NEWBORN

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Rowan

I first worked with Giselle and her family for their maternity session at the mountain location. I adore working with clients for both maternity AND newborn sessions because we are able to get to know each other and establish a relationship. I was so excited to get an email from Giselle letting us know that baby Rowan had arrived. She let me know that she wanted to add on HMUA services and we got her session date scheduled.

WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY MATERNITY AND/OR NEWBORN SESSION?

Now! :) I know you’re probably busy with all the baby prep checklist, but do yourself a favor and don’t put this off! The majority of our clients contact us early in their second trimester to guarantee getting on our calendar. We can only take a certain number of newborns due in each month. We do this to ensure we are able deliver our unparalleled level of service that you deserve. Once we reach the monthly cap, we are full for that month and maintain a wait list. Reserving your newborn session does NOT mean you are booking an exact date for your session. This would be impossible since babies are unpredictable when it comes to their birthdays! Instead, you are on our calendar and guaranteed a session for your baby - you simply let us know when they have arrived and we go from there with scheduling the actual date for your newborn photos.

Baby already here? All is NOT necessarily lost. Our booked newborns tend to arrive earlier or later than their estimated due dates, so there are some months that we DO have the ability to take on a last minute newborn session. Get in touch with us right away, and we might be able to fit you in!

NEWBORN SESSIONS WITH A TODDLER INVOLVED

When toddlers are involved with your baby’s newborn session, we will ask you what their schedule is so we can ensure they’re happy and well rested. Studio newborn sessions are usually in the morning between 9 and 10 AM. The first hour and a half of session time is devoted to photographing your baby alone, which makes it the perfect time for you to take advantage of our add on hair and makeup services! You’ll be sitting on the couch doing nothing anyway, so you might as well treat yourself! Adding on our HMUA services does NOT extend your total session length as I’m actively photographing baby only while you’re being prepped.

We plan for big kid(s) and dad to arrive about 90 minutes after I’ve gotten started with photographing baby only. I am usually finished photographing your newborn’s solo photos right around the time mama is done in hair and makeup. Once everyone is dressed and ready, we move right to the sibling and entire family photos! When your toddler is finished participating in the photographs they’re in, they are free to play quietly until we’re finished with dad/baby and baby/parent images. At this point, dad and big kid(s) tend to depart the studio and I finish up with any mama/baby images that are left.

I do not change up my typical session flow of starting with the newborn solo images. I do not photograph family images first. What tends to happen is that your newborn becomes overstimulated and fussy from all the commotion and movement, and never quite settles as well if had we started with just their solo images in a quiet studio.

When Giselle and Rowan arrived, I took him out of his carseat and got started right away while Giselle got settled into the hair and makeup chair. She had already decided on her dress when I sent her a few photos of options after Rowan’s birth that would work well with Scarlett’s outfit, which is also from our studio wardrobe. She absolutely loved that she didn’t have to worry about shopping and figuring out what to wear for either of them.

Rowan was a sleepy and curly little guy, and slept like a rock for most of his session. As I was finishing up with his solo images, dad and big sister Scarlett arrived. Scarlett remembered me from their maternity session, and was comfortable with me right away. After everyone was dressed, we transitioned right into the sibling images…and Rowan decided to wake up!

NEWBORN SESSION FLOW WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY

Awake babies are not a problem as long as they’re calm! I actually love when babies wake up because it allows me the opportunity photograph them with camera eye contact. It’s amazing how different newborns can look when they’re asleep vs. awake!

I started photographing just Scarlett and Rowan together. As long as it’s safe to, I always start with the sibling photos because these tend to be the highest priority for families. In most cases, your toddler will be at their most cooperative as soon as they arrive to the studio - not 30 minutes later. So, I work as efficiently as possible to photograph siblings, each parent with their children, and whole family before their patience runs out!

The FIRST priority here in the studio is baby safety. I will not position babies near older siblings if they are not calm and still. Every toddler is different, and I’ll assess how they’re doing from their behavior and body language when deciding which images are safe to do. Since Scarlett was loving and sweet to her brother, as well as able to sit still without jumping on top of him, I was able to place Rowan her her. What you can’t see is that her dad was inches away from her ready to intervene if needed.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

We make it super simple for our clients! About a week after their session, Giselle viewed Rowan’s proof gallery and chose her collection. When the images were completed, she chose which ones she wanted for artwork. The digital files of chosen collection images are also included as well. After printed artwork is ordered, it takes about 1-2 weeks (longer for heirloom albums due to their handcrafted construction) for everything to be ready to go at the studio. We have a beautiful line of frame moulding and often mat and frame artwork for clients here at the studio as well. Ask about our design mockup service when choosing to purchase frames from us - we are here to make your decision making simple and easy!

