Atlanta Family Photographer | The K Family

I always love working with this sweet family! Blythe is such a spunky little girl, and is the best big sister to her little brother Robert. Their parents are also some of the most wonderful people I have the pleasure of knowing. I first worked with them for a family maternity session (click here to view) when Kea was pregnant with Robert, and then again for Robert's newborn session (click here to view). 

When Kea contacted me to schedule a spring family session, I suggested the park location and sent over my style guide to help her in choosing what to wear and how to coordinate. I loved the textures and colors that she chose for her family! 

When we met at the park for their session, Blythe and her parents were happy to see me. She's such a fun little girl! Robert, on the other hand, is a more stoic personality by nature. I hung back and provided some guided direction for natural interaction to their parents and sure enough... Robert started smiling and laughing. Working with children requires patience and understanding of different personalities. I will never get into a child's face and jump around like a crazy person when I first meet them. I believe that children need to be respected and given space, and with some time and patience they'll eventually warm up to my being there. I have lots of tips and tricks that I've learned over the years, and we'll work together beforehand and during to ensure the best session for your family! 

Here are a few of my favorite images from their 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | A Fall session in the park

Maria had just moved to the Atlanta area from Connecticut, and the first thing she looked for was a family photographer to work with over the next few years here in Atlanta. She said "Forget the pediatrician, dentist, whatever...finding my photographer was number one on my priority list!" I had to laugh because so many of my clients feel the exact same way. It's such a big decision to choose someone to work with to document your family as they are in a way that you love. 

I sent over the style guide to Maria which she found very helpful in pulling together a cohesive look for their family in terms of color and pattern mixing. I always want families to dress in a way that reflects who they truly are and to be comfortable. If you wouldn't normally wear heels, don't wear them for a session! There is nothing wrong with wearing a pair of Chuck Taylors if that's what you always wear. I promise! 

When they arrived at their session, I met their 15 month old son who was absolutely adorable... and very much a 15 month old in every way. 15 month olds love to run and explore, and don't like to be told what to do. This is when I hang back and and give mom and dad guided direction for playful fun, and basically shoot like a maniac. The thing about 15 month olds is that you don't know how long they're going to give you. It could be 15 minutes, it could be 40. In this case, it was 15 minutes before he was completely over it and threw himself on the ground. I could see that Maria was worried about whether we'd been able to accomplish family images, and I completely understood. As a mom, you put so much time and effort into preparing for a family session and know that there's only so much that you can ultimately control. I reassured her that I felt I had more than enough images for her to choose from, and that she'd have her gallery by the end of the week. 

When I sent Maria her gallery, she emailed back and told me that she was incredibly impressed by how much I was able to photograph in the 15 minutes that we had, and that she was so glad she had found me. She chose her favorite images, and had them the following week to use for her holiday card and family gifts. 

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this fun (and short!) family 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Henry is six months!

I was present as their birth photographer when Henry was born and his parents found out they had a son. I also photographed his newborn session, which can be viewed by clicking here. Michelle had gone ahead and reserved his six month session and one year session so that she would have the dates she wanted. Many of our clients choose to reserve their milestone sessions on our calendar for this reason! 

Michelle had added on hair and makeup services for her newborn session and knew without question she would be using them for every session with us. For milestones, our HMUA's will often travel to your home if they're within the travel radius to get you ready beforehand so you can all come to the studio together as a family. Some clients opt to travel to Margaret's studio (located less than ten minutes from mine) to get ready and then meet their husband and baby at the studio at their session time. 

Having worked with Michelle before, I knew what colors would look best on her and what would fit, so I had pulled aside a few options for her to look through. She loved a white floral lace dress and chose that. Initially, she had bought an outfit for Henry but wasn't in love with it. Even though Henry was only six months, he was already over twenty pounds and in 9-12 month sizing! I have several really adorable options that are timeless and neutral for baby boys in the studio. She absolutely loved one of our one pieces for baby boys, and we dressed him in that. The little baby blue elbow patches just kill me! 

