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 | 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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Luke turns ONE!

Ashley contacted the studio a couple of months before her son’s first birthday to book a First Birthday session and wanted it to be outdoors at our park location. She needed a weekend date due to their work schedules and had seen our recommendations about booking 3 months or so in advance for a guaranteed weekend date. While we can (and do) fit last minute inquiries in sometimes, there are also times that we cannot. We hate for anyone wanting to work with us to be disappointed, so if you’re able to: go ahead and reserve your spot on the calendar as soon as you know you want a session in the future especially if there is a specific date you’re hoping for.

We sent over our studio style guide to Ashley along with our cake tips sheet. She responded that she didn’t want to do a cake, and wanted to do a pumpkin pie… and would that be alright to do?

Okay, stop right there. PUMPKIN PIE?! I responded letting her know how excited I was about a pumpkin pie smash! I’m all about doing things differently and putting unique twists on things. My only suggestion was this: lots of whipped cream! I’m still waiting for the client who wants to incorporate a stack of donuts instead of a cake. (maybe that’s you?!)

Our style guide is SO simple, straightforward, and easy to read! Clients find them incredibly helpful, and we are here for any additional questions you may have. Should you want to utilize the studio wardrobe or input on what you’re thinking of wearing from home, that’s what we are here for! We are always available to help and more than happy to do so.

The afternoon of their session, the family of three arrived at the park . I typically begin with family images to let babies warm up, but Luke wasn’t a shy baby at all. I loved his bright blue eyes and sweet smile. I’m such a sucker for toothy baby smiles! We had fun playing games while I photographed him, and then we moved on to family and parent images. Family sessions with me are not difficult! I promise to coach you on what to do and make sure you’re in the right place. Then all you need to do is be the mom and dad your baby loves so much…. and the rest falls into place while I step back and photograph you in your element. After we finished with those, Ashley changed Luke into his second outfit and we began the pumpkin pie smashing.

Ashley had made the pumpkin pie herself and brought along a container of Cool Whip. She spooned out a big dollop of it, and commented that she wasn’t sure that he would like her pumpkin pie. Well…. he proved her wrong! He LOVED it - and it was so much fun to watch him dig in.

You may be wondering if you have to include a cake or a pie in your First Birthday session. Answer: Nope! Not every First Birthday session includes a cake and that’s totally okay. It’s up to you and what your preferences are. First Birthday sessions are about celebrating your baby and their first year - and YOU as parents for making it through! While a cake is often lots of fun and results in some super adorable images, it’s definitely not a absolute necessity. You decide what’s the best fit for your vision and we’ll make it happen!

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this fall 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 Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer | Our Annual Blogging Break!

Every year we take a step back from administrative tasks to enjoy the holidays fully, and blogging is one of them! The studio is open for limited hours and we still have a couple of last minute spots remaining for sessions. Just contact us if that’s what you’re looking for and we’ll do our best to fit you in!

See you again on the blog in 2019!

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Emilia is ONE!

Aya contacted me to schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Emilia. I had first worked with them for Emilia’s newborn session, and was so excited to see them again!

Aya brought a cake with buttercream rosettes in colors to match her outfit. 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 - 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!

Emilia was friendly and curious, so we started the session with just her. First Birthday sessions double as a family session too! After we finished with Emilia’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! While we typically use our antique high chair for cake smashes, Emilia was not having the chair. Some babies don’t like to be in one, and that’s totally fine! I brought out a crate, and she happily dug into her cake while standing. Each baby is unique and has their own preferences, so we’ll tailor your session experience to their 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 Baby Photographer | Benjamin is ONE!

I first worked with Ashley, Rob, and Benjamin when they came in for his newborn session. You can view some of their sweet newborn session images by clicking here. Unlike his newborn session, Ashley contacted us well in advance of his first birthday to make sure we’d have room on the calendar! She wanted to schedule a First Birthday session in the studio, and let us know that her parents would also be participating. We love grandparents around here! As a special treat to her mom, she also chose to add on hair and makeup services for the both of them beforehand.

We sent over our style guide and Pinterest board so Ashley could coordinate with her parents to make sure everyone had a cohesive look that would photograph well in the studio, as well as suggestions for what type of smash cake to bring along. Believe it or not, the type and color of icing you choose does matter! We will make sure you have all the necessary information and provide you with all the help and feedback that you need.

