Kyra contacted us at the beginning of her second trimester to ask about how we ran our studio (specifically, our COVID precautions since she was a higher risk pregnancy) and after speaking with us, knew she definitely wanted to book both a maternity and newborn session.
THE BOOKING PROCESS
Because Kyra had contacted us early on in her pregnancy, we were able to schedule a weekend date for her maternity session. We book MONTHS in advance, so the sooner the better when it comes to having date options to choose from. If we are out of weekend options, clients just plan to leave work earlier on a weekday. Weeknight sessions have their own perks: one of which is that our locations are much less crowded! As a note: ALL of our outdoor sessions take place about one hour before sunset and sometimes we offer sunrise sessions at certain times of year (mostly in August/September). If you’re not sure of what that time is, you can literally google “sunset time on X date in Atlanta” and you’ll get the sunset time. Subtract an hour, and you’ll have your general session start time! If you’re booking a sunrise session, we meet about 5 minutes before sunrise!
Caroline, our studio manager, sent over Kyra’s session paperwork to her. We handle our entire booking process securely online, and it’s all very streamlined. Our studio has been described by many as a “well oiled machine” and we are proud of that fact! After Kyra sent back her paperwork, she was locked into our calendar. We then scheduled her maternity fitting to take place about 2 weeks before her session. We also sent over a short list of what she should bring along with her the fitting and directions to our studio location. We’re located right on the Beltline next to two.urban.licks just down from Ponce City Market, and it’s really easy to get to! There is a free parking lot available (and street parking if the lot is full).
THE MATERNITY FITTING
Maternity fittings are scheduled 1-2 weeks before scheduled sessions! We want to ensure you have ample time to decide on what to wear from your top favorites and can pull together the other outfits for your partner and/or children. Your baby likely won’t grow too much in two weeks to not be able to fit in your final choices. If you try on a dress that BARELY fits and are in love with it, we’ll have you choose a backup option for it just in case it doesn’t fit you anymore at your session. Our clients can choose up to two looks.
As a note, usage of the studio wardrobe is not at all required but about 95% of our clients do borrow from it! So many of our maternity clients also find what they want to wear for their newborn session when they’re in for their fitting - as Kyra did! If able, I strongly recommend that all clients (even those who are planning to wear their own clothing) come in to see me in advance of their session so that we are able to meet each other. If you can’t make the time to come by the studio, virtual options are available via Zoom or FaceTime! Clients who have spent some time with me prior to stepping in front of my camera are much more relaxed because I’m not a total stranger they’ve just met for the first time!
When Kyra came in for her fitting, she commented on how many dresses we had. It’s true - we have a LOT. Like many of our clients, she was a little worried that we might not have anything that fit her well that she loved. Our studio wardrobe has outfitted women ranging in heights from 4’10” to 6’3” and size 00-16. We talked about her style preferences and favorite colors, and I pulled options for her that I knew would work well with her skin tone. She also chose a dress from our little girls’ wardrobe for her daughter to wear as well.
You do NOT have to decide at the maternity fitting what you’ll be wearing, but you’ll need to have your final choices in at least 4 business days before your session date. This lead time allows us to have your options cleaned if needed if another client wears one of your choices in the same week. The vast majority of our dresses will fit both pregnant and postpartum moms (and even those moms who are several years postpartum!). After looking at all her options and showing her husband the photos from her phone, Kyra decided on a moss green off the shoulder dress and a purple dress with a shawl to cover her arms.
MATERNITY SESSIONS WITH KIDS: WHAT TO EXPECT
I always shoot my sessions efficiently, because I don’t believe that an outdoor couples or family maternity session should take 4 hours. When a child is involved, it becomes even MORE important to not have an overly long session because they just can’t deal with it. Four hours is an insane length of time to shoot a standard natural light portrait session that isn’t a newborn session, and it’s why a lot of first time dads to be come in assuming they’re going to hate the entire experience and it’s something they have to grit their teeth to “get through”.. Nope. Dragging it out is not how I roll.
Instead, I’m going to lead you and literally tell you what to do and when to do it. My focus is on the emotional connection between my subjects, and the interactions that you see in my images is 100% authentic. In the interest of total transparency, most of my subjects can’t quite get there on their own unless they have worked with me before. So….I do initial work of getting you positioned juuuuuuuust so, adjust your hair and clothing if necessary, and THEN give you a simple action prompt that sparks that natural interaction. Little kids don’t follow direction well (or at all), so we just let them be themselves! I’ll give you simple instructions and you’ll interact with them just as you normally would. There is no stiff and formal posing where everyone has to be perfectly still for twenty eternal seconds - that is NOT possible (or realistic) with small children!
Once you’re relaxed and in the zone, that is when the magic begins. There is no need to be nervous about not knowing what to do, because the truth is: you don’t have to when you’re with me. Your dynamic with your family is unique, and it SHOULDN’T look like every other session out there. I don’t do cookie cutter sessions. Instead your session will show all of you loving each other in your own way, and highlight the beauty of your pregnancy and the love you have for your new baby on the way.
MATERNITY SESSION FLOW
I already mentioned that sessions aren’t needlessly long. I allot an hour for outdoor portraits - and once the sun is gone, we’re done. (Pro tip: be sure to be on time to your session). I shoot efficiently and can do so very quickly in a pinch when needed, but I don’t possess the superpower of being able to keep the sun from setting.
Fact: When we start your session, you’re going to be a tad nervous and probably feel a bit awkward for the first little bit. This is 100% normal. I regularly shoot 20+ maternity sessions per month (studio and outdoor), and I’ve been photographing pregnant moms for 8 years now. I have seen it all.
I’d say that most of my subjects start relaxing in 10 minutes or less. As such, the photos I take at the very beginning often don’t make it into the final proof gallery. The very first little bit is intended to be a warm-up for you to get used to being in front of the camera and following my direction for how to move and position your bodies. Once you’re relaxed and having fun, that is when we start getting those keepers for your proof gallery!
I like for moms move around as little as possible and structure my session flow around them. Pregnant moms are often sore, their feet and hips might be hurting, and there’s just no need to drag them all over the place. Instead, partners are be the ones in and out of the frame as directed. Breaks are taken as needed for mamas to drink some water or just take a breather.
We started out our session in the most beautiful summer sunset light, and I spent some time photographing Kyra solo and pulling in the rest of the family for some images from time to time. Juniper was having a rough evening and wasn’t particularly into being in the photos, so we gave her plenty of space and then she eventually came around! One of the things that you’ll notice in this gallery is that Juniper is also in two outfits. This actually wasn’t the original plan, but Juniper let us know that she wanted to wear her own clothes. I believe in respecting children and letting them have input too. Once she was wearing her own outfit, her mood changed so much and she started having fun. I could see Kyra’s relief that Juniper was happy and participating - and her little outfit and boots are just adorable and worked well!
If you’re reading this and considering booking a maternity session, YAY! Firstly, a BIG congratulations!!! This is such a special time in your life, and it’s truly an honor to photograph couples expecting their first, second, third, or seventh child. I would love for you to contact us to chat.
Have you watched the video on our website that really covers our whole process and who we are? If you haven’t, check it out - you can click here to see it. It’s a quick 90 second investment of your time, and will provide a general overview of what it’s like to work with me. Bonus: you’ll actually get to see my whole face in the video unlike when in the studio with me due to my mask! ;)
Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this family’s park maternity session below… and come back in a few days to see the gorgeous newborn images of their second daughter!
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.
