Atlanta Family Photographer | Clarissa & Isabella

Clarissa has been a client of mine since she was pregnant with Isabella, and it’s pretty safe to say I absolutely adore the two of them. From maternity to newborn to many milestones, I’ve photographed them many times! Getting to know Clarissa over the past couple of years and watch her grow into such a wonderful mother has been an honor and a privilege. Each client who chooses to work with me had a wide pool to consider - so when you choose to work with me and share some of the most special moments of your life with me… I don’t take it lightly at all.

Because Clarissa and I have worked together so many times now, she didn’t need any help with styling herself and Isabella. She fell in love with the field location, and I suggested we hike up to the mountaintop afterwards. Her session took place in late August, so she knew it would be hot but it was definitely worth it!

We met the evening of her session at the field. I absolutely loved the dresses she had chosen for them to wear and knew they would be absolutely gorgeous in the setting! Isabella is a friendly little girl but a little shy at first, so I took the opportunity to hang back with a longer focal length and have her interact with her mommy. Once she was used to my presence, I switched lenses to be closer up. Isn’t she absolutely darling?!

I could talk for an hour about I approach sessions with young children, but I won’t. In a nutshell: I navigate through the session at the pace of your child. My sessions are very much about playing snuggling together, and NOT necessarily looking at the camera. Telling a toddler to look at the camera and smile very often backfires in one of two ways. (1) Painfully forced smiles or (2) Refusal to look and smile. Let’s take the pressure to perform off, and let everything unfold totally naturally. I can’t tell you how many times parents have seen their gallery and expressed amazement at the images because they thought their session was going horribly. You can’t see what I see… and it only takes 1/800th of a second to capture an image that make you catch your breath every time you look at it.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re watching them walk down the aisle at their high school graduation? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Jazmine & Chander

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Samuel

Mallerie called the studio when her son was already a week old to ask about whether we had availability for a newborn session. She had lots of questions, and Caroline (our full time studio manager) spent some time on the phone with her walking her through the whole process. We had only one day open for a session, and it happened to work for their schedule! Caroline is lots of fun to talk to, and her main priority is client care and communication. After speaking with her husband, Mallerie emailed and asked to officially book the date. Caroline sent over our newborn prep packet and style guide, as she does for all newborn clients. No question is a dumb question, and we’re here to serve you however we can to make your experience seamless and enjoyable!

The morning of Samuel’s session, I met the family at the studio. Samuel was sound asleep, so I got started with his solo portraits right away. He took a couple of nursing breaks in between, but stayed asleep the rest of the time. I loved photographing his little stretches and yawns. As I was finishing up, he woke up and was quite hungry and needed a diaper change, so we all sat and chatted while Mallerie nursed. I always enjoy getting to know my clients, and Mallerie and Joshua were no exception. They had relocated to Atlanta from Minnesota, and had quite an interesting story of how they ended up here! Mallerie is a sign language interpreter, which I find very cool. Even though I personally have a hearing loss and wear two hearing aids, I don’t sign - but I think it’s such a beautiful language!

Samuel fell asleep again, and we moved into the family portion of the session - which included their beloved pet, Roe. Joshua’s dad brought Roe in for her portion of the session. Dogs are permitted in the studio on a case by case basis. Basically: if your dog is well trained, calm, and can handle an unfamiliar environment, they are welcome! Certain “aggressive” breed dogs are not permitted in the studio due to insurance reasons. If you really want to include your pet but don’t think the studio will work for them, an in home session might be a better fit for your family! We’ll discuss all of that with you when you inquire.

The family portion of the session is so much fun. I’ll place you and your partner where I want you for the best light, and I’ll adjust you if necessary. Lots of my clients worry about not knowing what to do, but there’s no need. I have you covered every step of the way and I will gently guide you throughout our time together. It’s my job to handle that, not yours! We’ll see how your baby is doing and I’ll determine the flow from that. I rotate out from each parent to parents together, and if baby (or you!) needs a break, we take one. You don’t need to worry about taking a break or that your baby is taking “too long” (no such thing!) to eat. Your baby’s safety and comfort are my top priorities, and the relaxed studio atmosphere is perfectly conducive to that.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from sweet Samuel’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 | A Decatur in home family session

I was SO excited for this family session! I first worked with them at their maternity session (view the session by clicking here) and then again at their newborn session (view the session by clicking here). We switched it up this time and scheduled the session to take place in their home with casual dress. Believe it or not, I love jeans and a white t-shirt just as much as I love a pretty studio dress!

The time of day that I schedule your in home session is determined by the best light in your home and the schedule of your little one(s). Sometimes that will be in the morning, and other times in the afternoon. We want happy kids, so it’s best to schedule for right after a good nap and a meal! For this family, that was right around 11 AM.

