Atlanta Maternity Photographer | A Field Session with Jessica & David

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Viola is ONE!

I first photographed Viola as a tiny little newborn! Not every session I shoot is blogged because of the sheer number. I only blog three times per week, but shoot 20-30 sessions per month. So… you can see how the math doesn’t allow for it.

I saw Viola again at our annual Santa event when she was around 6 months old, and just loved getting to see her family. Right before her first birthday, her mom emailed us. She confessed that she hadn’t thought she needed a First Birthday session, but now that Viola was almost one, she was feeling very nostalgic and realizing that she couldn’t keep Viola little. She didn’t want to forget all the little details of what Viola was like at one, and asked to schedule a First Birthday session for her. Photographs of your baby are (unfortunately) the only way to freeze time. I look at my seven year old biggest girl… and I’m still not sure how it happened so fast! It’s hard for me to remember what she was like as a baby by my memory alone, but fortunately for me - I have countless photographs of her and all the little details I never want to forget.

The family was on vacation the next week and had one day open that I fortunately also had open on my calendar since my weekend was already totally booked. I was thrilled to be able to see and photograph them again! I love seeing babies for milestone sessions, and seeing how much they’ve grown and changed since their newborn session. Viola 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 pastel pink rosette design. The cakes from our preferred baker are DELICIOUS, and she’ll even deliver to the studio right before your session time. That’s one less thing to worry about, and less stress. If you haven’t tried driving to the studio with a cake in a box balanced precariously on your knees or the floorboard…you haven’t lived dangerously Haha. Oh, and if you have dairy/egg allergies or are vegan, she can accommodate that too! Just ask us for her information when booking and we’ll gladly provide it to you! Whether you opt to use our preferred baker or not, we’ll provide you with a cake tip sheet. Believe it or not, the type of icing you use matters - and the tip sheet will get you all squared away!

On the morning of their session, the family arrived and had brought a pink crocheted dress for Viola that her mom wore as a baby! Lisa didn’t have any bows for her, and asked if we had any on hand. I grabbed a few from our collection and found one that worked perfectly for her dress.

We do have a small selection of clothing available for babies and children as we’ve found that most moms celebrating first birthdays want to dress their babies themselves. We’ll send you a great 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 either in person or by email. Making your entire experience fun and stress-free is important to us!

We started with just Viola for solo portraits, and she was such a happy little girl. She thought I was hilarious, and we got lots of smiles. During sessions I add in parents and don’t really have one set flow - I work with my littlest client and whatever mood they happen to be in! Sometimes a one year old will need a snack or a snuggle break, and we’ll take one. They run the show since they don’t exactly take direction. ;)

After we finished with the portraits, I asked if they wanted to change Viola into something else to smash the cake. They decided to keep her in her dress. Icing does wash out pretty easily, especially when it’s in a pastel color, but if you want to ensure that your child’s first birthday outfit stays pristine, it’s best to bring another option. You can dress them in a camisole (we have a few on hand) or strip them down to just a diaper/diaper cover or pants/shorts.

When the cake was presented to Viola, she immediately touched it. She wasn’t super interested in eating it until her parents came to have some fun with her. She was definitely more interested in poking the icing than eating it.

Clients should know that every baby reacts differently to cake and how they reacted at their party (if you had one) may not be how they react in the studio. Many babies do not “like” their cake at their party. Parties are a TON of sensory overload for young babies. At the end, when the cake is served, they’re often tired and totally over it all. Additionally, a bunch of people staring at you is not exactly a low pressure situation. A smash cake is not a required part of First Birthday sessions, but they sure are cute and lots of fun!

When Viola’s mom viewed her images from the session, she emailed us with her image selections and this sweet note below:

“Hi Lauren! Thank you so much for these beautiful images. You managed to capture Viola's personality perfectly! I initially wasn't sure that I needed a first year photo shoot, but I am more than 100% thankful that we went ahead with it. We couldn't be happier! You are always so fun to work with. Thank you and Caroline for being so accommodating and just wonderful people all around.”

