Atlanta Baby Photographer | Mina is six months!

Earlier this month, I shared images from Mina’s newborn session. Her parents both place a high priority on photographs and make sure to document the first year as well as their lives together through sessions with me. I can’t think of a better gift to pass on to your children - beautiful and tangible memories filled with love and family. If you’ve been around the blog long enough, you’ll have figured out by now that milestone sessions are not just about the babies. Their parents and siblings are every bit as important. Now and then we will have a milestone session that is of baby only, but it’s very rare.

The family arrived at the studio ready to go, and planned to borrow from the wardrobe. I pulled a few dress options for both Mina and her big sister Oona. Oona made it clear that she wanted to stay in what she had on ( a pink shirt and a pastel rainbow tulle skirt)., and that was perfectly fine with her parents - and also with me! I think it’s super important for children to know that their feelings are respected. Another thing to know is that while our studio wardrobe for moms is quite large, it is more limited for babies and children. We have the basics, but the majority of our clients choose to dress their children themselves with the help of our style guide. Many moms will bring in clothing that they’re considering for the session and I’ll go through it all and piece it all together with suggestions of other pieces to pick up. Sometimes I’ll pull from the studio wardrobe too, and we always come up with a great look that everyone is happy with!

Mina looks a lot like her daddy and is a pretty serious little girl. Her family can make her laugh, but she gives most others a very quiet stare. She’s not afraid or shy, she just takes it all in. She warmed up to me as the session went on, and gave me a few sweet smiles.

We started with solo portraits on the bed. While Mina is sitting unassisted, she wasn’t 100% stable. Daddy was right next to her out of the frame ready to catch if needed. If your baby is not sitting up on their own at all, we simply use parents’ laps and arms as props! The six month milestone doesn’t have to be done right at six months. Some parents prefer to wait until their baby is sitting unassisted and refer to it as the sitting milestone. It’s entirely your preference! Most babies this age have discovered their feet, and I LOVE those images. Sometimes we help babies along by reminding them that they have feet to play with, but Mina didn’t need much help!

After we finished with her solo images, we moved on to family and parents. While Irene and Steve hoped that Oona would be willing to be photographed with her sister for some sibling only images, that was not the case. No amount of bribery or persuasion worked. I suggested that we ignore her and play with some of the studio toys and she came over to see what was going on. While they aren’t the photos that Irene and Steve probably initially envisioned, they shared that they loved them and how it looked just like the girls playing at home. Honestly - that’s the way that I work. While I do guide you and place you by the best light, much of what you’re doing here at the studio is what you already do at home with your children. Snuggling, playing, giving kisses, tickling, and laughing. As such, sessions here are a fun and relaxing experience that aren’t awkward or forced.

Enjoy a few images from Mina’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 | 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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Lennon

Kylie contacted the studio to schedule a last minute newborn session for her baby girl, Lennon, who had already arrived. They had gotten so busy over the holidays that they had forgotten to schedule a newborn session. When they visited the website, they loved what they saw - and Jordan was sold when he found out that the studio was only a five minute drive from their Kirkwood neighborhood.

A little backstory here, because it’s just too good not to share!

I live in the Kirkwood neighborhood also. It’s a fun neighborhood to go trick-or-treating in, and on Halloween I took my three children. They all dressed as the Incredibles, and were bouncing off the streets from all the sugar. On the first street that we visited, I noticed a pregnant woman dressed as an avocado. My dad, who was visiting and accompanying us, elbowed me and said I should give her my business card. I laughed because that is SO not my style and told him to quit it.

On the day of Lennon’s newborn session (which was two days after Kylie first contacted us!) the new family of three arrived at the studio. We went through the wardrobe and Kylie loved one of our simple white lace dresses. Jordan had brought a few options from home, and I left the final decision up to him between two that I pulled. Since he’s a laid back and more casual guy, he chose the t-shirt. I want dads to wear what is true to them and what they feel comfortable in. My main concern is fit and color - the tones need to mesh well with what everyone else is wearing, and the fit shouldn’t be too tight or overly large. If your guy is most comfortable in a three piece suit and that’s what he loves to wear, go for it! I just had an amazing family in my studio who opted to wear formalwear (think tuxedos for the guys and a black evening gown for mom). These are YOUR family portraits and you should love what you wear. My job is simply to make sure that it works in the setting of your photographs and is all cohesive from an aesthetic standpoint.

Baby Lennon wins the prize for being the most awake little baby that I have EVER had in my studio. She did not want to sleep and wanted to spend a lot of time nursing. During one of her nursing breaks, I asked where they lived, and when they responded Kirkwood - I said, “Oh, I live there too, right by the park.” Both of them looked at each other and said “No way, we live right by the park too!”