When I arrived at the house, did a quick walk through to determine where we would be photographing the family. My priority is the best light! One I had determined the rooms we would be in (living room and master bedroom) I moved a few things with permission that would be distracting in the background. I want your images to be as true to life as possible, but I doubt you want to be staring at a neon colored bottle in the background of your images! :)

I spent the next hour with the family watching them interact and giving them suggestions of how to play with their children. I knew Busola practices yoga, and asked if she could do some fun things with her son, Ayo on the couch incorporating that. Ayo LOVED it, and the joy on his face was just so cute. I love images of families truly at play - especially with their mamas. How often do we get to see ourselves like this with our children? Your home is the safest place your child knows (next to your arms). After we finished up downstairs, we headed up to the bedroom, and I asked if Ayo could jump on the bed. I think Ayo thought I was the coolest photographer ever when his parents said he could! He worked some energy out, and then the family cuddled up on the bed together. It was at this point that little miss Liya spit up all over her outfit, requiring an outfit change. I asked them to hold off on redressing her because I saw the opportunity in front of me. The resulting images of her mama lovingly playing with her on the bed are some of my favorites from the session. Busola redressed her in the sweetest little knit pink romper, and we finished up all of the family images. I then asked Busola and her husband if they’d like a few images of just the two of them, and they were all for it! They handed their children over to their babysitter who was downstairs, and I took a few images of them together. I absolutely love how much fun the two of them have together. Their personalities are so different, but the common factor is how positive and joyful they both are. They are the type of people that make you have a great day just because you interacted with them.

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 needs!

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 | Madeleine is ONE!

I first photographed Madeleine as an itty bitty newborn! You can see the images from her newborn session by clicking here. Her mom emailed and asked to schedule a First Birthday session for her, and I was thrilled to be able to see them again! I love seeing babies for milestone sessions, and seeing how much they’ve grown and changed. Madeleine definitely kept so many of her features from when she was a newborn. Her parents also opted to work with our baker for her smash cake, and chose a pretty ombre design.

On the morning of their session, the family arrived and had brought an outfit for Madeleine, but asked to see what I had available in the wardrobe. I pulled out a sweet little lace dress and a matching bow tieback to match, and it was a perfect fit for her! It also looked absolutely lovely with her skin tone, and her parents LOVED it. We have a small selection available for babies and children as we’ve found that most mamas want to dress their babies themselves. We’ll send you a helpful style guide to plan what to wear in advance of your session, and are available to look through the options you’re considering as well. Making your portrait experience fun and stress-free is a huge priority for us!

After we finished with Madeleine’s portraits, we moved to the cake smash. I pulled out one of our studio camisoles in a pretty pink color, and her mom presented her with the cake. They weren’t really sure how she would do with the cake because she wasn’t a big fan at her birthday party. They had originally thought they would just take their own First Birthday photos at her party, but the sun was in her eyes, and the photos they took didn’t look like they had hoped. When the cake was presented to Madeleine, she immediately started exploring it and even ate some - much to the surprise (and delight!) of her parents! Every baby will react differently to their cake. You should know that many babies do not react well at a party, and that’s often not how they will be in my studio. Parties are a lot of sensory overload for one year olds, and by the time the cake is served, they’re often tired and D-O-N-E. Plus, being stared at by a bunch of people can add a lot of pressure to the situation as well. A smash cake is not a required part of First Birthday sessions, but they sure are cute and lots of fun!

Here are a few images from this spunky little gal’s celebration in the studio!

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 Jordyn

Earlier this week, I blogged Jordyn’s Fresh 48 session, and am excited to share her newborn images today!

Rashida had elected to add on makeup services as she has done for all of her other portrait sessions. As a busy mom, she appreciates being able to just show up and be taken care of.

The morning of her session, she arrived with Jordyn and we went through the studio wardrobe together. She fell in love with one of our newest pieces and settled into the makeup chair while I got started with Jordyn.

Jordyn was wide awake when I took her back, and unimpressed! She gave me some of the funniest expressions. After wrapping her up so she was nice and cozy, I spent some time bouncing and rocking her, and we did eventually get her to go to sleep. Rashida had brought along a little outfit for Jordyn and requested that I use it in the session if possible. I always do my best to work in special requests, but will save them for the end so that I can be sure your gallery is complete. The biggest issue with outfits is that they require me to move your baby around a lot, and most babies will wake up while being dressed or undressed. The focus of my sessions are entirely on your baby, and I choose to use simple neutral wraps to achieve this. Rashida loves all things girly, so had requested that we use our headbands and tiebacks for every image. This is up to each mama - if you want a mix, or none at all - no problem!

I finished up pretty quickly with Jordyn and came out to the main shooting room just as daddy and big brothers arrived. Jaiden was still all about his sister, but Jace was still unsure and was struggling with losing his place as the baby of the family. Rashida was worried that she wouldn’t get any images of Jace with the family, but I asked her to trust me and give him some space. We played a few games and had some fun, and we were able to get Mr. Jace interacting sweetly with his sister, and participating in family images. Forcing toddlers to do something or putting a lot of pressure on them almost always backfires. It’s much better to take a laid back and relaxed approach with no expectations whatsoever. I work with so many children on a weekly basis, and have been told I have infinite patience. There is nothing that I haven’t seen, and I have a whole host of techniques and tricks to employ if needed. My biggest priority is the safety of your newborn. Some toddlers just aren’t going to come near their new sibling alone! Two and under is always a roll of the dice when it comes to “cooperation” for sibling shots, and the chances increase with age 3-4. Age 5 and up - I’ve never had a sibling this age not be a fantastic listener.

Rashida stepped into her dress, and we started with sibling and family images. I asked them to just let Jace do his thing and not ask him to be in any photos as we started out. I have found that when young children feel that they have a choice in the matter, they are much more likely to be happy and willing participants! You’ll always hear me talking to your child with respect and asking them for permission to move them or make an adjustment. Children are people too!