The day of Bejamin’s session, the family arrived at the studio. It was so much fun to see him again and I marveled at how much he still looked the same! Some newborns have strong features that don’t really disappear or change much as they grow, and he definitely falls into this category. Benjamin was also such a happy and curious little guy. While I typically start with family images, we started with solo portraits since he wasn’t shy or scared at all. The rest of the session was a flow of different members of the family jumping in and out, and then we moved right into the cake smash. Ashley had elected to have him in just a white diaper for this portion, so I took the opportunity to take a few diaper only portraits as well before placing him into the high chair.

Benjamin LOVED his cake. It was so much fun photographing him eating it, and his family had such a blast watching it. They commented that they had no idea that part would be as much fun as it was, and that it was so nice to be able to truly watch and enjoy it and not worry about trying to document it since I was taking care of that for them. Benjamin was one of a few babies who destroyed his cake all the way down to the base. Every baby will explore their cake differently, and that’s what makes cake smash portraits so unique from each other!

I so loved working with this family again, and thought that it was so wonderful that they included his grandparents too. Grandparents are often very involved family members, and I welcome any family who wants to bring them along to be included too. What a beautiful gift to give your child!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, CONGRATS!!!! 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 | Samuel is ONE!

Petra contacted me to schedule a First Birthday session for her son, Samuel. She had brought her daughter Abby in a few years prior for hers, and wanted to have his be in our studio too as she loved the images from Abby’s session so much. Have you seen those? If not - click here - and get ready for some serious cuteness!

Petra worked with our baker again for Sammie’s smash cake and requested a fun frosting technique with colors to match his outfit. 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 - 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!

Sammie was a pretty shy little guy who didn’t want to leave his mama’s arms. When this happens I often ignore your baby and start playing on my own. In almost all cases, curiosity wins out and they forget about the fact that I’m a stranger. Babies and children are drawn to play and new things naturally, so I just work with that. I’m a very low key person and will match your child’s personality when it comes to my demeanor. I can’t think of anything worse than a peppy cheerleader type shrieking “Smile! LOOK AT ME BABY!” right off the bat. Some of my little clients are very high energy and respond best to that, and if that’s your baby - that’s what I will ramp the energy up to. Because I wear hearing aids, body language is something I am very attuned to. I can tell when a client needs space or a break and am very responsive to that. My ultimate goal is for everyone to have a great time and for your child to feel safe and comfortable throughout their time with me.

We moved right into the portrait part of the session once Sammie was comfortable and his mama was just out of the frame. Petra only wanted images of Samuel for his session, so that’s why you won’t see any of her. Typically our First Birthday sessions double as a family and parent session too! After we played for a while, we brought out the cake, and Samuel went to town. I just love his happy and satisfied icing covered grin…. complete with his absolutely ADORABLE little dimple.

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 | Ramsey is ONE!

Angela contacted the studio several months before her son’s first birthday to book a First Birthday session. She needed a weekend date due to her work schedule and had seen our recommendations about booking 3 months or so in advance for a guaranteed weekend date. While we can (and do) fit last minute inquiries in sometimes, there are also times that we cannot. We hate for anyone wanting to work with us to be disappointed, so if you’re able to: go ahead and reserve your spot on the calendar as soon as you know you want a session in the future especially if there is a specific date you’re hoping for.

We sent over our studio style guide to Angela along with our cake tips sheet. She wasn’t sure if she would include one or not, and we told her that was totally fine. You don’t need to decide until the day before so that I can make sure the studio is set up for either scenario. Both guides are simple and straightforward and easy to read! Clients find them incredibly helpful, and we are here for any additional questions you may have. Should you want to utilize the studio wardrobe or input on what you’re thinking of wearing from home, that’s what we are here for! We are always available to help and more than happy to do so.

The day of their session, the family of three arrived at the studio. I normally begin with family images to let babies warm up, but Mr. Ramsey was immediately entertained by me. I loved his little grin with his two little bottom teeth sticking up, and his sweet brown eyes. We had fun playing games while I photographed him, and then we moved on to family and parent images. These images are so easy! I will guide you on what to do and make sure you’re in the right place. Then all you need to do is be the mom and dad your baby loves so much…. and the rest falls into place. After we finished with those, Angela changed Ramsey into his second outfit and we incorporated his favorite stuffed animals.

I welcome and encourage the usage of special items like these in First Birthday sessions! When my oldest was a baby, I took a weekly photo of her with a stuffed rabbit. When we started, she was smaller than the rabbit. The photos of her as a newborn with her rabbit compared to the photos of her at six months and one year are amazing to see. There’s nothing like something special that remains the same size through the years to really put things in perspective. It’s amazing (and bittersweet) how fast our babies grow!