I can literally see their house from my bedroom window. First time I’ve ever had a client turn out to be a literal neighbor! I commented that we had gone trick or treating on the street, and that my kids had dressed as the Incredibles, and Kylie gasped and said “I remember them!”. They didn’t have a lot of foot traffic that year, and my kids are definitely little chatterboxes. Kyle then told me, “I was dressed as an avocado!” What are the chances? It really is such a small world we live in.

When babies are awake, we just work around them. If a newborn wants to be awake and is calm, I proceed with the session. If a baby is awake and crying, we will take the time we need to get them into a calm or sleeping state. Lennon was a wide eyed and expressive baby, and shockingly strong for her age. I don’t encounter many newborns who can lift and hold their head up like she did. We all joked that she was suffering from serious FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and that’s why she didn’t want to sleep.

For the parent portion of the session. Kylie opted to have Lennon wear a headband from the studio and dressed her in a knotted gown. Sometimes it’s easier to have a baby in a gown as opposed to wrapped in a blanket since there is much less adjusting to do and less fabric to deal with. We’ll discuss your preferences when you arrive when it comes to that and you’ll make the decision that best suits your taste!

With a lot of patience and waiting (and good conversation while we waited!) Lennon eventually did fall asleep. As you’ll see from the handful of photos below, it made for quite a varied gallery! Newborn clients receive their final gallery images in both black and white and color versions, so the gallery below is a mix.

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 | Liz, Isaac & Frances

I was one of the very first people to meet Frances after she was born when I photographed her Fresh 48 session, which you can view by clicking here. I’ve since gone on to work with this family several times as Frances has grown. Liz contacted me in mid summer to schedule fall family photos for late October, and I was super excited to get to see them again. Frances has one of the best little spunky personalities, and the whole family is just so fun to be around. I also really love the honor of being the go to photographer for a client over the years. Developing relationships and getting to know your children as they grow is a such a privilege, and I don’t take it lightly!

Liz has worked with our HMUA team for nearly all of her sessions with me, and this time was no exception. She requested to add on hair and makeup services for this session as well, and we paired her with Margaret, who she had worked with before. I sent over our style guide and Pinterest board as a refresher, but I knew that she would be just fine as she knew the drill from having worked with us so many times.

Liz chose the park location for their session since they live intown and wanted to avoid dealing with traffic. We met on a nice fall evening, and I loved the adorable blue and green plaid print dress and black patent leather Mary Janes that Frances was wearing! The whole family looked wonderful and were comfortable and relaxed in their outfits. Frances is quite the little explorer, so we spent some time watching her run around. The key to a successful and stress free family photo experience are these three words: Roll With It. This means that you leave your expectations behind and come ready to play and have fun. Children don’t sit still. It’s not in their nature, and you can’t see their true personalities shine when they’re forced to sit and be quiet. There may be dancing, there may be singing, and there will definitely be tickling and snuggling during sessions. There may also be an accidental collision in all the fun… when you look through these images, I’ll give you one guess to find the one where that happened and where the collision was. It ended up being one of the favorite gallery images and I laugh every time I see it!

My goal for your family photos is capture your unique family dynamic, the personality of your child shining through their happy faces, and the love shared between all of you. We simply cannot accomplish that with an awkward and stiffly posed arrangement of your family members on a bench. So come ready to have fun, and willing to play games, and let the magic happen. Wanna see what that magic looks like? Have a little look.

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 Baby Photographer | Eden is ONE!

I first worked with Avis and Thomas for their maternity session in the studio, which can be viewed by clicking here. They welcomed Eden on Halloween, and I will never forget opening an email from Avis that day with the announcement that she was here and an attached photo of all of them wearing costumes in their hospital bed!

When Avis contacted us schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Eden, I was SO excited! Because of food sensitivities, Avis decided to work with our recommended baker to create a vegan cake. Our recommended baker is local to the studio and can deliver your cake directly to the studio so you don’t have to worry about picking it up or forgetting it. Smash cakes are NOT required for First Birthday sessions, but many clients do love including them as it’s a chance for their baby to have some fun without the pressure of being watched by lots of people. Parents also enjoy being able to watch and take in all the funny moments without trying to document it all themselves. If you choose to include a cake in your baby’s First Birthday session, we’ll go over our recommendations for cake type, icing type, color, design, etc. Our goal is to make everything as easy for you as we possibly can!