Here are a few images from this fun little girl’s birthday 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 Olivia

I first worked with Gloria and Andres for their maternity session in the park, which you can view by clicking here. When Gloria emailed me to let me know that sweet baby Olivia had arrived, I was SO excited! We scheduled their newborn session and scheduled Brielle as she had specifically requested for hair and makeup add on services.

The morning of of their session the new family of three arrived at the studio with little bitty six pound Olivia! We were all surprised at her light hair since we had all been convinced it would be dark when she was born like her parents! She had such sweet and dainty little features, but was also a very opinionated little thing - especially about where she wanted her hands to be! Gloria and I looked through the wardrobe and she chose a simple white lace mesh dress to wear. She said she was so happy that finding something to wear wasn’t something she needed to be concerned with after having a baby. We hear this all the time from our clients and have a wide variety of sizes 0-14/16 to choose from.

Olivia was a curly and sleepy baby and stayed asleep for the majority of her solo portraits. She did NOT like her hands to be moved during, so I moved very, very slowly and coaxed her little hands and fingers patiently into place. I’d much rather have relaxed hands than clenched little fists! Babies dictate the flow of their session. What works for one baby won’t necessarily work for another, so every newborn session in the studio is unique to each individual baby and every session looks different.

After we had finished with Olivia’s solo portraits, I brought her out for a bottle. Her parents opted to have her wear a headband from my collection for the family portraits, so I pulled a few headbands from my stock, and they chose their favorite one. The rest of the session was very quick and easy as Olivia was tired out and slept well. We had a lot of fun and did our best not too laugh too loudly so we didn’t wake up the baby!

After the newborn session, her parents chose their collection and also chose to add on a beautiful distressed leather album that included both their maternity and newborn images together. Enjoy a few of my favorites from Olivia’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 Baby Photographer | Grace is ONE!

I first photographed worked with Graces’ parents, Justin & Abby, for their maternity session at the park location! You can see the images from that session by clicking here.

I met Grace when she came in for our annual Santa event and saw her again at our annual Mother’s Day event. 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. Grace has definitely kept so many of her features from when she was tiny. Her parents are in the hospitality industry, and the chef at one of their hotels was so excited to create her birthday cake for the session! I loved the swiss dot design that he created for her.

On the morning of their session, the family arrived all dressed and ready to go. Abby always picks the SWEETEST little outfits for Grace with the most adorable details, and she did it again with her floral romper with criss cross back straps. If you don’t have anything, we do have a small selection of clothing available for babies and children for sessions 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 session with us fun and stress-free is a huge priority for us and our clients report that we are very successful in that area! :)

Grace was friendly and curious, so we started with some solo portraits of her on the bed, and then moved her mom and dad in as well for a mix. She was such a happy and sweet little baby, but started to get tired (which is normal). After a little snack and an outfit change to a custom birthday onesie that her mom had brought along, Grace was ready for some cake!

They weren’t really sure how she would do with the cake, but it’s really a toss up. Babies are full of surprises! When the cake was presented to Grace, she immediately started exploring it and even ate some. I always encourage parents to get in on the fun, and babies LOVE to “share” cake with their parents. It makes for some of the funniest moments and sweetest memories.

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! (and it doesn’t have to be cake… it could be donuts, pie, etc…the list goes on!)

Here are a few images from this little cutie’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 Maternity Photographer | Gloria & Andres

Gloria found us while searching online and loved what she saw in the portfolio. She went over to our Instagram feed and really enjoyed looking at all the images and reading the captions, and decided she wanted to work with us. She contacted the studio and asked to book a maternity session at the park location and newborn session with added on hair and makeup services as well.

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

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

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

Once Gloria was ready, she changed into her first dress and we headed to the park location. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the sunlight was GORGEOUS. We started with just Gloria and had Andres jump in and out. I do my best not to make my pregnant clients work too much when it comes to moving around, and we have dads so all of that!

