Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Audrey

The last time I had seen Jessica & Taylor was for their maternity session in the park location, which can be viewed by clicking here. I was so excited to meet their sweet baby girl and hear all about how everything went for them during labor & delivery. Jessica opted to add on hair and makeup services with Margaret since she knew she wouldn't have the time or the energy to do so before coming to the studio for their session. The vast majority of our newborn moms choose to pamper themselves by adding this service to their session, and all of them are so glad that they did!

When the new little family of three arrived at my studio with Jessica's mom in tow I was amazed at how much Audrey looked like her daddy! It's always so neat to see who babies tend to favor in the very beginning. There are so many that favor either parent in the first months of life and then a 180 happens and they look like the other parent. I find genetics so fascinating! 

I started the session photographing just Audrey while Jessica was in the hair and makeup chair. After I finished up with that, we moved to some daddy and daughter images. Jessica then finished with hair and makeup and she and her mother changed into some pieces from the studio wardrobe. Lots of grandmas attend (and are more than welcome to!) and many end up borrowing from the studio wardrobe if they didn't have anything with them. My own grandmother is 82 years old and is the sweetest soul alive. I love her so very much, so being able to photograph newborn babies with their grandmothers is something very special to me. 

We finished the session with parent/family/grandma images and had such a great time chatting and talking. I want everyone to feel relaxed and comfortable and enjoy their experience. Newborn sessions are laid back and relaxed, and led by your baby. If your baby needs a break to be snuggled or to eat, we take one! If you need a break to use the restroom or sit down and eat a snack, we take one. It really is just as simple as that!

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | A family maternity session in the park

This sweet family is near and dear to my heart, because I started working with them when they were expecting their first child who is now a sweet and rambunctious toddler. Olive emailed me to let me know they were expecting their second child and wanted to work with me again, but she was a little behind in the game and hadn't thought of anything to wear. I reassured her that we had plenty of options in the studio wardrobe and we made an appointment for her styling consult. She fell in love with a split front dress and a flower crown and was relieved that she didn't have to worry about finding or ordering a dress for her maternity session at the park location. 

When we arrived at the park, Olive was worried that Dudley wouldn't be cooperative. This is a common concern with every client that has a small child. The best way to deal with this is simply to let the child lead and give them their space. Think about it...if someone you didn't know well was in your face telling you to smile and waving a big black thing around that made clicking noises, would you be excited about it? Probably not. Let me guarantee you something: I have seen it ALL. You may think your child is acting like a complete devil, but I've seen "worse". I have three children of my own, and have survived the on year old, two year old, three year old, four year old, and five year old stages thus far. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. 

The biggest "trick" is that at the beginning of your session, I hang back and let your family interact naturally together while giving you some guided direction. I wait for those moments to happen, and trust me...they do. Even if you feel like a session is going horribly and that I can't possibly be getting anything you'd want to frame - trust me and go with the flow. Relax, have fun - and your child will follow your lead. Once your child is comfortable, I'll approach to be closer. 

We had a lot of fun during the session after Dudley warmed up to being photographed. He had a blast running and playing with his parents and loved snuggling with his mom. The light was gorgeous that evening, and I was so excited to edit and deliver the gallery to them! 

When Olive saw the images from her session, she sent me a message to tell me that she had been so worried that I hadn't been able to get anything because of Dudley not being excited, but that the gallery brought her to tears because of all the moments captured. I love hearing this from my clients! 

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | Dudley is ONE!

Oh Dudley, you're the sweetest. Dudley is one of my long time clients, and he's actually much older now (as you'll see in tomorrow's post!) I've been working with his sweet family since his parents' maternity session and am just now getting around to posting images from his first birthday. 

Dudley's mom had great intentions and she baked him a cake all by herself. However, the cake didn't turn out the way she'd hoped and it fell apart the morning of. So, they reverted to plan B and grabbed a cupcake from a nearby bakery. I think it worked out just fine!