We also sent Avis our style guide so that she could plan her family’s wardrobe choices. She emailed over a few photos of outfits for me to look at, and I confirmed that her choices looked great! On the day of the session, I arrived at the studio to take delivery of the cake, and welcomed the family shortly thereafter. It was so wonderful to see Thomas & Avis again and to meet their beautiful little girl! She was a little bit reserved, but very curious to know who I was. Because she wasn’t frightened of me, we started the session off with a few images of just Eden. I loved the cream dress her mom had brought for her and accessorized with adorable burgundy shoes and a bow headband! Those accessories were tied together with daddy’s shirt color and mom’s shade of lipstick. They looked amazing, and did such a great job! Thomas was a much more willing participant for this session - I won him over during their maternity session. ;) I loved watching them with their daughter, and we all had so much fun.

After we finished our family and solo portraits portion, Avis dressed Eden in her special birthday outfit. I thought her tutu and pearls paired with a simple white onesie were absolutely adorable. Eden was already walking, so we spent some time playing together on the floor, and running around all over the place. Once we finished with that, I pulled out the high chair, and the cake fun began!

Eden was immediately interested in her cake, and mom and dad came over to join in as well. I will never forget Thomas taking a bite of the icing and the look of shock on his face. I asked him if everything was okay and he nodded. He said “I just can’t believe this cake is vegan! It’s really good!” Avis looked at him and tasted it and said, “Oh my gosh this is amazing!” Our baker really is incredible - her cakes always get taken home for enjoyment no matter how smashed up they get during the session. I order birthday cakes and special event cakes from her - nobody else in Atlanta comes close to the flavor and amazing design she creates.

Here are a handful of my favorite images from Eden’s first birthday celebration!

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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Mina

Where do I even begin? Steve and Irene have been coming to me since their first maternity session at the field location with their oldest daughter, Oona who is now three. Over the years, I have photographed them so many times for milestones, family sessions, and Santa. When Irene let me know she was expecting her second daughter, I was beyond thrilled for them! They chose the mountain location for their family maternity session, and you can view those gorgeous images by clicking here.

When Mina was born, Irene let me know she had arrived and we picked a date for the family to come in for her newborn session. Irene and her mother in law arrived first with Mina. I loved how she had chosen to do her hair and makeup! She had already chosen her dress for the newborn session back when we had our maternity fitting, which is very common for clients to do! She asked to see some of our options for little girls and we pulled a dress for big sister Oona to wear when she arrived, which was shortly afterwards.

I started with just Mina for her solo portraits in the newborn shooting room and she was wide awake for a little while, but so calm and content. A lot of clients ask if I can photograph their newborn looking at the camera, and I wish I could promise that but it’s entirely dependent on your baby. There are some babies who come in and they never open their eyes the entire time. Other babies are awake but they’re not happy or calm while awake. Every baby is unique, and their session gallery will also be one of a kind as well.

Because Steve could only be there for a little while before heading back in to work, we started with family and parent images and wrapped those up so he could be on his way back to work. Lots of dads plan to come to the session over their lunch break and plan for a longer than usual lunch break rather than taking the day off. Weekend newborn sessions are sometimes available, but cannot be guaranteed.

After Steve had left, I finished up with Mina. The family portion had worn her out and gotten her tired, and after a diaper change, a bottle, and some snuggling, she was conked out. When babies are in deep sleep, I’m able to do a lot more with them in terms of how they look while wrapped. Generally, the sleepier a baby is, the more pliable and flexible their body is. I never force babies into positions and actually love to arrange the wrap around the position they naturally assume when curled up. I want parents to be able to look back on their images and remember every little tiny thing about their baby. I wish I could say I remember exactly what my son’s toe looked like, but the memory is fuzzy. Having a photograph of his little feet is absolutely priceless and ensures I’ll always remember.

As a closing note, every portrait client receives their final gallery images in both black and white and color versions with the exception of our Santa images. I adore the black and white images from this session so much that I’m choosing to share all black and white images for 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 | 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 Baby Photographer | Benicio is six months!

I first worked with Erised and Dan for their maternity session at the gardens location and loved photographing them again as a new family of three for Benicio’s newborn session. You can view their maternity session images by clicking here. Believe it or not, I still haven’t blogged his newborn session! I routinely photograph 20-30 clients per month, so I just don’t have enough space on the blog (or time to write them!) to feature every single session.

