Atlanta Family Photographer | Fun family sunset session in the park

    Oh, this family. How I love them!  I was so excited to shoot their family session since I last saw them for their son's newborn session, which can be viewed here. 

    Emily came to the studio for a style consult and fell in love with a floral maxi dress. A lot of clients think that they need to wear a neutral palette, and while this is lovely and beautiful - it's not the right fit for every family. I welcome colors, and work closely with my clients to choose the best colors and setting for the most beautiful results. Color can work well if they are carefully chosen and planned, and that's what I'm here for! I will personally walk you through every step that you need some help with to make sure your images are the best they can be.

   Emily had her hair and makeup done by Margaret, the lead of our HMUA team, and I helped select an outfit from Matt's existing wardrobe. Penelope and Raphael borrowed pieces from my studio wardrobe, and we pulled together a fun and classic look built around Emily's fun floral dress! My biggest rule of thumb is to ALWAYS dress mama first. It's so important that my clients feel beautiful because when they feel beautiful, they shine in their family photos. And we all know that most of you are the ones taking the pictures and not in them with your families. Let's change that, and make sure you look amazing at the same time. 

My family sessions are meant to be fun and relaxed. If we manage a photo where everyone is looking and smiling, that's great, but it's not the ultimate goal of family sessions. What I want for all of my family clients is to have images of real and authentic moments that show love and joyfulness. It means tickling your children and swooping them up into your arms. It means eskimo kisses and bear hugs, and taking some moments to quietly hold your babies tight. It's okay if your toddler is a bit grumpy or isn't into the session. We'll work with it, and there are lots of "tricks" in my bag to help them forget about being grumpy and have fun. All you have to do is be a family, have fun, and love each other. Sound easy? That's because it is!   

PS - I always, always grab my moms and dads for a few photos with just the two of them. Most of the time the last photographs of just them together were taken at their wedding! Your family would not exist without the both of you, so taking some time to celebrate your love is so important too! 

Atlanta Newborn and Maternity Photography | The Studio Wardrobe

Did you know that my studio has an extensive wardrobe that I am always adding to with high end pieces of beautiful clothing? These are some of the most recent additions. Studio pieces range in sizing from 0-16, and are carefully chosen for their beautiful colors, flattering cuts, and gorgeous textures that photograph well. All booked clients are welcome to borrow from the wardrobe, and roughly 90% of clients choose to do so for their maternity, newborn, or family session.

What if you don't want to borrow from the wardrobe but you're not sure what you should wear? No problem! Part of the experience of being one of my clients is having a photographer who truly cares about your entire experience. I will help you shop your own closet or shop for new clothing that will fit your vision and photograph beautifully. I provide you with a style guide and am available to answer any questions you may have. Don't think that you must only wear neutrals or a flowing dress for your session I love color and jeans just as much as the next person! The trick is choosing a flattering and cohesive look for the setting that you're in. What is MOST important is that you feel beautiful and comfortable!  

Let's work together! I'd love to hear from you and begin planning your session. Contact me today to start the conversation. 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Fall in the field

Ashley contacted me to book a family session in the field because she loved my natural approach to family and child photography. She didn't want stuffy formal images of her two children and family, and loved the playful and loving images that result from my session. 

We scheduled a consult at my studio in advance of the session and went over clothing options for her family from their own closet. My wardrobe is always open to booked clients, but most of the time families like to use their own clothing for family sessions with my assistance and guidance. The most important goal is for your family to look like who you ARE, with a cohesive look. That's where I come in to help guide you so you aren't overwhelmed and worried about what to wear.

Since their family is more casual, we went that route with choosing outfits and chose varying shades of neutral tops and jeans for the family so they wouldn't meld together in a big blob of the same color. Ashley chose to dress her little boy in the CUTEST shirt - I loved it so much that it's now a part of the studio wardrobe in sizes 12 months through 5T! 

When we met at the field, we immediately got to playing and having fun. A laid back attitude is the best way to approach sessions with small children. High pressure and trying to force a child to "cooperate" often goes nowhere. This is why my sessions are all about fun, games, and play! When you look at your images, you will see natural and authentic responses to you from your children. The looks of love that they give you in return for your attention are as beautiful as it gets. Seriously. I know I want to always remember how my children looked at me like I was the only person that mattered to me. I want to remember how my husband and I looked at each other in the midst of all the craziness and chaos that comes along with being parents. I want to remember the glee on the faces of my children when their daddy tossed them high in the air or made funny faces at them. 