We opted to shoot Dudley's session on our paper backdrop. It's to clean up and contain the icing if babies go a little crazy - but mom and dad's job is to be a baby herder while I work. If your one year old is walking, they will often find the studio much more exciting than their cake and want to explore. This is why many of our First Birthday sessions take place in a high chair, but it's all a matter of your personal preference. And just because we get this question a lot: yes, we can also shoot a First Birthday session outdoors! Contact us today and we'll talk about your vision for your session. 

While Dudley showed initial interest in his cupcake, the container was far more fun. Some of the most hilarious moments that truly show Dudley's funny personality are included ... just scroll down and enjoy! 

PS - we work with an amazing baker located close to the studio. Her cakes are absolutely delicious and beautiful. If you'd like to remove that stress from your to do list, just ask for details when booking your baby's First Birthday Session. 

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Adeline is six months!

I first worked with this sweet family for Carolyn's field maternity session (click here to view) and then Adeline's newborn session when she was born. When Carolyn came to the studio to pick up their newborn collection, she let me know that they were moving to New York after a whirlwind couple of weeks in which a job opportunity for her husband presented itself. I was SO sad because I loved working with them and was disappointed that I wouldn't work with them through Adeline's first year of life.

Well.... life has lots of twists and turns! Once they were settled in New York, Carolyn emailed me to ask if I had any referrals up in the area. One of my dear friends is based in Manhattan (and it the only photographer I entrust with my own family images) so I referred them to her. Unfortunately Olivia was already fully booked, but suggested that I shoot the session in her Upper East Side studio when I was up there visiting. Carolyn LOVED the idea, so we scheduled it during my visit. It was definitely different shooting in an unfamiliar natural light studio but we still had a wonderful time. Greg opted not to participate in the session, so we turned it into a mommy and me six month session. It was so great to see them both and chat. I mentioned that I would be up again in July (when Adeline was turning one) and Carolyn immediately asked if we could schedule a one year session for then. So, it looks like I'll be working with this sweet families for many years to come and seeing them once a year when I'm up in NY! Funny how things work out sometimes, and I'm definitely not complaining! 

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 Maternity Photographer | Cindy

    Cindy contacted us to schedule her maternity and newborn sessions. She chose a studio maternity session, and elected to add on hair and makeup services with our HMUA, Megan. She came to the studio a couple of weeks before the session for her maternity fitting, and we had such a lovely time chatting and getting to know each other. She chose some beautiful dresses from the wardrobe that she loved and looked amazing in. Narrowing down her choices was difficult because there were so many that she loved!  

   When I arrived at the studio the day of her session, Megan was just finishing up. I loved the gorgeous and clean look that Megan had applied, and so did Cindy. She was absolutely thrilled with how she looked, and it made her much more confident since she was a little bit nervous. Most of my clients are nervous - if you're not a professional model, you're usually not used to being photographed. My job is to make sure you're comfortable and to guide you through the entire process, so you don't need to worry about a thing. We'll take great care of you! When Cindy viewed her images, she loved all of them. She told me that the images were even more beautiful than she imagined and she couldn't believe it was really her. We hear this all the time, and it makes us happy. Pregnancy can be a challenging time in terms of body image since your body goes through so many changes while growing your sweet baby! I absolutely LOVE photographing pregnant women, and I find women to be at their most beautiful while pregnant even if they don't feel that way. You'll find me up on a ladder and gently correcting arms and chin angles to create the most flattering portraits. Promise! 

Here are just a few images from Cindy's gorgeous studio session! I can't wait to share the images from her gorgeous baby girl's newborn session!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photography | Melissa & Alex at the park

Melissa chose to book a maternity session with us at the park location. When she came in for her maternity fitting, she informed me that her husband didn't particularly love to participate in photo sessions but wanted her to be happy so he willingly cooperated when asked. I told her not to worry, because I really love working with partners and surprising them when they find themselves having fun during a session! Melissa chose two dresses from the wardrobe and we discussed what her husband should wear. She also decided to add on hair and makeup services with our lead HMUA, Margaret.