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Kyden

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

Caroline 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! Caroline has worked with Margaret for her other sessions, but Brielle was her HMUA this go round. Trust me when I say that you’re in for a treat with ANY of our HMUA team members because it’s like hanging out with great gal pal the whole time.

When Caroline arrived with Kyden, she settled into the hair and makeup chair. Blair and Slade went for a little adventure on their own beforehand that wasn’t too tiring for Slade. We have toddlers wait to come to the studio with dad or a grandparents until it’s time for them to be photographed, but since the family drove from over an hour away and didn’t have anyone else to help, Blair just took her for a quiet walk to explore.

Caroline 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 the shirts she’d brought for Blair. At her maternity session, Slade had not wanted to change her dress to a second option, so I pulled that dress we’d never used and it fit perfectly into the mix! 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! I know how hard it is to shop when heavily pregnant or right when you’ve had a baby!

Brielle got started with Caroline and I took Kyden back to the newborn shooting room. He was fast asleep, and didn’t love being moved. He woke up during the session, which allowed me to photograph some open eye images. While he slept well, he was a pretty light sleeper, so his solo portraits involved a lot of patting and shushing, and a few nursing breaks. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with being on his belly. I do not force babies into positions that they don’t want to be in. I’ll try a few times as sometimes it’s a matter of them being in a deep enough sleep, but it was clear that Kyden just didn’t like it. He was fine with being on his side, so I worked around his preferences. The comfort of your baby is my top priority, and each baby is different when it comes to what they like as far as position. Every newborn session will look different because of that, and I love this because every baby is unique.

When I finished up, Blair and Slade had come back, and Caroline was getting dressed. Slade was still getting used to Kyden, and was fine with touching him but didn’t want to be alone with him. Caroline REALLY wanted a photo of the two of them together, so we tried several different things.

If your child isn’t super excited about their new sibling, please don’t stress. I have many techniques in my bag to get your toddler close to the baby for some sweet and natural interaction, and we’ll talk about those when you arrive. Leave all expectations at the door, and I’ll create a no stress and low pressure experience for your older child. I have found that toddlers are much more receptive when they see that their feelings are respected and that they are being given the space they need. I consider children as my clients too, and I want them to have a great time!

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. And sometimes babies are over it too…. one of my favorite photos that made us all laugh and laugh is in this gallery… I’ll let you guess which one it is!

After I finished with the family images and siblings, we moved on to parent and baby ones. I think second babies should have some images with just their parents because their older sibling did too. While it’s pretty much impossible to give perfect equality to every subsequent child after the first in all areas, this is one that I make sure of. Since Caroline and Blair didn’t have anyone on hand to help with Slade, they had brought some activities to occupy her when she was finished being photographed. She happily played right on the floor next to us while I wrapped up the session.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Kyden’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 & Family Photographer | Rylan's Sitting Session

I first worked with Sindi and Erroll for their maternity session with their first daughter (Haylen) in the studio. I went on to photograph Haylen for her sitting milestone and First Birthday sessions! You can see where it all began with their first maternity session by clicking here. Sindi emailed me to let me know they had added another little girl, Rylan, to their family and wanted to schedule her sitting milestone images!

I sent Sindi the style guide and Pinterest inspiration board just so she’d have them, but she’s worked with us SO many time at this point that I knew she wouldn’t need them. Sindi is definitely one of my most fashionable clients - she loves peplum tops, and looks amazing in them. The dresses she chose for Haylen and Rylan were also absolutely adorable, and everyone looked great together, as you’ll see below!