We always start baby sessions with family and parent images. I want to make sure your child feels safe and secure during their time with me, and starting out in your arms helps ensure that. As they become used to the sound of the shutter and become comfortable with me, we'll move to baby only portraits and then mix it up from there. I often suggest that mamas bring their baby's favorite lovey or something that is meaningful so that we can incorporate that into the session as well. I also absolutely adore photographing chunky baby legs and rolls, so we will often undress your baby down to a diaper. I have several cloth diapers in the studio that we use to put on over regular diapers. If you choose to bring your own, I recommend the Honest Company's plain white diapers. Diapers with characters all over them are pretty distracting and take away from the focus on your baby. These are just a few of my favorite images of sweet Henry and his parents! 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | A Mommy & Me session with Holly, Oliver & Willow

I firmly believe that it's so important for mamas to be in the photos. So often, we are the ones who document the special family moments. And sometimes we just don't want to be in the picture because we don't feel pretty that day, or we have baby food stuck in our hair and it's just been a crazy week. I get it. I have three children six and under and they're all two years apart. While the selfie option is certainly better than nothing at all, I absolutely love it when mamas take matters into their own hands and come into the studio for a mommy and me session. 

Holly is a sweet long time client of mine! I've photographed her maternity and birth sessions, and I just adore working with her and her adorable children! She let me know that she was going to have her daughter wear a dress that belonged to her as a baby, and that her hairbow would be the one she'd worn for her newborn pictures. I absolutely loved the sentimentality and meaning of those items. Holly asked if I had anything in the wardrobe that she'd like and I send her a photo of one of the newest additions. We're always adding pieces to the wardrobe if they meet our standards for color and photographing well. She absolutely loved it, and we discussed ideas for her son's outfit as well.

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio and got into the hair and makeup chair. Our add on HMUA services are such a fun way to pamper yourself... most of our clients plan a date with their partner later that day to get the most mileage out of it! 

Mommy and me sessions in the studio are all about loving and interacting with your babies. It's as simple as that. We'll also take a few portraits of just your children too. This session makes me smile when I look at it because there is so much affection and joy! We really had such a great time creating these images. If you're considering a session for yourself and your children, I would LOVE for you to reach out to discuss your vision! 

Enjoy some of my favorites of this sweet mama and babes. 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The S Family in the Field

Oh, this family is so dear to me. I first met Crystal when she brought her second son, Aevan in for his newborn session.  She and I had a lot in common and have stayed in touch over past few years since then. She asked to schedule a fall session so that she'd have updated family portraits and images for Christmas gifts and their holiday card. Crystal was smart enough to book her fall session in advance - she chose her date in the month of May. Once our schedule is full, it's full - so if you're hoping for a session during the popular months of April-June and September-December, it's best to get on the schedule as soon as possible. Many of our clients book their outdoor session 9 months to a year in advance if they know they want a specific date. 

Crystal and I emailed back and forth about wardrobe, and I sent her our helpful styling guide. She absolutely knocked it out of the park with her choices for the entire family! I think this session is a perfect example of how to incorporate color into your family session if neutrals aren't your thing. I love neutrals AND I love color. Choose what suits your family's style preferences the best.

On the evening of their session, they drove all the way to the field from Powder Springs. They had chosen the field location because they loved the backlight and the wild and rustic look of it. I think it provides the perfect setting and is lots of fun for kids to run around.

I would tell that Crystal was a little bit stressed. It's a lot to get everyone out the door, get them all dressed, and then you have the worry about them behaving. I pulled her aside for a moment, and reminded her that stressed moms equal stressed kids. She took a deep breath, and forced herself to relax... and then the games began. 

When I say games, I mean games. We PLAY during family sessions. I want your child to smile naturally, and when they're laughing and having fun, that's what happens. I want you to interact with your children and have real moments with them. I want you to love each other, and enjoy the time together too. This is a lot easier to do when you're actually having fun, right? Family portraits are always a mix of the entire family together, parents with each child and all their children together... and then we can't forget just mom and dad. At the end of a session, you're so glad that everything has gone so well. Now you get a chance to snuggle for a little bit. Crystal and Rae, you two are the sweetest. These images of the two of them together are ALL them. All I did was put them close together, the rest was their natural interaction together. For many of my parents, the last time they had a professional photograph of just the two of them taken was their wedding day. I always want to honor the fact that your family began with the two of you, and give you some images of just you together. 