I arrived at the studio a little bit early as Margaret was finishing up with Melissa so that I could meet Alex and chat with him a little bit before we left to head to the location. We talked about all sorts of things and went over what to expect during the session. It was a cloudy and overcast evening, and we wondered if it would rain even though the forecast wasn't calling for any. Alex said he thought it would rain, Melissa wasn't sure, and I said I didn't think that it would because it didn't smell like rain to me. Whenever it's about to rain, I really feel like there's a rainy smell in the air that precedes it. Call me crazy, but my nose hasn't failed me yet on that one and I turned out to be right that evening too! So, what if it's cloudy during a session? No worries! Clouds actually soften and diffuse the light even more and we don't have to worry about where the sun is falling as much. A session on a cloudy day is just as beautiful as a session on a sunny one. 

Melissa looked absolutely radiant during her session, and Alex found himself actually having fun. So much fun, in fact, that he told Melissa to go ahead and reserve a newborn session with me for when their son arrived. Another dad that I won over in the books! ;) 

Enjoy some of my favorite images from Melissa & Alex's maternity session, and be on the lookout for images from their son's newborn session (he is SOOOOO cute) when I post it next month!

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 Maternity Photographer | Lindsey in the studio

Lindsey called the studio to book a very last minute maternity session. She didn't think she wanted one initially but she found herself changing her mind the further along she progressed her her pregnancy with her baby boy. We were able fit them into the studio schedule and she and her boyfriend, Matt, came to the studio one evening for their maternity fitting. It was fun chatting with Matt and Lindsey and getting to know them both. They have since moved back to the Boston area where Lindsey is from, and their son is one of the most ADORABLE little things you've ever seen!

Lindsey wanted something simple that showed off her belly, and found the perfect dress in the wardrobe for that. She elected to add on hair and makeup services with Margaret as well and I loved the simple half updo that Margaret styled for her. Our HMUA's are true experts in their field and will work closely with you to create a gorgeous look that you're comfortable with and is unique to you, enhancing your best features. 

Lindsey and Matt had never worked with a professional photographer together so they were a little bit unsure of what to expect but were already comfortable with me due to meeting me beforehand at our fitting appointment so it didn't take long for them to get into the swing of things! You don't need to worry about not knowing what to do. I'm here to walk you through the entire session and will give you gentle guidance and direction for natural interaction and flattering angles. I will take care of you, and we'll create some gorgeous images for you to cherish of this incredibly special time in your life! 

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Julia is ONE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | The Tuckers, party of 6

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

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

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

If you're looking for a family photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Charles & Shelly

Shelly contacted us for a last minute maternity session in the park and had a lot of schedule limitations due to her work in the medical field. We were able to squeeze her in on a weekday night and the weather thankfully cooperated! Because it was such a last minute session, Shelly came to the studio for her maternity fitting right before her session took place. We frequently do this with out of town clients who travel to us specifically for a session and speak with out clients about their current size to determine how much of a variety we'll have for them to choose from. The majority of our dresses can accommodate most bellies and are based on bust size. Usage of the studio wardrobe is included with your session, and even if you choose not to borrow from the wardrobe you'll still have styling assistance from us. We care about your session and the final product and work closely with you to help you choose the best colors and styles to take the stress out and make it a fun experience! 

Shelly's husband joined us and we headed to the park. There was a beautiful weeping willow tree that was in perfect line up with the path of the setting sun that time of year, and we took full advantage of it. I just loved how sweet Shelly and her husband were with each other, and they were a lot of fun to work with. Here are a few of my favorite images from their park maternity 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!

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Luke

We scheduled Luke's newborn session originally for when he was ten days old, but had to reschedule for when he was almost three weeks old due to some postpartum blood pressure issues for his mama. I had last seen them when they came to the studio for their maternity session, and was so excited to meet their baby boy! 

I'd like to take this opportunity to address one of the biggest misconceptions about newborn sessions that I hear ALL the time. Your baby does NOT have to be ten days or less for a newborn session. I'm not sure where this originated, and it makes me sad. So many mothers miss out on newborn images because of believing these misconceptions. It is NOT too late for a newborn session if your baby is over two weeks old. Your baby will NOT look like a six month old at three weeks old. Yes, we typically schedule for between 8-16 days of age but there are so many factors that go into when the session date will take place. When you contact us to let us know your baby has arrived, we will ask you questions about how you're recovering. If you had a c-section, it's best to wait until closer to the two week mark. If your baby was really teeny tiny at birth or born much earlier than their estimated due date, we'll probably also suggest 2-3 weeks of age. If you're a mama holding your 21 day old baby and wishing you had scheduled a newborn session but were told it was too late, contact us now. We'll try and fit you in! 

