Atlanta Family Photographer | DJ's Second Birthday!

I adore working with Senika and DJ, and I have had the honor of doing so since Senika was pregnant with him! Senika books a family session every year for DJ’s birthday, and comes to our Santa event every year also. I’ll be photographing DJ for his third birthday coming up in July, and I cannot wait. He is the happiest, smartest, most fun little guy - and his mama is just as amazing.

Senika asked to borrow a dress from the wardrobe for her session, and I pulled out one of our more relaxed pieces. Because DJ’s birthday is in July, it’s pretty hot outside in Atlanta, so I wanted her to be cool and comfortable. She LOVED it, and mentioned she had the perfect shoes to wear with it too. Because she had chosen a neutral dress, that left DJ’s outfit choice wide open. I like to call dresses that are solid neutral colors a “blank canvas” - because you can pair them with pretty much anything! She chose to dress him in lime green pants and a plaid shirt with some of the cutest little blue tennis shoes I have ever seen.

On the evening of their session, we met at the park location and Senika had brought along a fun balloon and a cupcake. DJ loves to run and play ball, and play with sticks, and Senika had also brought his favorite ball as well. Her goal with his birthday sessions is to capture his personality and the things that he loves to do. So, we incorporate those things into his sessions to make that happen! We had a lot of fun running around and playing, and of course….like most little boys, DJ found a stick. I went with it, and it ended up being one of Senika’s favorite pictures.

A quick note about balloons - I welcome them, but also remind my clients to bring their patience. Balloons have a mind of their own on a string indoors, and I can’t control the wind if we’re outdoors. We’ll do the best we can, but it may involve some creativity on our parts! Because of the breeze that evening, Senika had to hold the balloon so that the number would be the correct way, but we both loved how it worked out.

We ended the session with cupcake time… and all of a sudden as DJ was finishing up his cupcake, clouds rolled in. I had checked the forecast and there was no rain in it… but sure enough, those clouds ended up being a very fast moving summer thunderstorm! We ran to our cars just in time before the sky opened up. Fortunately, we were all finished with the session at that point so it was all just fine.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from DJ’s session. Such a big difference from his First Birthday Session! Oh, did you want to see those too? No problem - just click here!

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.

Atlanta Baby & Family Photographer | Amelia's in home six month milestone session

Fact: I travel to homes too for lifestyle sessions. (but not if you have or had a cat in the home, because I will literally have to be taken to a hospital due to my severe allergies)

I first worked with Kristen and Dave for their maternity session at the field location with their two pups Riggs & Tink. You can view those images by clicking here. I was so excited to head to their home in Brookhaven and meet their daughter, Amelia!

Amelia is the most darling little thing! She is the perfect mix of her parents and has such beautiful blue eyes. When I arrived at the house, I looked around to see what kind of lighting I had to work with, and decided to photograph in 3 of the rooms there. Every home is unique, and because I work with the available natural light, every session will look different too. When we plan your in home session, you’ll send over some quick phone snaps of your home at a couple of different times during the day so we can determine the best time to schedule your session and know ahead of time which rooms we’ll be photographing in! I chose to photograph in one of their darker rooms in the house, and you’ll know instantly which two photographs in the below collage were taken in that particular room. Those photos prove that (a) you don’t have to have TONS of light and (b) emotional connection is what makes a beautiful photograph.

We started in the living room, headed to the master bedroom, and then upstairs to Amelia’s adorable nursery. Lifestyle sessions are all about having fun together as a family. You will play, you’ll tickle, you’ll snuggle in. Amelia particularly enjoyed playing peek a boo with Daddy on the couch, and he treated us to some singing as well which made Amelia so happy! (PS: I can’t carry a tune to save my life, so don’t worry if you can’t either - we’re in the same club) During our time together, I’ll make sure that you look great (no unflattering angles or self inflicted double chins) and give you simple guidance as needed. Your only job will be to have your home ready to go when I arrive (clutter cleared away, etc) and be ready to have fun!

Want to book an in home session? Contact us to discuss your vision and we’ll get to planning!

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | A mommy and me session with Dawn & Cady

I first worked with Dawn for her maternity session in the studio and you can view those images by clicking here. I was SO excited when she scheduled a mommy & me session because I so enjoyed working with her, and couldn’t WAIT to meet her baby girl!

Dawn has such a joyful and bubbly personality, and her baby girl, Cady, is such a sweetheart with the biggest brown eyes. Dawn and Cady showed up in a navy and white color scheme, and I loved the floor length gown. It was so wonderful to spend time with the two of them and see how Dawn has settled into her role of Cady’s mama.

Complimentary matching black and white images are provided to my clients to match the color images they select for their collections, and I chose to only share the black and white versions here since I love them so much. Enjoy! I’m looking forward to seeing this mother and daughter duo again for another mommy and me session this coming weekend!

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.

Atlanta In Home Family Photographer | Myka & Harris

Fun fact about Myka and I: we were pregnant at the same time, and our sons are 27 days apart! We have yet to schedule a playdate with our boys though since when we meet up it’s adults only. I enjoy every second I spend with Myka - she has such a creative and free spirit, and is an saavy entrepreneur herself. (Follow her over at highbrowhippie on Instagram!)

Many people are surprised to learn that I photograph in home sessions. It’s true, I do…and I love them. If you’re not sure if an in home session is right for you, just give us a call. We’ll talk about your vision, your home, and give you our professional input and suggestions!