As we were leaving the field, Crystal asked if she could walk with me to my car. I'll take any chance I can get to hang out and chat with my clients, so I of course said yes! We ended up chatting for about fifteen minutes, mostly about mothering three kids and the challenges it can have... but also the joy and the fun! I always want my clients to feel understood and encouraged when they share with me. Motherhood is not always an easy gig - I'm right there in the trenches with you. 

When Crystal received her gallery, she was so excited. She told me "These photos are everything, and even more perfect than I could have imagined." I love her gallery and how perfectly they capture her family and the individuals within it. I hope the images bring you a smile as you look through them. 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Frances is ONE!

I first met Frances and her wonderful parents at her Fresh 48 session at Piedmont Hospital during her first days of life. I've gotten to know her parents since then, and love photographing this little blue eyed beauty. I had last seen her for her six month milestone session, which has yet to be posted on the blog. We shoot so many sessions that's impossible to post them all, and sessions are usually posted months after they take place. Frances is such a sweet and happy little girl, and her parents are also so much fun to be around. 

Liz chose to add on hair and makeup services, and chose a dress that she loved from the studio wardrobe.  Liz followed our studio styling guide when it came to choosing what to dress Frances and Isaac in, and also brought along an outfit from Frances' first birthday party that she wanted to forever freeze in time. First Birthday Sessions don't always include a cake - it's entirely parent preference! Liz and Isaac opted not to include a cake smash, so the focus was entirely on Frances and the family.

My clients receive a complimentary black and white edit of every color image chosen from their session. Sometimes I love the black and white edits so much that I choose to publish a blog post with only those: and this post is one of those. 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The H Family at the park

When Erica contacted us, she let us know that a friend of hers had suggested our studio to her for a maternity/family and newborn session. She was pregnant with baby #3: a third little boy!!!

Erica hadn't had the best experience with previous photographers, and was hoping this time would be different. We hear this a lot from our clients, and I think it's just so sad. I know what a huge effort it is to get your entire family ready for family portraits and to have the experience be lackluster has to be so disappointing.

When I asked what had happened previously that made her say that, she told me that the photographers hadn't given tips or feedback during their sessions to make sure that her hair was in place or that she was in a flattering position. I'll be the first to say it: family photography can be hectic because you have multiple people and a lot to keep track of during. I always start my sessions with three very simple "rules" for parents and we eliminate most of the problems with self inflicted double chin that way. ;) She wanted to book a session with the focus mainly being on family rather than maternity, so we scheduled one at the park. She opted to wear clothing from their own closets, so we sent over our styling guide which is so incredibly easy to follow! Lots of our clients report that it takes the stress out of planning and makes the process of dressing their families so much easier and actually enjoyable. I am always here to give input or suggestions on wardrobe as well, and it is never a bother to assist my clients! I want your entire experience to be wonderful, and will give you as much help as you desire. 

The family knew they didn't want to drive far from their home in intown Atlanta, so I suggested the park location as it was a short distance from their home. When Erica and her family arrived, I couldn't get over how cute her sons Hayden and Xander were! Erica let me know that Xander was shy and didn't like strangers. I thanked her for letting me know this information, and kept my distance until I could see he was comfortable with me. By the end of the session, I was holding Xander in one arm and shooting with the other. I think it's safe to say that I won him over. We spent time playing games during our session, and the boys absolutely loved running through the park with their parents. Dad and boys were a little bit surprised when I said, "Okay, now run!" But why not? Why not have FUN during your family portraits? When you're having fun, your bodies relax and the joy is evident in your eyes and your face. I'll take fun over boring and stuffy any day. What about you? 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Logan is ONE!

