Karen contacted the studio to book a newborn session when she was at the end of her second trimester with her daughter. The best time to book your newborn session is definitely when you’re in the second trimester to guarantee a spot on our calendar! While we don’t pencil in an exact date for your session until your baby has been born - you are secured into our books and guaranteed a spot no matter what.
Because of the amount of time we dedicate to each newborn client for shooting and editing, we book a limited number per month so that we can provide the best possible service to each client. Once those spots are gone, we accept last minute newborns on a case by case basis. If you contact us when your baby is two weeks old and it happens to be a week where we don’t have any scheduled newborns, we can sometimes fit in last minute clients. Babies arrive on their own timetable! Sometimes we’ll have availability open up if some of our newborns arrive earlier or later than expected. Plenty of of our newborn clients don’t actually arrive in their due date month! So if this is you - don’t assume that you’re out of luck. Give us a call or send us an email to see if we can fit you in.
When Karen let us know that Clara had arrived, she asked to add on hair and makeup services. We’ll take out the legwork for you so you don’t have to call around to see who is available! You’ll simply let us know you want to add it on, and we’ll take care of making sure someone is available for you on your newborn session date. You’ll be connected via email, and your artist will take it from there with what they need from you. All you’ll have to do is show up on the morning of your session and you artist will be waiting for you to step in the chair!
Side note: we are often asked if adding on hair and makeup lengthens your session. The answer is nope! I will be photographing your newborn alone for the first 90 minutes or so, so you’ll be sitting around waiting either way. Some mamas are nervous about having professional makeup done because they’re worried it’s going to be too heavy or make them look unrecognizable. While professional makeup applied for the camera is heavier than every day makeup, you should know that about 30-40% of makeup disappears in post processing. Having your makeup done is a lovely way to pamper yourself and most mamas do have some undereye circles happening from the sleep deprivation that comes along with having a new baby. Our team will work with you to craft a gorgeous look for you that enhances your features. They are experts in creating “barely there” makeup for a natural and classic look, but they can also add a little extra oomph on request if that’s what you want. You won’t just sit in the chair and have makeup applied to you - your input and preferences are important and matter!
While Karen arrived and settled into the chair, I started photographing Clara alone. Karen had brought along a Santa hat (December due date baby born in November!) and requested that I incorporate it into her session. I am always happy to incorporate a special hat or blanket brought along when the session allows for it. They ended up using that image on their Christmas card, which I just think is adorable! It’s usually very easy to add in a hat into my workflow, but there are times that the hat or blanket is too big or won’t photograph well. I'm always honest with my clients about that and it’s ultimately up to them whether they want to proceed with including it.
Her daddy, James, watched the session from the comfort of our studio couch, and even did a little bit of work throughout. While we were chatting, we found out that we live in the same neighborhood and had a mutual friend from my husband’s workplace. Such a small world!
As I was finishing up with Clara (she was getting a bit fussy due to being hungry), Karen was also finishing up with hair and makeup. James tended to Clara for a bit while Karen and I looked through the studio wardrobe. I pulled out a few options, and she loved a simple lace sheath dress that we had on hand and slipped into it. We then moved right into the family/parent portion of the session. I noticed at the end of this that Clara was in super deep sleep, so I ended the session with a few more solo newborn images. When I placed Clara on her belly in the beginning of our session, she did not want to turn her head. I assumed that the direction was uncomfortable for her, and wanted to try placing her on her tummy the other way. My instincts were correct - and after turning our newborn posing surface the other way and placing her down, she had no issues and I was able to photograph her that way for a few images before handing her back to her parents. Photographing newborns requires lots of patience and observation. I don’t force babies into positions they don’t like. If they’re protesting or fighting, I go through the options of why that might be happening. Sometimes it’s nothing - they’ve just decided in that moment they don’t want to do it. Other times there is a reason - such as not wanting to turn their head a certain way due to it being uncomfortable for their neck. I listen to my babies and watch their body language and facial expressions to keep them comfortable throughout.
Enjoy a few of my favorites from Clara’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.