When I arrived at the house for this session, Harris said hi, and I commented to Myka on how calm and quiet he was. Myka shot me a look, which I wasn’t really sure how to interpret. Harris disappeared and seconds later, came roaring back into the room with his Tonka Truck. I immediately took my words back, and quickly realized Harris was just like my son…. energetic, full of zest for life…and not so quiet.

Myka’s gorgeous home is filled with beautiful natural light, and I loved the architecture throughout. After a quick walk through, I decided to shoot on the stairs and downstairs and we got started. In home lifestyle sessions are fun and relaxed. I encourage you to go about activities that you would do even if I weren’t there, and I mix in some directed natural posing as well. Anyone who has a two year old boy knows that they don’t sit still, which is why I call it “directed natural posing”. If you’re not sure what that is, it’s basically me giving you a prompt of what to do with your child and photographing what unfolds. Super easy! :) Harris loves playing games and giving high fives, so engaging him was no problem. We got lots of beautiful images of the two of them snuggling and interacting just like they would if I weren’t there to document it. That’s what I strive for with in home sessions. We will talk about the areas of your home that are most meaningful to you, the things about your child and your relationship that you love and want to capture, and your favorite activities to do together as we plan your session.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and your watching your not so little boy get dressed for his senior prom? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

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.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Lindsay, Matt & Peyton at the park

I was SO excited for this session with Lindsay, Matt, & Peyton. Lindsay wanted to schedule family photos before her husband Matt deployed for another tour of duty, and she chose the park location for their session.

I first worked with Lindsay and Matt for their maternity session at the gardens when they were expecting Peyton. I ran into them when they leaving the hospital at the same time I was arriving to photograph a birth of another client. Fun fact: my client went into labor which pushed their induction, so they were leaving because of that! I photographed Peyton as a newborn right before his daddy deployed. I saw them again for Peyton’s First Birthday session, and then again for Mother’s Day and Santa. I LOVE this family, to say the least. They’re amazing, and such wonderful people!!!

I sent off the style guide to Lindsay, and we met up the evening of their session at the studio. I have clients follow me to the location we’re shooting at within the park so they don’t have to worry about getting lost or trying to find it. Just another way I keep my sessions as stress free as possible!

When they arrived, Matt was in uniform as he had come from work. Lindsay asked if we could take a few photos with him in uniform, and I was happy to do so. I know I speak for many when I say I’m so thankful for their service. It’s not just the men and women in our armed forces who serve, it’s their families too. Military families sacrifice so much to serve our country, and I am endlessly grateful to them.

Matt changed into his clothing for the session, and we started shooting. With toddler boys, I have found the best sessions are the ones in which we play! Wrestling, tickling, hide and go seek, running, walking, riding on daddy’s shoulders, you name it. Keeping them occupied and having fun is key, and we’ll get genuine smiles and laughter from it. I want your child’s personality to shine, and in order to do that, they need to feel 100% safe and comfortable. Play is the number one way to achieve that.

When Peyton was “over” the session and just wanted to collect sticks, I took the opportunity to photograph Lindsay and Matt as a couple. I try to do this during every family session. Before you had children, it was just the two of you. Someday your kids won’t be living with you anymore, and it’ll be just the two of you again. Your love deserves to be documented too, so let’s do that!

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and they’re prepping for the SAT’s? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

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.

Atlanta Baby & Family Photographer | Anjali is three months!

Nilam and Mitch are parents of three fun and amazing kids. As a mom of three myself, I know just what to expect with multiple children of different ages, and I absolutely love it.

This sweet family had worked with another photographer for several years - for newborn and milestone and family sessions for their older two children. That photographer was scaling back on photography work to focus on other areas of her life, and chose to send them my way. I’m always honored when another photographer sends a client to me, especially when it’s a client they’ve had for over five years!

On the morning of their three month milestone/family session for their youngest daughter, Anjali, Nilam arrived with her three children in tow. She was a bit flustered and let me know her husband was on his way. She had thrown a few possible outfits into a bag but wasn’t sure what everyone should wear, and I could tell she was feeling stressed out. She let me know that Mitch had handled the booking process, and that she hadn’t known she could come in beforehand for a style consult. I told her not to worry, and pulled out multiple outfits from my client wardrobe and we had all three children dressed in no time. She looked through the options I had pulled out for her and picked one that she loved. Mitch arrived shortly afterwards, and he was all set with what he had brought from home. They expressed amazement that I had been able to dress 4/5’s of the family.

While I can’t always do that since my wardrobe for children is limited, I am more than happy to assist you with styling your family! If you’re a busy mom who just can’t make the time to come by the studio, no worries. We can chat through email and text, and we’ll get you squared away. We have a super easy to follow style guide that we send to all our clients too, and are available to answer any questions you have throughout the entire process.

We started their session with solo images of Anjali. Three month olds are limited in what they can physically do on their own since they cannot sit up unassisted, and will need to be held by other session participants for a portion of the session.

The rest of the session was very much like a carousel of organized chaos. I have a shot list in mind that I mentally tick off, but so much is dependent on if your other children want to participate. Arjun and Lakshmi thought I was hilarious, and we enjoyed playing games throughout. Nilam and Mitch remarked on how they could see I was a mom of three because I understood the dynamics and rolled with whatever the children were giving me at that particular moment. Listen, being a photographer with a focus on babies and children is not for the faint of heart. It requires endless patience, a loving heart, and adaptability for a constantly changing situation. Anyone who has a toddler knows how they can decide to throw a temper tantrum at any random moment over something that we cannot figure out. Anyone who has a baby knows that sometimes they get fussy for some inexplicable reason. I get it, I’ve been there - with my own children, and with my clients! So if your session feels like a runaway train because your child isn’t “cooperating” like you had hoped, don’t worry about it. Seriously, just let it go. Relax, and let ME do the heavy lifting. :)

Since this session took place, they’ve been back for Anjali’s 6 month and 9 month sessions, and we’re in the process of planning her one year session outdoors. I so love this wonderful family and am looking forward to working with them for years to come!