When the family arrived at the studio for Benicio’s six month milestone session, I was so excited to see them! Erised is one of my favorite people and we always have a good time chatting. Benicio is one the HAPPIEST babies on the planet, and is absolutely adorable. It was so wonderful to see Erised and Dan as parents to an older baby and to see how they had acclimated so well to being parents. The first few months were challenging as they navigated sleep (isn’t that the case for so many of us?!) but with some experimenting with nap schedules and moving him to his nursery they finally experienced getting to sleep through the night! I still remember when all three of mine started sleeping through the night. It was such an amazing and strange experience to wake up that morning feeling completely well rested. If you’re expecting, people will try and scare you by telling you that you’ll never sleep again. Don’t listen to them. You will, in time! And someday, you’ll be the one dragging them out of bed in the morning. My oldest is 7, and I’m starting to experience the sleepy protest of “But Mom! I don’t WANNA wake up for school!” already.

Erised had followed the style guide and had brought along several things for Benicio as options. She’s a fan of shopping at Baby Braithwaite here in Atlanta, and that’s where his sweet little knit blue rompers are from. Other great local options for unique baby and child clothing are Feather Baby in Decatur, Janie & Jack, Baby Gap, Baby Zara, and believe it or not - H&M! For the Southern mama, Feltman Brothers and Beaufort Bonnet Company have pieces with smocking and Peter Pan collars.

I typically start my milestone sessions with the entire family if the baby is experiencing shyness or stranger anxiety. Since Benicio wasn’t shy AT all, we started with solo portraits and then added parents and family into the mix. Milestone sessions are efficient because babies this age get tired out easily from stimulation, so I work quickly to make sure we have a varied gallery full of options!

Benicio is such a chunky little guy, and Erised wanted to remember all his little rolls. In between outfit changes, we put on one of the studio cloth diapers over his regular diaper and photographed him in our Eames style chair. When babies see me throughout the year, I really love to use the Eames chair for a few images in each session so that you can see how much your child has grown in between their sessions. It’s really am amazing thing to see! I also want to note really quickly that when babies are in chairs and on the bed in my studio, mom or dad is right there next to them, just out of the frame. We take baby safety very seriously around here, and have measures in place with every session to ensure that!

Isn’t Benicio just the most adorable blue eyed little guy?! I cannot wait to see him next month for his First Birthday 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 Newborn Photographer | Baby William

Heather contacted the studio in her third trimester to schedule a newborn session for her son, William. She was excited to hear we had a wardrobe available and also asked to add on hair and makeup services. When you schedule a newborn session while you’re still pregnant, we don’t actually schedule a date in the calendar for you. Babies arrive on their own timetable, and there are so many factors we need to consider such as birth weight and how you’re both recovering if there were any unforeseen complications. Booking your newborn session simply means you’re reserving a guaranteed spot! You’ll let us know as soon as possible that your baby has arrived, and we’ll find out how everything went and how much your baby weighed at birth. If you’re adding on hair and makeup services too, we’ll then check with our HMUA team to see who is available when we are and give you a couple of dates to choose from. We handle all the coordinating for you so you don’t have to. That first week at home with a newborn is often one that involves very little sleep, so we strive to make your entire experience with us as easy as possible with nothing to worry about.

Heather arrived at the studio with William and we looked through the wardrobe. She found a dress she loved, and settled into the hair and makeup chair. She let me know that her husband wasn’t a big fan of having his photos taken and that when he arrived she hoped we could get him in and out quickly. I reassured her that I work efficiently and would have him out of there after we were finished. I also informed her that if William was fussy, needed to nurse, or would not sleep, that her husband would have to wait until it was resolved in order to continue. As anyone who has been around a newborn knows, there is no “Hurry up and finish!” when it comes to needing to eat!

William was sound asleep when I took him out of the baby carrier, and I thought his little onesie was just so cute, so I gently placed him on my shooting surface still dressed. I was able to take his onesie off without him waking up and continued through his entire session with him sleeping like.. well, a baby. ;) At the very end of his session he opened his eyes…. and decided he wanted to stay awake. He had a long staring contest with his daddy, and after a nice long feed and about 15 minutes of snuggling with his mama he conked back out and we wrapped up the session.

Are these not some of the most perfect pillowy lips you have ever seen?! He was such a little sweetie!

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 Baby Photographer | Quinton is ONE!

I headed to the office one morning and when I checked my inbox, I started reading emails. The first email was from a client who needed to reschedule her session for the next evening due to being sick with a stomach virus. She had a prime October Saturday, and I let her know that I was more than happy to reschedule her session but that it would have to be a weeknight since I was completely booked through December for weekend outdoor dates. She was totally fine with that, and we moved her to a couple of weeks later on a Tuesday evening.