THE PROCESS FOR FRAMING YOUR ARTWORK AT THE STUDIO

Our framed artwork is typically ready in about 2 weeks (as long as there are no supply issues due to the pandemic). Sometimes a particular moulding will be on backorder due to shipping delays, but you’ll be informed of that before the order is placed!

No frame shops are involved with your order production - I handle the entire process from print to framing!

Once images selections have been finalized, we order your print(s)! After it comes in, we then “dress” the print(s) together with the best moulding (frame). We’ll choose the best frame from our line for your image and home decor/personal style preferences. We’ll also decide on the mat width - I’m a fan of 3-5” inch mats depending on the size of the print.

The larger the print, the larger the mat width will be to visually balance it. After this, the frame, mat, and GORGEOUS museum glass are ordered unless you’ve opted for museum acrylic. I am obsessed with museum glass! It seems strange to describe glass as being beautiful, but it really is. You can hardly see the glass in the frame looking at it because of how crystal clear it is, and I love the UV protection that it provides for the printed artwork. If you don’t know what museum glass looks like, you will - all of our studio sample artwork on the main wall has museum glass installed. I

When the components for your framed artwork arrive at my studio ( typically within a week of ordering!), I mat the print, and assemble the entire piece. My last step is finishing the back of your frame with paper and wire hanging hardware.

Once it’s in your hands, ALL you have to do is hang it up on your wall and then enjoy looking at it for decades. You will find yourself standing in front of your images on the wall and be instantly transported back to the time from when they were taken. Your little ones will love looking at them also.

How do I know this? From personal experience: I have a gallery wall of family photographs in my own home, and I often find myself standing in front of them taking them in. I am always amazed at how quickly they have grown since the photos were taken, even though it feels like it was just YESTERDAY. I also constantly see my husband standing in front of them too, usually at nighttime after he’s tucked them into their beds. Our children really enjoy looking at them too, and have told us that they feel loved by us when they look at the portraits of us all together.

If you choose to order framed artwork from us that has a 16x20 or larger print, we’ll deliver the finished artwork right to your front doorstep within a 20 mile radius of the studio. (If you’re out of the radius, you’ll need to arrange to pick up yourself). Every week we send out an email to clients who have orders ready to be picked up. The email outlines the designated pickup days and time windows throughout the week and pickup is safe and contactless.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

Are you expecting and interested in reserving a session with us for your baby's newborn session? We would absolutely LOVE to chat with you about your family, what we offer, and how we can best serve you. Contact us today to set up a time to speak on the phone. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!


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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Magnolia Grace

I first worked with Courtney & Jay when they were expecting their daughter for their maternity session at the field location. I was so excited to see them again for the baby girl’s newborn session after she arrived. You can view their gorgeous maternity session images by clicking here.

SCHEDULING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

Don’t put off reserving your newborn session! MOST of our clients contact us early in their second trimester to reserve a spot on our calendar for their due date month. Some reserve in their first trimester if they’re comfortable doing so. Confused about how you can schedule a newborn session months in advance? Don’t worry, you’re not the first one - we get this question a lot!

Reserving your newborn session is NOT scheduling your exact date in advance.

It is impossible to know EXACTLY when your baby will be born months beforehand, and there are many factors that go into when we have you come in after your baby is born. We’ll want to know when your baby arrived in relation to their due date, how much they weighed, if you had a c-section, how you’re both doing, etc. When you have reserved a session with us, you don’t have to worry about whether or not we have room for you - because you’re guaranteed a session date.

We take a limited number of newborns due per month. Once we reach our monthly session cap, we are closed for that month. Why? Because we have very high standards for our client experience, and we want to make sure each and every one of our clients receives the same level of unparalleled service that we are known for, and proud of!