We were all laughing and having fun, and Sure enough, Jace became curious and came over to join in. We moved into parent images from there, and then wrapped up with just Rashida and Jordyn. When Rashida saw her images she couldn’t get over how Jace was in so many of the images and how he was SMILING! I reminded her that it was all about the approach, and her willingness to trust me and follow my direction was what enabled those resulting images. Rashida chose to keep all of her images, and we designed a gorgeous album together for their home as well as several mounted prints. I always love assisting families with albums and wall art so that they can enjoy their photographs in their homes every day.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Jordyn’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 | Michelle in the studio

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

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

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

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

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | The Q Family

I first started working with Erised & Dan for their maternity session in the gardens location when they were expecting their son. You can see their maternity images by clicking here. I went on to photograph their son’s newborn session and six month milestone session (view by clicking here) in the studio. Erised wanted an outdoor fall session at the field for family Christmas cards and to further document Benicio’s growth. I’m so looking forward to photographing Benicio’s First Birthday session in a couple of weeks!

We sent over the studio style guide to Erised, and I encouraged her to have everyone wear color if she wanted that. She debated for a while on which direction she wanted to go for wardrobe, but ultimately decided on a more casual look for everyone. I absolutely LOVED the colors she chose! When they arrived at the field, she pulled out a couple of different options for Benicio because she wanted my opinion on which would be best with what she and Dan were wearing. Lots of families will bring along different options if they’re not 100% sure, and this is totally okay to do! I’m also available via email or a quick 15 minute studio appointment to go over your choices for everyone and offer my input and suggestions on anything to mix up or change. Your family portrait experience should be FUN and not stressful, and I’m here to help!

Benicio is pretty much one of the happiest little babies I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He loves his parents, and he loves people in general. I just love his cute little yellow moccasins that picked up the yellow from his mother’s dress. His little bottom tooth and bright blue eyes are just absolutely adorable. (His other bottom tooth broke through just days after our time together!)

Babies love being outdoors and are always interested in their surroundings. It’s very easy to keep them happy and distracted for outdoor sessions, and we always have a lot of fun. I direct parents as we go throughout our session, and the things I direct you to do are very likely things that you do with at home. SO much of a family session is play based, regardless of your child’s age. Sometimes families freeze up when a camera is on them and they’re just not sure what to do. So many parents express relief (and amazement!) that a session with me is as easy as it is! Show up ready to play and goof off with your kids, and we will get those real moments filled with laughter, real grins, and sparkling eyes. When you’re having fun, you relax, and your individual personalities shine through - which creates the optimal environment to capture your family’s unique and beautiful dynamic!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this lovely family’s family session at the field!

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 | Atlanta Medical Center Fresh 48 Session

I first worked with Rashida for her maternity and newborn sessions when she had her second son. They were surprised with baby #3 and thrilled to find out they were having a little girl! She immediately contacted me me to get in the calendar for Fresh 48, maternity, and newborn sessions. You can see their gorgeous family field maternity session by clicking here, and their daughter’s newborn session will be posted later this week!

As with their second son, they had their daughter at Atlanta Medical Center, which is one of my favorite hospitals to photograph at due to the large windows in most rooms. When Rashida went into labor, she texted me to let me know so I had the heads up. Her labor with baby girl was super quick compared to the previous one, and I made arrangements to come to the hospital the next morning when big brothers would be coming to meet her.

When I arrived at the hospital, I gave Rashida and Jordache hugs and chatted for a couple of minutes about how everything went, and admired their gorgeous new daughter. They had named her Jordyn - keeping the J name tradition going! Because they had worked with me before, the room was pretty much already cleared of clutter and ready to go. Plus, with a third baby, Rashida hadn’t packed anywhere near the amount of stuff that most first time parents do! Pro tip: you only use about 20% of what you pack with your first child. Would you believe I packed MAGAZINES? I don’t know WHAT I was thinking - some list online said I’d have lots of time to read after the baby was born, so I decided it was a good idea. ::insert facepalm emoji here::

Rashida had bought a mommy and me set for the hospital, which was just adorable. After two sons, she was ALL about the mommy and me girly things. Fresh 48 sessions are photographed in whatever you’re wearing! For some moms, it’s a simple robe from home or even the standard hospital gown. Babies are generally in their hospital onesie and hat, but some mamas prefer to dress them in a special outfit and/or wrap them in a swaddle. There is no right or wrong way to go about it - I discuss the different options with each of my clients when they book.

I started with taking images of Jordyn in her mother’s arms, and then got ready for the big brothers to come in and meet her. I LOVE photographing sibling meetings. Every big sibling reacts differently! Biggest brother Jaiden was absolutely in love and all about his new baby sister. Big brother Jace was not so into it, and quite suspicious of this new tiny person taking up HIS spot in his mama’s arms. (I’m happy to report he has since come around and adores his baby sister!) Grandma and Grandpa were on hand as well, so they jumped in for a few images as well. I am happy to include your extended family members in your Fresh 48 session as I think grandparents are so special! I just ask for time alone with your family when I first arrive before bringing others in so that we can have the quiet moments of just your immediate family first. It can sometimes be a little chaotic when we have lots of visitors around! We finished up with parent images, and I am just dying over the ones of Jordache with his little girl. There is just something about new daddies with their baby girls that get me every time. I’m so blessed to have one of the most amazing dads on the planet, and I married one of them too. It takes me back to those moments where he held our daughters for the very first time, and so many wonderful memories come flooding back. One memory that comes to mind…. I’ll never forget my husband’s reaction when our first baby sneezed (VERY loudly if I may add!) for the first time after we were home when she was about two days old. Just envision the most amazed look on a person’s face that you can - that was the expression on his face. She started fussing immediately since the sneeze scared her. I remember the way he gently talked to her to calm her down after the sneeze, and the way he held her and rocked and swayed. I remember how tiny her barely 7 pound body was in his arms snuggled up against his chest. I want you to remember these moments with your baby too.