When the family arrived at the studio for Rylan’s session, I was so excited to see them! I couldn’t believe how big Haylen had gotten since her first birthday. Sindi and Erroll warned me that Haylen was full of energy and were worried about her “crashing” the session, but I told them not to worry. I’m a mom of three kids all two years apart give or take a few weeks. At one point I had three children under the age of 4… trust me, I can handle all the energy your children lob my way, and we’ll have a fun time too! At two years old, Haylen definitely had her own opinions and vacillated between wanting to participate and wanting nothing to do with it. That’s normal and expected! I simply work around it and create my flow based on who’s happy and wants to be photographed. Your job as a parent is to try not to stress (I know, easier said than done!) and smile no matter what. Kids know when you’re stressed and most kids enjoy pushing their parents’ buttons. Don’t give them any buttons to push, and you’ll be surprised!

I typically start my milestone sessions with the entire family if the baby is experiencing shyness or stranger anxiety. Since Rylan wasn’t shy AT all, we started with solo portraits and then added parents and family into the mix. I am very efficient when photographing sessions involving older babies and young children. Babies get tired out easily from stimulation, and toddlers lose patience, so I work quickly to make sure we have a varied gallery full of options!

Rylan is such a sweet little girl, and SO cute. I was amazed at how different she looked from her big sister! Genetics are such a crazy thing. It’s so fun to see whose features each baby has and to hear who they look the most like as a baby. It changes with age too - I’ve had parents tell me their newborn looks EXACTLY like dad, only to tell me at six months they look just like mom.

I really love to use our white Eames chair for a few images in each milestone session so that you can see how much your child has grown in between their sessions. Sindi also requested that we be sure to use it because Haylen’s sessions had included it also. It’s really an amazing thing to watch the progression of growth and have one object that’s exactly the same to really compare and contrast! If the modern style isn’t your peference, we have some classic linen options too. We’ll discuss your preferences when you arrive!

Real quick mention: when you see photographs of babies (and even younger kids!) in chairs and on the bed in my studio, mom or dad is right there next to them, just out of the frame. Baby safety is PARAMOUNT around here, and I have measures in place with every session to ensure it!

Isn’t Rylan just the most adorable baby girl?! I cannot wait to see her next month for her 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 Baby & Child Photographer | Twice the fun!

Every year we host our annual Motherhood Experience special edition sessions, and they’re usually held in mid to late April. Our HMUA is there to pamper mamas with light makeup application, and it’s such a fun time for all! I love welcoming mamas and their little ones to the studio and photographing them.

This particular mama has been bringing her fraternal twins to me since they were newborns, and I’ve photographed many full milestone and family sessions for them since. These images are from last year’s event, but I’m just now getting around to posting them! Janell comes every year for our Motherhood Experience and Santa sessions, which are the only two volume events the studio has annually.

The Motherhood Experience sessions last about 10-15 minutes, which is all the time we need. The focus is the emotional connection you share with your babies, and lots of snuggles are involved. I quietly direct mamas with simple suggestions to prompt natural interaction and document what unfolds. There are so many sweet and quiet moments - and some crazy and chaotic ones too! Here are a few from Janell’s session with the twins!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Caroline, Blair & Slade

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Ethan is ONE!

I first worked with Ethan’s parents for their maternity session in the park, which you can view by clicking here. He came into the studio at six months old for his sitting milestone session, and you can see those images by clicking here. So many of my clients choose to work with me throughout their baby’s first year (and subsequent babies!) and then schedule annual family portraits after that. I absolutely love getting to watch my littlest clients grow over the years!

Keyianna scheduled Ethan’s First Birthday session in the studio. First Birthday sessions almost always include parents too unless they opt to not be in them. I HIGHLY encourage parents to participate because these photos are a gift to your child. They will look at them someday and see all the love and laughter that surrounded them. Plus, we’re also celebrating the fact that you made it through your baby’s first year. That’s a pretty big accomplishment, so I say we recognize it!

You won’t see a cake smash in these images because there wasn’t one. Not every client chooses to include a cake, and it’s entirely a matter of personal preference. Some clients don’t want to give their babies any sugar for a few years, others just don’t really love cake, and others like to do something a bit out of the box and use a cupcake or pile of donuts. If you do decide to use a cake, we’ll send you our cake tips sheet for best practices. Believe it or not, the kind of icing you choose to use matters! Pro tip: avoid whipped icing - it’s by far the most difficult to get off of your child. Take it from me: I have seen it all!

