Rebecca contacted us at the end of her second trimester to ask about our studio and specific COVID precautions. After speaking with us, knew she wanted to book both a maternity and newborn session, and we sent over the paperwork for her to complete and reserve her sessions! We handle EVERYTHING securely online in a very streamlined process. Our clients find the whole process super simple and love it. After Rebecca sent back her paperwork, she was locked into our calendar. We scheduled her maternity fitting to take place about 2 weeks before her session and also sent over a short list of what to bring along with her to the fitting, and directions to our convienent studio location. We’re located right on the Beltline just down from Ponce City Market right by two.urban.licks. We have a free parking lot available (and street parking if our lot happens to be full).
Have you watched the 90 second video on our website? If you haven’t, you should - click here to see it. Watching it will give you a great overview of what it’s like to work with me and what my philosophy behind photographs is. Almost all of my clients who have watched it have told me that they didn’t feel like I was a stranger when they met me for the first time, and that I’m very “what you see is what you get.” As a note, this was filmed 5 years ago in our old (much smaller) original Grant Park studio, but still all holds 100% true today!
THE BOOKING PROCESS
Rebecca and her husband, Bo had demanding work from home jobs and a weekend was the only time that would work for them for their maternity session. Booking your outdoor session early is key to weekend availability! While weekends are popular and are snapped up super fast (as of this blog post, we are already completely booked for weekend dates in October 2021), we also shoot on weeknights which have plenty of their own perks! Weeknights: lots more flexibility in scheduling, often less traffic, and way less crowded at the locations.
Many of our clients choose to take a half day from work or just leave a couple of hours early to schedule a weekday evening session depending on what time the sun is setting on their session date. ALL of our outdoor sessions take place about one hour before sunset. 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! There are also some months that we offer sunrise sessions - typically in September when the sun comes up around 7:30 AM so we aren’t all stumbling around trying to get ready at 5:30 AM. ;)
THE MATERNITY FITTING
Maternity fittings are scheduled 1-2 weeks before scheduled sessions! We want to make sure you have enough 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 shouldn’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 want to choose it, we’ll go ahead and have you choose a backup option for it just in case it doesn’t fit you anymore when we get to your session date. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Our clients can choose up to two looks. As a note, usage of the studio wardrobe is not required but about 95% of our clients do choose to borrow from it! Even if you don’t, it’s great for inspiration and to see what looks great on you! So many of our maternity clients also find what they want to wear for their newborn session when they’re in for their fitting. If able, I strongly encourage clients who are planning to wear their own clothing to come in with that clothing for me to see beforehand and so that we are able to meet each other as well. 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 Rebecca came in for her fitting, she was pleasantly surprised by the number of options available to her in the wardrobe. She had been concerned we wouldn’t have options for her as she’s petite. I have dressed women ranging in heights from 4’10” to 6’3” and size 00-16 - so there is no need to worry because we likely do have something that will fit you! While Rebecca was trying on pieces, Bo and I chatted and got to know each other. He had lots of questions for me about what he should wear, as well as what to expect, and I answered all of them. You do NOT have to bring your partner to your fitting, but I recommend it if you’re able and they’re willing to! It gives me a chance to get to know them and break the ice in advance of your session and often makes guys a lot more comfortable as well. If they’re unable to attend, you’ll snap cell photos of your favorite options to share with them later if you want their input on your final selection!
Don’t worry, you will not have to decide at the maternity fitting what you’ll be wearing. You do need to have your final choices in at least 4 business days before your session date. This allows me to have your options cleaned if needed if another client wears one of your choices before you in the same week. Most of our dresses will fit both pregnant and postpartum moms, so a lot of our clients also find their preferred dress for their newborn session while they’re here too! After looking at all her options and showing her husband, Rebecca decided on a breezy moss off the shoulder gown and what is probably our most popular studio dress paired with a sheer white kimono wrap.