For those who are late to the game and reading this with their newborn baby already here, know that our reserved newborns sometimes arrive earlier/ later than the estimated due date, so there are some months that we DO have the ability to take on a last minute newborn session. Contact us today if that’s you, and we may be able to fit you in on our schedule.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

For a first baby with no big siblings involved, it’s pretty straightforward since there are no nap schedules to take into consideration! Your newborn session will start in the morning generally between 9:30 and 10ish AM depending on where in the Atlanta metro area you’re coming from. We like to schedule for a time that you will hopefully avoid rush hour morning traffic.

The first 90 minutes of your session time is devoted to photographing your baby alone. Courtney had chosen to add on hair and makeup services again, because she loved it so much from her maternity session!

The beginning of your newborn session is the perfect opportunity for you to treat yourself to our add on hair and makeup services since you’re going be sitting on the couch doing nothing anyway during this time! Why not treat yourself to a relaxing experience which will likely be the first time you've felt truly pampered since giving birth? As an added bonus, our HMUA’s are really, really, really good at working their magic so you don’t look as sleep deprived as you might feel!

MAGNOLIA GRACES’ NEWBORN SESSION DAY

When Courtney and Jay arrived with Magnolia Grace, Courtney settled into the hair and makeup chair. She had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to wear from our studio wardrobe since she had looked through everything at her maternity fitting. I pulled a couple of her favorites out for her to make her final decision from, and then took Magnolia Grace out of her carseat to get started!

Magnolia Grace was the SWEETEST little thing. She stayed sound asleep for the entire first portion of her solo portraits, and was very relaxed and curly. If you have a baby girl, I always check with you before we get started on what your preferences are regarding the use of headbands and tiebacks. Courtney and Jay both love the way they look and wanted them used for all of her images. I can do a mix, all, or none at all - the choice is yours! I don’t do giant oversized flowers or bows in this studio, and have curated a darling collection over the years of the daintiest options for your little girl. My intention with for headband or tieback in my studio collection is that it NOT distract from your baby!

Magnolia Grace slept soundly for the first half of the newborn portion and then was WIDE awake and hungry. I took the opportunity to photograph some eye contact images, and then handed her off to dad for a diaper change and snuggles. Courtney fed her in the hair and makeup chair while finishing up her services. When hair and makeup was done, Courtney made a final decision on her dress and we moved right into the parent and family portion. Magnolia Grace was still awake at this point, but I knew that she would be falling asleep again soon. Sure enough, she did - and we flew through the family portion. Once we were done with those images, I took her back to the newborn area to finish up with a few more sleeping images. I don’t always do this, but I knew that she was completely conked out and I’d be able to get a few more wrapped images very quickly.

Courtney brought along a special family heirloom - her christening gown from when she was a baby. She wanted to include it IF possible, knowing that it might not be. Since Magnolia Grace was still completely out, we were able to change her into the gown without waking her and even managed to get the matching bonnet on for a few as well. I absolutely love incorporating meaningful family heirlooms into sessions, so if you want to do that - let’s discuss, and I’ll figure out the best way to include it in your session!

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR SESSION

We keep it simple for you! About a week after their session, Courtney & Jay viewed their proof gallery and chose their collection. They knew that they wanted to keep all of the digital files and wanted an album too, so they chose our Heirloom Collection which includes those things. When the final images were ready to go, they were sent back that gallery to choose the images to include in the album. Clients are choosing between color and black and white versions of each image for their album. You can choose to have the entire album be all color images or all black and white image, or a mix of both - the choice is yours!

When they submitted their favorites, I then designed their album, and sent them a proof to review for approval. Once they had approved it for print and selected their album cover, it was ordered! It takes about 4ish weeks for heirloom albums to arrive due to their handcrafted construction. Once it’s in and ready for pickup, you’ll receive an email with a calendar scheduling link! The link will take you to our available contactless pickup dates and times for the week ahead, and you reserve what works best for you.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

Are you expecting and interested in learning about working with our studio for your newborn session? We’d LOVE to speak with you about the client experience we offer and how we can serve your growing family. Contact us today to set up a time to speak on the phone and chat!

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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Isabella

Stacie contacted the studio to learn more about booking a  newborn session while she was at the beginning of her third trimester. She had initially thought she wanted to book a newborn session with photos of the baby only and no parent images because she was concerned she wouldn’t be up for being photographed after giving birth.