Aside from taking care of clutter upon arrival, Fresh 48 sessions are EASY. These sessions are a documentary lifestyle session, 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 in those first hours. If you’re having a postpartum breakout, I’ll take care of that for you when I edit!

Your Fresh 48 images will be unforced, unfold naturally and preserve you, your partner, big siblings, and your baby exactly as you were in those moments. I want you to smile when you look at the images of your baby's sweet features and remember how the top of their head smelled so fresh and perfect. I want the memories of those first days to come flooding back, and I want you to wonder aloud how the time went so fast.

Enjoy a handful of baby Jordyn’s Fresh 48 session images!

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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Presley

Linda contacted the studio when her baby girl was almost two weeks old to see if we had any last minute availability. They were still getting used to being a family of four and hadn’t gotten around to securing a newborn photographer before she arrived. We were already booked for that week, but did have some availability the following week! We assured Linda that we have lots of babies come in between 2-3 weeks old and it wouldn’t be a problem. For some reason, a lot of new parents are under the impression that their newborn has to be 10 days old or less for a newborn session. While we do schedule babies to come in as early as 8 days in some cases, the vast majority are scheduled between 10-16 when possible. As a mom of three children, I’ve been through the newborn stage three times and I still remember what it’s like. I like to give new moms the time they need to recover a bit and get into somewhat of a rhythm before coming in with their new baby!

Linda’s husband was already back to work, and so they asked if he could be there for just a short time. We have a lot of dads come in over their lunch breaks, and we work around schedules and toddler sibling naptimes as much as possible! We’ll discuss specifics with you when scheduling your session - but the long and short of it is: don’t worry, we’ve got you!

When the family arrived with baby Presley, I pulled out a few dresses from the studio wardrobe and she fell in love with a gorgeous pale peach hued dress with embroidery. It fit her wonderfully and was absolutely perfect for her skin tone. She expressed how happy she was that we had a studio wardrobe available to her and how much less stressed she was knowing that she would be taken care of in that area.

We started right away with family images. Barron was just the sweetest big brother and so eager to participate! Every toddler who walks through the studio door is different, and I tailor my approach to each individual child. What I love about being a family photographer is that no session will ever look the same. Each family, child, and baby are unique, and their final gallery will reflect who they are. After we finished with Barron, we moved to daddy and baby shots, and wrapped up with parent and baby shots. Barron and his dad left at that point, and Presley was awake and ready to eat.

After a diaper change, and a nice long feed, I took Presley into the newborn shooting room for her solo images. She was SUCH a doll baby, with the most beautiful head of dark hair. I did have to take my time with the little miss though, because she was what I call a “touchy” baby - which means that she woke pretty easily. She was also a little chunk and going through a growth spurt, so we had quite a few nursing breaks in between! I never want mamas to worry about how often their baby needs to eat. Some newborns eat quickly and only once or twice while they’re here, and others take their sweet old time and want to nurse every 30 minutes. We’ll work around the needs of your baby! I enjoyed chatting with Linda during these nursing breaks and getting to know her. Don’t worry - I won’t ask for your life story, but we won’t sit in uncomfortable silence either!

After I finished up with Presley’s solo images, we wrapped up with mommy and baby. While this is not my typical workflow (I prefer to start with baby only since they are typically sleepiest first thing in the morning), because of the family’s scheduling needs, that’s why we mixed it up.

Linda loved her gallery, and we worked together to choose some of her collection images for a wall gallery to display and enjoy in her home! Framed artwork is probably one of my favorite offerings to clients and something that I have displayed in my own home. I can’t explain how wonderful it is to have photographs of your family on your walls in a beautiful arrangement for everyone to enjoy on a daily basis. It’s the first thing I see when I come into my home and the last thing I see on my way out - and makes me smile every single time. Clients who are interested in this can peruse our framing catalog, or come into the studio to see the frames for themselves. I will work with you to suggest the best sizes and arrangements for the space you’re thinking of hanging your artwork and will provide you with a to scale proof of what it will look like on your actual wall.

Enjoy some of my favorite images from Presley’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 & Family Photographer | Nick, Jasmin & Olivia in the Gardens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Charlie

Baby Charlie’s grandmother called the studio from her home in the Raleigh, NC area several months before his birth to find out about our offerings. She wanted to gift her son and daughter-in-law with a newborn session, and we were happy to accommodate her request. When grandparents or another family member gifts a full session, we have a gorgeous gift certificate that we send so they can present it to the recipient. Because Karen had an Atlanta visit planned, she arranged to pick up the gift certificate at the studio since she also wanted a tour. It as so much fun to meet her and show her the studio, answer a few of her questions, and talk about her grandchild that she was so excitedly expecting. Her daughter-in-law’s baby shower was that weekend and she was so excited to give her the gift certificate then.