I first worked with Adrienne and Dave for their studio maternity session, and then welcomed their son Logan to the studio for his newborn session just weeks later! Adrienne emailed after seeing some First Birthday sessions and asked if she could schedule one at the last minute. He had already celebrated his First Birthday earlier in the month, but I reassured her it wasn't too late at all! Their family had a very limited window of time, and we fortunately had an open spot during Adrienne's vacation week from work. 

While making arrangements for their session, Adrienne expressed concern to me that Logan might not handle his session well. She let me know that he had strong separation and stranger anxiety, and that he would often cry and become very upset. She was worried that he wouldn't smile and would cry the entire time. I reassured her that I don't rush through sessions, and I am very slow and measured with the babies who come into my studio. I assess each child's personality and keep my tones low, my movements slow, and let the child lead. I also let her know that we always start our First Birthday sessions with family and parent images. This allows babies to feel safe and secure in their parents' arms as they get used to the sound of my shutter and to my presence. 

Sure enough, Logan was very suspicious of me and did not want me to come near him. I respected his wishes and kept my distance. Adrienne and Dave demonstrated their trust in me to him by giving me hugs and talking to me. Logan warmed up to me after a while, and even cracked some smiles. By the end, we were good buddies and and Adrienne and Dave were absolutely amazed by how well it all went. They even decided to come back in December for Santa sessions... and guess what? With my techniques and by moving slow, Logan ended up sitting ON Santa's lap and didn't scream! :) 

Patience. That's the cornerstone of working with babies. You need a fountain of patience that never runs dry if you choose to work with tiny humans...and I have one. Nothing fazes me or stresses me out. If something isn't working, we'll switch gears and try something else. We will figure it out and keep your baby safe and comfortable too. 

I love Logan's big beautiful eyes and how much fun this family has together!

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Adeline is ONE!

I first worked with Adeline's parents for their maternity session in the field and then again for Adeline's newborn session. When Carolyn came to the studio to pick up their newborn collection, she told me they were moving to NYC! I was so sad to say goodbye to them as clients....except we didn't say goodbye! I was able to photograph Adeline for her six month session in NYC and then again for her 1 year session on Long Island. My travel is limited to certain areas, but I DO travel for clients, and loved doing this for this sweet family. 

Carolyn and I exchanged a few emails discussing what to wear, and met up in July on Long Island. New York was going through a crazy cold snap when it was only 70 degrees outside at the time! I can't say that I was mad about it, because it made our session weather very pleasant and we didn't have to deal with hot muggy weather or bugs. 

We started our session with family and parent images and then plopped Adeline down on the ground to enjoy her cake! She showed off some of her standing skills and dove right in. First Birthday sessions can take place in any of our outdoor locations rather than in the studio. We suggest bringing a towel, lots of baby wipes, a jug of water, and washcloths. The cleanup for Adeline was pretty minor, but we've had babies COVERED in icing afterwards. :) 

I can't wait to travel to see this family again in 2018! 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Child & Family Photographer | Four generations!

When Maria contacted the studio, she asked if we photographed children. The answer is yes, we do! She wanted to book a studio session for her toddler granddaughter to continue on with a family tradition. When Millie's mother was little, her grandmother booked a session to create portraits of her, and Maria wanted to do the same for her granddaughter. Sweet little Millie came in wearing a special dress that was very similar to the one that her mother wore... and her mom, grandmother, and great grandmother all joined in! It was truly a very special session with four generations, and a little baby on the way to boot. 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Fraternal twins David & Sania

David & Sania are just the cutest brother-sister duo. I first photographed them as itty bitty newborns, and you can see their newborn session by clicking here. I was so excited to have them into the studio for a 6 month session and see how BIG they had gotten. Janell worked with our amazing HMUA, Megan, for makeup services and absolutely loved the final look. All of our HMUA team members are incredibly experienced and some of the best in Atlanta. They'll work closely with you to achieve the vision that you have for your makeup while also ensuring that it photographs beautifully. 

Janell loves being a mama, and it shows. Her two are just so cute, and she's a gorgeous and loving mother to them. I loved spending time photographing Janell and her babies, and capturing all the special in between moments that they had. Janell's husband was also present, but glad to have a break from being in front of the camera and just acted as an assistant baby holder for this session. 