So, I now present Luke.... who was every bit as snuggly and sweet as he looks. 

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 Maternity Photographer | A studio session with Amanda & Josh

Our studio works with a lot of professional photographers who choose to work with us for their maternity, newborn, and family images. I'm always honored when another professional in the industry chooses to work with me! Amanda is a wedding photographer, and such a fun personality. She's originally from New Jersey, and her best friend was visiting the weekend that she came in to try on pieces from the wardrobe so she brought her a long. We three gals had a good time chatting about motherhood, babies, and lots of other things. It felt like a girls' hangout in many ways! Amanda fell in love with two dresses that we had in the wardrobe, and her best friend approved of her choices. I always welcome husbands, mothers, sisters, best friends to attend maternity fittings as long as they are supportive and my clients want them to be there. You're under no obligation to bring anyone along if you don't want to! :) 

Amanda also chose to add on hair and makeup services and worked with our lead HMUA, Margaret. She and Margaret had been in communication prior to their session about the look that Amanda wanted her to create. All of our HMUA's are wonderful at looking at what you're hoping for and then tailoring it to be the best look for you. They are all experts at professional makeup application and will work closely with you to ensure that you look and feel absolutely gorgeous.

When I arrived at the studio, I came a few minutes early so that I could chat with Josh and get to know him a bit. I find that husbands are much more comfortable in front of the camera when they are comfortable with me. I'm, very easy to get along with, and I don't ask husbands to do things like kneel and kiss the belly or place hands over the belly in the shape of a heart. I also shoot efficiently and won't keep your husband standing around for two hours while he slowly goes crazy. I'm good with the husbands and boyfriends, I promise! Even if your partner hates participating in photo sessions, he'll admit that it "wasn't so bad" when we're finished. Some even admit that they had fun.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favorite images from Amanda & Josh's studio maternity session! Check back in tomorrow to see newborn images of their adorable baby boy, Luke!  

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | Gus turns two!

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Kayla

Kayla contacted us for a studio maternity session to celebrate expecting her baby boy, and came to the studio with her husband for her maternity fitting. We had a lot of fun chatting and getting to know each other while she tried on dresses. The studio wardrobe is an included perk to all booked clients and is part of the session experience! 

Kayle chose one of our split front dresses and another gorgeous off the shoulder white dress with long lace sleeves. A lot of clients worry that they shouldn't wear pink if they're expecting a boy, or blue if they're expecting a girl. However, I think that the main goal should be for you to feel BEAUTIFUL in what you're wearing and to choose what is most flattering to your skin tone and body type. Plus, we have so many clients who don't even know what they're having and this thought never even crosses their mind! 

Kayla chose to add on makeup services with Megan, one of our talented HMUA's. I arrived at the studio as Megan was finishing up makeup application and was blown away (as I always am by our HMUA's) by the amazing job that she did. Choosing professional makeup application is such a luxurious experience, and makes my clients feel 110% confident and gorgeous which translates to their final images. It's worth it! You can rest assured that I practice what I preach because I use one of my HMUA's whenever I have my own photographs taken. 

Here are a few of my favorite images from Kayla's studio maternity session. I can't wait to share images of her sweet baby boy next month from their newborn session! 

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | Oona grows!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | An evening with Kristen & Steve in the park

Kristen and Steve drove all the way from Myrtle Beach, SC for a maternity session in the park location with me! They were actually the fourth client from South Carolina to book with us in 2017. We work with LOTS of clients from other states and we are available for travel to NYC and Charlotte, NC at certain times during the year. If you're from one of those areas and hoping for a maternity session, contact us to see when we'll be in your area next!  