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.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Clarissa & Isabella

Clarissa has been a client of mine since she was pregnant with Isabella, and it’s pretty safe to say I absolutely adore the two of them. From maternity to newborn to many milestones, I’ve photographed them many times! Getting to know Clarissa over the past couple of years and watch her grow into such a wonderful mother has been an honor and a privilege. Each client who chooses to work with me had a wide pool to consider - so when you choose to work with me and share some of the most special moments of your life with me… I don’t take it lightly at all.

Because Clarissa and I have worked together so many times now, she didn’t need any help with styling herself and Isabella. She fell in love with the field location, and I suggested we hike up to the mountaintop afterwards. Her session took place in late August, so she knew it would be hot but it was definitely worth it!

We met the evening of her session at the field. I absolutely loved the dresses she had chosen for them to wear and knew they would be absolutely gorgeous in the setting! Isabella is a friendly little girl but a little shy at first, so I took the opportunity to hang back with a longer focal length and have her interact with her mommy. Once she was used to my presence, I switched lenses to be closer up. Isn’t she absolutely darling?!

I could talk for an hour about I approach sessions with young children, but I won’t. In a nutshell: I navigate through the session at the pace of your child. My sessions are very much about playing snuggling together, and NOT necessarily looking at the camera. Telling a toddler to look at the camera and smile very often backfires in one of two ways. (1) Painfully forced smiles or (2) Refusal to look and smile. Let’s take the pressure to perform off, and let everything unfold totally naturally. I can’t tell you how many times parents have seen their gallery and expressed amazement at the images because they thought their session was going horribly. You can’t see what I see… and it only takes 1/800th of a second to capture an image that make you catch your breath every time you look at it.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re watching them walk down the aisle at their high school graduation? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

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.

Atlanta Family Photographer | A Decatur in home family session

I was SO excited for this family session! I first worked with them at their maternity session (view the session by clicking here) and then again at their newborn session (view the session by clicking here). We switched it up this time and scheduled the session to take place in their home with casual dress. Believe it or not, I love jeans and a white t-shirt just as much as I love a pretty studio dress!

The time of day that I schedule your in home session is determined by the best light in your home and the schedule of your little one(s). Sometimes that will be in the morning, and other times in the afternoon. We want happy kids, so it’s best to schedule for right after a good nap and a meal! For this family, that was right around 11 AM.

When I arrived at the house, did a quick walk through to determine where we would be photographing the family. My priority is the best light! One I had determined the rooms we would be in (living room and master bedroom) I moved a few things with permission that would be distracting in the background. I want your images to be as true to life as possible, but I doubt you want to be staring at a neon colored bottle in the background of your images! :)

I spent the next hour with the family watching them interact and giving them suggestions of how to play with their children. I knew Busola practices yoga, and asked if she could do some fun things with her son, Ayo on the couch incorporating that. Ayo LOVED it, and the joy on his face was just so cute. I love images of families truly at play - especially with their mamas. How often do we get to see ourselves like this with our children? Your home is the safest place your child knows (next to your arms). After we finished up downstairs, we headed up to the bedroom, and I asked if Ayo could jump on the bed. I think Ayo thought I was the coolest photographer ever when his parents said he could! He worked some energy out, and then the family cuddled up on the bed together. It was at this point that little miss Liya spit up all over her outfit, requiring an outfit change. I asked them to hold off on redressing her because I saw the opportunity in front of me. The resulting images of her mama lovingly playing with her on the bed are some of my favorites from the session. Busola redressed her in the sweetest little knit pink romper, and we finished up all of the family images. I then asked Busola and her husband if they’d like a few images of just the two of them, and they were all for it! They handed their children over to their babysitter who was downstairs, and I took a few images of them together. I absolutely love how much fun the two of them have together. Their personalities are so different, but the common factor is how positive and joyful they both are. They are the type of people that make you have a great day just because you interacted with them.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re packing their bags for college? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography needs!

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.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The Q Family

I first started working with Erised & Dan for their maternity session in the gardens location when they were expecting their son. You can see their maternity images by clicking here. I went on to photograph their son’s newborn session and six month milestone session (view by clicking here) in the studio. Erised wanted an outdoor fall session at the field for family Christmas cards and to further document Benicio’s growth. I’m so looking forward to photographing Benicio’s First Birthday session in a couple of weeks!

We sent over the studio style guide to Erised, and I encouraged her to have everyone wear color if she wanted that. She debated for a while on which direction she wanted to go for wardrobe, but ultimately decided on a more casual look for everyone. I absolutely LOVED the colors she chose! When they arrived at the field, she pulled out a couple of different options for Benicio because she wanted my opinion on which would be best with what she and Dan were wearing. Lots of families will bring along different options if they’re not 100% sure, and this is totally okay to do! I’m also available via email or a quick 15 minute studio appointment to go over your choices for everyone and offer my input and suggestions on anything to mix up or change. Your family portrait experience should be FUN and not stressful, and I’m here to help!

Benicio is pretty much one of the happiest little babies I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He loves his parents, and he loves people in general. I just love his cute little yellow moccasins that picked up the yellow from his mother’s dress. His little bottom tooth and bright blue eyes are just absolutely adorable. (His other bottom tooth broke through just days after our time together!)