Here are just a few of my favorites of the twins' six month milestone 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Peyton is ONE!

Peyton is such a little ham with big brown eyes and adorable dimples, and the whole family is lots of fun. 

For this First Birthday session, it was really important to Peyton's daddy to make his birthday cake for him. I thought this was just about the sweetest thing I've ever heard. His wife made fun of it (just a little!) but said that even though it wasn't the most beautifully artistic cake, the meaning behind it made it special. I think even the Cake Boss would agree. 

We started our session with family and parent images, which is how I typically begin sessions with little ones. It allows them to get used to the click of the shutter and to me approaching them while feeling safe in your arms. Once they're comfortable with me, we move on to solo portraits... and then the cake smashing fun begins. I always encourage parents to participate. I love capturing the look of anticipation on your baby's face as you present them with their cake. I've found that babies really like to share their cake with their parents - so I tell everyone to jump in near the end! Parents, you are part of your baby's story. Be in the images with them. We all make the very best decisions we can for our children, and want nothing but the best for them. Someday we aren't going to be with our children anymore, but they will forever have the images that we chose to create with them and always be able to SEE how much we loved them. Make being in the images a priority. Your child will be so glad you did. 

Here are just a few of my favorite images from Peyton's First Birthday 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | A late summer park session

Abby contacted us to schedule an outdoor family session for the spring. Unfortunately, Atlanta went through a crazy cold snap during the week of their planned time with me and we mutually determined that the weather wouldn't work well. When babies are cold they are usually grumpy and uncomfortable, which doesn't make for the best images! A lot of things happened with Abby's family and personal life during the following months but we eventually were able to meet up in late August at the park location. 

It was definitely worth the wait! Abby chose outfits for the entire family based on clothing recommendations that I sent over, and everyone looked fabulous. We started the session by playing and exploring, and were lucky to have a very mild evening as far as temperature and humidity. The sun was also gorgeous that evening, and we had such a good time.

Family sessions are photographed year round, but the most popular times are in the fall and spring. As a note, outdoor sessions always begin one hour before sunset with no exceptions. If you're in love with the outdoor images you see here, that's wonderful! Every single outdoor session you see started one hour before sunset. It is known as the "golden hour" and the gorgeous light cannot be replicated any other time of day except the hour before sunrise....and even then, it doesn't have the same richness that sunset light does. 

 If you have a child who needs to be in bed at a certain hour and will be unable to function even with a late nap and a full belly, choose the best time of year for that. If you're interested in booking a family session, it's recommended to get on the calendar as soon as you have a date timeframe in mind. We fill up quickly, and already have quite a few sessions on the books for spring 2018.

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Lincoln & Mommy

Millini first worked with me for her studio maternity session when she was pregnant with her son, Lincoln. You can view those images by clicking here. I attended the birth of Lincoln as his birth photographer, and also photographed his newborn session. While I do not share birth images as my client privacy is my highest priority, you can view his newborn session images by clicking here.

Millini had her makeup applied by Megan for her session, and chose outfits or herself and Lincoln based on my recommendations for what to wear that I sent prior to their session. 

Lincoln is such a joy and such a happy little guy! We had so much fun playing peek-a-boo and blowing kisses in the studio. I love how expressive and joyful he is... I think babies with two bottom teeth sticking out are just the cutest things ever! 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Haylen is six months!

I first worked with Sindi and Errol for their maternity session in the studio, which can be viewed by clicking here.  I was so excited to hear from Sindi when she emailed asking to schedule her daugher's six month milestone session! I love watching my littlest clients grow. We discussed what the family should wear and I sent over some links to vendors that I recommend as well as an inspirational visual .pdf with ideas. 

