he was standing. About 15 minutes in, he started having fun, and that’s when I started REALLY photographing them together. I usually photograph mom a bit by herself and have dad jump in and out until I can see that they’ve both relaxed and let their guards down. I get it: being yourselves as a couple can feel weird and awkward at first when someone you don’t know all that well is standing and literally watching your every move. As you’ll see from their gallery, by the end of the session they had all but forgotten I was there and were totally comfortable and at ease. I adore the images - the way they look at each other is just so loving and beautiful.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this beautiful session at the field. As previously mentioned, Heather’s look was created by our lead HMUA, Margaret. Serious hair goals here: her hair is so thick and gorgeous! She commented on how much she loved her makeup and truly felt like herself, and made sure to let me know she wanted Margaret again for her her newborn session. Check back in a couple of days to see images from their beautiful little 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 | A Field Session with Jessica & David

Jess contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a maternity session at the field with add on hair and makeup services. We also went ahead and scheduled a time for Jess to come to the studio for a maternity fitting.

On the afternoon of her maternity fitting, Jess came to the studio and we discussed her style preferences. Jess was so much fun to talk to, and I really enjoyed getting to know her. We have very similar laid back personalities, and meshed well. After talking about her likes and dislikes in terms of color and style, we looked through the wardrobe, and Jess tried on quite a few options! She ultimately chose a long sleeved cream dress and a silk moss off the shoulder dress. We then discussed ideas of what her husband, David, could wear from his closet that would work well with her choices but stay true to his personality and style.

A couple of weeks later, I met Jess and David at the field. The weather was absolutely perfect and a bit cloudy with the sun shining through in some spots. Even though the sky was slightly overcast, it wasn’t a problem and is beautiful in its own right! I love the cloud details that you get from these days, and it also gives us more flexibility in the directions you can face and shoot from. Nobody wants to stare at the blinding sun!

Jess and David were a little bit nervous at first, which is normal! I reassured them that I would make sure they didn’t look awkward even if they felt like it at first. A few jokes later, and we were laughing and having fun, and they visibly relaxed. Pro tip: I can tell when guys are inwardly panicking a bit by their posture. If they’re standing ramrod straight, we’ll work on relaxing him a bit more. :) Jess looked gorgeous and I directed her as we went through the session with the best way to stand and where place her hands. My direction is straightforward and to the point, so you’ll never be left standing there bewildered and wondering what the heck you’re supposed to do. Many of my couples are surprised when I ask them to do things they naturally do on their own! I make a few simple tweaks for the most flattering images! I want your images to show who you are as individuals and as a couple and showcase your unique dynamic. All my couples are so different, but the one common thread they have is that they deeply love each other. Sometimes it can take a little work to get couples to show that love in front of the camera, but once they relax and forget about me a little, we’re golden.

Here are a few of my favorites from Jess & David’s session! Check back in a couple of days to see their adorable little girl’s newborn session on the blog.

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 | Gloria & Andres

Gloria found us while searching online and loved what she saw in the portfolio. She went over to our Instagram feed and really enjoyed looking at all the images and reading the captions, and decided she wanted to work with us. 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.

Gloria and her husband, Andres, are from Brazil. They are some of the loveliest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! Warm, kind, and so loving. Because Andres has an interesting work schedule with weekdays off, we scheduled their maternity fitting and maternity session for a weekday.

When they arrived at the studio for their maternity fitting, we spent some time talking and getting to know each other. They had some questions about how I run the sessions, and I was able to answer those for them. We started looking through the studio wardrobe, and Gloria loved so many of the pieces she didn’t know how she would ever narrow it down to two! We had a lot of fun as she tried them on, and she was able to narrow it down to five before leaving. Andres took photos of her in each of the dresses, and she sent me her final two choices once they had decided. Andres and I talked about what he should wear in terms of color and texture, and we said our goodbyes.

On the afternoon of their session, they arrived at the studio to get ready with Brielle. They had a lot of fun and I heard lots of laughing from my office, so I know they all had a great time. Gloria loved working with Brielle so much that she specifically requested her for their newborn session, and I told her I’d do my best to make sure it happened!

Once Gloria was ready, 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 Gloria and had Andres jump in and out. I do my best not to make my pregnant clients work too much when it comes to moving around, and we have dads so all of that!