Guess what? We don’t do that. I only photograph newborn sessions that include parents and siblings. I have no interest in only photographing your baby, because that’s how strongly I believe that YOU need to be in the images too.

After speaking with Caroline (our full time studio manager) about why we don’t photograph just newborns and the reasons why, she understood the importance of being in the photos. Sometimes it just takes another perspective and the reassurances! She also learned about our COVID safety protocols while on the phone.

Stacie proceeded to book her newborn session here at the studio after determining that we were the perfect fit for what she was looking for. She was really excited to hear that we had a studio wardrobe available so she wouldn’t have to worry about shopping for something to wear, and asked to add on our hair and makeup services as well.

Adding on services to your newborn session is such a lovely way to treat yourself in the early postpartum days. You likely won’t feel like yourself in those first weeks, and will be tired. Our HMUA team is absolutely fantastic and you’ll feel like you’re visiting with a girlfriend as you chat throughout. Our team practices COVID safety, and is masked while in the studio with you. Adding on services does not lengthen your session time, as you will be sitting around regardless while your baby is being photographed alone at the beginning.

For those who are wondering about in home sessions: these have been indefinitely suspended for COVID safety reasons. We are currently only offering studio sessions. Don’t worry, because the only thing you need to worry about is getting here!  A session in your home actually requires a lot of work: cleaning your house (who has time for this right after having a baby?!), moving distracting elements out of rooms, turning the heat up to get it warm enough in the house, and the list goes on and on. At the studio, you walk into a completely sanitized space at the perfect temperature, with the perfect natural lighting (and studio lights at the ready should they be needed), and kick back and relax!

SESSION DAY!

On the morning of their session, Stacie and her husband arrived at the studio with Isabella. Stacie already had her eye on a dress that she had seen on an Instagram post, and with a little creative clipping, we made it work for her, which she was thrilled about. We discussed whether she wanted me to incorporate tiebacks and headbands on Isabella’s head during her newborn portraits, and she asked for a mix with just a few images without them. I don’t do huge hair bows or flowers here, and I keep my selections proportionate to the size of your baby’s head. Stacie settled into the hair and makeup chair while I took Isabella over to the newborn shooting area for her solo portraits.

Isabella had the sweetest little button nose and drifted in and out of sleep throughout her session, and was a total dream to photograph. I love when a baby opens their eyes and gives me the opportunity to photograph eye contact images. I’m always on the lookout for big baby yawns as well, and take the time to capture those tiny little toes with a macro lens.

I use neutrals tones here in the studio, and I choose them based on your baby’s skin tone. I incorporate soft blush tones into baby girl sessions along with whites, creams, and beiges. Neutrals are timeless and will still look beautiful 50 years from now. They also serve to keep the focus where it should be: on your baby and all their details. The wrapping and posing that I do is also very baby led and kept very natural. I never force a baby into a position they don’t want to be in. The safety and comfort of your baby is my top priority when they are in my care.

After I finished Isabella’s solo portraits, she took a feeding break and had a diaper change. Stacie was finished with her hair and makeup services, so she got dresses, and transitioned to the parent and family portion of the session!

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I LOVE photographing first time parents with their brand new baby! For some clients, their baby is the first baby they have ever held and they’re still getting comfortable moving them around. So a lot of my first time parent clients are a bit nervous since they still aren’t 100% used to handling their baby while standing up! If you think about it: when you’re at home with your newborn, most of the hands on care you are giving your baby is while sitting down or when they’re laying down on a changing table.

Even if you don’t have a lot of experience handling newborns, there’s NO need to be nervous during a session with me. My TOP priority is your baby’s safety and your comfort. I will communicate clearly with you about how to hold and move your baby, and we will adapt as needed! I will walk you through the entire session and demonstrate things if needed. There are TONS of different ways to hold a baby that work well for photographs - so if you don’t feel secure or confident holding your baby in one particular way, we’ll switch it up to one that you are.

During our time together, I’ll be on the lookout for stray hairs and adjust your clothing. I’ll also make sure you don’t give yourself a self inflicted double chin while looking down at your little one.  ;) 

I want your focus to be on your baby, not stressing about all those little things. The family portion is typically the “easiest” part of our time together . The only thing you’ll have to do is admire your tiny little human…. and I’m willing to bet you’ve been doing that since they were first placed in your arms after you delivered them.