You may be wondering where the cake is! Answer: there wasn’t one! Not every First Birthday session includes a cake and that’s totally okay. It’s up to you and what your preferences are. First Birthday sessions are about celebrating your baby and their first year - and YOU as parents for making it through! While a cake is often lots of fun and results in some super adorable images, it’s definitely not a absolute necessity. You’ll decide what’s the best fit for your vision!

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Ramsey’s 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 | Rowan is ONE!

I absolutely love when clients recommend me to their friends (it’s such a compliment, don’t you agree?!)… and that’s how Sandra found us! A friend of hers has worked with us a few times previously and gave her our information. Sandra contacted the studio to book a First Birthday session for her daughter, Rowan.

We sent over the studio style guide and our cake tips via email, and Sandra took it from there! Some clients are comfortable styling themselves with no assistance from us. For those of you who would like input or a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to ask! We are here to serve you in any way we can to make your experience with us an incredible one. Your portrait experience shouldn’t be stressful - let us help if you need it!

The day of Rowan’s session, the family arrived at the studio with everyone dressed beautifully. (The dress Sandra is wearing is now a part of our studio wardrobe!) Rowan was a friendly and inquisitive little girl, and very wiggly. I’m an expert with wiggly kids, and will give you guidance on what to do. Remember that I only need 1/800th of a second to create an image! Even if you feel like your child is constantly moving and are wondering how I can possibly be getting anything, rest assured that I am. It’s my job to worry about it - not yours!

We then moved on to solo images of Rowan in her adorable tutu dress. We weren’t sure she would keep her headband on, but she did for a while until she realized that it was on her head! She pulled it off, but we just waited until she was distracted again and put it right back on, and she didn’t take it off again for the remainder of the session.

After we finished with portraits, we changed Rowan into a simple pink camisole that I have on hand in the studio wardrobe. I love simple and classic pieces for cake smashes, and being able to see the chunky baby legs and toes.

Sandra chose to decorate Rowan’s cake with fresh flowers, which looked absolutely gorgeous. The flowers proved to be too tempting, and we had to pull them off after Rowan attempted to eat them. This is usually the case with any cake decor, so be prepared to remove anything that’s on the cake if necessary!

Rowan’s reactions and expressions while exploring her cake were adorable. Every baby is totally different! Some babies make it their mission to decimate the cake down to the base. Other babies taste the frosting and are over it. Others love to play in it and never actually eat it. It doesn’t matter - your images will tell the unique story of how they reacted to their cake. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to encourage babies to touch their cakes, but it’s ultimately up to them. I encourage parents to get involved also since lots of babies love to feed their parents or share with them. Be aware that “sharing” often ends up with mom and dad covered with icing! :)

As a note, some parents choose to skip including a cake in the First Birthday session. That’s totally fine! We customize your session flow to your preferences. Regardless of whether a cake is involved, you’ll still have beautiful images to remember just what your one year old was like at that stage.

Enjoy a few favorite’s from Rowan’s 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 | Ella is ONE!

I first worked with Cindy for her maternity session, and then again for her daughter’s newborn session! You can view Cindy’s studio maternity images by clicking here, and her newborn images by clicking here. Cindy brought Ella in for our 2017 Santa event, and I loved seeing how big she had gotten! We were thrilled to hear from her when she called to schedule her daughter’s First Birthday session! 

Cindy LOVES our studio wardrobe because she never has to worry about getting ready or finding something to wear. She’s shown up at every session confident that she’ll find something she loves - and she does. She tried on a couple of dresses and chose a gorgeous off the shoulder chiffon floral dress. She had brought a simple pastel pink dress for Ella to wear for the cake portion of her session, but needed something for the parent/solo portraits. I pulled out a few options for her to look through, and this sweet little lace romper was the winner. The chambray bow is also part of the studio wardrobe as we have a few on hand for when moms forget or decide last minute they want to add one! If you’re not interested in the studio wardrobe and prefer to wear your own clothing, that’s totally fine! The wardrobe is simply an option to booked clients should they wish to utilize it. We’ll send you a helpful style guide when you book that will walk you through best practices for dressing everyone participating in the session. 

On the day of their session, Cindy arrived with Ella and her sister! Her sister had not planned to be in the photographs and wasn’t dressed to be. When Cindy expressed her desire to have a couple of aunt and niece images taken, her sister was worried about her outfit. I told her it wasn’t an issue and pulled off a few pieces from our wardrobe for her to try on and choose from. She picked a simple gauze textured dot dress that was the same style as the shirt she had worn to the studio to begin with, and it worked perfectly with what Cindy and Ella were wearing! 