We also sent over our style guide to Keyianna to help her in choosing what they should all wear. She found it super helpful and easy to read, and needed no additional help pulling their outfits together. Most parents celebrating a first birthday have two outfits for their baby. I always encourage parents to make sure one of the outfits shows off their baby’s toes, and chunky legs. When your baby is a full fledged toddler, you will miss these terribly. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone down the rabbit hole looking at photos of my own children as babies. They’re now 7, 5, and 3, and I still don’t know how the heck it happened so fast. I am so grateful that I was at least able to freeze those memories forever so I will never forget their chubby baby fingers and wispy hair.

Ethan was a curious little guy and not hesitant around me at all. My flow for these sessions varies and depends on your child. Some babies need to be in their parents’ arms for a bit and warm up to me. Others are ready to go as soon as they walk in. If your baby is walking, I’ll make sure to photograph them doing that! My main goal is to forever preserve your baby just as they were at the age of one. I want you to look at the photos and see their personality, how adorable they were, and their expressions. You will compare these photos to how they look as they grow and make note of what features they retained and which faded.

Because Ethan wasn’t shy, we rotated through family, solo, and parent images and then ended with an outfit change and more solo portraits. He immediately decided to stand up, and was SO PROUD of himself. I laugh every time I see his face. (it’s the very last image if you can’t wait to see it) Don’t worry - dad was standing right next to the chair out of the frame ready to catch him if needed. Safety is the highest priority during sessions, and a parent is always right there to spot.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Mr. Ethan’s session! I can’t wait to see him again next year!

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 Jackson

When Katrina emailed me to let me know that their baby BOY had arrived, I was so excited! I recently posted their maternity session in the field, and you can check out those images by clicking here. Baby Jackson came a while past his estimated due date, but he was definitely worth the wait. We scheduled their newborn session, and I sent over our newborn prep packet for them to review beforehand.

The morning of their session, the new family of three arrived and I got started right away. Jackson was going through a bit of a growth spurt and needed to eat very frequently. If this happens with your baby, know that it’s totally okay! I only schedule one newborn per day on my studio schedule and I am not going to rush through your session or be impatient with you or your baby. We’ll work around the needs of your new little one and keep everyone happy and comfortable throughout. Because Jackson kept needing to eat, he would open his eyes when he started getting hungry. I loved it because it allowed for some of the sweetest images with direct eye contact! I work with plenty of awake babies - the trick is that they also need to be calm. Awake and angry babies don’t make for the best photographs. ;) Once I finished the solo portraits, I had Katrina give Jackson a really long feeding and hold him for a bit so that he would fall asleep. We thought this had worked well, but he woke up shortly after being moved again. So I whipped out a few techniques from my bag of tricks, and had him sound asleep after a few minutes. Come to the studio for a newborn session to find out what those tricks are! ;)

We went right into the family and parent portion of the session and worked our way through it. I won’t lie - this part took some patience on everyone’s part because Jackson kept startling awake. What you can’t see is all of the soothing and walking back and forth to get him to settle. I would literally have Nick walk back and forth and then stop in place and take photographs in the in between moments, and that was all we needed. Katrina was tired from the lack of sleep that comes along with a newborn, and I could see that she was concerned we weren’t getting what we needed. I did my best to reassure her… but the proof is in the pudding.

When she looked at her proof gallery, she immediately emailed to thank me for my patience and that it had paid off. She absolutely LOVED her images, and was definitely a bit surprised. I can’t tell you how many of my clients have that concern that their session isn’t going well while in the moment. What they don’t realize is that I only need 1/800th of a second and a lot of patience to take a photograph if their little one isn’t sleeping or “cooperating”. I hate to even use that word because I feel like it places an unrealistic expectation on little ones. Of course a 10 day old doesn’t know how to “cooperate”. They know when they’re hungry, tired, or need to be snuggled - and it’s our job to make sure their needs are met. As a new parent, sometimes you’re still figuring out their cues. Our session together will be relaxed and laid back, and your baby’s comfort and safety are my top priorities. They run the show, end of story.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Jackson’s newborn session! Isn’t he just the SWEETEST!? When Katrina came by the studio a couple of weeks later to pick up her newborn collection, I was lucky enough to get to see him. Even though I know firsthand how fast babies grow, I am still always shocked when I see how BIG my newborn clients have grown in the few short weeks since their session!