Quinn, her daughter-in-law, contacted us in the week after and was THRILLED! She immediately made plans to add on hair and makeup services, and told us that she couldn’t think of a better gift. As Charlie’s due date grew nearer, she let us know that he would be delivered via scheduled C-section, and we went ahead and scheduled a specific date for their newborn session. Due to her husband’s demanding schedule with his job in the hospitality industry, her maternity leave, and wanting to coordinate for when his parents would be in town, she wanted to ensure those pieces of the puzzle would all fit together.

Typically we do not schedule newborn sessions until babies have actually arrived. Due dates and scheduled deliveries are estimates, at best and it’s been very rare that babies have arrived when their parents thought they would! There are also other factors we take into consideration when scheduling your session: you and your baby’s recovery, your baby’s birth weight, any complications, etc.

On the day of Charlie’s newborn session, Christian and Quinn arrived with baby Charlie. I was so excited to meet them, and we talked for a bit while looking through the studio wardrobe for Quinn. She had told me she had fair skin and loved lace, so I had a few options already pulled for her. She fell in love with one of the dresses, and then settled into the hair and makeup chair while I took baby Charlie to the newborn shooting room. Charlie was a chunky thing and a dream sleeper. He was very relaxed while sleeping, so it made his solo portraits a breeze! Karen and her husband Matt arrived and had a lot of fun watching the end of his solo portraits through the observation window. After I came out with Charlie, Karen called me “the baby whisperer”. It’s not the first time I’ve been dubbed with that nickname, and I don’t think it’s always true - but I really love working with and photographing newborns and their families, so I’ll take it!

Karen and Matt were only present for the time that they were being photographed, so we started with group shots, and then some grandparent shots together and individually, We ended with images of Karen with Quinn and Charlie, and a three generation image of Christian, Matt, and Charlie. It was emotional for their family, and I was reminded of what a wonderful job I have. I’m invited to photograph these incredibly special moments for families, and it is such an honor. When we finished up with those, we sent Karen and Matt on their way.

At this point, Charlie was hungry and wanted a diaper change, so Quinn and Christian took care of his needs while we chatted and got to know each other further. Both work for a luxury hotel here in Atlanta, and it was really fun hearing about their experiences and travels all over the world. Charlie was having a hard time settling down, and was a bit fussy. During the parent portion of sessions, it’s totally fine if baby is awake, as long as they’re calm. Since Charlie was not calm, we needed to get him to that place before we could continue. Quinn and Christian did their best, but he was not having it, so I gently took over. I’ve had three children and we see multiple babies every week in the studio. While there is sometimes still a baby that will throw me for a loop and refuse to “cooperate” every once in a blue moon, I do know most of the tricks! I walked him and bounced him all over the studio, and he fell back into a deep sleep. Quinn asked if I’d like to come home with them and help put him to bed at night. This is something that I hear from my clients on a regular basis! While I can’t do that, I can definitely give some advice if it’s asked for, and will gladly share tricks and techniques that may work for your family. The newborn stage is full of trial and error and do dependent on your baby’s unqiue needs and personality - you’ll get through it one day at a time. I promise!

We wrapped up the session with parent images, and I just loved the way that Quinn and Christian looked at each other. Welcoming Charlie into their family was not an easy journey for them, and the emotions of relief, gratefulness, and joy were very prevalent on their faces.

Here are just a few from Charlie’s gallery! Karen opted to purchase the full gallery along with an album for them, and also surprised them with a large 16x20 framed print for their home.

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Deepa & Sumesh

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

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

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

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

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

Doesn’t Deeps look absolutely lovely in her dresses?! Enjoy some of my favorites from this couples’ maternity session!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Baby Evelyn's Nine Month Milestone

Caitlin contacted the studio to book a milestone session that focused heavily on her nine month old daughter and herself. She also requested to add on hair and makeup services as a special treat. She and her husband had just relocated from Savannah back to where she grew up north of Atlanta, and were very happy to be back!

When Caitlin arrived at the studio, we started chatting about life in Savannah. During our conversation, I discovered she had worked with one of my best friends in the industry for her daughter’s newborn session! Such a small world. I’m always amazed by how many of my clients know someone else that I know - whether it’s a client, a friend, or even a family member!

We started looking through the studio wardrobe, and as Caitlin was trying on outfits, her husband and daughter, Evelyn, arrived along with Grandma. I introduced myself, and since Evelyn was a bit shy at first, held off on starting the session for a few minutes so that she could acclimate to her new surroundings. I never rush my littlest clients. A new and unfamiliar place can be a bit scary for them, so keeping the environment relaxed and quiet so they feel safe is the best approach!

Caitlin had brought a special outfit for Evelyn to wear during the session. It was a soft pink knit romper that she paired with adorable Peter Pan collared blouse - very Southern but also so timeless! Evelyn had some of the most striking blue eyes I’ve ever seen and a mop of curly hair. We started the session with just her sitting on the bed and daddy right next to her out of the frame to catch her if she decided to speed crawl off the side. As you can see from the series of images, Evelyn wasn’t too sure about me at first but warmed up quickly. I asked her daddy to hop on up as Caitlin had asked to include him as well. When we finished up with those, Caitlin had chosen her dress and joined in. At the midpoint of our session, Evelyn became very antsy and fussy, which we quickly determined was due to being hungry!