We started off with Ella and her mom together. As Ella warmed up to me, we moved into the solo portraits of her. Ella is a more serious baby, and her personality is perfectly reflected in her images. Ella also showed off her newly acquired walking skills too! Not every one year old is walking yet, but we’ll capture them exactly as they are at the age of 1 even if they’re still crawling and not quite upright yet! 

Cindy changed Ella into her second outfit for the cake portion. Cakes are not required for First Birthday sessions, and about 20% of our First Birthday clients opt to skip including a cake in the session. I think they’re adorable and a lot of fun. If your baby didn’t react well to cake at their party, don’t let that faze you! Cakes in the studio are often much more well received because they’re not tired and overwhelmed with a bunch of loud strangers watching them. It’s a very low key experience with zero pressure or stress. So many of our parents are shocked at how much more their baby enjoyed and interacted with their cake in the studio as opposed to their official party! 

We started off with Ella in the high chair, and managed to take a few images before Ella let us know she was NOT going to sit in it anymore. Cakes don’t have to be done in the high chair (although it’s much easier for parents in terms of cleanup and corralling their baby!) so we just moved her to the floor where she was happy and content. It was adorable watching Ella explore her cake and taste the icing. There were a few moments where she was unsure (girlfriend did NOT like the feeling of icing all over her hands) but she worked through it. I just love photos of babies with their birthday cake icing all over their face… it’s so cute! 

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from Ella’s 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 | Leo is ONE!

I first met Leo’s parents when I worked with them for their maternity session at the park location. We had such a fun time together that they asked to work with me again for their newborn session. I saw Leo at our 2017 Santa event, and then again for a milestone Mommy & Me (with grandmas!) session. At Leo’s milestone session Melissa asked to get on the schedule for Leo’s First Birthday session because she had completely forgotten! This is totally normal to forget - that first year of parenthood is a blur. Lots of our newborn parents go ahead and schedule milestone sessions when they’re here at the studio so that it’s on the calendar and doesn’t go by without them remembering. We can also set up a reminder for you much like your dentist’s office does!

We sent Melissa our style guide and session tips ahead of time, and she opted for a casual look for Leo. He looks absolutely adorable in his jeans and baseball tee! When the family walked in, I noticed they didn’t have a birthday cake. I was a bit puzzled since Melissa had stated they would be including a cake in their session. When I asked if they had changed their mind about including a cake, Melissa gasped… yep, they’d forgotten it!

Guess what? They weren’t the first (and they won’t be the last) to do this! It’s a lot to get out the door sometimes with a one year old and sometimes the cake gets left behind. We recommend a specific baker who lives close by and will drop your cake off at the studio in advance of your session so it’s one less thing you have to worry about. If your child has allergies, she is able to accommodate vegan and dairy free! In Leo’s case, we sent daddy less than a mile away to the nearest Kroger to pick up a cake from the bakery. They generally always have something amongst their options that will fit the bill right off the shelf.

While Alex was on the smash cake procuring errand, we went ahead and got started with the session. Leo was a happy and friendly little guy and needed no warm up period. I typically start with family images when babies are shy, so it worked well that Leo wasn’t since his daddy was out for a bit. Alex was back within fifteen minutes and had picked out a perfect little cake! With that problem solved, we moved into the family and parent portion of the session. It’s always so much fun to watch my clients through that first year. As their baby grows, they also grow into their roles as mom and dad and become so confident by the end. I always say that a baby’s first birthday should include an awards ceremony for mom and dad. The first year is so amazing and full of joy, but it is HARD sometimes, you guys! You did it! It’s cause for celebration on all accounts!

We always end with the cake during First Birthday sessions if parents choose to include one. Not every First Birthday session has a cake! It is entirely your preference- but I do feel the need to tell you that it’s SO much fun if you’re on the fence about it. Ending with the cake ensures that you are all picture perfect for the portrait part at the beginning, and perks your baby up too. Most one year olds can only handle about 30ish minutes of a session, give or take. When they start acting tired or over it, putting a cake in front of them immediately distracts them and probably gives them a little bit of an energy rush! Watching Leo explore his cake and then decide on the most efficient way to eat it was HILARIOUS. Scroll through some of my favorite images from his session to see just what he decided to do!

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 | Audrey is ONE!