Haylen was the happiest little gal! We had so much fun playing peek-a-boo and she giggled with delight each and every time. She was just so giggly and squeezable, and her parents are just in love with her. It is so cute to see a daddy who is wrapped around the little finger of his baby girl. Milestone sessions are focused on your baby, but we include parent and family images too. I think it's so important for children to have images to look back on that show them just how very loved they were. These are the images that they'll reach for time and time again. Someday, you won't be here anymore, but these tangible memories that froze these moments in time will be. There is something so incredibly special and important about giving that to your child. 

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite images from sweet Haylen's six month 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Julia is ONE!

I last photographed Julia at her newborn session (click here to view) and was so excited to see her and her sweet family again to celebrate her first birthday!

The family chose to bring along their dog to participate also. I welcome non-shedding dogs to the studio that are small and well behaved.  Snack Pack is an important member of their family too, and one of my favorite dogs on the planet. He's such an easy going boy, and he and Julia are wild about each other.

Her mom, Caroline, had stopped by the studio a few weeks before their session to look at different options from the wardrobe for Julia and herself. In between the time they stopped in and the session took place, I added a dress to the studio wardrobe that I just KNEW Caroline would love. I was right - she fell in love with it the second she saw it and chose to wear it for their session! 

Caroline also brought two of Julia's favorite stuffed loveys to incorporate into the session, and chose a sweet little white dress from the studio wardrobe for her to wear. She also chose one of our tutus but Julia wasn't much of a fan, so that didn't last long. Your child's comfort is my priority, so sometimes it requires flexibility to default to a backup plan. When Julia was presented with her cake, she didn't want to touch it and she hated the high chair. So, we put the cake on the floor and let her approach. She was happiest in the arms of mommy or daddy, so we simply shifted gears and went with what worked for her. Every baby is so different and will react differently. As long as everyone is relaxed and goes with the flow, the resulting images will be perfect and unique to your baby and their personality! 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The Tuckers, party of 6

Heather is a local doula and a mother of four adorable and sweet children. As a mother of three (who wishes it was four!) I was thrilled to work with them to plan their session. I love large families and the different personalities and quirks of each child. I love the chaos and the running around and having fun during these sessions. When we discussed what to wear, I suggested that Heather either choose to dress her family in neutral colors or to take color inspiration from a patchwork quilt. I LOVE color, and encourage families to wear colors if that's more true to who they are. It is stressful to coordinate a family of six, and I'll help you every step of the way with styling input! Heather chose the neutral route, and we exchanged a few emails and texts leading up to their session. Many of the clothes they wore were from their own closet, but Heather treated herself to a new tunic (from Old Navy!) to wear. She asked me if it would be okay for her middle daughter to wear her cowboy boots that she loved... my answer was "YES!" I absolutely love when children choose to wear their favorite pair of boots or a favorite dress because it makes the images that much more meaningful to them and to you. 

We met at the field and started our session off with everyone hugging each other and snuggling. As kids lost interest and ran off, we photographed the remaining ones. Family sessions are fast paced because small kids just don't have long attention spans or much patience for dragging things out. Keeping it interesting and fun for them is key, and I'll be working with you every step of the way with suggestions for natural interaction and engagement. Your job is to relax and simply love your children. Everything else will fall perfectly into place! 

We have VERY limited fall sessions remaining, so please contact us soon if you want to grab one of our last dates! 

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 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 | Gus turns two!

When Ana contacted us to book a family session in the park location, she informed us that they'd never had professional family photos taken. She wanted to book a family session as a gift to her son, who was turning two. This made me emotional because THIS is exactly why family sessions are so important... they are truly a gift to your children who will be able to look at these images displayed in your home and see tangible proof of your family's love for each other. What an incredibly special gift to give. 

She stopped by the studio for a style consultation and we talked about colors that would look great on her and ideas of what she and her husband could wear. She chose one of our Henley shirts that we keep in the studio wardrobe for little boys for her son Gus to wear during the session and set off to Target with a plan in mind for what to choose for herself.

Ana's session was scheduled for February and on the same night that she and her husband were going out for their Valentine's Day date. She decided to add on hair and makeup services with our lead HMUA, Margaret for their family session. I always recommend planning a special date for after your session to get some extra mileage for your hair and makeup investment! Ana loved Margaret's work so much that she emailed Margaret after the session to tell her how much she loved it, and how much her husband loved it as well. We aim to please! 