I want you to remember too. 

Here are some of my favorite images from this family session. I can't wait until next year's session with them! 

If you're looking for a family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work 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, family and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Fun loving soon to be family of four

Kea contacted me to reserve a family maternity session and a newborn session. She waits to find out if she's having a boy or girl until birth, and I did the same with all three of mine. Kea and her family came to the studio for a maternity fitting. When toddlers are involved I always enjoy meeting them in advance of our session together as it often helps break the ice so they don't feel like a total stranger is photographing them. Kea chose one dress from the studio wardrobe and elected to wear one of her own. Her daughter also wore one dress from the wardrobe and one of her own. We had so much fun during their session. A lot of clients ask what a family session looks like, and I tell them "Like a maternity session with a family, minus interaction with a pregnant belly!" My session goal is to create beautiful and authentic images from genuine emotion and connection between family members. This family is such a happy and loving family, and they are such a joy to work with. I can't wait to share images from their baby's newborn session! 

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Golden Evening

I was contacted by this mom when she saw a friend's maternity session on social media. She was so excited to have found me because she described my style as exactly what she had been looking for. In her words, "I want the beautiful light and the real connections between us, not some cheesy staged photos that don't show who we really are." My response? "You've found the right person." Emotional connection showing your family together and the love you have for each other are exactly why I love to photograph families. I want to photograph families as they are. No fake cheesy smiles. No cheesy props. Instead, laughter and joy. Big squishy hugs. Quiet moments together just being who you are. 

A couple of weeks before their session, I went to their home to help her "shop" from her own closet and we pulled together great outfits for the whole family. Ultimately, clients decide what they want to wear: but images always look so much more beautiful if they choose to have me help style them for their session. I shoot in my specific locations weekly, so at this point I know what will produce the best images for my clients. Working with clients who share the same vision for their images and trust my input and expertise is an absolute dream.

Here are just a couple of images from their session, which we shot on Thanksgiving weekend... we could not have asked for a more beautiful day!

Ready to reserve your session? Contact me today to begin planning your dream family session. We'll have fun and your husband won't need to bring a hidden flask to get through it. Promise! 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Love and Hugs

This sweet family of three traveled all the way to Atlanta from Columbia, SC for their session with me in the field that I love to shoot in. Mom texted over several outfit options that she was considering, and we narrowed it down to what they wore that evening. This session was shot in March 2015 - I have so many sessions to share but am often just too busy working with my clients to blog sessions right away. 

I had so much fun with this family, and enjoyed watching them just love each other and be together. That's what family portraits are about for me. If we manage a shot of everyone looking and smiling, that's wonderful: but that's not at all the goal. The goal is to capture your family just as you are in that moment. It makes for a much more relaxing session too since you just have to be yourselves and have fun together. Who wouldn't enjoy that? I also love to pull mom and dad aside for some photos of just the two of them. So many of my clients haven't had any couples photos taken since their engagement and wedding photos. Things have changed a lot in your lives as parents, but your love for one another is still there - so I think it's so important to document that too during your family session. Someday the kids will be all grown up and out of the house, and it'll be just the two of you again. 

Ready to reserve your session? My 2015 fall calendar is completely full and family sessions are reserved only for those who are established clients or have a special referral from one of my established clients as a special perk to being a part of the Lily Sophia Photography family! Contact me today to begin planning your session. 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | New additions to the studio wardrobe!

I love having a studio wardrobe for clients. It's one less thing for you to worry about when planning your session, and so many of my clients are relieved that they don't have to shop for something while pregnant. I have an assortment of dresses to fit XS-XL and for every kind of body type. Some clients love their arms and want to show those off, while others would prefer to keep them covered.

The best part of my studio wardrobe? The pieces aren't just for maternity clients - they're for newborn clients and family sessions too! I carefully hand select all additions to my studio wardrobe to fit BOTH pregnant and non pregnant moms. Who has the time or energy to pull together an outfit to wear for their newborn family photos?  All pieces worn are professionally cleaned afterwards for the next client. If you'd like to see what the experience of working with me is like, take a few minutes to watch this short film of me in action. My clients say it depicts me perfectly! 