Nearly all of my clients are a bit rattled when we first get started with any type of session. This is completely normal! There is no need to worry or stress, because I’m going to guide you throughout your entire session. I want your images to look natural, and I 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 to your positioning if needed throughout. My verbal direction is to the point, and you’ll never be standing there wondering what on earth you’re supposed to do. I promise!

I will also quickly 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 you so that we can capture who you truly are as a couple. For many of my clients, their maternity session is the first time they’ve had professional images taken since their wedding, and it will be the last session they have as just a couple before welcoming their little one. It’s such an incredibly special time, and I’m SO thrilled to be able to work with so many expecting couples. If you’re pregnant and considering a maternity session, I’d absolutely love to work with you and your partner!

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 | Caroline, Blair & Slade

I LOVE when I get an email from a client telling me that they’re expecting their second baby! I first worked with Caroline and Blair when they were expecting their daughter, Slade, more than two years ago. You can view their field maternity images by clicking here, and you can view Slade’s studio newborn session by clicking here.

When Caroline emailed, she let me know they were having a boy this time and they wanted to schedule their maternity session in the field again. Their first session took place at the height of summer, so the field looked very different in April as opposed to August. Because they lived in north Alpharetta, I suggested a different field location that was closer to them to make it easier for Slade since the session time was close to her bedtime. They were totally on board with that suggestion, so we scheduled their date.

Caroline knew she wanted to borrow from the wardrobe again, and because I had worked with her before I had a pretty good idea of which dresses would work well for her. When she arrived, my assumptions were confirmed after seeing her belly shape. The shape of your belly will affect which dresses I recommend for you! No two bellies are the same, and every woman will look different in the same dress. We’ll chat about if there are any parts of your body that you would rather have covered. Some women don’t want a sleeveless or strapless dress, and that is totally fine. Others prefer solids over florals. My main consideration is whether the dress works for your skin tone, followed by how it fits. Above all, you should feel beautiful and comfortable in the dress - and if those four things are checked off, we have a winner!

Caroline loved what I pulled for her, and chose two of the dresses. Once she had chosen her options, I pulled out dresses for Slade for her to consider. I wanted to make sure that Slade’s dresses coordinated well with her choices, so that’s why I waited until Caroline’s dress decisions were made. She absolutely loved one of our toddler dresses for Slade that is a peachy pleated dress. It’s so comfortable and actually fits a wide variety of toddler body shapes because of the cut and style. Since I had not seen Slade since her newborn session, I also pulled a backup dress just in case the first choice wasn’t the best color for her skin tone.

Caroline had worked with our lead HMUA, Margaret, for her previous sessions and it was a no brainer for her when it came to whether to add on hair and makeup services again. She absolutely loves working with Margaret, and this time Margaret designed a gorgeous updo for her that showed off her beautiful features and kept her hair up and out of the way. When you’re handling a toddler, or if you get hot easily, an updo can be the perfect solution! Our HMUA’s will discuss your preferences and style in great detail with you and craft a look for you that enhances your best features but keeps you looking like you. We want our clients to recognize themselves in their photographs!

I needn’t have worried - when Slade walked up I was immediately mesmerized by her gorgeous green eyes and peaches and cream complexion. She was a bit shy, and a total daddy’s girl. In fact, so much of a daddy’s girl that she didn’t want to go to Caroline at all. We worked around that as best as we could. When I shoot a family maternity session, I save mom and dad images for the end. I want to make sure we get as many family and child images as we can and once they’re over it, we’ll hand them an activity to occupy them and photograph just the two of you. In this case, they handed her an iPhone with a quick show to watch and that did the trick perfectly. I do caution parents not to let their young children see their phones or to offer them as a reward or bribe because it almost always backfires terribly. I have lots of techniques and tricks, and as long as you’re willing to follow my guidance for natural interaction with your little one(s), we can often distract them and they start having lots of fun… which results in the sweetest and most natural images of your family truly being a family!

When Caroline viewed her proof gallery, she emailed to tell me she was so shocked at how many wonderful images I photographed of Slade. Slade was a typical toddler and running around non stop, so they were a bit concerned that she wasn’t cooperative enough. I hear this at almost every family session, and I reassure parents that everything is going just fine. I have worked with just about every personality type of child (and adults) and can handle just about anything that is thrown at me. And yes, I’ve had literal objects thrown at me (by toddlers mind you - no adults have done that yet!). Kids are small humans with big emotions, and I get it. I have three of my own! If you have a child that’s not into having their photograph taken, or is just having a rough day, don’t stress. I’ll give them the space they need, assess what’s working when it comes to engaging them, and make a plan from there. Just give them your love, patience, and support - and the session will work itself out.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Caroline’s maternity session! I can’t wait to share baby boy’s newborn session with you here on the blog. Check back to see those next week!