I first worked with Jessica and Taylor for their maternity session in the park and Audrey’s newborn session after she was born! You can view their maternity session by clicking here, and Audrey’s newborn session by clicking here. Audrey also visited the studio for our 2017 Santa event and it was so much fun to see her and how big she had gotten!

Jessica contacted the studio and asked to schedule a First Birthday session for Audrey. First Birthday sessions are such a fun way to mark your child’s first year and celebrate. A lot of people wonder if they have to include a cake: the answer is nope! Whether you choose to have a cake at the end of the session for your child is entirely your preference. We see a pretty even split with our clients, so there’s definitely no right or wrong choice.

We sent Jessica the link to our Pinterest inspiration board and our style guide to help with planning their outfits for the session. We are always available to look through what you’re considering dressing your family in! You can either send photos via email for our input, or we can schedule a time for you to come into the studio for a quick consultation. Our studio wardrobe is also available to you to borrow from should you be interested in that!

Most First Birthday sessions are scheduled around the noon-1 PM block. We want to schedule them at a time where you child is well rested and well fed. Scheduling right before naptime is setting your baby up for a naptime. We will ask about your child’s routine when we schedule your session so it’s the most optimal time for your baby!

When the family arrived at the studio, Audrey was a little bit unsure of her surroundings and of me. Her parents also informed me that she is definitely a more serious personality as well. I respect the space of my little clients and will never get up in their faces when we first get started. I always begin sessions with your little one in your arms. This helps them feel safe and secure. As our session continues, trust will build, and they’ll get used to me and the sound of the camera shutter. My personality and volume will mirror your child’s.

As you’ll see from the gallery, Audrey was pretty serious when we first started, but I absolutely adore the resulting images. She warmed up quickly and we were having fun playing games together by the end of her session. Her mom brought the sweetest simple white dress and bow for her that was so perfect for her! A lot of my clients ask whether their baby should wear shoes for their session. My answer is: leave the shoes off for at least half of the session, if not all of it. This is really the last of your child’s babyhood… and I’m a big fan of those chubby baby toes and feet. For outdoor sessions, shoes may be necessary if your child is walking or if it’s cold outside. As you’ll see, Audrey’s mom opted to leave her barefoot for the entirety of our time together.

If your baby is walking, I will also photograph images of them doing that. If they aren’t walking on their own, I’ll photograph them walking with your assistance. Some babies just refuse to do that, so we capture them crawling. There is such a huge variety of images in a First Birthday gallery between solo baby portraits, the entire family, and individual parent images!

Here are a few of my favorites from Audrey’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 Baby Photographer | Thomas is ONE!

Dani contacted the studio to inquire about scheduling her son’s First Birthday session. She wanted to include a cake smash in the session as well.

Fun fact: Dani had contacted us before to ask about scheduling a family session, but our schedule was completely full already. I first met Tommy at our Santa event, and was amazed at what a HAPPY little boy he was! Dani mentioned what a wonderful experience they’d had at the Santa event and that they were so excited to come back to the studio for a session. We scheduled his first birthday session and send along the style guide and cake tips.

Mom brought some of her own clothing following the style guide but spied some dresses on our wardrobe rack that caught her attention. She tried a few on and fell in love with a cream lace dress. The dress looked perfect with her husband’s outfit and Tommy’s adorable button down complete with a bow tie. SO CUTE!

We began their session with the family portion. I always start with babies in their parents’ arms so that they feel safe and secure with you. This allows them to gradually get used to me and the sound of the camera shutter. As you’ll see from the gallery, the family and parent portion involves a lot of smiles, interaction and baby snuggles. If you freeze up, aren’t sure what to do, or your baby starts protesting - don’t worry! I’ve got you covered and will give you simple prompts for natural interaction or distracting your baby.

After the family and parent portion we moved to Tommy’s solo images. We have a few studio chairs that we typically use for these and you’ll choose which one you’d like to use. Most parents choose what most closely resembles their home decor (modern vs. traditional). Tommy looked so adorable in our blue modern style linen chair, and we pulled in one of our traditional chairs also for a mix! Dad stood right next to him at the ready just in case he decided to dive forward. Most babies will sit still for the first couple of minutes as they get used to sitting in the chair, and then it’s play time! We captured a mix of sweet smiles and fun, giggly photos of Thomas. He was always smiling for me, and had the same happy personality that he did at his Santa session.

