I first worked with Shannon for her maternity session with her second baby a couple of years ago and was so excited to get to meet her baby when we scheduled their family session! Of course, he wasn’t a baby anymore at two years old… but I love seeing clients again no matter how much time has passed. I absolutely LOVE photographing families and frequently do.
Shannon and her husband live in the Peachtree City area and have two adorable and energetic little boys. I sent over the style guide and wardrobe inspiration board to her so she could look through it. We provide as much or as little assistance with styling your family as you need. Some of my clients could open their own fashion boutiques and need zero help from me (these guys would qualify), while others want the assurance of knowing what they’re choosing to wear will work well for their session. Shannon chose a monochromatic look with fun details like her motorcycle jacket and boots that paired well with her husband’s beanie and plaid shirt. Hats are more than welcome during sessions - I strongly suggest avoiding hats with brims as they’ll shadow faces and hide expressions. If you have a hat with a brim you absolutely love, bring it and we’ll incorporate it into a few images!
The evening of their spring session in March was overcast and cool. Overcast days are just as beautiful for photos too! The two major benefits to overcast days are (1) gorgeous even light (2) no limitations on which direction you’re facing since you won’t be blinded by the sun.
It’s awesome living in Atlanta because for the most part, shooting year round outdoors is no problem. It’s pretty rare we have days that are so cold you can’t be outdoors for a shoot - and those days are mostly in December-January. But, it’s the south after all…. just last week it was 71 degrees while I was shooting here and it reached 75 on another day in December. You just never know.
Family sessions are full of fun and play. I ask parents to check their expectations at the car, and to be willing to play games and follow my prompts for activities. I know firsthand how easy to become frustrated when you feel like your family session isn’t going well. I know how much planning, time, and effort goes into the entire thing. I’m a mom of three kids myself, so I really do get it. When my clients trust me and go with the flow, they are always pleasantly surprised by the resulting gallery if they felt like the entire session was chaos. If your children are a bit wild and running around, that’s perfectly ok! Usually this also means they’re full of joy and personality, and we’re going to get images where their sheer happiness is clearly evident. I also like to remind parents during sessions that all I need is 1/1000th of a second to get those sweet and quiet moments. Which might literally only last half a second before they’re running around again. Sometimes it may not seem like those moments are happening, but I promise they are!
The mountain location is a favorite for families because kids have a lot of fun exploring, and the scenery is different than the norm. There are lots of different areas to photograph in, and we keep moving constantly to keep the interest of your children. It’s about a mile hike from our meeting place to the top, and my little boy hiked it successfully by himself with no assistance from me when he was twenty months old. So, it’s definitely on the easier side for families and pregnant women, but there is definitely some physical effort involved. In the summer and fall months it can be extremely hot since the mountain is all rock surface with nowhere for the heat to go. I share these facts with you so you can make an informed decision on whether it’s the best location for you!
I love photographing at the mountain location since it’s such an unique place. When’s the last time you climbed a mountain and watched the sun set or surveyed land for as far you can see in all directions? Been a while? Come do it with me in the near future, and you’ll have some gorgeous photos to show for it too! ;)
Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this fun family’s session!
If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!
Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.