Then I came across an email from Sarah, asking if I had ANY availability at all for a Family/First Birthday session and if she could be put on the waitlist for a cancellation. Fate, kismet, whatever you want to call it! I was expecting a client, so I forwarded her email to Caroline (our studio manager) and Caroline took care of calling her. She was thrilled to hear that we had an opening that same evening and immediately snapped it up. We sent her our style guide to dress her family, as well as our cake tips.

I met the family in the studio parking lot the next evening, and we headed to the park location. It was pretty much the most perfect weather ever, and the light was gorgeous. I really loved what she had chosen for them to wear - Quinton’s little leather pants were to die for! A lot of clients wonder if they need to wear pastels and neutrals in order for their images to look amazing - the answer is no. When it comes to color - I love it! It’s just a matter of choosing the right colors and mixing the colors and patterns for the most cohesive and visually appealing look. Neon will never make a comeback or be a good choice for a session. ;)

Big brother Matthew was all over the place, and his parents were concerned that he wouldn’t cooperate for any family images. I reassured Sarah and Vincent it was normal for that age, and that we would win him over eventually. When a child doesn’t want to participate or needs a break, we give them one! Pressuring children or forcing them to do something they don’t want to is not my style. Gentle persuasion by the way of having lots of fun where a child decides they want to join in is more my speed. Vincent assumed responsibility for chasing Matthew around while I photographed Sarah and Quinton. Sure enough, Matthew eventually became interested in what was going on and wanted to play games with me too. We made it work! Let me make it clear that I am not a magician when it comes to young children. It requires a team effort between all the adults involved. I will meet your child exactly where they are at and tailor my response and engagement with them to that level. With lots of patience and love, we’ll hopefully get them laughing and having fun in no time if they’re a little bit shy or not into having their picture taken. A willingness on your part to be silly and laugh is absolutely essential. And please, do not judge me if I act crazy during our time together. I do lot of silly faces and voices to win the little ones over! :)

After we finished with the family portion, we ended with the cake part. Quinton didn’t want to touch his cake unless his mama was holding it, so that’s exactly what we did. Check out the image of his reaction to his first taste of sugar - too funny!

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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Sage

I first worked with Rachael & Dillon for their maternity session in the park, where we had so much fun! You can view some of the gorgeous images from their shoot by clicking here. The big question we all wanted to know the answer to was whether or not their baby boy would have red hair like his dad! I was so looking forward to hearing how it all went and getting to meet baby Sage at their newborn session.

Rachael let me know that Sage had arrived safely and asked to add on hair and makeup services again. She did not want to have to deal with getting herself ready for the session running on little to no sleep, and she already knew exactly which dress she planned to wear from the studio wardrobe. SO many of our newborn clients who work with us for maternity beforehand have a good idea of which dress they’re going to wear for their newborn session. Sometimes it’s just a matter of waiting to see what fits well if their bust grows a bit due to milk production. It’s different for every woman.

When they arrived at the studio, I peeked inside the carseat and squealed when I saw that Sage DID indeed have red hair just like daddy! Rachael and Dillon both said that they weren’t at all surprised. We have had so many gorgeous redhead mamas in the studio but this was our first newborn with red hair that we could see! A couple of our newborns went on to have red hair when they were older.

I took Sage out of his carseat and into the dedicated newborn shooting room. I have it set up to be toasty warm and comfy for my littlest clients, and there’s an observation window for parents to watch through if they so desire. Rachael settled into the hair and makeup chair with Margaret for some pampering and fun conversation, and I got to work with Sage. He was a sleepy little thing and was very relaxed and curly, which made for a very easy session! I have endless patience, so if your baby is fussy or doesn’t want to sleep, I’ll keep working with them and we’ll still get beautiful images even if they refuse to close their eyes and sleep. (yes, this has happened!)

When I came out with Sage, Rachael will still being prepped. Sage needed to nurse, so it was perfect timing. He was also a quick nurser, so when he finished up I went ahead and started with daddy and baby shots. I always keep moving along when baby is calm and sleepy. Rachael joined in shortly after, and it was just the sweetest thing to see them holding their son. Rachael and Dillon had miscarried a baby prior to becoming pregnant with Sage, and were very open about it with others. They referred to Sage as their rainbow baby, and were very grateful to be his parents. It’s a strange place to be in: celebrating the baby you have while still grieving for the one you lost. If you are experiencing this, I want you to know that you are not alone. I have heard countless stories, given many tearful hugs, and supported both clients and friends along the way of navigating loss.