We ended his session with a cake smash in our antique studio highchair. Dani changed Tommy into jeans and a blue onesie. It’s completely optional to change outfits! Some parents like to strip down to just a diaper, a onesie, or into a special outfit. Birthday cake is an optional part of First Birthday sessions - it’s completely your preference on whether to include it! The highchair is used for for most studio cake smashes to keep baby in place. Sometimes a baby will refuse to sit in the chair, and that’s perfectly fine. We’ll default to the floor with a crate. Those are just as much fun, but a little more work for mom and dad who become the official baby herders! I always encourage parents to participate in the cake eating portion too. Sometimes a baby will be a little hesitant to dig in to their cake, but when they see mom and dad next to them they’ll get excited. Most babies also love to “feed” their parents. It’s always hilarious to see the end results of the baby’s generosity!

Here are my favorite photos from Tommy’s First Bithday session in the studio!

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 | Camille is ONE!

Allison contacted the studio to inquire about scheduling a First Birthday session for her daughter, Camille. She mentioned she found us on Instagram and absolutely loved our approach and style. Many of our clients first find us on social media and feel like they know us before they even come in!

We scheduled her session and also set up a time for Allison and Camille to come to the studio and look through the studio wardrobe. We have a limited wardrobe for children, and an extensive wardrobe for moms. Allison loved one of the studio dresses for baby girls and it was a perfect fit! She also found a lot of inspiration from our wardrobe and knew exactly which dress from her own closet she would wear. We also discussed options for what her husband, Trent, could wear that would work well.

We love being able to help our clients choose the best combination of clothing for their session. That's why we always offer style consultations in the studio or via email before a session takes place to help take the stress out of the planning! Their outfits complimented one another without overly matching or clashing one another, and their outfits looked perfect with baby Camille's dress!

Including a cake as part of a First Birthday session is optional! Many parents choose to include one, but we have some who skip it. It's totally your call! 

Because Camille had some food allergies, her Grandma made her a vegan birthday cake! I thought it was so special that her grandmother made it, and I absolutely LOVED how she decorated it. Grandma has some serious skills!  

We have a wonderful baker that we recommend that can work with food allergies should your baby have them if you don't have a Grandma to recruit, or just don't want to add baking a cake to your list of session day responsibilities. Our baker can even deliver the cake to the studio in advance of your session so it's here waiting for you and you don't have to pick it up beforehand! 

The day of their session, the family arrived and we got started with family and parents images! Miss Camille looked so adorable in her pale pink dress. Her mom brought a headband for her to wear, but that was quickly snatched off (as it is with most one year olds!) She was full of personality, and I just love her little bottom teeth and bright blue eyes She gave kisses to mom, snuggled her dad and had the sweetest expressions. We moved into solo baby portraits afterwards, and then changed her into another studio wardrobe piece for her cake smash!

We save the cake smash portion of a baby photo session for last so your baby can really dive into their cake and you don't have to worry about icing in their hair (or nose, or ears....everywhere!) Camille enjoyed playing with the icing on her cake and gave me some of the funniest facesI Her parents really enjoyed being able to stand back and watch her enjoy her birthday cake without having to worry about documenting it.  I love First Birthday Sessions, because I know parents will treasure the images they have of their one year old to look back on when they're all grown up. 

Here are my favorites from Camille's one year photo 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 | Baby John is ONE!

I first met Myra & John when they contacted us last year for a very last minute maternity session in the field. You can view those images by clicking here. Myra called us again to ask if we had availability for an outdoor session for her son's First Birthday session! I absolutely LOVE working with my clients as their little ones grow, and was so excited to meet John and see his parents again. Seeing maternity clients a year later as parents is really something special. Going from seeing them loving a baby they haven't held quite yet to seeing them as parents who made it through that first year ... I can't really describe it, but you can see what I mean by looking at the images. If you're a parent coming up on your child's first birthday, can I just say CONGRATS!? That first year is absolutely amazing and wonderful, and also incredibly challenging too. Sometimes I think the cake should be for mom and dad! ;) Speaking of cake - this First Birthday session doesn't have one! Choosing whether to include a smash cake as part of the session is entirely client preference. 

We sent over our style guide to Myra, and she asked to add on hair and makeup services with Megan again. I came to the studio a bit early to go through what Myra had brought for baby John as options. I loved everything she brought along, and she settled on this adorable white sweater with jeans and white tennis shoes. (In a few of the images, you'll see his sweater popped up to show his little baby belly which I absolutely LOVE) 

We headed down the street to the park location and got started! John wasn't walking on his own just yet, so Myra and John played the "pass the baby" game. You know, the one where your baby decides he wants the other parent to hold him every ten seconds? Yep, that one. Every baby loves to play this game... so if it happens during our time together, don't stress! We'll still get what we need! 