Hungry babies = session break. After enjoying a delicious bottle and some snuggles, we were back in business! I don’t ever want parents to worry about needing to stop for a snack break. Babies don’t always operate on their normal schedules, and we’ll adapt to their needs. My first priority is your baby’s safety and comfort, so we’re going to roll with whatever they decide to throw at us on their session day. :)

We finished up the session with some gorgeous mommy and daughter images that I absolutely love, and family images of the three of them having fun. Caitlin asked to have a few images taken of just her husband and herself, which I gladly accommodated for them. Before you welcomed your little one(s), it was just the two of you. After your children leave the home, it will be just the two of you again. Your relationship is also important and deserves to be documented through the years too!

Here are a few of my favorites from sweet Evelyn’s milestone 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 & Family Photographer | In Home First Birthday for Ryan!

I first met Lindsey and Jarod when they brought their son, Ryan, to the studio for a newborn session after he was born. You can view those images by clicking here. During his newborn session, Lindsey asked if I photographed in home sessions and was thrilled to find out that I did! She wanted to book Ryan’s First Birthday session and wanted it to be in their home. Lindsey had Ryan’s birthday party planned for the same weekend as their session, and was so excited to be able to include her parents and beloved golden retriever, Georgia, as well.

We sent over our style guide to Lindsey, and she shared it with her mother so that everyone could be coordinated. The style guide is a super easy and short read. It helps so many of our clients pull their look together. Lindsey initially considered wearing a dress but after a style consult with me, we determined that wearing a different outfit in her closet was much more suited to the overall feel that she wanted for her images and would also work well with everyone else and the decor of their home. If that all sounds overwhelming, don’t stress! I’m here to help walk you through it and my trained eye for color will immediately know which of your options are the best. I absolutely love helping clients and am here to hold your hand as much as you need it! I want your entire session experience to be fun and as stress free as possible, which includes the planning.

When I travel to homes for sessions, I do a walk through of your home when I arrive. You will have already sent me images of the rooms in your home beforehand. My goal is to schedule your session for when we have the best light that coordinates with your child’s best time of day. Lindsey’s gorgeous home had many rooms that were full of beautiful light. I stopped short when I saw their upstairs hall bathroom with the clawfoot tub because of how amazing it was! I immediately asked how they felt about doing a quick bath after the cake, and they loved the idea. Side note: it was SO much fun to see their wall gallery from their newborn session hanging throughout the house! As an artist, it’s always wonderful to see how my clients are enjoying their artwork on a daily basis in their homes.

We started downstairs with group images and took turns passing Ryan around between parents and grandparents. They wanted an outdoors image in their backyard, so we headed out back there since we had enough open shade. I am very honest with my clients: sometimes their vision or hopes for their session simply is not going to work if the light is too harsh or isn’t optimal. We also headed out to their front porch as well. When Lindsay started carrying Ryan up the stairs, I asked her if he knew how to climb them, She responded “Of course, he does it all the time!” and I asked if we could allow him to crawl up the stairs with her close behind him. When I am in your home, I want to photograph those moments that you do all the time, that don’t have a second thought. Someday you’re going to miss those days where you watched your baby navigate the steps. Someday those little feet won’t be so little anymore. Let’s preserve those memories for you so you have a way to hold on.

We headed to Ryan’s bedroom where we had determined was the best location for his birthday cake in terms of light and easy cleanup for Lindsey. My high chair is an antique and does not travel. You have a few options for cake smashes in home - if it’s warm enough we can certainly be outside! If it’s colder, we can be indoors. Lindsey’s kitchen was much too dark to photograph in during the time of day that I was there, so it was not an option. If you have a bright kitchen with lots of natural light pouring in, then it might make perfect sense for your child to sit at the island or in their own high chair. We’ll talk about the different options and come up with a plan!

Ryan wasn’t a huge fan of eating his cake, but did enjoy sticking his feet into it! It’s always so much fun watching each baby and seeing how differently they react to their cakes. No cake smashes ever look the same, and I love that!

After Ryan indicated that he was no longer interested in his cake, Lindsey and Jarod took him down the hall for a post cake bubble bath. The bathtub photo of Ryan is definitely in the favorites of photographs that I’ve created in my career. He is SO cute!

Interested in an in-home session for your baby’s upcoming milestone? Contact us today to discuss your vision and details!!!

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 S Family in the park

Katie contacted the studio to schedule a family session. Their family lives right by the studio, and she was referred by another client of mine whose son attends the same preschool as hers. She also asked to add on hair and makeup services as a treat to herself, and we sent over the style guide to help her with guidance on what she and her family should wear.

Originally, we had scheduled their session for the weekend of Halloween, but rain forced a reschedule. They were about to leave for an international vacation and both have demanding and variable work schedules, so we moved the session to November during Thanksgiving break, with assurances that they’d still be able to get their Christmas cards out in time!

The day of their session approached, and it was a gorgeous and sunny evening… but also super cold! Every family is different when it comes to cold weather in terms of tolerance. If your session is scheduled during cold weather, dress in layers! We’ll take breaks to warm up if needed, and I will work SUPER fast as well. I encourage even more running around than usual to help younger kids warm up and forget about the fact it’s cold, and it’s generally quite effective!