Enjoy some of my favorites from this absolutely joyful 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 Baby Photographer | Noa's Sitting Milestone in home lifestyle session

I first met this gorgeous family when they came to the studio for Noa’s newborn session. At that time, Tiffany asked if I ever traveled to homes. She really wanted to book a newborn session at home, but I only offer lifestyle newborn sessions in homes as my newborn setup is too large and complicated to travel with. They also wanted the solo semi posed portraits of just Noa, so they ultimately chose to come to the studio for their newborn session with the intention of an in home session when Noa was older. If you’re hoping to document the three major milestones (Newborn, Sitting, and First Birthday), you should definitely look at our First Year Collection! There are some amazing perks that are exclusively for First Year Collection members… and we get to hang out throughout the year! Just ask about it when you inquire!

Many of our families really love having the nursery documented when their baby can actually interact with toys and enjoy their room! The sitting milestone session is the perfect time to do that, and is SO much fun. Unfortunately, I cannot travel to homes that have cats due to a severe allergy, but I love dogs. Miles, the labradoodle, is one of the best furbabies I have ever met. I was so excited to see the family and traveled to their home in Brookhaven for this session. The sitting milestone can also be the six month milestone - but not every baby is sitting up unassisted but not yet crawling quickly at 6 months. It was most important to Tiffany that Noa be sitting, so we scheduled the session for when she was sitting up well which was around 8 months for her. Some parents want it to be at the six month mark regardless of sitting ability, which is totally fine! The choice is yours. I’ll photograph your baby exactly as they are and capture their personality and fun moments between all of you.

When I arrived at their home, Tiffany showed me upstairs to the nursery, which she had designed and decorated herself. She had chosen for Noa to wear this ADORABLE romper from Zara, which always has gorgeous and classic pieces for babies and children. Tiffany and Joe weren’t quite ready yet, so Tiffany handed me Noa and they went to finish getting dressed. I started photographing Noa, and we had so much fun visiting while waiting for her parents to join us.

Once Tiffany and Joe were with us, we moved into family and parent images. When I shoot in home sessions, I will assess your home and determine the best place to shoot in light wise. It’s key to schedule our time together when the room(s) you want to showcase have the most light coming in AND that work with your baby’s nap and eating schedule. If you have a west facing window, we won’t want to schedule for when the sun is shining directly into the window, but when it’s still slightly above so that the light isn’t harsh. We’ll discuss all of this in advance, and it will simply require a few phone snaps sent our way at different times of the day so that we can choose the best time for the most beautiful results. As a note, every home will photograph differently depending on the available natural light and the decor.

Tiffany and Joe loved Noa’s gallery, and chose to print several. They also used a few for their Christmas card as well! Milestone sessions are rarely just ever about the baby, as I encourage at least one parent to participate. Sometimes mamas like to give dads a break from photographs and have him skip the six month session. It’s a fun way to really get those beautiful motherhood snuggly portraits without having your baby running in all directions or squirming all over the place!

Take a look at some of these gorgeous images from Noa’s in home session - didn’t Tiffany do an amazing job with her nursery?!

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 Hospital Photographer | Northside Hospital Fresh 48 Session

Diana and Adam contacted me to inquire about maternity and Fresh 48 sessions and decided to book both. They were having their first baby, a little boy, at Northside Hospital and SO excited about it. I kept in touch with Diana during her pregnancy, and heard from her that they were going into the hospital due to some pre-e symptoms she was experiencing to deliver their son ahead of her due date. Ultimately, baby Graham ended up being delivered via unplanned c-section. He was a BIG squishy boy at 9 pounds! Diana was feeling pretty good the next day (it’s the second full day that’s the worst in terms of recovery from all the reports I’ve had from clients) so I arranged to come in for their session then.

When I arrived at the hospital, Graham was sleeping in Diana’s arms. I opened up the blinds and made a few changes to the room, and we got started. The changes that I make in hospital rooms are simply removing some distracting elements as much as possible. Sometimes recovery rooms are really tiny and there’s really nowhere to put all your stuff. First time parents tend to pack a LOT of things, so the room can be overflowing with personal items. You may not want your breast pump bag or a pile of clothes in the background of your images. Most of the time, parents have this all sorted out before I arrive but with Diana’s limited mobility and Adam needing to care for her and Graham, they didn’t have the time to do so beforehand.