Babies love being outdoors and are always interested in their surroundings. It’s very easy to keep them happy and distracted for outdoor sessions, and we always have a lot of fun. I direct parents as we go throughout our session, and the things I direct you to do are very likely things that you do with at home. SO much of a family session is play based, regardless of your child’s age. Sometimes families freeze up when a camera is on them and they’re just not sure what to do. So many parents express relief (and amazement!) that a session with me is as easy as it is! Show up ready to play and goof off with your kids, and we will get those real moments filled with laughter, real grins, and sparkling eyes. When you’re having fun, you relax, and your individual personalities shine through - which creates the optimal environment to capture your family’s unique and beautiful dynamic!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this lovely family’s family session at the field!

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.

Atlanta Maternity & Family Photographer | Nick, Jasmin & Olivia in the Gardens

Nick and Jasmin had just moved here from Virginia, and didn’t know of any photographers in the Atlanta area. Jasmin looked around online, looked through my website, and fell in love with my maternity sessions in our gardens location. She contacted us and then told her husband that she had found the perfect photographer for their maternity session, and then he contacted us too! We straightened out the crossed wires after speaking with both of them and booked their maternity session on a weeknight. The gardens are not available on weekend evenings, so if you want your session to take place there, you will need to arrange for your schedule to accommodate a weekday.

When the family came in for their maternity fitting at the studio, I was delighted to meet all three of them! Big sister Olivia was absolutely adorable and reminded me of my middle child with her spunky personality. She was so excited to be a big sister, and said she would share her toys with her new baby sister once she was here. Nick will be surrounded by women, and he couldn’t be happier about it!

Based on the olive green dress that Jasmin was wearing when she arrived, I could tell she leaned towards bohemian inspired style and pulled out a few options for her. She had a lot of fun trying on the different options and Nick seemed to have fun giving his feedback on each! She settled on two dresses and let me know that she already had the perfect outfit for Olivia so they were all set.

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens, and Olivia’s dress and floral crown were indeed perfect! I always start with family and child images just in case they decide they’re over the session and don’t want to participate anymore later on. That way our bases are covered no matter what! The gardens are a fun location to shoot in since there are so many different places to shoot in that provide a lot of variety. We will often be working around other photographers and their clients, so if you’re hoping for seclusion and privacy during your session, this is likely not the best location choice for you. I can assure you that nobody is paying any attention to anyone else as we’re all there for our own sessions!

The family had a lot of fun playing together and walking around the gardens. As we walked, we chatted about all sorts of things and I learned that one of my photographer friends in the same town their from is a co-worker of Jasmin’s mother! I also learned that Jasmin and Nick met in high school but didn’t start dating until after college. I can honestly say that one of my favorite parts about what I do is getting to know my clients and listening to their stories. I am constantly reminded of what a small world we live in and how much we can have in common with others from my conversations with them.

When Jasmin changed into her second dress, I took the opportunity to photograph Nick and Olivia together for some daddy-daughter images. I am so close to my own dad, and my husband is the same way with our daughters, so I think these images are really important to create. When Jasmin came out, she was holding Olivia’s flower crown and asked if it wold be silly to wear it. I told her I loved the idea, so on her head it went, and it was perfect with the dress and the garden setting!

I LOVED working with this sweet little family of three (soon to be four!) and can’t wait to see them again in the future!

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Baby Evelyn's Nine Month Milestone

Caitlin contacted the studio to book a milestone session that focused heavily on her nine month old daughter and herself. She also requested to add on hair and makeup services as a special treat. She and her husband had just relocated from Savannah back to where she grew up north of Atlanta, and were very happy to be back!

When Caitlin arrived at the studio, we started chatting about life in Savannah. During our conversation, I discovered she had worked with one of my best friends in the industry for her daughter’s newborn session! Such a small world. I’m always amazed by how many of my clients know someone else that I know - whether it’s a client, a friend, or even a family member!

We started looking through the studio wardrobe, and as Caitlin was trying on outfits, her husband and daughter, Evelyn, arrived along with Grandma. I introduced myself, and since Evelyn was a bit shy at first, held off on starting the session for a few minutes so that she could acclimate to her new surroundings. I never rush my littlest clients. A new and unfamiliar place can be a bit scary for them, so keeping the environment relaxed and quiet so they feel safe is the best approach!

Caitlin had brought a special outfit for Evelyn to wear during the session. It was a soft pink knit romper that she paired with adorable Peter Pan collared blouse - very Southern but also so timeless! Evelyn had some of the most striking blue eyes I’ve ever seen and a mop of curly hair. We started the session with just her sitting on the bed and daddy right next to her out of the frame to catch her if she decided to speed crawl off the side. As you can see from the series of images, Evelyn wasn’t too sure about me at first but warmed up quickly. I asked her daddy to hop on up as Caitlin had asked to include him as well. When we finished up with those, Caitlin had chosen her dress and joined in. At the midpoint of our session, Evelyn became very antsy and fussy, which we quickly determined was due to being hungry!

Hungry babies = session break. After enjoying a delicious bottle and some snuggles, we were back in business! I don’t ever want parents to worry about needing to stop for a snack break. Babies don’t always operate on their normal schedules, and we’ll adapt to their needs. My first priority is your baby’s safety and comfort, so we’re going to roll with whatever they decide to throw at us on their session day. :)

We finished up the session with some gorgeous mommy and daughter images that I absolutely love, and family images of the three of them having fun. Caitlin asked to have a few images taken of just her husband and herself, which I gladly accommodated for them. Before you welcomed your little one(s), it was just the two of you. After your children leave the home, it will be just the two of you again. Your relationship is also important and deserves to be documented through the years too!

