As you know from the last blog post, Leslie had contacted the studio to learn more about booking maternity session and had so much fun during it that she and her husband booked a newborn session too!
Leslie requested that she have the same hair and makeup artist if availability allowed, and then Luke surprised us all by arriving FIVE weeks early! He was healthy with no issues or NICU needed, but his unexpected early arrival left his mom and dad scrambling to finish up all the baby preparations they hadn’t had a chance to do! Since Luke was born so much earlier than expected, we scheduled his newborn session to take place when he was three weeks old. Leslie’s requested HMUA was available, and she was so thrilled that all she had to do was show up at the studio - especially since it was a 90 minute drive for them from their small hometown south of Atlanta! This gave Leslie and Jordan some more time to get acclimated at home, and for Luke to gain a little bit more weight since he was a tiny little peanut!
On the morning of their session, Leslie & Jordan arrived at the studio with baby Luke! Leslie wanted a more casual look for the session and had brought a cream sweater to wear over a tank top and jeans. Jordan had FORGOTTEN his clothes on the way out the door, and there was some momentary panic on his face when we realized, but I quickly reassured him I had a solution! We have two Targets very close by and I pulled up my Target to show him exactly what would work with Leslie’s outfit. He wanted to go out and grab some coffee and breakfast anyway, and I showed him a map of where Target was along with the closest Starbucks. Problem solved! Since their session, I have stocked my studio wardrobe with several pullover Henleys (yes, the one Jordan is wearing!) in size S-2XL. Adding these to our client wardrobe has actually come in handy several times since then when dads have forgotten their outfits, or don’t have anything in their wardrobe that really works!
Baby Luke was awake when the family arrived, and Leslie expressed concern that this would be a problem. I let her know that it actually wasn’t, because he was calm and content. I took the opportunity to get an open eyed photo of him, and it’s a good thing I did because his awake period was very short lived. He stayed awake for all of the first two minutes and then I didn’t see his eyes open again for the rest of the time he was in the studio!
If your baby is awake and they’re fussy, I’ll have you snuggle or feed them! Sometimes babies get fussy when they have an uncomfortable diaper as well - we will figure out what your baby needs and get them happy again!
NEUTRALS ARE KING
I have a wide assortment of neutral colors when it comes to my wraps and drops for the beanbags here in the studio! I choose them based on your baby’s skin tone! There is more than one shade of white, and not every shade looks good with every baby! Neutrals are truly classic and will look beautiful decades from now. Using neutrals keeps the focus on your baby and their unique details, which is exactly where it should be! My posing and wrapping techniques are very natural and led by your baby and their degree of sleepiness and flexibility. I won’t force your baby into any position they aren’t comfortable in, because their comfort and safety is my priority.
After I finished up with Luke’s solo portraits, Leslie took him for a diaper change and a feeding since he was due to eat. He was such a sleepy little guy that his parents had to wake him up somewhat to feed him!
One of my most favorite parts of newborn session is photographing brand new parents together with their little one! There is so much palpable love coupled with awe and wonder. If this is your first baby, and you don’t have a ton of hands on experience with newborns, you are likely still getting used to handling them and moving around…especially while standing up! As I’ve stated already, my top priority during newborn sessions is your baby’s safety. I will verbally communicate what to do and will model for you with demonstrations as needed. There’s are plenty of different ways to hold a baby - so if you aren’t quite confident holding your baby in the way I ask, I’ll quickly pivot and come up with an alternative that feels good and secure for you!
I’m here to make your session experience FUN and as stress-free as possible for you! During your time with me, I will handle all the little things so you don’t have to worry about them. I’ll tuck stray hairs, adjust your head angle so you don’t give yourself a double chin, and straighten your clothes. Your focus will be on your baby, and you will only have to worry about relaxing and enjoying yourself!
Leslie and Jordan loved the images from Luke’s newborn session so much that they chose to keep the full gallery! They are planning to return for Luke’s milestone sessions and we’ll create a compilation album at the very end of his First Year!
If you’re pregnant and thinking about a newborn session, congratulations! I’d love to work with your family and document this special time in your lives with beautiful photographs that will last 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.
Enjoy some of my favorite images from this handsome little guy’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.
