I first worked with Kathleen & Ben for their studio maternity session, and had hoped to photograph their newborn session but COVID hit right when she was born, and the mandated statewide pause shut my studio down for several weeks. So…. we did an outdoor family/milestone session several months later in September at the mountain location instead!!!
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FAMILY SESSION
Kathleen knew that we book out our fall dates MONTHS in advance, when when we knew that a newborn session wouldn’t be possible we went ahead and got their milestone session on the calendar. After chatting for a bit about the different locations available, she decided that the mountain location fit her family and her vision the best. Keep reading this post for more detail about the mountain as a location, because there are things you NEED to know about it when making your location decision.
Once Kathleen chose a date from what we had remaining on the calendar, we sent over her session paperwork electronically, and when she remitted it she was officially locked into the calendar.
As a note, dates are first come, first serve and they go quickly, especially for spring and fall dates. When we speak and give you open dates, those dates are what we have open as of our conversation with you. Dates are considered open on our calendar until booked, so it is possible that some or all of the dates will become unavailable if other clients book them before you make a decision. We have had clients get dates, tell us they’ll get back to us, and then get distracted. A week later, they reply back choosing a date that is no longer available due to being booked by another client. Moral of the story here: choose your date and lock your session in as soon as you can to avoid it being taken by another inquiry.
Kathleen sent back her session paperwork (everything is handled securely and electronically online!), and we sent over our style guide. When I asked if she would need any help styling like she did the first time, she said YES. We had a few email exchanges, and I sent over some options from my studio wardrobe for Holland that I knew would look amazing with her blue eyes. Kathleen was relieved to not have to go shopping for Holland, and opted to have the family dress more casually. She struggled with finding something for Ben to wear, and I saved the day by sending her links for options from Target. Since Kathleen avoids going into any stores due to the ongoing pandemic, using Target drive-up for picking up the order was the perfect solution for her!
My simple and to the point style guide really does make it effortless to understand how to dress your family for your pictures, and I’m here to help you with extra hands-on assistance if you want it! You are more than welcome to schedule a complimentary style consult with me at the studio. We’ll spend time chatting and go through your options, as well as look through things I have that might work from the client wardrobe.
I know you may have had less than stellar experiences with photographers in the past that left you to fend for yourselves and figure out the details yourself. You won’t be left in the desert when you’re my client. I’m here for you! If a studio visit isn’t an option for you, you can e-mail me photos and I’ll reply with feedback and suggestions… maybe even some shopping links if you need that! It is important to me that your experience is enjoyable and FUN, so let’s make that happen!
THE MOUNTAIN LOCATION: IT MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU
The mountain location is absolutely gorgeous in the fall, and I absolutely LOVE it. It almost feels like you’re on another planet due to the entire surface being rock.
I do NOT recommend choosing the mountain for summer sessions because of the extreme heat and the entire surface being rock and will NOT shoot there during the months of July and August due to the increased risk of heatstroke and fainting for participants.
The mountain location is NOT an “easy” location This holds especially true for families with little ones. Here’s why:
Parking can be EXTREMELY difficult to find, necessitating a two mile walk/hike just to get to the top, and then back again. Think about how exhausted your toddler might be after a walk like this.
There are no bathrooms on the mountain. You’re out of luck if you need to go - you have the option of using a Port-A-Potty at the base of the mountain if you’re desperate.
You cannot take strollers or wagons on the mountain, so you will need to plan to carry your children if they are young. Carrying your child(ren) can result in wrinkled clothing, sweating through your clothes, and being grumpy and exhausted by the time we get to the top.
If you have your maternity session at the mountain, you will only be able to have one outfit due to no changing tents being allowed on the surface of the mountain. There are very rare plants on the surface, and they are federally protected and yes, this is enforced!
The hike is moderate, but even my most physically fit clients who hike on the regular are a bit winded when we get to the top.
I will not be able to assist you by carrying anything for you. I will be handling my own heavy camera bag.
The good? It’s a gorgeous location that looks amazing whether it’s sunny or overcast and is worth the hike up.
THE FAMILY’S SESSION DAY
On the day of the session, it was a very slow evening at the mountain, which surprised me especially for how beautiful it was! We didn’t have any issues finding parking - granted, we went on a Tuesday evening and weekends tend to be less crowded but there’s never a guarantee during the fall.
Because Kathleen had chosen to wear heeled boots and neither of them wanted to hike up to the top carrying Holland, we decided to keep the session at the base of the mountain rather than hiking the mile up to the top. Kathleen was a little bummed because she thought we wouldn’t be able to get silhouette photos without going to the top, but you’ll see that’s NOT the case! All you need is an elevated surface and some open sky - and we can get that without going all the way up! :) The rocky ground is pitted and not even, so choose your footwear with that in mind…and walk carefully. The last thing you want is a sprained ankle to contend with!
I was really thrilled that we had scheduled their session at a time that ended up being the PEAK of the yellow flowers blooming! I love how they look in the background and in the gorgeous light we had that evening. We had so much fun staying at the base of the mountain and moving around from spot to spot.
Enjoy this beautiful mountain session - I just love working with this family and cannot wait to see them again for their next session! My favorite images are the shilouette images - so much emotion these two photos, and so much love. I think they’re such a perfect illustration of the saying “A picture is worth 1,000 words.”
QUIT PROCRASTINATING ALREADY
Do you need to schedule your family photo session? Do it now, before time inevitably slips away from you and you find yourself packing their bags for college. Contact us and we’ll chat about your vision and the goals you have for your pictures, as well as discuss our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family!
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.