Here are a few of my favorites from sweet Evelyn’s 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The S Family in the park

Katie contacted the studio to schedule a family session. Their family lives right by the studio, and she was referred by another client of mine whose son attends the same preschool as hers. She also asked to add on hair and makeup services as a treat to herself, and we sent over the style guide to help her with guidance on what she and her family should wear.

Originally, we had scheduled their session for the weekend of Halloween, but rain forced a reschedule. They were about to leave for an international vacation and both have demanding and variable work schedules, so we moved the session to November during Thanksgiving break, with assurances that they’d still be able to get their Christmas cards out in time!

The day of their session approached, and it was a gorgeous and sunny evening… but also super cold! Every family is different when it comes to cold weather in terms of tolerance. If your session is scheduled during cold weather, dress in layers! We’ll take breaks to warm up if needed, and I will work SUPER fast as well. I encourage even more running around than usual to help younger kids warm up and forget about the fact it’s cold, and it’s generally quite effective!

A note about colder temperatures: I reschedule sessions automatically if it’s going to be below 40 degrees because I don’t want my clients to be miserable. If you’re worried about your nose being red or lips being a little purple from feeling cold, no need to be - that’s something I take care of in post processing when I edit!

When the family arrived at the park location, I introduced myself to their sons. They were a bit shy at first, which is pretty normal! My approach is to respect each individual child’s need for space and to meet them wherever they’re at. As the session continues and they become more comfortable, I slowly ramp up the games and my “pep”. By the end of our time together, we were playing all sorts of fun games and everyone was laughing and having a good time despite the cold.

I could type a book about how I handle family sessions, but I’ll spare you! You just need to know two things. (1) I’m a mom of three children myself who are all basically two years apart give or take a few weeks and who all have very different personalities. So I have been in your shoes! (2) Know that family sessions with me are organized “chaos”. I shoot my family sessions efficiently, which means that participants who need a break get one while others are being photographed. I’m always moving and there is no standing around doing nothing time. If the kids need a snack, we’ll likely place them on the ground right by you and knock out some mom and dad couples shots! My family sessions are very much about interacting together through play, and NOT necessarily having everyone look at the camera with a big old smile. I know Grandma might want that “perfect” family portrait with everyone smiling, but that’s simply not the goal or the heart of my approach at all. So, what is? Love and connection that showcases your family’s unique dynamic in tangible form.

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re packing their bags for college? We fill up several months in advance for weekend dates, and are already booking for spring and early summer! Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Niko is ONE!

Josie contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a First Birthday session. She wanted to schedule the session to take place before her son’s actual birthday party and use images for the invitation and party decor. Some clients come in sometime in the first month after their baby’s first birthday. It’s entirely up to you!

Josie also asked if including a cake was an absolutely necessity. I responded that it was not, and it was up to her whether she wanted to include one. While a lot of our clients love the experience, some prefer to skip it. The focus of the session is on your baby and capturing them how they are at this age - not on a birthday cake. So, if you don’t want to incorporate a cake, no worries at all!

When they walked in on the day of their session, I immediately recognized Josie’s handbag - the Market Day Tote from Everlane! If you haven’t heard of Everlane, you should definitely check them out. It’s a super cool company with some really great design. Josie was shocked that I recognized her bag and declared that nobody in her family appreciated her bag, and that it made her day that I knew where it was from. I’m a fan of understated simplicity paired with functionality in fashion, so Everlane is right up my alley!

Niko was a little bit shy, so I kept chatting with his parents. I have found that when a baby isn’t receptive to you, it’s best to win them over through their parents. When they see that their parents are talking to me, a small level of trust begins to build from there. As we were talking, I learned that they were both journalists and worked crazy hours sometimes to meet deadlines. Writing is a creative art that I have a lot of respect for since it’s not always possible to crank out a piece oh whatever topic. So when they explained that sometimes they’d stay up until 3 AM because inspiration had hit and they were furiously writing away, I completely understood.

We started the session as a family unit so Niko would feel safe and comfortable. He started smiling as we were all laughing and joking, and I slowly raised my pep level to match where he was. We continued on with parent images, and then things really started getting fun with tickle fights and peek a boo games. Niko loves his parents, and it was just so much fun to watch the three of them together. When Niko was totally warmed up to me, we moved quickly to the solo portraits. Josie had brought along Nik'o’s favorite stuffed animal. I love and welcome the usage of your child’s little “friends”! Incorporating them into your session will make it that much more meaningful years from now when their little lovie is long gone.

Niko needed a diaper change, so they took the opportunity to also quickly change his shirt as well for another look. By this point, he was totally comfortable with me and being in the studio and was all over the place exploring. I love when babies reach this point because then their personality really shines through… and that’s exactly what I strive to capture during sessions!

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.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Michelle, Kalyan & Henry

I first met Michelle and Kalyan in their labor and delivery room. It’s not exactly the normal initial meeting that I have with my clients, but I was there to photograph the birth of their baby and they had literally just booked me the evening before while heading to Northside for their induction. So, there wasn’t time to meet beforehand!

Since Henry’s birth, I have photographed multiple sessions for their family over his first year. When Michelle texted to let me know that she was expecting again, I was SO excited for their sweet family! Michelle and Kalyan are such loving parents and some of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet. Michelle had not done a maternity session during her pregnancy with Henry and decided she wanted to do one for this pregnancy. We scheduled her maternity session for the park location and reserved her newborn session as well with hair and makeup add on services for both. Michelle has worked with our HMUA team since Henry’s newborn session and absolutely loves working with all of them!