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | DJ's Second Birthday!

I adore working with Senika and DJ, and I have had the honor of doing so since Senika was pregnant with him! Senika books a family session every year for DJ’s birthday, and comes to our Santa event every year also. I’ll be photographing DJ for his third birthday coming up in July, and I cannot wait. He is the happiest, smartest, most fun little guy - and his mama is just as amazing.

Senika asked to borrow a dress from the wardrobe for her session, and I pulled out one of our more relaxed pieces. Because DJ’s birthday is in July, it’s pretty hot outside in Atlanta, so I wanted her to be cool and comfortable. She LOVED it, and mentioned she had the perfect shoes to wear with it too. Because she had chosen a neutral dress, that left DJ’s outfit choice wide open. I like to call dresses that are solid neutral colors a “blank canvas” - because you can pair them with pretty much anything! She chose to dress him in lime green pants and a plaid shirt with some of the cutest little blue tennis shoes I have ever seen.

On the evening of their session, we met at the park location and Senika had brought along a fun balloon and a cupcake. DJ loves to run and play ball, and play with sticks, and Senika had also brought his favorite ball as well. Her goal with his birthday sessions is to capture his personality and the things that he loves to do. So, we incorporate those things into his sessions to make that happen! We had a lot of fun running around and playing, and of course….like most little boys, DJ found a stick. I went with it, and it ended up being one of Senika’s favorite pictures.

A quick note about balloons - I welcome them, but also remind my clients to bring their patience. Balloons have a mind of their own on a string indoors, and I can’t control the wind if we’re outdoors. We’ll do the best we can, but it may involve some creativity on our parts! Because of the breeze that evening, Senika had to hold the balloon so that the number would be the correct way, but we both loved how it worked out.

We ended the session with cupcake time… and all of a sudden as DJ was finishing up his cupcake, clouds rolled in. I had checked the forecast and there was no rain in it… but sure enough, those clouds ended up being a very fast moving summer thunderstorm! We ran to our cars just in time before the sky opened up. Fortunately, we were all finished with the session at that point so it was all just fine.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from DJ’s session. Such a big difference from his First Birthday Session! Oh, did you want to see those too? No problem - just click here!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Katrina & Nick at the field

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | A session for sisters!

Not everyone who calls the studio to book a session is a parent! In this case, it was a very proud and loving aunt. Bethani called the studio from her home in Brooklyn, New York to ask if she could book a session for her two nieces who live here in Atlanta. She gushed about how much she loved the two of them, and how she wanted some professional photographs of them at this age. Caroline, our studio manager, said that we could absolutely do that (she has two nieces and a nephew herself, so she understood completely), and she coordinated the session date and time to work for the girls’ schedules. Aunt Bethani chose to book our smallest collection which is great option for clients who only need a handful of studio portraits.

We also sent her the studio style guide, and she went straight to Zara in NYC where she picked up their ADORABLE coordinating jumpsuits. I just about fell over at how cute the two girls looked when they walked in with their parents!

I had a lot of fun with the two sisters, who were ages 1 and 3. They were so sweet and had such wonderful personalities. I photographed their session in about twenty minutes, which is all the time I need for this type of session! I play games, sing songs (don’t judge me for my inability to carry a tune), and make silly faces - whatever I need to do to engage with the children in front of my camera. I also appreciate a serious gaze just as much as a big toothy smile since some young children are naturally more serious in nature than others. My goal is to photograph who your child truly is, and we’ll chat about that in advance of your session too!

