I first worked with Chitra and Srini when they were expecting their son a couple of years ago, and have worked with them several times since then for milestone and family sessions. I was so excited to hear from them that they were expecting a little girl and wanted to book another maternity and newborn session! Chitra had been so busy with work and family life that she had procrastinated a bit in scheduling, but we were still able to get them squeezed into the schedule. Their first maternity session was at the park, during a beautiful late spring day. This maternity session was in the month of January, and Chitra opted for in studio so she wouldn’t have to worry about the weather being too cold outside.
THE BOOKING PROCESS
Because Chitra had contacted us pretty late to get on the schedule for maternity, we were not able schedule a weekend date for their maternity session. I really do book up my calendar several months in advance, so it’s the truth that the sooner you contact us the better your chances of getting the date you’re hoping for!
If I am fully booked for all my weekends during your best window for maternity session, you can plan to leave work on a weekday. We can arrange for your session to take place over your lunch break so you miss as little time as possible. They chose to come in on at the end of the week, and commented that the traffic was a less heavy than they expected! Atlanta traffic on the weekends can definitely sometimes be heavier than during the week…but just like weather in the South ….you just never know.
Caroline, our studio manager, sent over Chitra’s session documents to her. Our entire booking process is easy, streamlined and handled securely online! Our clients frequently describe our process as a “well oiled machine” and we very proud of that. We work hard to serve you well and to make everything as easy as possible for you from first contact to final product delivery!
After Chitra remitted her paperwork, her date was officially locked into our calendar. She opted to skip the maternity fitting since she knew she wanted to wear the same dress from her initial maternity session with her son as a sweet nod to the past, in addition to a more casual outfit consisting of jeans and a sweater.
THE MATERNITY FITTING
Chitra skipping her maternity fitting was totally fine since (a) she knew what she wanted to wear already and (b) had already worked with me multiple times! I typically schedule you maternity fitting 1-2 weeks before your session date! This ensures that you have plenty of time to decide what to wear from your options, and time to pull together the other outfits for your partner and/or children. Your belly is not likely to grow so much in two weeks that you won’t be able to fit into your selections. If you choose a dress that BARELY fits and are absolutely in love with it, we’ll have you choose a backup option for it just in case it doesn’t fit anymore at your session!
Using our studio wardrobe is not at all required! Roughly 95% of our clients do choose to borrow from it! If you are able to, I 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 we haven’t already worked together. Your session will feel much more relaxed and comfortable for you if you’ve met me prior to stepping in front of my camera.
You do NOT have to decide on your final choices at your maternity fitting and can take a few days to think about it! You will need to submit your final choices in at least 4 business days before your session date. This advance time allows me to have your selections dry cleaned in time if another client wears one of your choices in that same week. Most of our client dresses will fit both pregnant and postpartum mothers, so a lot of our clients also decide on their newborn option while with us too!
MATERNITY SESSIONS WITH TODDLERS: WHAT TO EXPECT
I always shoot my sessions efficiently, because a couples or family maternity session shouldn’t take 4 hours. When a young child is involved with a session, it’s even MORE important to not have a long session because it’s a recipe for stress and disaster. Four hours is an ridiculous length of time to photograph a standard studio natural light portrait session, and most kids are over it in roughly 30 minutes.
I’m going to lead you throughout your entire session from start to finish. I will demonstrate what to do and when to do it. I’ll do it quickly, but you won’t feel rushed. My photography focus during session is on the emotional connection between you and your partner/child(ren). The interaction between my family that you see in my images is 100% natural and unforced!
In the interest of transparency: most of my families and couples can’t quite get there on their own unless they have worked with me before. I do the initial setup work of positioning you, adjust your hair and clothing if necessary, and THEN give you a simple and easy to follow prompt that sparks the interaction.
Young children don’t follow direction well (or at all!), so we just let them be who they are, and you’ll interact with them just as you normally would. There is NO formal posing with little children where everyone has to be perfectly stiff for twenty eternal seconds - let’s face it, that is just NOT possible (or realistic) with most little ones under the age of 5.
Once you family is relaxed and has gotten comfortable in front of the camera, the real magic begins. No need to be nervous about not knowing what to do. The dynamic with your family is unique, and it SHOULDN’T look like any other session. I am not a cookie cutter photographer, because what’s the point of that?! Your session will highlight the love your family has for each other while capturing the beauty of your pregnancy.
MATERNITY SESSION FLOW
I already mentioned that your session won't be be dragged out unecessarily. I allot an hour for studio portraits, and we’ll take breaks if anyone in your family needs to!
If you’re a first time client, you are probably going to be a bit nervous and a little bit awkward when we get started. This is 100% normal, and it will disappear, I promise! I regularly shoot 20+ maternity sessions per month on average. I’ve been photographing pregnant moms for over 9 years now, so you are in very experienced hands!
Most clients take about 10 minutes or less to relax. The photos I take at the very beginning of your session often don’t make it into your final proof gallery, and this is intentional! This time is intended as your warm-up so you to get used to being in front of the camera and following my direction throughout. Once I see you’re relaxed and starting to have fun with it, THAT is when we start getting the keepers for your proof gallery!
I have you move around as little as possible, and my session flow is structured around your comfort. When you’re pregnant, your hips and feet might be hurting. You might feel sore and swollen, and there’s just no need to overexert you. Instead, your partner is the one who will step in and out of the frame at my direction. Breaks are taken as needed for you to drink some water or sit down and rest for a moment!
We started out our session in the most gorgeous late summer sunset light, and I spent some time photographing Chitra solo and pulling in the rest of the family for some images from time to time. Suman was a ball of energy and running around all over the place, which I loved. He was fun and so sweet, and we really captured his true personality in the family images, which is always my goal. Chitra and Srini expressed amazement that he was so well behaved in the studio. They were worried he might be bouncing off the walls.
Most young children have a short period of what I call “shock and awe” when they enter the studio since it’s a new place for them. This is exactly why I knock out the family images right away while I still have them interested and listening. Once they become comfortable in the environment, that’s when they tend to start to bouncing off the walls. ;) Maybe you have a child that knows no strangers and is always energetic. I have three children of my own who match this personality description, so no worries!
If you’re reading this and considering booking a maternity session with me, YAY! Firstly, a HUGE congratulations!!! This is such an amazingly special time in your life as your family grows. It is truly an honor to work with couples expecting their first, second, third, or seventh child, and I would love for you to contact us to chat.
Have you watched the video here on the 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 short 90 seconds, and provides an awesome overview of what it’s like to work with me. PLUS, you’ll actually get to see my entire face in the video unlike when you’re with me due to my wearing a mask! ;)
Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this family’s studio 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.