During their session, we had a lot of fun laughing, tickling, and being silly. Gus is such a sweet little boy with some of the most amazing eyelashes I've ever seen. He was such a joy, and the happiness and love are so evident in their images. Here are a few of my favorites in black and white!

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!

Atlanta Family Photographer | Oona grows!

I've been lucky enough to work with this sweet family since their maternity session when Irene was pregnant with their daughter. I have photographed many sessions for them now, so I'll list them below so you can check them out! 

• Irene & Steve's Field Maternity Session
• Oona's Newborn Session
• Oona's Six Month Field Session
• Oona's 9 Month Studio Session
• Oona's First Birthday Session

Irene and Steve wanted a spring session when Oona was around 18 months old, and we decided to shoot in the park location in May before summertime arrived and it became oppressively hot. I gave them some ideas of what to wear from their own closets, and we met an hour before sunset for lots of running around and having fun. Oona had a late nap that day and a nice big dinner with snacks on hand to keep her happy since it was past her normal bedtime.  I only shoot outdoor sessions one hour before sunset because the dreamy sunset lighting is incomparable to any other time of day. For families who don't want to keep their children up later, I suggest booking a session after daylight savings time when the sun sets much sooner in the evening. Late naps and full bellies are key for those later hour sessions. 

18 month olds are on the GO and they stop for nothing. It's super important for clients to realize that a session with an 18 month old requires lots of patience, willingness to play and run, have a tickle fight, and letting go of the idea that an 18 month old will sit still or be "cooperative". When I say "cooperative" - I mean sitting perfectly still with hands folded and smiling for the camera. That's just not what my sessions are about. If you want to remember your toddler in all their independent glory and feisty personality, and you want to have images that show how much you loved each other as a family and all the fun you had, then we're a great fit! 

Irene & Steve were definitely worried during the session and afterwards that Oona was too challenging and that we didn't get anything. I reassured them that there were plenty of absolutely beautiful images. After they viewed their gallery and came to pick up their print selection and USB with their digital files from the studio, Steve admitted that he was really (pleasantly!) surprised by all of the images since Oona was more interested in exploring her surroundings than anything else. 

Here are a few favorites from our family session at the park! 

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family & Baby Photographer | A mommy and me session in the park

I was so excited to see Clarissa and her beautiful daughter, Isabella again. I first met Clarissa when I photographed her studio maternity session (click here to see some of those images!), and then met little Isabella when she brought her to the studio for her newborn session (click here to see some of those images!). I'll be seeing them again this coming weekend for Isabella's first birthday portraits complete with some cake smashing fun! I absolutely love watching my tiny clients grow and getting to know their families well over the first year and beyond.  

Prior to the session taking place, Clarissa dropped by the studio to look through the wardrobe and get inspiration for what to wear. She knew she wanted to use her own clothing, but wasn't sure on what she should wear. I offer all outdoor session clients the opportunity to book a styling appointment at the studio in advance of their session with me to go over options from their own wardrobe and see if there are any pieces they might want to borrow for their session. It's also a GREAT way to introduce your children to me in advance if you've booked a family session. 

For Isabella's six month session, Clarissa chose the park location. Clarissa also opted to add on makeup services with Megan for her session as well. When I arrived at the studio, I played with Isabella for a few minutes as Megan was finishing up Clarissa's makeup. Clarissa and Isabella got dressed and we headed down the street to the location! 

My sessions are about the emotional connection, so there are lots of snuggles and cuddles going on. I'll place you where I want you in terms of lighting, give you a few directions for natural interactions with some tips to make sure you don't accidentally give yourself the dreaded faux double chin, and then I step back and let the magic happen. Your children are happiest when they are with you and having fun. So, come relaxed and open to playing and having fun, and the rest will naturally follow. 

Without further ado, here just of few of the images from this session with this gorgeous mother and daughter duo. I can't wait to share images from Isabella's upcoming First Birthday 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.