All of the above dresses are recent additions to the wardrobe. Aren't they gorgeous? Don't want to wear something from the studio wardrobe? That's totally okay! As part of the Lily Sophia Photography client experience, I provide styling assistance to you. Sometimes that means I send you links to shop with, I come to your home to see your closet, or we meet up at one of my favorite stores to shop! I believe that having your photos taken should be a wonderful and low stress experience, and I do everything I can to ensure that for you.

Ready to reserve your maternity, newborn, or family session? Contact me today to begin planning. I can't wait to work with you! 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Follow me on Instagram!

Are you on Instagram? I am! My username is LILYSOPHIAPHOTOGRAPHY. Instagram is one of my favorite mediums for posting photos and to share what's going on with Lily Sophia Photography. I post of mix of personal iPhone photos and client images.

 If you're a client and post photos from your session to Instagram, I'd love to see what you share  - just hashtag your post #lilysophiaphotography!

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | New Family of 4

This sweet family drove to my studio from Smyrna for their newborn session. Big sister was such a sweetie, and just as cute as her little brother! I love watching the wonder of older siblings as they notice a new little person in their family, and it's equally as amazing to see how the hearts of the new parents expand to double the love before. As a mother of two little girls, I remember wondering how I would ever be able to love the second just as much as I did my first. How would I ever fairly divide it? I'm here to tell you that you really don't need to worry about it! As soon as that second baby is placed in your arms, the love only multiplies from there. 

This is one of my favorite images from this family's session, and one of theirs too... they loved it so much, in fact, that a large canvas of it now hangs in their home.

Interested in booking a newborn session? Spots fill quickly, so don't wait too long to reserve your spot. I look forward to working with your family and preserving the moments and details you want to remember for a lifetime. 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Daddy's Little Girl

Maybe it's because I have two daughters who adore their daddy, or maybe it's because I have a wonderful relationship with my dad - but there are few things that I love more than capturing daddies and their little girls together. I still remember my father coming home from work and running out to the driveway to greet him. He would always put down his briefcase, stretch out his arms, and swoop me up into the air before grabbing me into a big bear hug. I wish I had a photograph of him doing that, but the memory will have to suffice for me. 

This little girl won't have to rely on memories though. She has a tangible photograph that she can look at fifty years from now and remember how much fun her daddy was and how much he loved her. She'll be able to show her own children this photo and tell them "This was your grandfather when I was a little girl!" These moments are why I'm a photographer. 

I'd love to work with your family to make your own moments into tangible memories. We'll have fun, and the whole process is zero stress! I help with everything from wardrobe selection, to tips for the session, and help you decide the best way to display your images as beautiful artwork in your home. Contact me today to begin planning your session!

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Mommy and Me

It's no secret that the mother-daughter relationship can be complicated. And it's also no secret that it's incredibly special. I have two little girls of my own, and while there are some days that are incredibly frustrating as I navigate mothering them, the sweet moments, kisses, and cuddles more than negate those. 

Photos of you with your children are so important. Photos of you loving your children and holding them close are important. Your children will always know how much you love them, but there's something about being able to hold a photograph and see the moment in the picture. Not just for your children, but for you too. Someday we'll be old and gray and our children will have children of their own, and we might have forgotten how small they were when they were three. How wild their curly hair was in the wind, and how we cherished the extremely rare moments they sat still enough for us to hug! 

Real and authentic moments are what I look for during your family session. I may ask your child if they want to go give you a hug or tickle you, but I will not ask them to hold a pose, look at my camera, cock their head, and say cheese. That is not who your children are. I want to capture them EXACTLY as they are, and in natural moments with you - having fun, loving each other the way families do. 

I'd love to work with you and your family! Watch this short 1.5 minute film to see what I'm like to work with - every client states that it depicts me perfectly. I will help with your session planning every step of the way and make the entire experience seamless and stress free for you. Contact me today to begin planning your session. I can't wait to meet you!

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photography | Baby Harry

I first met Harry and his parents at their newborn session, and was so excited to see them again for Harry's six month session! He is the cutest, sweetest little chunk, and his parents are just lovely. We had a lot of fun at their session in the Atlanta area field that I love to shoot in for their sunset family session. When we were planning their session, I gave suggestions on what to wear so everyone would be comfortable and the results would be gorgeous on the walls of their home. When Harry's mama saw this first picture below, she said to me, "This picture is what love looks like to me." It looks like love to me too. This picture is what my baby and family sessions are all about. I want to capture emotive images of your family that document where you are right now and how much you love each other because that is what is most important. 