A note about colder temperatures: I reschedule sessions automatically if it’s going to be below 40 degrees because I don’t want my clients to be miserable. If you’re worried about your nose being red or lips being a little purple from feeling cold, no need to be - that’s something I take care of in post processing when I edit!

When the family arrived at the park location, I introduced myself to their sons. They were a bit shy at first, which is pretty normal! My approach is to respect each individual child’s need for space and to meet them wherever they’re at. As the session continues and they become more comfortable, I slowly ramp up the games and my “pep”. By the end of our time together, we were playing all sorts of fun games and everyone was laughing and having a good time despite the cold.

I could type a book about how I handle family sessions, but I’ll spare you! You just need to know two things. (1) I’m a mom of three children myself who are all basically two years apart give or take a few weeks and who all have very different personalities. So I have been in your shoes! (2) Know that family sessions with me are organized “chaos”. I shoot my family sessions efficiently, which means that participants who need a break get one while others are being photographed. I’m always moving and there is no standing around doing nothing time. If the kids need a snack, we’ll likely place them on the ground right by you and knock out some mom and dad couples shots! My family sessions are very much about interacting together through play, and NOT necessarily having everyone look at the camera with a big old smile. I know Grandma might want that “perfect” family portrait with everyone smiling, but that’s simply not the goal or the heart of my approach at all. So, what is? Love and connection that showcases your family’s unique dynamic in tangible form.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re packing their bags for college? We fill up several months in advance for weekend dates, and are already booking for spring and early summer! 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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Jonas

Katherine called the studio to ask if we had any availability for a last minute newborn session. Because they had adopted their sweet little boy, they were required to stay in the state they adopted him from for a certain length of time. He was already over three weeks old, but when she read that we frequently photograph babies this age she contacted us right away.

We work with adoptive families all the time and are flexible with their scheduling since there are often so many hoops to jump through when it comes to bringing baby home after their birth when it’s out of state.

Newborn sessions are so special to me, because I get to hear all about the journey to welcoming their newest member. Some of the stories I’m privileged to hear from both biological and adoptive parents literally bring me to tears alongside mamas. (We keep Kleenex stocked in the studio!) I really cannot verbally express how honored I am to be chosen to photograph every single newborn who comes into these studio doors and to be a small part of their beginning.

On the day of their session, the proud parents arrived with baby Jonas and big sister Kaia. We looked through the studio wardrobe for Katherine and she quickly settled on a pretty floral dress. Kaia was already dressed perfectly, and Jonas Sr. was as well thanks to following our helpful newborn prep packet which covers what to wear from your own closets. I started with baby Jonas’ solo portraits in the newborn shooting room, but he was having a hard time sleeping due to some gas issues. We moved into the family portion next since he was more comfortable being held at that time. That part went pretty quickly, and by the time we finished, he was in a deep sleep.

I then took baby Jonas back into the newborn shooting room and was able to photograph him for one setup, and then he woke up due to wanting to eat. I took him back out to his mama, and while he was eating he also let us know that he would need a diaper change very soon. Kaia and her dad left the studio to go get some lunch, and I sat with Katherine while she told me all about the story of how Jonas came to be a part of their family. I won’t go into details as it’s not my story to share, but (a) I cried with her and (b) they’re amazing. That is all!

After changing his diaper and snuggling him for a bit, his belly was no longer uncomfortable from gas and we were able to knock the rest of his solo images out! Babies lead the way for their sessions in my studio. If something’s not working or they’re not comfortable, we change direction and do something else. Your baby’s comfort and safety are my top priority when you’re in my care. I’m always watching and monitoring how parents and babies are doing throughout the entire session.

I love looking at the images from this session! They’re so full of love and he’s just so sweet! His parents loved the images so much that they ordered a large 20x20 matted collage of (4) 8x10 prints and framed it with a gorgeous gold metal frame. I loved it so much that I ordered one for the studio too which can be seen when you’re here on request.

Without further ado, here are 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 | Claire & Chris

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Priyanka

I’ve been working with Michelle and her beautiful family since the birth of her first child, Henry. I blogged about her maternity session at the park location earlier this month, and you can see the images from that session by clicking here.

Fun fact: each time Michelle has had a baby, she always has something major going on. With Henry they were renovating their house. With Priyanka, they were moving to a new home right before her due date! Needless to say, nothing scares her. Michelle was originally scheduled for an induction, but Priyanka decided to surprise us all and come on her own terms a few days ahead of that date.

I was able to meet Priyanka the day after she was born when I stopped by Northside Hospital to visit and chat with Michelle and Kalyan. Priyanka was wrapped up in a bili blanket to treat her jaundice, so I wasn’t really able to get a good look at her while I was there. So many of my clients become dear friends over time, and I love being more than "“just a photographer” to so many. I am truly so incredibly lucky to have a job where I get to meet and photograph so many wonderful families, and to keep so many as friends! While I was there, we went ahead and scheduled her newborn session date.