A week before her session, Michelle came to the studio to look through the wardrobe. Since she’s been in the studio a few times, she already knew exactly which dresses she was thinking about wearing. The dresses she had in mind ended up being exactly what she chose. Every time she comes in and looks through she’s always thinking ahead to the next one!

The evening of their session, we met at the studio parking lot and headed to the park. Henry was FULL of energy that night much to the bewilderment of his parents. They could not figure out why he was so excited and running around at full speed. I’m used to it and basically expect it, so it didn’t throw me at all. I reassured them that everything would be fine, and to run around with Henry and make it a game. When they saw their gallery later, they told me that they were amazed because Henry didn’t seem to stop for one second. I love the images that they chose of Henry - pure glee! He’s a little boy having a blast, and it shows. Those real smiles during moments of genuine fun are what I love the most.

Kalyan handled chasing after Henry and I just rolled with Henry and his proximity. There is no set standard flow for any session I photograph involving babies or children. I’ve been working as a professional photographer for six years now, and if I have learned anything - it’s that you must be flexible and meet the little ones where they’re at. They may not be in the mood for photos one minute, and then two minutes later they’re ready to engage. I’m always ready for that and waiting for it! A great example of this is when a child doesn’t want to be in the photos and protests. I ask mom and dad to simply ignore them and we take a few couples images. Their child watches from the distance and realizes that we aren’t including them! Their little brain starts spinning at the injustice, and sure enough, almost every single time runs back over not willing to be left out.

Enjoy some of my favorites from this family’s session - and check back in a few days to see their adorable baby girl’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.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Liz, Isaac & Frances

I was one of the very first people to meet Frances after she was born when I photographed her Fresh 48 session, which you can view by clicking here. I’ve since gone on to work with this family several times as Frances has grown. Liz contacted me in mid summer to schedule fall family photos for late October, and I was super excited to get to see them again. Frances has one of the best little spunky personalities, and the whole family is just so fun to be around. I also really love the honor of being the go to photographer for a client over the years. Developing relationships and getting to know your children as they grow is a such a privilege, and I don’t take it lightly!

Liz has worked with our HMUA team for nearly all of her sessions with me, and this time was no exception. She requested to add on hair and makeup services for this session as well, and we paired her with Margaret, who she had worked with before. I sent over our style guide and Pinterest board as a refresher, but I knew that she would be just fine as she knew the drill from having worked with us so many times.

Liz chose the park location for their session since they live intown and wanted to avoid dealing with traffic. We met on a nice fall evening, and I loved the adorable blue and green plaid print dress and black patent leather Mary Janes that Frances was wearing! The whole family looked wonderful and were comfortable and relaxed in their outfits. Frances is quite the little explorer, so we spent some time watching her run around. The key to a successful and stress free family photo experience are these three words: Roll With It. This means that you leave your expectations behind and come ready to play and have fun. Children don’t sit still. It’s not in their nature, and you can’t see their true personalities shine when they’re forced to sit and be quiet. There may be dancing, there may be singing, and there will definitely be tickling and snuggling during sessions. There may also be an accidental collision in all the fun… when you look through these images, I’ll give you one guess to find the one where that happened and where the collision was. It ended up being one of the favorite gallery images and I laugh every time I see it!

My goal for your family photos is capture your unique family dynamic, the personality of your child shining through their happy faces, and the love shared between all of you. We simply cannot accomplish that with an awkward and stiffly posed arrangement of your family members on a bench. So come ready to have fun, and willing to play games, and let the magic happen. Wanna see what that magic looks like? Have a little look.

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Eden is ONE!

I first worked with Avis and Thomas for their maternity session in the studio, which can be viewed by clicking here. They welcomed Eden on Halloween, and I will never forget opening an email from Avis that day with the announcement that she was here and an attached photo of all of them wearing costumes in their hospital bed!

When Avis contacted us schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Eden, I was SO excited! Because of food sensitivities, Avis decided to work with our recommended baker to create a vegan cake. Our recommended baker is local to the studio and can deliver your cake directly to the studio so you don’t have to worry about picking it up or forgetting it. Smash cakes are NOT required for First Birthday sessions, but many clients do love including them as it’s a chance for their baby to have some fun without the pressure of being watched by lots of people. Parents also enjoy being able to watch and take in all the funny moments without trying to document it all themselves. If you choose to include a cake in your baby’s First Birthday session, we’ll go over our recommendations for cake type, icing type, color, design, etc. Our goal is to make everything as easy for you as we possibly can!

We also sent Avis our style guide so that she could plan her family’s wardrobe choices. She emailed over a few photos of outfits for me to look at, and I confirmed that her choices looked great! On the day of the session, I arrived at the studio to take delivery of the cake, and welcomed the family shortly thereafter. It was so wonderful to see Thomas & Avis again and to meet their beautiful little girl! She was a little bit reserved, but very curious to know who I was. Because she wasn’t frightened of me, we started the session off with a few images of just Eden. I loved the cream dress her mom had brought for her and accessorized with adorable burgundy shoes and a bow headband! Those accessories were tied together with daddy’s shirt color and mom’s shade of lipstick. They looked amazing, and did such a great job! Thomas was a much more willing participant for this session - I won him over during their maternity session. ;) I loved watching them with their daughter, and we all had so much fun.