Ready to reserve your field session for your baby's six month or one year photos? Or just want a family session? Contact me today to begin planning! We'll discuss what you want to do with your photos and I'll help with your wardrobe so you have artwork to treasure now and pass down to your children to cherish later.

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Capturing those little moments

One of my favorite things about being an Atlanta family and baby photographer is getting to see my clients more than once! This lovely mama and her family are such a joy to work with.  I first met them when Harry was just a tiny eleven pound baby (okay, maybe not so tiny) for their newborn session, and was excited to see them again for his 6 month old session. He's SUCH a doll, and such a happy boy! 

His mama let me know before the session that she wanted the session to focus primarily on Harry, and I reminded her that I shoot the connection between parents and children for my family sessions. I did shoot half of the session to be of just Harry, but the other half was focused on capturing moments between Harry and his parents. This moment is one of them, and I just adore this image so much. This is what motherhood is all about! Getting down on the ground with your baby and seeing the world through his eyes. Who knew grass was so fascinating? Someday Harry will be a grown man, and he will have this image of his mother on the ground next to him exploring the world right alongside him. He will know how much she loved him - because he will SEE that in this image. This is why I am so passionate about photography and what shapes the way I shoot sessions...emotive, connective moments where you feel the love in the images. 

Ready to book your session? Contact me today to begin planning. I can't wait to meet you!

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Featured on Lemonade & Lenses

In case you missed it - I was honored to be featured on the blog of Lemonade & Lenses, a leading publication in the photography industry. Lemonade & Lenses chose one of my studio newborn sessions to feature, and I just love the images from the session. Take a look and see the feature for yourself by clicking here. 

If you're expecting and would like to reserve your maternity or  newborn session, please contact me today! It's never too early, and we'll have lots of fun planning as you wait for your baby to arrive. My sessions are warm, laid back, and relaxed. You won't feel rushed or pressured, and your baby will lead the way for how the session unfold.

Want to see what I'm like as a person and a photographer? Watch this video.

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Mommy and Harry

I just loved capturing these two at Harry's 6 month session. We doubled it as a family session, and I will be able to share the rest of the images after Christmas! If you think that a winter session isn't a good idea: think again. Winter provides such a beautiful natural background and I love to use the golden sun. 

This image is perfection to me and makes me happy just to look at it. How many of us will do anything to make our children laugh and squeal with delight? We are the entire world to our children for such a very short time. There will come a day when they won't be small enough to lift to the sky. 

Family and baby sessions are so important because you need to remember these moments with your baby. You will blink, and they will be going to kindergarten. Being a parent is so bittersweet, because you want to hold on to their littleness forever but you're so proud of them as they grow and learn new things. 

Contact me today to begin planning your baby or family session! My session fee includes 3 appointments: pre-planning for your session, your actual session, and your gallery reveal/ordering session in my natural light studio. I can't wait to meet you and create images that will make you and your baby smile for a lifetime.  

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | The truth about photography

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | From 3 to 4

This sweet family is welcoming a new baby at the beginning of 2015 and wanted to capture both their pregnancy and family for their photos! They're waiting to find out if they're having a son or daughter, and I can't wait to find out when the baby arrives. Erica and I planned their shoot a few months prior, and she chose to use a dress from my studio wardrobe available to my clients. We spent an evening in 37 degree weather to capture their family and Erica's pregnancy. I just love their little family, and can't wait to share more from their session.

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The Preston Family

I love family sessions! The outdoors at sunset is the most beautiful time to shoot, and I take clients to a quiet field in the Atlanta area. I stay back while families love each other and capture the special connection between each family member. 

This session was a special one since the Prestons are from Michigan. They were passing through for a wedding in Florida and reserved a session with me during their stay in Atlanta. It's such an honor when out of state clients contact me for a session! 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Sweet siblings

I can't wait to share more photos from this sweet family photo session here in Atlanta! Here's 5 year old big sister with her little almost-six-months old brother. 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | the perfect moments

My Atlanta family sessions aren't just about getting that "perfect" family photo. Perfection is in the stolen moments. It's in the secrets whispered between mother and daughter, and the harder to come by hugs from your almost three year old who never.stops.running. It's remembering how perfectly your little girl fit in your arms and the smell of her freshly washed hair. My photos are about capturing your love in real life. Let's schedule a session with your family today! 

Lily Sophia Photography specializes in newborn, baby, maternity, and birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.