Bethani absolutely loved the proof gallery and how perfectly the personalities of each of her nieces shone through the images. I had such a fun time working with them, and welcome all the proud aunts and uncles who want to book sessions for their little nieces and nephews!

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 John

Rachelle contacted us to book a newborn session at the studio after seeing the photos from her newest nieces' newborn session. (Want to see John’s sweetest big cousin Cecilia? Of course you do - click here to see them!) Rachelle also asked to add on hair and makeup services to her session, as her sister had so enjoyed them as well.

The morning of their session, Rachelle arrived with John. She and I looked through the studio wardrobe and she fell in love with one of our newest wardrobe additions, a gorgeous full length white lace dress. Her husband Nash and big brother Robert were scheduled to arrive later. We minimize the time older siblings spend in the studio by having them arrive when baby’s solo portraits are done, and most dads also appreciate it as well! :) John was the cutest little chunk with a full head of hair, and after I squealed over how adorable he was, I took him into the newborn shooting room while Rachelle settled into the hair and makeup chair.

John was admittedly one of the easiest newborns that I’ve had in my entire career. He slept like a rock, and was very curly still. I moved through his solo portraits pretty quickly with only one nursing break needed. Every baby is different! I work with each baby and respect the unique individual that they are. If they don’t like being on their tummy or side, I will not force them into that position. My sessions are very baby led, and their safety and comfort are my top priority.

John did eventually wake up all the way, and I absolutely LOVE his quizzical expression. “Um. Who are you, and what is happening right now?!” Robert is SUCH a good big brother and so excited about his baby brother. He was so sweet and gentle with him, and loved participating in the session. After we finished up with the family and parent portion of the session, we said our goodbyes and the family headed home.

When I sent the gallery to Rachelle, she loved it so much that she opted to keep all of the photographs. We also designed a gorgeous album for the family and Rachelle chose stone colored suede as her album cover. We also designed birth announcements for them, and are still in the process of choosing a large framed print for their home. I really love designing beautiful artwork for clients to keep. Have no fear: newborn collections come with the digital files - added on artwork products are completely optional!

Enjoy John’s newborn session images! I’ve shared quite a few of them below.

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

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

Atlanta Baby & Family Photographer | Amelia's in home six month milestone session

Fact: I travel to homes too for lifestyle sessions. (but not if you have or had a cat in the home, because I will literally have to be taken to a hospital due to my severe allergies)

I first worked with Kristen and Dave for their maternity session at the field location with their two pups Riggs & Tink. You can view those images by clicking here. I was so excited to head to their home in Brookhaven and meet their daughter, Amelia!

Amelia is the most darling little thing! She is the perfect mix of her parents and has such beautiful blue eyes. When I arrived at the house, I looked around to see what kind of lighting I had to work with, and decided to photograph in 3 of the rooms there. Every home is unique, and because I work with the available natural light, every session will look different too. When we plan your in home session, you’ll send over some quick phone snaps of your home at a couple of different times during the day so we can determine the best time to schedule your session and know ahead of time which rooms we’ll be photographing in! I chose to photograph in one of their darker rooms in the house, and you’ll know instantly which two photographs in the below collage were taken in that particular room. Those photos prove that (a) you don’t have to have TONS of light and (b) emotional connection is what makes a beautiful photograph.

We started in the living room, headed to the master bedroom, and then upstairs to Amelia’s adorable nursery. Lifestyle sessions are all about having fun together as a family. You will play, you’ll tickle, you’ll snuggle in. Amelia particularly enjoyed playing peek a boo with Daddy on the couch, and he treated us to some singing as well which made Amelia so happy! (PS: I can’t carry a tune to save my life, so don’t worry if you can’t either - we’re in the same club) During our time together, I’ll make sure that you look great (no unflattering angles or self inflicted double chins) and give you simple guidance as needed. Your only job will be to have your home ready to go when I arrive (clutter cleared away, etc) and be ready to have fun!