Michelle has worked with one of our HMUA’s for every portrait session with me, and this time was no exception. Add on hair and makeup services are available! Just ask when you inquire. Adding this on does not lengthen your session because I am photographing your baby while you’re being prepped. So, you might as well pamper yourself instead of twiddling your thumbs during that time! Brielle was her HMUA this go round, and the two of them hit it off instantly. Trust me when I say that you’re in for a treat with any of our HMUA team because it’s like chatting with girlfriend the whole time. I’m always a little jealous that I don’t get to hang out with everyone else when I hear the constant laughter through the newborn shooting room door. (PS: there’s an observation window in the shooting room to look through if so desired!)

When Michelle arrived with Priyanka, she texted me and I came downstairs to help her with her things. I am always happy to assist my newborn clients who might need a bit of extra help and it’s no trouble at all! Kalyan and Henry were joining us later - we have toddlers wait to come to the studio with dad or a grandparents until it’s time for them to be photographed.

Michelle and I looked through the studio dresses and I had one specifically in mind for her that I knew would look amazing with her skin tone. She immediately loved it, and pulled out what she’d brought for Kalyan and Henry. The shirts she had for Henry didn’t quite work with the overall color scheme, but I simply grabbed one from our studio wardrobe that we have for little boys and it worked perfectly. We don’t have an extensive wardrobe for children, and stick to the basics, but in a pinch we are often able to help toddler moms with what we have on hand if they don’t have something that works! Plus, when you have a little boy, you don’t tend to buy light colored shirts for them since little boys tend to love dirt. ;) I speak from personal experience: my three year old son would sleep with his yellow Tonka dump truck in his bed if I would let him!

Brielle got started with Michelle and I took Priyanka back to the newborn shooting room. She was wide awake and calm, and eventually fell asleep in the warm room with lots of patting and snuggles. While she slept well, she was also a light sleeper, so her solo portraits involved a lot of waiting since she required a lot of soothing to fall back asleep.

When I finished up, Henry and Kalyan had arrived, and Michelle was getting dressed. Henry had experienced some jealousy when they had brought Priyanka home from the hospital and didn’t want to be around her, but had started warming up over the past few days. If your child isn’t wild about the newest family member, don’t stress out about it. I have a lot of little tricks to get your toddler close to the baby for interaction and we’ll talk about those in advance of your session! Leave your expectations at the door, and we’ll create a zero stress and no pressure experience for your child. Children are much more receptive when their feelings are respected and they are given the space they need, so that’s how I run my studio. I consider your children my clients too, and I want them to have a wonderful experience!

Henry didn’t want to take any photos alone with Priyanka, so we moved into parent and family images. We played games (remember the little tricks I told you about?) and had a couple of tickle fights. I knock out the images that include toddler siblings as quickly as I can since their attention span is limited. Once they’re over it, they are OVER it. The family didn’t have anyone on hand to help with Henry, so they brought some activities for him to occupy him while I finished up photographing Priyanka with just her parents. We did have a couple of nursing breaks for the little miss during this portion. I never want my mamas to be worried that feeding breaks are “taking too long”. There is no such thing. We want a happy and comfortable baby, and it’s okay if they take their time. Most newborns do!

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Priyanka’s session! I can’t wait to see her again for her six month milestone!

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 | Niko is ONE!

Josie contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a First Birthday session. She wanted to schedule the session to take place before her son’s actual birthday party and use images for the invitation and party decor. Some clients come in sometime in the first month after their baby’s first birthday. It’s entirely up to you!

Josie also asked if including a cake was an absolutely necessity. I responded that it was not, and it was up to her whether she wanted to include one. While a lot of our clients love the experience, some prefer to skip it. The focus of the session is on your baby and capturing them how they are at this age - not on a birthday cake. So, if you don’t want to incorporate a cake, no worries at all!

When they walked in on the day of their session, I immediately recognized Josie’s handbag - the Market Day Tote from Everlane! If you haven’t heard of Everlane, you should definitely check them out. It’s a super cool company with some really great design. Josie was shocked that I recognized her bag and declared that nobody in her family appreciated her bag, and that it made her day that I knew where it was from. I’m a fan of understated simplicity paired with functionality in fashion, so Everlane is right up my alley!

Niko was a little bit shy, so I kept chatting with his parents. I have found that when a baby isn’t receptive to you, it’s best to win them over through their parents. When they see that their parents are talking to me, a small level of trust begins to build from there. As we were talking, I learned that they were both journalists and worked crazy hours sometimes to meet deadlines. Writing is a creative art that I have a lot of respect for since it’s not always possible to crank out a piece oh whatever topic. So when they explained that sometimes they’d stay up until 3 AM because inspiration had hit and they were furiously writing away, I completely understood.

We started the session as a family unit so Niko would feel safe and comfortable. He started smiling as we were all laughing and joking, and I slowly raised my pep level to match where he was. We continued on with parent images, and then things really started getting fun with tickle fights and peek a boo games. Niko loves his parents, and it was just so much fun to watch the three of them together. When Niko was totally warmed up to me, we moved quickly to the solo portraits. Josie had brought along Nik'o’s favorite stuffed animal. I love and welcome the usage of your child’s little “friends”! Incorporating them into your session will make it that much more meaningful years from now when their little lovie is long gone.

Niko needed a diaper change, so they took the opportunity to also quickly change his shirt as well for another look. By this point, he was totally comfortable with me and being in the studio and was all over the place exploring. I love when babies reach this point because then their personality really shines through… and that’s exactly what I strive to capture during sessions!

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.