SESSION EFFICIENCY
I always shoot my sessions efficiently, because I don’t believe that an outdoor couples or family maternity session should take 2 hours. In Atlanta summers, this is especially important because it’s hot and humid.
We will not be dragging your session out unnecessarily. Instead, I lead you through the entire experience and will literally tell (and show!) you what to do and when to do it. Don’t worry, I’m not at all bossy - I’m very gentle and direct and clients absolutely love it. So many clients have expressed relief that they wouldn’t be left to figure things out on their own and hope it looked good.
My primary focus is on the emotional connection between my subjects. The interaction you see between couples in my photographs is 100% authentic and real. However, because I believe in transparency, most of my couples can’t quite get there on their own because people tend to freeze up a little bit in the presence of a camera. I do the work of getting couples positioned just where where they need to be, tweak hair and clothing if necessary and THEN give an easy to follow prompt that ignites that natural interaction. THAT is when the magic and beauty unfold.
So, please don’t worry about not knowing what to do. Don’t think to yourself, “We are never look like those couples because my husband isn’t going to do that.” The truth is: you don’t have to look like anyone else. Your dynamic with your partner is unique to the two of you. It SHOULDN’T look like any one elses’ session. What it WILL look like is the two of you loving each other in your own way, while highlighting the excitement and anticipation for this brand new baby that you’re welcoming into your family. Oh, and you’ll also look absolutely beautiful. ;)
MATERNITY SESSION FLOW
I already mentioned that sessions aren’t ridiculously long. I allot an hour for outdoor sessions. Remember: some of this time is going to be changing into your outfit, taking a break if needed, and walking to other spots. Once the sun is gone, we’re done. Pro tip: be on time to your session. While I can shoot efficiently and very quickly in a pinch (ie: there was a horrible wreck on the way that made you 20 minutes late), I cannot make the sunset slow down.
When we first get started with your session, you’re likely going to feel a little nervous and a bit awkward. This is 100% normal. I’ve got you. I regularly shoot 20+ maternity sessions per month (studio and outdoor), and I’ve been photographing pregnant moms for 7 years now. You’re in very experienced hands!
Most of my couples start hitting their stride in roughly 10 minutes or less if it’s their first session with me. If it’s not your first session, you already know the drill and we’re already friends, so none of this really applies. ;)
I have pregnant moms move around as little as possible in each spot in the location that we go to - especially during hot summer months! You’re pregnant, you’re probably sweating, your back and feet might be aching… there’s just absolutely no need to drag you all the place and make you feel like you went to an Orange Theory class by the time you’re done. Instead, your partner gets to do all the work. They will be the one jumping in and out of the frame as directed. We’ll also take breaks as needed for you to hydrate or rest, and pick right back up when you’re ready to go again!
SESSION DAY FOR REBECCA & BO
We met at the field location on a very humid and warm Atlanta summer night. It was actually NOT as hot as it could have been (about 15 degrees cooler than the norm for July!), and the sky was overcast, which also cooled it down a bit too. Overcast days are just as beautiful as bright and sunny ones, and actually give us a lot more flexibility in placement since we don’t have to worry about squinty eyes or crazy sun flare.
I spent some time photographing Rebecca solo and pulling Bo in for some images throughout. We had a lot of fun, and they warmed up quickly. The coolest part of the session that night was all of the deer that showed up in the field as dusk approached! Rebecca and Bo had never been that close to deer, and enjoyed seeing them prancing around with their little baby fawns.
At the end of their maternity session, we chatted for a bit about what they could expect next and said our goodbyes. The following week, I sent over their proof gallery. They LOVED their images and chose quite a few of them, expressing their excitement for their upcoming newborn session in a couple of months once their son arrived.
If you’re reading this and considering booking a maternity session, YAY! Firstly, a big congrats to you!!! This is such an incredibly beautiful time in your life. It is such an honor to be trusted to photograph couples expecting their first, second, third, or seventh child. I would love for you to contact us to chat about your vision and how we can serve you.
Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Rebecca & Bo’s field maternity session 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.