After we finished our family and solo portraits portion, Avis dressed Eden in her special birthday outfit. I thought her tutu and pearls paired with a simple white onesie were absolutely adorable. Eden was already walking, so we spent some time playing together on the floor, and running around all over the place. Once we finished with that, I pulled out the high chair, and the cake fun began!

Eden was immediately interested in her cake, and mom and dad came over to join in as well. I will never forget Thomas taking a bite of the icing and the look of shock on his face. I asked him if everything was okay and he nodded. He said “I just can’t believe this cake is vegan! It’s really good!” Avis looked at him and tasted it and said, “Oh my gosh this is amazing!” Our baker really is incredible - her cakes always get taken home for enjoyment no matter how smashed up they get during the session. I order birthday cakes and special event cakes from her - nobody else in Atlanta comes close to the flavor and amazing design she creates.

Here are a handful of my favorite images from Eden’s first birthday celebration!

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Benicio is six months!

I first worked with Erised and Dan for their maternity session at the gardens location and loved photographing them again as a new family of three for Benicio’s newborn session. You can view their maternity session images by clicking here. Believe it or not, I still haven’t blogged his newborn session! I routinely photograph 20-30 clients per month, so I just don’t have enough space on the blog (or time to write them!) to feature every single session.

When the family arrived at the studio for Benicio’s six month milestone session, I was so excited to see them! Erised is one of my favorite people and we always have a good time chatting. Benicio is one the HAPPIEST babies on the planet, and is absolutely adorable. It was so wonderful to see Erised and Dan as parents to an older baby and to see how they had acclimated so well to being parents. The first few months were challenging as they navigated sleep (isn’t that the case for so many of us?!) but with some experimenting with nap schedules and moving him to his nursery they finally experienced getting to sleep through the night! I still remember when all three of mine started sleeping through the night. It was such an amazing and strange experience to wake up that morning feeling completely well rested. If you’re expecting, people will try and scare you by telling you that you’ll never sleep again. Don’t listen to them. You will, in time! And someday, you’ll be the one dragging them out of bed in the morning. My oldest is 7, and I’m starting to experience the sleepy protest of “But Mom! I don’t WANNA wake up for school!” already.

Erised had followed the style guide and had brought along several things for Benicio as options. She’s a fan of shopping at Baby Braithwaite here in Atlanta, and that’s where his sweet little knit blue rompers are from. Other great local options for unique baby and child clothing are Feather Baby in Decatur, Janie & Jack, Baby Gap, Baby Zara, and believe it or not - H&M! For the Southern mama, Feltman Brothers and Beaufort Bonnet Company have pieces with smocking and Peter Pan collars.

I typically start my milestone sessions with the entire family if the baby is experiencing shyness or stranger anxiety. Since Benicio wasn’t shy AT all, we started with solo portraits and then added parents and family into the mix. Milestone sessions are efficient because babies this age get tired out easily from stimulation, so I work quickly to make sure we have a varied gallery full of options!

Benicio is such a chunky little guy, and Erised wanted to remember all his little rolls. In between outfit changes, we put on one of the studio cloth diapers over his regular diaper and photographed him in our Eames style chair. When babies see me throughout the year, I really love to use the Eames chair for a few images in each session so that you can see how much your child has grown in between their sessions. It’s really am amazing thing to see! I also want to note really quickly that when babies are in chairs and on the bed in my studio, mom or dad is right there next to them, just out of the frame. We take baby safety very seriously around here, and have measures in place with every session to ensure that!

Isn’t Benicio just the most adorable blue eyed little guy?! I cannot wait to see him next month for his 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Quinton is ONE!

I headed to the office one morning and when I checked my inbox, I started reading emails. The first email was from a client who needed to reschedule her session for the next evening due to being sick with a stomach virus. She had a prime October Saturday, and I let her know that I was more than happy to reschedule her session but that it would have to be a weeknight since I was completely booked through December for weekend outdoor dates. She was totally fine with that, and we moved her to a couple of weeks later on a Tuesday evening.

Then I came across an email from Sarah, asking if I had ANY availability at all for a Family/First Birthday session and if she could be put on the waitlist for a cancellation. Fate, kismet, whatever you want to call it! I was expecting a client, so I forwarded her email to Caroline (our studio manager) and Caroline took care of calling her. She was thrilled to hear that we had an opening that same evening and immediately snapped it up. We sent her our style guide to dress her family, as well as our cake tips.

I met the family in the studio parking lot the next evening, and we headed to the park location. It was pretty much the most perfect weather ever, and the light was gorgeous. I really loved what she had chosen for them to wear - Quinton’s little leather pants were to die for! A lot of clients wonder if they need to wear pastels and neutrals in order for their images to look amazing - the answer is no. When it comes to color - I love it! It’s just a matter of choosing the right colors and mixing the colors and patterns for the most cohesive and visually appealing look. Neon will never make a comeback or be a good choice for a session. ;)

Big brother Matthew was all over the place, and his parents were concerned that he wouldn’t cooperate for any family images. I reassured Sarah and Vincent it was normal for that age, and that we would win him over eventually. When a child doesn’t want to participate or needs a break, we give them one! Pressuring children or forcing them to do something they don’t want to is not my style. Gentle persuasion by the way of having lots of fun where a child decides they want to join in is more my speed. Vincent assumed responsibility for chasing Matthew around while I photographed Sarah and Quinton. Sure enough, Matthew eventually became interested in what was going on and wanted to play games with me too. We made it work! Let me make it clear that I am not a magician when it comes to young children. It requires a team effort between all the adults involved. I will meet your child exactly where they are at and tailor my response and engagement with them to that level. With lots of patience and love, we’ll hopefully get them laughing and having fun in no time if they’re a little bit shy or not into having their picture taken. A willingness on your part to be silly and laugh is absolutely essential. And please, do not judge me if I act crazy during our time together. I do lot of silly faces and voices to win the little ones over! :)

After we finished with the family portion, we ended with the cake part. Quinton didn’t want to touch his cake unless his mama was holding it, so that’s exactly what we did. Check out the image of his reaction to his first taste of sugar - too funny!

