Do you have really, really, really cute kids? Do you stay up at night after putting them to bed scrolling your phone looking at all the cute phone snaps of them? Do you want to capture your family's memories without using your phone? Do you keep saying to you partner that you need to find a photographer to schedule family photos with before your kids grow out of this ridiculously cute stage? Have you been putting off scheduling family photos because life keeps getting in the way? If you answered yes to any or all of the above, I would be happy to help!
I am a professional photographer here in Atlanta who specializes in working with young families from their first maternity session and onward (maternity, newborn, first year milestones, and annual family portraits as your children grow!) My goal is to make sure that every session is FUN and relaxed, so we can create images together that are natural and true to life. Your family photo experience shouldn’t be something you have to “get through” - it should be an experience you actually enjoy.
Your children will grow up before you know it, and soon enough they'll be adults with their own families. You're going to want pictures of them as they grow so you never forget the memories of when they were little and you could still pick them up and hold them in your arms. Let me help you preserve your family’s special moments for generations to come!
THE BOOKING PROCESS
Liz contacted the studio to book a fall family session! Our fall season is the most popular for family sessions and we book out very quickly. Most of our families schedule their fall sessions 8 months to a YEAR in advance. Not even joking! Weekend dates are coveted, so they get on the schedule ASAP so they can set it and forget it.
I’ve been working with her family since her daughter’s Fresh 48 session, and it’s been so much fun to watch Frances grow over the years. Liz and Isaac are wonderful parents, and seeing them grow into those roles has also been amazing as well. Getting to observe all the changes over the years in children and parents is my favorite part of being a family photographer! We sent over her session agreement and invoice, as well as our easy to follow style guide. Since Liz has been working with me for so many years, she doesn’t really need the style guide any more but we send it along juuuuuust in case. I’m always available to my clients for a wardrobe consult if you need some extra help determining what everyone in your family should wear. We can do this with an in person meeting at the studio, or via email exchange. We’ll do whatever is best for your schedule and your needs! I have been called an encyclopedia of resources and will point you in the right direction if you want to use your session as an excuse to buy some new clothes. ;) I’m your biggest cheerleader and will help make sure you look and feel fantastic at your session!
Frances is an amazing little girl with the biggest personality and the energy to match! If you have a child with big energy, you might feel a little nervous that they won’t cooperate or that your session won’t go well. Here's the truth: themore the chaotic a session feels while you’re in it, the better the images usually are. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s 100% true! I only need 1/1000th of a second to create a beautiful image. You and your children do NOT need to stand still like a statue for this to happen.
Liz and Isaac are wonderful about following my direction and guidance, and just going with the flow no matter what, and all of our sessions together have produced beautiful and memorable images of their family.
I want to make readers aware of two great resources available to them right here on this website. Firstly, our Experience Page, which walks you through exactly what to expect from first contact through post-session. Secondly, our FAQ page, which has so many of our most commonly asked questions and answers!
WHEN SHOULD I RESERVE OUR FAMILY SESSION WITH YOU?
Many of my returning families book an annual fall or spring session, and some do two sessions per year. I also have a lot of clients who choose to schedule their family portrait sessions to take place around their child’s birthday. The session pulls double duty as a birthday milestone combined with updated family photos!
It comes down to what your personal preference is and what your goal is for your session. If you know you want to work with me and have a specific time of year your heart is set on…. reach out now to get on the calendar. One of my recurring yearly clients books her session an entire year in advance. She literally pulls out her iPhone when we finish her family session and gets a date on the calendar for the following fall. Crazy? Nope, not at all. Reserving your date well in advance ensures you’re on my calendar before I book up. In 2020 we were 100% booked for all our outdoor weekend dates in the months of September-November by the end of July. In 2021, as of the publication of this post (mid June) we only have ONE weekend dates left for this months We still have a handful of weekNIGHTS available for outdoor sessions! If you’re able to be flexible and don’t require a weekend, you have a great shot at being able to schedule. A major plus to scheduling on a weekNIGHT as opposed to a weekend is that it will be FAR less crowded especially during the fall season.