Aside from taking care of clutter, Fresh 48 sessions are EASY. They only require you to hold and love your baby. These sessions are the truest form of documentary lifestyle that I shoot (with the exception of cleaning up the room beforehand!) and I love them. I don’t edit your baby’s newborn skin for Fresh 48 sessions, because that would take away from how they truly looked. If you’re having a postpartum breakout, I’ll take care of that for you in processing though, no worries! Mamas usually plan what they’re going to wear in advance. Some mamas choose a hospital gown while others have their own robe on hand. The choice is completely yours! I personally didn’t wear a hospital gown with any of my children as I preferred the comfort of my own.

Because of Diana’s c-section she was limited to the bed and how much she could move. I work around whatever the situation is, and we’ll still get a great variety of images for your gallery for you to choose from! I will guide you through the entire experience and help move baby or adjust things. If baby needs a nursing break, I can put the camera down or document that in a discreet way for you!

Your Fresh 48 images will be unforced, unfold naturally and preserve you, your partner, and your baby exactly as you were in those first couple of days. I want you to smile when you look at the images of your baby's impossibly tiny features and remember how their head fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. I want the memories of their fresh baby smell and twitchy sleepy smiles to come flooding back. I want you to whisper “How were they ever that little?”

These moments are why I'm a photographer. I can’t stop time (let me know when you figure that one out, please) but I can freeze it for you with beautiful photographs that grab your heart every time you look at them.

Enjoy a handful of Graham’s Fresh 48 sessions in black and white!

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta 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 Baby Photographer | Troi is ONE!

‘Toya contacted me to schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Troi. I had first worked with her for Troi’s newborn session, and was so excited to see them again! Troi was a tiny preemie born at 26 weeks, but proved to be a mighty fighter who is a happy and healthy one year old today. You can read more details and see images on her newborn blog post by clicking here.

‘Toya brought a simple buttercream frosted cake with colorful pastel sprinkles. If you choose to include a cake (nope, it’s not required!) we have a list of great options for you in the Atlanta area if you want to outsource that part. Our baker is such a talented person and can accommodate many food allergies as well as create vegan cakes for those who may desire or need that as an option. She’ll drop the cake off at the studio in advance of your session so it’s one less thing you have to worry about the day of. Using her services is not required as your local grocery store can also make a gorgeous cake for your baby! Regardless of where the cake comes from, we will walk you though best practices for icing type, cake flavor, texture, and colors, if you choose to incorporate a cake into your baby’s session! The main goal is to keep the focus on your baby so the cake isn’t competing with them for attention when viewing the image.

I was SO excited to see Troi again! At first she was a little bit shy but that quickly dissipated with a game of peek a boo. First Birthday sessions double as a family session too! After we finished with Troi’s solo images, we moved into the family and parent portion of our session. By this time, most one year olds are ready to call it a day. Their attention spans aren’t very long! It’s for this reason that we save the cake for last!

‘Toya had bought a fun little outfit for the cake smash portion, so after an outfit change we moved into that. If your baby is fussy and getting tired, 9 times out of 10 their cake is the perfect distraction and pick me up. As you can see from the images, Troi was a fan of her cake and enjoyed the first taste of sugar she’d ever been permitted.

(While we typically use our antique high chair for cake smashes in the studio to make it less work for mom and dad, sometimes babies don’t like to sit, and that’s totally fine! We adapt to each baby’s unique personality and preferences and tailor the experience to their needs.)

Enjoy some of the images from this cutie’s session!

If you're getting ready to celebrate your baby’s First Birthday (congrats on almost a WHOLE year of parenting!!!), 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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Sophia

Melissa contacted the studio to schedule a newborn session for when her daughter Sophia arrived. After she inquired, she took some time to look over information and then went to browse the website again. She clicked on this video, cried, and then emailed to let us know she wanted to secure her spot. She was excited to hear that we had a studio wardrobe available as well as add on hair and makeup services! While Melissa was pretty sure she would wear clothing from her own closet, but was grateful to know that there was a backup option available to her.

On the morning of their session, Melissa arrived at the studio with baby Sophia. We looked through the studio wardrobe together and she showed me what she had brought from home for herself and for her husband and son. I loved what she had brought with her, and after hearing that she was hoping for a casual feel, told her I thought what she had brought would be perfect. She commented that the style guide we send to all clients was super helpful in knowing what to bring. Our HMUA Brielle was all set up for her when she arrived and spoke with her about what she wanted in terms of her look. Melissa loves makeup, and enjoys wearing a more dramatic eye, but also wanted to keep it more toned down than she would normally wear. Brielle nailed it, as always. If you’re someone who doesn’t wear makeup often (like me), have no fear. You will discuss your preferences with your HMUA and they will work with you to create a beautiful look that you feel gorgeous and comfortable in - you will look like yourself!