We had such a fun time together, and I switched things up often to keep John's attention. Most one year olds will give us about 30ish minutes for a session, and I keep that in mind going in. Once your baby is done, they're done - and they will let us know! Your job is to have fun with your baby, snuggle with them and each other, and I'll take care of the rest.

To see how much fun we all had, have a look at a few of my favorites! 

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 | A First Birthday Session

Veronica contacted the studio to ask about availability for a First Birthday session for her son, Axel. She told us she had just moved to the Atlanta area, and fell in love with our simple approach that keeps the approach on the baby as that's exactly what she wanted. She also wanted to include big brother in a few images as well. We booked her for a session and sent over our style guide and cake tips. (Yep, we have tips for your cake that help ensure a smooth and successful cake smash!)

Some families want to document their child's First Birthday but want to skip the cake. That's totally fine! These sessions are customized to your preference. We do have to say that there are very few things cuter than a baby covered in icing though... 

When the family arrived at the studio, I could not get over how cute the boys were! Axel had the most adorable little mohawk look going on, and I absolutely loved the outfits that his mom had chosen for him with the help of our style guide. She did such a great job mixing the colors and patterns for a cohesive look and needed no additional help from us. If you're still a little stuck after viewing the guide, please don't hesitate to ask for input! We are MORE than happy to schedule an appointment at the studio for you, or to exchange emails - whatever is easiest for your schedule. 

We started with individual baby portraits and then some of the brothers together. The faces that Axel made are SO funny... they make me smile every time I see them! He is definitely quite the expressive little boy. I also took a couple of big brother alone too, and then we moved on to the cake. Mom changed him into a romper she purchased from Janie & Jack, and it went perfectly with his cake! After his cake was presented to him, he wasted no time at all digging right in. Every baby is different when it comes to how they approach their cake, and that's the beauty of First Birthday Sessions. Your baby's session is unique to them and who they are. The expressions and reactions are absolutely hilarious and such a fun memory to have to look back on when they're older. Parents often tell us their favorite part was being able to be fully present and watch their baby rather than worry about trying to document it. 

Enjoy some of this little guy's First Birthday session images! 

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 Photography | Frances is ONE!

I first met baby Frances when she was teeny tiny.... as in, just born teeny tiny! I photographed her Fresh 48 session at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta and then again for her six month milestone session. Her parents are some of the sweetest people I know, and they're so much fun to have in the studio. I'm so looking forward to their fall session in October this year! 

Liz chose a dress to wear from the studio wardrobe and consulted our style guide for ideas and inspiration of what to have Frances wear. She also added on hair and makeup services from our HMUA team. Many moms really love treating themselves to these services and relaxing before the session. They'll pack up what dad needs to bring (or bring it themselves) and then all meet at the studio for their session time. Our HMUA's prep you in our studio office or their own home studio if they're close by (less than ten minutes tops!). 

First Birthday sessions are not necessarily about a cake smash! They opted to skip this as they wanted the focus to be on their family and on solo one year portraits. Whether you include a cake or not is entirely up to you! 

Frances is pretty much the most adorable little thing ever. She has these big blue eyes and the sweetest little personality. It's incredible how much she looks like her dad, and I loved watching her with each of her parents. Capturing the unique dynamic of individual parents with their child is really neat to see! We generally almost always begin First Birthday sessions with parent and family images. This allows your child to feel safe in your arms and get used to me and the sound of the camera shutter. We then move to solo images of your child and then change their outfit if you choose to do that. If a cake smash is incorporated we end with that.

Most one year olds don't have an attention span or the energy to last more than 30ish minutes, so I photography First Birthday sessions very efficiently. We move from one thing to the next, and take snack or milk breaks as your child needs them. We'll send you a tip sheet before your session that goes over the most important things to help prepare!

Isn't this family adorable!?  

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 | David & Sania are ONE | a twin cake smash

I first met this beautiful family when their twins came in for a newborn session (view it here), and have photographed them several times since then for milestone sessions, our annual Mother's Day event, and Santa sessions! 

Janell loved working with our HMUA during her Mother's Day session, so she added on makeup services for the twins' first birthday portraits. When Janell arrived, she showed me what everyone else was wearing, and I pulled a few dresses from the wardrobe that I knew would work well. She fell in love with a floral off the shoulder dress as soon as she saw it, and it fit her perfectly. We started with family portraits to get the twins used to the sound of the camera shutter and to me, and then moved to baby only images. David and Sania are just the cutest babies, and I can't get over David's little cheesy grin! I personally think he still looks so much like he did as a newborn - with his chunky cheeks! 