WHAT TO WEAR GUIDANCE AND STYLING ASSISTANCE
The biggest stressor for most clients is figuring out what to wear. We want you to be comfortable and look like yourselves, and we KNOW how hard it can be to pull a look together. The good news for you is that we’ve created a short and sweet (and EASY!) style guide for you to follow! I am here to help you as much as you would like. Some of my clients will text over photos of what they’re thinking about wearing, or they’ll make an appointment to come to the studio with bags stuffed full of options, and I’ll help them pull it all together perfectly. We also have an extensive studio wardrobe available to mamas if they want to borrow from it and it can also serve as great inspiration as well even if you end up not borrowing from it.
FAMILY SESSION FLOW WITH YOUNG TODDLERS
If you have young children, it can be stressful when you’re having your photos taken. You’re worried that they won’t nap well the day of, they’ll be in a bad mood, or that they’ll randomly get sick the day of your family session. First of all: if someone in your family gets sick the night before or the day of your session, all you need to do is call the studio and let us know. We will take care of you. Kids are unpredictable, and life happens. We get it!
Here’s the MOST important thing you need to know for a successful session.
Be on time. I always start my sessions a little earlier than we actually need to, because I want to allow for some warm-up time if your child needs it. There are times that a child really just needs to get to know me a little bit before I pull out my camera to feel comfortable. If you are late, this cuts into our time together and doesn’t leave me a buffer to be able to work with your little one(s) to get them comfortable with me.
Don’t threaten your child to try get them to cooperate. I’m not referring to your normal parenting methods and discipline if your child is being disrespectful. ABSOLUTELY do what you need to as their parent during our session! I’ve seen it all, and will become very interested in the back of camera if you need to speak with your child for a bit.
However, telling your child beforehand they will be punished if they don’t behave like a perfect angel and do exactly what I say will kick off the session with a negative tone. The threat of punishment puts a LOT of pressure on young children before they even see me! I have three children of my own who are currently 9, 7, and 5. I frequently work with children of all ages with all sorts of backgrounds and unique personalities. I really have seen it all. Instead of threatening, tell your child that you’re going to go play with Lauren and have some fun and that she’s going to have a camera and take photos of your family! This sets the tone as being something fun, and lets them know what to expect.
Show up ready to PLAY and have fun. Your children will be looking to you for how feel about whatever you’re collectively experiencing. If YOUR are happy and playful, that is how they will feel too. If you’re stressed out and snapping at each other on the way to the session… well, you get the point. We are going to have FUN together.. We are going to play. We’re doing to dance, we’re going to snuggle, we’re going to have tickle fights. We’re going to check out that cool tree over there. We’re going to hunt and see if we can find a four leaf clover. My approach is about capturing your natural family dynamic. I want to capture you as you really are, and create images of your family that are full of authentic JOY. Most of all, I want you to smile whenever you look at them and remember how much fun you had together as a family that day.
When you show up to your session with me, I’ll guide you throughout, and give you prompts for what to do. I’ll make sure you’re not giving yourself a double chin or awkwardly standing not knowing what to do next. We’re going to have a great time!
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR SESSION
Your session is over, so now what?! You can expect your proof gallery in 7-10 business days after your session, and you’ll look through it and decide what best fits your needs. You’ll choose your images and send them back, and we’ll invoice you for your selection. 8-12 days after your invoice remittance, you’ll get your completed image gallery. Every image you choose will be given to you in both color and black and white versions, and if you’re ordering any additional prints or products, you’ll do so from your final gallery. When they’re ready, you’ll come to the studio to pick them up along with your USB containing your selected digital files!
Every week, I send out an email that has a booking calendar with pickup dates and times. You’ll reserve your pickup with this link, and when you come to pick up, it is contactless. If you’re ordering a framed print for your home that has a print size of 16x20 or larger,, I’ll deliver it directly to your doorstep if you live within 20 minutes of the studio.
Enjoy some of my favorites from this sweet family’s session! I can’t wait to see them this coming October for their next family portrait 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.