After Stacie viewed her proof gallery, she let us know that she was so glad we had convinced her to be in the images too. We hear this a lot. You can never repeat this time in your life with THIS baby, so don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

Enjoy some of my favorite images from Isabella’s newborn session! I’m looking forward to seeing her again as she grows!

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 Newborn Photographer | Baby Jillian

I first worked with this lovely family when I photographed them for their maternity session at the field location. You can see the gorgeous images from that session by clicking here.

I really love working with clients for both their maternity and newborn sessions, as many of our clients choose to do! By the time baby arrives, we’ve gotten to know each other already, and you’re comfortable in front of my camera as soon as we start your newborn session.

WHEN SHOULD I SCHEDULE MY MATERNITY AND/OR NEWBORN SESSION?

It is NEVER too early to reserve your session! I know most pregnant mamas are super busy with preparations, and have a LOT going on. Most of our clients reserve their sessions with us at the beginning of their second trimester to ensure that they have a spot on our calendar, and some reserve during their first trimester if they’re comfortable doing so.

So why so early? The truth is , we take a limited number of newborns due each month. We cap the number because this guarantees that each of our clients receive the attention and unparalleled level of service they deserve. Once we are full, we are full for that month and maintain a wait list for last minute requests.

If you’re reading this and your baby is already here, don’t despair. Sometimes reserved newborns arrive earlier or later than their estimated due dates, so we might have the ability to take on a last minute newborn session as long as we know that we can serve everyone at the level that we strive for. Contact us right away, and we might be able to schedule you!

SIBLING PARTICIPATION IN NEWBORN SESSIONS

When older siblings are involved in newborn sessions, we always ask what their schedule is because it’s important! We want them to be well rested and happy. Some kids don’t nap anymore so it’s not a factor. We schedule newborn sessions in the morning to start between 9:30 and 10ish AM. The first hour and a half of session time is devoted to photographing your baby alone, so big kids do not arrive until this portion is finished in order to keep the studio quiet.

Big kids and dads generally plan to arrive about 90 minutes after I’ve gotten started with baby only. I am typically finished with baby’s solo portraits when they arrive, and we head right into the sibling and entire family portion once everyone is dressed. Once your big kid is finished with the photographs they’re in, they are free to play until we’re finished with dad/baby and baby/parent images. At this point, dad and big kid(s) depart the studio and I finish up with mama/baby and any remaining baby images needed.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR NEWBORN’S SOLO PORTRAITS

Jennifer and Jillian arrived, and I took her out of his carseat and got started right away while Jennifer relaxed. We have Google Fiber wifi available for our clients, and many opt to take a short nap on the comfy couch! She had already decided on her dress for her newborn session when she had gone through options during her maternity fitting, so it was all steamed and ready for her to put on when the time came for her to be in the photos.

Jillian was the sweetest little gal, with the best expressions! Before we get started, I always ask moms of baby girls what their preferences regarding the use of headbands and tiebacks are. You should know that I do NOT do headbands the size of Texas and make selections that are proportionate to your baby’s head size. Jillian was a VERY alert and awake baby, but she was super calm for the most part. Sometimes babies don’t want to sleep, but no worries - I roll with whatever I’m given. Babies who are calm and awake give us lots of opportunities for eye contact with the camera, and I love these images too! As I was finishing up with Jillian’s solo images - all with her wiiiiiide awake, dad and big brother Jonah arrived. Jonah remembered me from the maternity session and was very comfortable with me. The rest of the family got dressed, and we transitioned right into the images that included Jonah.

NEWBORN SESSION FLOW WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY

Jillian was STILL awake (and still calm!) at this point, which I actually love for family images. I want to reiterate that awake babies are always photographable, as long as they’re calm. If your baby is awake and crying, we’ll take some time to figure out what they need. My first priority is keeping your baby safe and comfortable, and sometimes they just need to nurse or snuggle with mama for a bit!

I typically start the family portion of newborn sessions with the sibling photos FIRST because these are often the most important ones to families. 9 times out of 10 your older child will be the most cooperative at the very beginning of their time in the studio.

Baby safety is my FIRST priority above all else, so I won’t place babies near older siblings if they are not calm and still. Every kid is different, and I’ll assess how they’re doing when deciding which images we’ll do. Since Jonah was great and listening and following directions, so he was safely able to hold his sister and support her neck. What you can’t see in the photographs is that their parents was inches away from them ready to step in if the need arose.