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Noa's Sitting Milestone in home lifestyle session

I first met this gorgeous family when they came to the studio for Noa’s newborn session. At that time, Tiffany asked if I ever traveled to homes. She really wanted to book a newborn session at home, but I only offer lifestyle newborn sessions in homes as my newborn setup is too large and complicated to travel with. They also wanted the solo semi posed portraits of just Noa, so they ultimately chose to come to the studio for their newborn session with the intention of an in home session when Noa was older. If you’re hoping to document the three major milestones (Newborn, Sitting, and First Birthday), you should definitely look at our First Year Collection! There are some amazing perks that are exclusively for First Year Collection members… and we get to hang out throughout the year! Just ask about it when you inquire!

Many of our families really love having the nursery documented when their baby can actually interact with toys and enjoy their room! The sitting milestone session is the perfect time to do that, and is SO much fun. Unfortunately, I cannot travel to homes that have cats due to a severe allergy, but I love dogs. Miles, the labradoodle, is one of the best furbabies I have ever met. I was so excited to see the family and traveled to their home in Brookhaven for this session. The sitting milestone can also be the six month milestone - but not every baby is sitting up unassisted but not yet crawling quickly at 6 months. It was most important to Tiffany that Noa be sitting, so we scheduled the session for when she was sitting up well which was around 8 months for her. Some parents want it to be at the six month mark regardless of sitting ability, which is totally fine! The choice is yours. I’ll photograph your baby exactly as they are and capture their personality and fun moments between all of you.

When I arrived at their home, Tiffany showed me upstairs to the nursery, which she had designed and decorated herself. She had chosen for Noa to wear this ADORABLE romper from Zara, which always has gorgeous and classic pieces for babies and children. Tiffany and Joe weren’t quite ready yet, so Tiffany handed me Noa and they went to finish getting dressed. I started photographing Noa, and we had so much fun visiting while waiting for her parents to join us.

Once Tiffany and Joe were with us, we moved into family and parent images. When I shoot in home sessions, I will assess your home and determine the best place to shoot in light wise. It’s key to schedule our time together when the room(s) you want to showcase have the most light coming in AND that work with your baby’s nap and eating schedule. If you have a west facing window, we won’t want to schedule for when the sun is shining directly into the window, but when it’s still slightly above so that the light isn’t harsh. We’ll discuss all of this in advance, and it will simply require a few phone snaps sent our way at different times of the day so that we can choose the best time for the most beautiful results. As a note, every home will photograph differently depending on the available natural light and the decor.

Tiffany and Joe loved Noa’s gallery, and chose to print several. They also used a few for their Christmas card as well! Milestone sessions are rarely just ever about the baby, as I encourage at least one parent to participate. Sometimes mamas like to give dads a break from photographs and have him skip the six month session. It’s a fun way to really get those beautiful motherhood snuggly portraits without having your baby running in all directions or squirming all over the place!

Take a look at some of these gorgeous images from Noa’s in home session - didn’t Tiffany do an amazing job with her nursery?!

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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Troi is ONE!

‘Toya contacted me to schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Troi. I had first worked with her for Troi’s newborn session, and was so excited to see them again! Troi was a tiny preemie born at 26 weeks, but proved to be a mighty fighter who is a happy and healthy one year old today. You can read more details and see images on her newborn blog post by clicking here.

‘Toya brought a simple buttercream frosted cake with colorful pastel sprinkles. If you choose to include a cake (nope, it’s not required!) we have a list of great options for you in the Atlanta area if you want to outsource that part. Our baker is such a talented person and can accommodate many food allergies as well as create vegan cakes for those who may desire or need that as an option. She’ll drop the cake off at the studio in advance of your session so it’s one less thing you have to worry about the day of. Using her services is not required as your local grocery store can also make a gorgeous cake for your baby! Regardless of where the cake comes from, we will walk you though best practices for icing type, cake flavor, texture, and colors, if you choose to incorporate a cake into your baby’s session! The main goal is to keep the focus on your baby so the cake isn’t competing with them for attention when viewing the image.

I was SO excited to see Troi again! At first she was a little bit shy but that quickly dissipated with a game of peek a boo. First Birthday sessions double as a family session too! After we finished with Troi’s solo images, we moved into the family and parent portion of our session. By this time, most one year olds are ready to call it a day. Their attention spans aren’t very long! It’s for this reason that we save the cake for last!

‘Toya had bought a fun little outfit for the cake smash portion, so after an outfit change we moved into that. If your baby is fussy and getting tired, 9 times out of 10 their cake is the perfect distraction and pick me up. As you can see from the images, Troi was a fan of her cake and enjoyed the first taste of sugar she’d ever been permitted.

(While we typically use our antique high chair for cake smashes in the studio to make it less work for mom and dad, sometimes babies don’t like to sit, and that’s totally fine! We adapt to each baby’s unique personality and preferences and tailor the experience to their needs.)

Enjoy some of the images from this cutie’s session!

If you're getting ready to celebrate your baby’s First Birthday (congrats on almost a WHOLE year of parenting!!!), 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.