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 | Katrina & Nick at the field

Katrina contacted the studio at the beginning of her second trimester to inquire about booking a newborn and maternity session. She had visited the website and really loved what she saw, since she wanted a very natural approach to her photographs and felt that we would be a great fit based on what she had read in blog posts. She told us that she and her husband were waiting to find out what they were having, which I just love since I made that same choice with all three of my babies. It’s a surprise whenever you choose to find out, but I definitely have a soft spot for those who choose to wait like I did since I know what that’s like!

After chatting with Caroline, our studio manager, she determined that the field was the right location for her vision and and preferences. We scheduled a maternity fitting for her to come in a couple of weeks before her session as well! Maternity fittings are usually held in the late afternoon, and sometimes in the later evening after sunset depending on the studio schedule and your work schedule!

Katrina drove all the way from Cumming, Georgia the day of her maternity fitting, and we looked through the dresses together. She is quite petite at 5’4”, so she was a little concerned about things fitting her. The good thing about maternity is that it’s okay if the dress is long on you if you’re shorter! It looks beautiful pooled around your feet, and I have a few tricks to make walking in them a bit easier. Plus, you can always wear a shoe with a heel if you want some extra height. After trying on several pieces, Katrina chose a pretty blush pink floral dress and an empire waisted cream one. We talked about what colors would work for her husband, Nick, as well as suggestions for what he could wear that would work well with her choices. We also sent her our style guide which goes a bit further and is extremely helpful to all of our clients when it comes to coordinating colors and patterns. We’re here to help you as much as you desire! So many of our clients will send over photos of their outfit combinations beforehand for feedback and input, and some will arrive to their session with an armful of choices. I am a very quick decision maker and can instantly tell what will work and what won’t. The only thing I ask clients to make sure of is that the clothing they are bringing for me at their session time fits well and is ready to wear (ie: free of wrinkles).

The evening of their session was a bit cold, and it had been raining that week. Fortunately it did not rain on the day of their session, and we had a gorgeous overcast sky. I shoot regardless of sun or clouds, and either way is equally gorgeous! We have more flexibility with angles and direction when the sky is overcast, so it’s not a bad thing at all. Plus, an overcast sky diffuses the light so beautifully and is so soft. At first Katrina was a bit worried that it was too dark outside because of the sky, but when I reassured her that it wasn’t at all, she was ready to go! I loved the outfits that she had chosen for her husband, Nick! They were casual and comfortable and complemented her choices perfectly.

When we started off with our session, Katrina was wearing heeled boots. After about 10 minutes she couldn’t take it any longer and kicked the boots off. She didn’t have a pair of backup shoes, so she’s just wearing socks! But you wouldn’t have known that unless I had told you. Moral of the story: if you’re not sure you can make it through a session in the footwear that you want to wear, bring a backup pair of shoes so you don’t have to walk around a field in socks. I loved how go with the flow she was about the whole thing, and it didn’t affect their images at all.

They had both warned me before we got started that they weren’t sure what they should do. I reminded them that I would guide them through the entire session and they didn’t need to worry about that. Sessions with me are very laid back and relaxed, and lots of joking and laughing is involved. My typical client is nervous for about 10-15 minutes and then it all falls away. You really don’t have to worry about where to place your hands or where to look, because I will literally tell you! My guidance is gentle and I will give you prompts for a natural action that you do on a daily basis and don’t even realize. At the end of my sessions I am often told “Wow, that was actually a lot of fun, and way more so than I expected!” Your session is a collaboration between us - it’s not just all me. Your relationship with your partner and unborn baby has a unique dynamic all on its own. My goal is to bring that out and to photograph the feeling and emotional connection of one of the most exciting and special times in your life together. There is nothing quite like expecting a new little baby, and I absolutely love being invited to document that for clients!

Here are just a few of my favorites from their maternity session at the field! Check back in a couple of days to find out if they had a boy or a girl and see how cute their baby is!

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.