At this point, Jillian couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer and pretty much passed out. I moved quickly to finish up the parent images and then took her back to the newborn area to finish up solo portraits since we still had enough time remaining. Some babies will fight sleep for a while, but they will go to sleep eventually. If your baby is one of these, don’t stress or worry the they’re not being “good”. There is absolutely no such thing as a bad baby. I have endless patience when it comes to my tiny clients, and we’ll work together to get your baby relaxed and asleep. She was out COLD after being awake for so long, so it was a very quick 10 minutes finishing up!

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

We make it super easy for our clients! About a week after their session, Jennifer viewed the proof gallery and chose her collection. When her final images were completed, she chose which ones she wanted for artwork. The digital files of chosen collection images are also included as well. After artwork is ordered, it takes about 1-2 weeks (longer for our gorgeous heirloom albums due to their handcrafted construction) for everything to be ready to go at the studio. Mats and frames can be added to prints as well and are a client favorite!

THE PROCESS FOR ALBUM DESIGN

Our albums are absolutely beautiful and made by hand here in the United States. They are typically ready for pickup at the studio 2-4 weeks after ordering. Clients look over the cover options while they’re here in the studio for their newborn session and snap a few photos of their favorites for reference. We also have samples to look through to know what to expect in terms of size, embossing, and general aesthetics.

Once your final gallery is delivered, you’ll select your favorites that you want included in your album! You’ll have to choose between the black & white vs. color version of each image. Once you send your favorites list back, I’ll start the design process, and send you an online proof. You’ll log in, review the album design and approve for print. Very rarely do clients request changes, but if you have any, that's totally fine! The revised proof will be sent back to you to review.

At this point, you’ll decide on your cover option. We have absolutely stunning linen and leather cover options. Our linen covers can be debossed with gold or silver foil, and our leather covers can be blind debossed. There are standard debossing font options, or we can create a custom design for the ultimate bespoke album. Grandparent companion albums can be added on too - they’re the sweetest 5x5 size and an exact copy of your album (minus debossing). They make such a wonderful gift that will be so appreciated and cherished.

After your album is ordered, we wait for it to come in - and once it’s here, you’ll come pick it up. Every week we send out an email to clients who have orders ready. This email has a link to a calendar of our pickup days and time windows throughout the week ahead for contactless pickup. All you have to do is click on your desired time window to reserve your pickup time.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Are you expecting and interested in reserving newborn session with us? We would LOVE to chat about your family, the experience we offer to our clients, and how we can best serve your needs. Contact us today to set up a time to speak on the phone. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!


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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Piper

I first worked with Kyra and her family when they were expecting their second daughter for their maternity session at the park location. I love working with clients for both their maternity AND newborn sessions, because by the time their newborn arrives, we’ve gotten to know each other and established a relationship. This means my clients are super comfortable in front of the camera from the moment they arrive in the studio.

WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR MATERNITY AND/OR NEWBORN SESSION

It is NEVER too early to book! I know most expectant mamas are busy with all the baby preparations, but don’t put off scheduling your session! Most of our clients contact us early in their second trimester to guarantee that they have a spot on our calendar, and some even let us know in their first trimester if they’re comfortable doing so. We take a limited number of newborns due each month. This ensures that we are able deliver our unparalleled level of service to each our clients. Once we reach our monthly newborn cap, we are full for that month and maintain a wait list. All is NOT necessarily lost if you’re reading this and baby is already here. Our reserved newborns often arrive earlier or later than their estimated due dates, so there are some months that we DO have the ability to take on a last minute newborn session. Contact us right away, and we just might be able to schedule you!

NEWBORN SESSIONS WITH A SIBLING INVOLVED

When older siblings are involved in newborn sessions, we always ask what their schedule is because it’s important! We want them to be well rested and happy. Newborn sessions in the studio start in the morning between 9 and 10 AM, and it’s important to know if there’s a nap schedule to take into consideration. The first 90 minutes of session time is devoted to photographing your baby alone. This is the perfect time for you to take advantage of our add on hair and makeup services since you’ll be sitting on the couch doing nothing anyway! Adding on services does NOT lengthen your session time as I’m actively photographing baby only regardless.