Parents are often surprised by how short our First Birthday sessions are and at how quickly their babies tire out. The majority of our babies last 45 minutes at the max, and I move very quickly to keep them interested and engaged. I work efficiently so that I can create all the images needed before moving on to the cake smashing fun. As a note: we have many families opt to skip the cake part, so if you're considering first year portraits, don't feel like it's a requirement to have a cake. 

I work with a wonderful baker located close to the studio, and she delivers the cakes to my clients at the studio. When you're trying to get out the door and remember everything, taking the cake off your list is a major relief. Her cakes are absolutely delicious, and photograph so beautifully to boot. Janell had requested pink and blue for the twins with floral rosettes for Sanai and a simple texture for David.

With twins, in order to eat their cakes together, we place them on the studio floor. Parents are the baby herders while I sit back and capture the mess making fun! The twins were immediately interested in their cakes and enjoyed exploring and tasting the icing. After they were finished with their cakes, their parents cleaned them up while I took care of cleaning up the studio. We always recommend bringing a couple packs of baby wipes from home (the wipes cut through the buttercream perfectly) as well as some towels and washcloths if your baby requires some more heavy duty cleanup! 

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 | Robert is ONE!

Oh, sweet little Robert! You're a serious little guy, but you eventually warm up to me when all is said and done. Robert came in with his family for his First Birthday session! His cake was a beautiful textured creation from a wonderful baker that many of my clients work with and that I recommend. If you don't want to deal with picking up the cake and getting it to the session, it can be here waiting for you on your arrival when working with my baker. Ask us for details when you book your session if you want to do that! (and plan to eat the leftovers, because I'm not kidding when I say her cakes are DELICIOUS)

We have an antique high chair in the studio that is gender neutral in design, and most of our cake smashes are done in this high chair. Why? One year olds are curious little things and like to walk (or crawl) all over new places. My studio proves to be more interesting than a cake in many cases, so having them sit in the high chair keeps them focused on their cake and encourages them to explore it. Robert had a little help from his big sister during his time with me - he was kind enough to share with her! I always encourage parents and siblings to get in on the fun if they want to! 

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 | Haylen is ONE!

I first worked with Haylen's mom and dad for their maternity session when they were pregnant with her, which can be viewed by clicking here. I saw them again when Haylen was six months old, but that session has yet to be blogged. The majority of our sessions aren't blogged for a while after they take place because we shoot so many sessions and just don't have enough time to keep up with blogging! 

Sindi contacted me to schedule Haylen's First Birthday session. She wanted it to take place before her actual birthday so that she could use images from the session for the birthday party. Many of our clients do this for the exact same reason. About 10% of clients like to schedule their session to take place on baby's actual birthday, and the rest plan it sometime before their baby turns 13 months old. 

This session didn't quite go how Sindi had hoped it would. Her cake didn't work out, and Sindi came down with a cold so wasn't feeling up to being in the photos. She was in a little bit of a tiff when she arrived at the studio as she'd just discovered the cake problem and also wasn't feeling well, but I called a time out to go over the options and what we could do. 

Sindi had ordered a character cake from Publix for Haylen's First Birthday but unfortunately the cake was not at all what Sindi had envisioned. I gave Sindi the option to send Errol to grab a cake or cupcake, but she made the decision to just skip the cake. I highly recommend keeping smash cakes small (4-6 inches) and simple with beautiful textured icing. We have a baker that we work with who can deliver the cake to the studio in advance of your session so it's one less thing for you to worry about. Otherwise, if you keep your cake order with your local bakery simple - it's very hard for them to mess that up! I also suggest to moms who are planning on baking their own cake for their child that they do a trial run before the session day. We've had a couple of cake catastrophes in the studio with cakes that were made with alternative ingredients crumbled before our eyes or just didn't bake well. 

Sindi had brought some beautiful outfits for Haylen and some of her favorite loveys too. I adore when parents choose for their child's favorite stuffed animals or doll to be included in the session. It's such a precious part of childhood that deserves to be remembered. The second outfit that Haylen is wearing is one that I actually have in the studio wardrobe. Sindi and I had a good laugh about that. 

Even though the session didn't happen the way that Sindi had envisioned it, she let me know after she viewed her images that she absolutely loved them. She printed several large wall portraits for her home and for Haylen's upcoming First Birthday party! 

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.