Want to book an in home session? Contact us to discuss your vision and we’ll get to planning!

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 | A mommy and me session with Dawn & Cady

I first worked with Dawn for her maternity session in the studio and you can view those images by clicking here. I was SO excited when she scheduled a mommy & me session because I so enjoyed working with her, and couldn’t WAIT to meet her baby girl!

Dawn has such a joyful and bubbly personality, and her baby girl, Cady, is such a sweetheart with the biggest brown eyes. Dawn and Cady showed up in a navy and white color scheme, and I loved the floor length gown. It was so wonderful to spend time with the two of them and see how Dawn has settled into her role of Cady’s mama.

Complimentary matching black and white images are provided to my clients to match the color images they select for their collections, and I chose to only share the black and white versions here since I love them so much. Enjoy! I’m looking forward to seeing this mother and daughter duo again for another mommy and me session this coming weekend!

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 | Folarin is ONE!

This sweet family booked a First Birthday session in the studio and informed me they would be wearing some of their Nigerian traditional dress. I said “Awesome!” I love when families want to celebrate their culture and traditions with me, and welcome it.

I didn’t know what they were planning to wear for the other part of their session, and I was so surprised (in a good way!) when they walked in dressed to the nines in tuxedos and a black formal evening gown. Folarin is officially the first baby to wear a tuxedo for his First Birthday session, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I hope he’s not the last.

I think you’ll see from the images that this family was just FUN. Full of genuine joy and just a wonderful and positive presence. Both mom and dad are doctors in the Atlanta area, and I’m sure their patients appreciate their warm and fun personalities!

After we finished up with the first part of our session, the family changed into their traditional Nigerian dress. I had no idea what the colors would be - and they ended up actually coordinating with the studio! Had they been another color, it would have been totally fine due to the neutral colors of the studio. For some really bright and vibrant colors, I will suggest an outdoor session rather than indoor in order to counterbalance that color with the environment and not have such a major contrast. At the end of the day, it’s up to the client what they want to do!

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 & Chris in the gardens

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this session!

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

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

Atlanta In Home Family Photographer | Myka & Harris

Fun fact about Myka and I: we were pregnant at the same time, and our sons are 27 days apart! We have yet to schedule a playdate with our boys though since when we meet up it’s adults only. I enjoy every second I spend with Myka - she has such a creative and free spirit, and is an saavy entrepreneur herself. (Follow her over at highbrowhippie on Instagram!)

Many people are surprised to learn that I photograph in home sessions. It’s true, I do…and I love them. If you’re not sure if an in home session is right for you, just give us a call. We’ll talk about your vision, your home, and give you our professional input and suggestions!

When I arrived at the house for this session, Harris said hi, and I commented to Myka on how calm and quiet he was. Myka shot me a look, which I wasn’t really sure how to interpret. Harris disappeared and seconds later, came roaring back into the room with his Tonka Truck. I immediately took my words back, and quickly realized Harris was just like my son…. energetic, full of zest for life…and not so quiet.

Myka’s gorgeous home is filled with beautiful natural light, and I loved the architecture throughout. After a quick walk through, I decided to shoot on the stairs and downstairs and we got started. In home lifestyle sessions are fun and relaxed. I encourage you to go about activities that you would do even if I weren’t there, and I mix in some directed natural posing as well. Anyone who has a two year old boy knows that they don’t sit still, which is why I call it “directed natural posing”. If you’re not sure what that is, it’s basically me giving you a prompt of what to do with your child and photographing what unfolds. Super easy! :) Harris loves playing games and giving high fives, so engaging him was no problem. We got lots of beautiful images of the two of them snuggling and interacting just like they would if I weren’t there to document it. That’s what I strive for with in home sessions. We will talk about the areas of your home that are most meaningful to you, the things about your child and your relationship that you love and want to capture, and your favorite activities to do together as we plan your session.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and your watching your not so little boy get dressed for his senior prom? 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.