Big kids and dads generally plan to arrive about 90 minutes after I’ve gotten started with baby only. I am typically finished with baby when mama is done in hair and makeup, and we head right into the sibling and entire family portion. Once your toddler is finished with the photographs they’re in, they are free to play until we’re finished with dad/baby and baby/parent images. At this point, dad and big kid(s) usually depart the studio and I finish up with mama/baby and any remaining baby images needed.

Reversing or changing my typical session flow of starting with newborn solo images does not work very well in my experience. What tends to happen is that your newborn becomes overstimulated and fussy, and never quite settles as well as they would have had we started with just their solo images in a quiet studio before their sibling’s arrival. When planning your session start time, we’ll discuss your toddler’s nap schedule and their best time of day.

Kyra and Piper arrived, and I took Piper out of her carseat and got started right away while Kyra got settled into the hair and makeup chair. She had already decided on her dress for her newborn session when she had gone through options during her maternity fitting, so it was all ready to go!

Piper was the cutest little thing, with an amazing head of hair. Kyra let me know she did want me to use our studio tiebacks and headbands for the images. I always ask moms what their preferences regarding that are. The most important thing to know is that I do NOT do headbands the size of Texas and choose headbands from our collection that are proportionate with your baby’s head size. Piper was such a great sleeper, and even opened up her eyes for me a few times. As I was finishing up with Piper’s solo images, dad and big sister Juniper arrived. Juniper really liked the dress from the studio wardrobe that had been picked out by Kyra, and was comfortable with me already since she remembered me from their maternity session. After everyone was dressed, we transitioned right into the images that included Juniper.

NEWBORN SESSION FLOW WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY

Piper was awake at this point, which I love for family images because it really showcases how babies are aware of their family members and highlights the interaction between them.

If we are able, I start with the sibling photos FIRST because these are often the most important ones to mamas. 9 times out of 10 your toddler will be the most cooperative as soon as they arrive - not 30 minutes later. So, it’s my goal to photograph those sibling images done first, followed by each parent with their children, and followed by the whole family together.

Baby safety is my TOP priority, so I won’t place babies near older siblings if they are not calm and still. Every kid is different, and I’ll assess how they’re doing when deciding which images we’ll do. Since Juniper was listening and willing to be still next to her baby sister, we were easily able to safely accomplish a few different images. What you can’t see in the photographs is that her parents were inches away from them ready to intervene if needed.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR NEWBORN SESSION

We make it super simple for our clients! About a week after their session, Kyra viewed the proof gallery and chose her collection. When her final images were completed, she chose which ones she wanted for artwork. The digital files of chosen collection images are also included as well. After printed artwork is ordered, it takes about 1-2 weeks (longer for heirloom albums due to their handcrafted construction) for everything to be ready to go at the studio. Mats and frames can be added to prints as well and are a client favorite!

OUR PROCESS FOR FRAMED ARTWORK

Our framed artwork is ready within 2 weeks as long as there are no supply issues due to the pandemic. Sometimes a particular moulding will be on backorder, but you’ll be informed of that before the order is placed! That’s right, no frame shops are involved - I handle the entire production process from print to frame. When a client chooses the image they want framed, we’ll discuss the best size for where they plan to hang it in their home.

Once the the size is chosen, the print is ordered! After it comes in, we then “dress” the print together with the best moulding (frame). We’ll choose the best frame from our line for your image and home decor/personal style preferences. We’ll also decide on the mat width - I’m a fan of 3-5” inch mats depending on the size of the print.

The larger the print, the larger the mat width should be to balance it out. Then the frame, mat, and GORGEOUS museum glass are ordered. I am obsessed with museum glass! It seems strange to describe glass as being beautiful, but it really is. You can hardly see the glass in the frame looking at it because of how crystal clear it is, and I love the UV protection that it affords the printed artwork. If you don’t know what museum glass looks like, you will when you’re at the studio, because most of our framed prints hanging on the walls have it.

When the frame, mat, and museum glass arrive at my studio (typically within a week ordering!), I mat the print, and assemble the entire piece. The last step is to finish the back of the frame with paper and hanging hardware. ALL you have to do is hang it up on your wall and then enjoy looking at it for decades. I promise you will find yourself standing in front of these photos and be instantly transported back to the time they were taken. Your children will love looking at them also. How do I know this? From personal experience: I have a beautiful gallery wall in my own home, and I catch myself standing there looking and marveling at how quickly they have grown even though it feels like it was just YESTERDAY that the photos were taken. I catch my husband there too, usually at night when he’s setting the house alarm. Sometimes I’ll come up next to him and put my arm around him, and we’ll look at them together quietly with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our children and our family. My children really love looking at them too. They have commented that it makes them feel loved when they look at the portraits of us all together.