While Melissa was being pampered, I took baby Sophia to the newborn shooting room for her solo portraits. She was a sweet little itty bitty six pounder, and so snuggly! Melissa requested that we use some tiebacks for her during he solo portion, which is something else that I always ask my girl moms. Some moms prefer a mix, while others prefer none.

As I finished up, Melissa’s husband Tom arrived with Tommy. Tommy was the most ADORABLE big brother ever! He was so sweet and loving towards his baby sister, and so eager to participate! With older siblings I always assess their comfort level and how they’re acclimating to baby. There is no set game plan when it comes to the sibling portion of the session because it’s impossible to predict how a younger child will react or be feeling on that day. We have lots of little tricks that we use for young toddlers who aren’t wild about their baby sibling, but none were needed with this guy as he is almost 4 and was a great listener. After we finished with the sibling images, we moved into family and parents. This is when you snuggle together as a new family and I photograph what unfolds. Sometimes families aren’t quite sure what to do because of the camera, but I just give a few prompts of things that families do all the time, and once you’re engaged in that it all comes together.

You’ll notice that Sophia is wearing a darling little buttoned gown! We have a few alternatives to blanket wraps in the studio and I’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option. Every family will want a different feel for their images in terms of overall look, others will want to add in a sentimental touch by bringing their own blanket for the session. There is no right or wrong way! I loved her sweet little gown and it made moving her from parent to parent quite seamless as there was no readjusting of a blanket needed. If you want to bring something from home, we’ll discuss best practices to make sure what you bring photographs beautifully in terms of color and texture. We can also recommend specific places to shop at as well!

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this precious 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 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 Family Photographer | The M Family

I first worked with Shannon for her maternity session with her second baby a couple of years ago and was so excited to get to meet her baby when we scheduled their family session! Of course, he wasn’t a baby anymore at two years old… but I love seeing clients again no matter how much time has passed. I absolutely LOVE photographing families and frequently do.

Shannon and her husband live in the Peachtree City area and have two adorable and energetic little boys. I sent over the style guide and wardrobe inspiration board to her so she could look through it. We provide as much or as little assistance with styling your family as you need. Some of my clients could open their own fashion boutiques and need zero help from me (these guys would qualify), while others want the assurance of knowing what they’re choosing to wear will work well for their session. Shannon chose a monochromatic look with fun details like her motorcycle jacket and boots that paired well with her husband’s beanie and plaid shirt. Hats are more than welcome during sessions - I strongly suggest avoiding hats with brims as they’ll shadow faces and hide expressions. If you have a hat with a brim you absolutely love, bring it and we’ll incorporate it into a few images!

The evening of their spring session in March was overcast and cool. Overcast days are just as beautiful for photos too! The two major benefits to overcast days are (1) gorgeous even light (2) no limitations on which direction you’re facing since you won’t be blinded by the sun.

It’s awesome living in Atlanta because for the most part, shooting year round outdoors is no problem. It’s pretty rare we have days that are so cold you can’t be outdoors for a shoot - and those days are mostly in December-January. But, it’s the south after all…. just last week it was 71 degrees while I was shooting here and it reached 75 on another day in December. You just never know.

Family sessions are full of fun and play. I ask parents to check their expectations at the car, and to be willing to play games and follow my prompts for activities. I know firsthand how easy to become frustrated when you feel like your family session isn’t going well. I know how much planning, time, and effort goes into the entire thing. I’m a mom of three kids myself, so I really do get it. When my clients trust me and go with the flow, they are always pleasantly surprised by the resulting gallery if they felt like the entire session was chaos. If your children are a bit wild and running around, that’s perfectly ok! Usually this also means they’re full of joy and personality, and we’re going to get images where their sheer happiness is clearly evident. I also like to remind parents during sessions that all 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. Sometimes it may not seem like those moments are happening, but I promise they are!

The mountain location is a favorite for families because kids have a lot of fun exploring, and the scenery is different than the norm. There are lots of different areas to photograph in, and we keep moving constantly to keep the interest of your children. It’s about a mile hike from our meeting place to the top, and my little boy hiked it successfully by himself with no assistance from me when he was twenty months old. So, it’s definitely on the easier side for families and pregnant women, but there is definitely some physical effort involved. In the summer and fall months it can be extremely hot since the mountain is all rock surface with nowhere for the heat to go. I share these facts with you so you can make an informed decision on whether it’s the best location for you!

I love photographing at the mountain location since it’s such an unique place. When’s the last time you climbed a mountain and watched the sun set 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 fun family’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 | 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.