For clients who order framed artwork from us that contains a 16x20 or larger print, we deliver their finished artwork right to their front doorstep within a 20 mile radius of the studio. If you don’t have large framed artwork as part of your order, you’ll come to the studio and pick up your order when it’s ready. Every week we send out an email to clients who have orders ready to be picked up. The email outlines the designated pickup days and time windows throughout the week and pickup is safe and contactless. Clients (or their designated errand runner!) reserve their pickup time in advance, and the process is super easy and convienent!

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

Are you expecting and interested in reserving a session with us for your baby's newborn session? We would absolutely LOVE to chat with you about your family, what we offer, and how we can best serve you. Contact us today to set up a time to speak on the phone. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, or family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Watch this video to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!


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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Jack

Allison contacted the studio to learn more about booking a  newborn session after her son had arrived. She had decided she wasn’t going to do a newborn session because she was concerned about COVID, but when she saw how fast her son was growing, she didn’t want to miss out on such a special time, so she started investigating her options. After speaking with Caroline (our full time studio manager) and learning about our COVID safety protocols, she loved what she heard and proceeded to book a session here at the studio.

Our in home sessions have been indefinitely suspended for safety reasons, and we are currently only offering studio sessions: the only thing you need to worry about is just getting here.  In home sessions actually require a lot more work: cleaning, moving distracting elements out of rooms, turning the heat up to get it warm enough in the house, and the list goes on. Here, you walk into a sanitized studio at the perfect temperature, with the perfect natural lighting (and studio lights at the ready should they be needed), and kick back and relax!

On the morning of their session, Allison and Alex arrived at the studio with Jack. Allison had brought some options from home but looked through the studio wardrobe and fell in love with one of our casual boho lavender dresses. She felt pretty and comfortable - both super important factors!

Baby Jack was a super sleepy guy, and I never actually saw him open his eyes the entire time he was at the studio! He had the sweetest little button nose and flashed quite a few grins throughout, and was a total dream to photograph. I use neutrals here in the studio, and I choose them based on your baby’s skin tone. Neutrals are timeless and will still look beautiful 50 years from now, and keep the focus on your baby and all their unique details. My posing and wrapping is also very baby oriented and kept very natural. I never force babies into any position they don’t want to be in. Your baby’s safety and comfort is my top priority when they are in my care.

After we finished up with Jack’s solo portraits, he took a feeding break and had a diaper change, and we moved on to the parent and family portion of the session! I absolutely LOVE watching first time parents with their brand new baby! For some of my clients, their baby is the first baby they have ever held and they’re still getting the hang of moving them around. Most of my first timer parent clients are a little bit nervous because they still aren’t used to handling their baby while standing up and moving around. Think about it: when you’re at home with your new baby, most of the care you are giving your baby is while seated or with them on the changing table!

 However, even if you don’t have much hands on baby experience, there is NO need to be nervous in my studio with me. The TOP priority is your baby’s safety and the comfort of everyone, so we will adapt as needed and I will verbally walk you through the entire session along with demonstrations if needed. There’s more than one way to hold a baby - so if you don’t feel secure or confident holding your baby one way, we’ll switch it up to a way that you are! 

I’ll also make sure to tuck back stray hairs and adjust clothing as needed so YOUR focus can be holding and admiring your new baby while following my gentle direction. The family portion is typically the “easiest” part of our time together - because all you have to do is admire this amazing little human that you’ve welcomed into your family. Another major bonus of commissioning me for your baby’s first family portraits: I’ll make sure you don’t give yourself a self inflicted double chin while looking at your little one.  ;) 

Enjoy some of my favorite images from this guy’s newborn session! I recently just photographed him for his SIX MONTH sitting milestone session! Allison and Alex loved their newborn session so much that they enrolled in The First Year Collection, which is a wonderful way to document your baby’s first year. Be sure to ask about it if you’re interested in learning more - it’s a client favorite around 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!

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.