Because they were from out of town, we scheduled the maternity fitting to take place right beforehand and Kristen also elected to add on hair and makeup services with Margaret. Steve had brought a couple of his own shirts, but they were just too dark to work with Kristen's choices so we pulled a shirt from our studio wardrobe for him which fit him perfectly and pulled the whole look together. Kristen found two dresses that she loved during her fitting, and we headed to the location for their session. 

It was a cold evening in March, so I had grabbed a couple of shawls from the maternity wardrobe to use during the session. I love textures and layers, and during colder sessions I have no qualms about asking couples to snuggle up in a blanket if mama needs to warm up! The light was beautiful, so braving the cold was worth it. We had a lot of fun during the session and Kristen looked absolutely gorgeous, Margaret did an absolutely wonderful job as she always does. Adding on hair and makeup services with our HMUA team will take things to another level in terms of your personal confidence during the session and the end result. They will work closely with you to customize the perfect look for you that you're comfortable with and that you feel like a supermodel wearing! 

The following images are just a few of my favorite from their session! They welcomed the cutest little baby girl a couple of months later, and I can't wait to meet her when they return to Atlanta for a family session in the future. 

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | A golden family maternity session in the field

Taniqua contacted the studio because she saw some of our work, and a friend of hers mentioned that she had worked with us for her maternity and newborn sessions. She had never had professional family images taken, and she decided since this was likely her last baby, she wanted to have this time documented before they became a family of five. She LOVED the field location, and she brought her two children to the studio for a maternity fitting. We talked about what her husband and son should wear, and her daughter had lots of fun trying on dresses from our little girls' studio wardrobe. Taniqua chose two dresses for herself, and also elected to add on makeup services with Megan. 

We met at the field, and while Taniqua and her daughter got dressed I chatted with her husband about his Apple Watch. My husband had just gotten one, and I was considering getting one for myself. He convinced me to get one (I actually went to Best Buy afterwards and picked one up!) and I've LOVED having it. Totally a random tangent here... but if you're considering an Apple Watch, I'm a fan of them! 

When everyone was ready, we headed out to the field to begin shooting. The kids had fun running around and playing with their parents and there was a lot of love and laughter happening. I so enjoyed working with this fun family, and there were so many beautiful images from their session it was almost impossible to choose a favorite! The image that Taniqua chose to print now hangs in their home in a 16x20 framed print on their wall. I'm looking forward to seeing this family again for another family session next year with their third baby in tow! 

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 Fresh 48 Session at Piedmont Hospital

Liz & Isaac booked a Fresh 48 session for when their daughter arrived, and I invited them to come drop by the studio to meet with me in advance. The studio is in Grant Park close to Zoo Atlanta, so it's an easy drive for most of my clients since it's right off of I-20! While meeting me before your session is not a requirement, I really love the chance to meet with my families before their baby arrives. Would you rather have a total stranger show up, or someone you've already met before and are comfortable with? It's also a great opportunity to ask questions and for me to run through what the Fresh 48 session will be like.

When sweet little Frances arrived, Liz sent me a text letting me know. She opted to have me come the next day rather than the same afternoon which is usually the norm. Most moms would like a chance to recover a little bit from childbirth and take a shower, freshen up, etc. When I arrived, Frances was sound asleep and I marveled over her adorable little button nose and how cute she was!

Fresh 48 sessions are shot in a documentary lifestyle way. This means I show up and while I will move some items out of the way to avoid a cluttered background, I don't pose your baby. Most families opt to keep their baby wrapped in the iconic hospital blanket with the hospital hat, and moms will bring a robe from home to wear if they don't want to be in a hospital gown. If you can't get up out of the bed, no problem! I work around you. Many first time parents are also a little bit nervous about handling their new baby since they might not have had a whole lot of practice. Also totally ok! I work with so many new families every week, so I'm used to this. I'll work with you at your comfort level to create beautiful images of this fleeting time in your lives. I truly love working with new parents and being a source of encouragement and support in any way that I can during the session. I'm a mother of three children, and I was once where you soon will be. It's amazing, and beautiful, and I'm so excited for all of my clients embarking on this wild and crazy adventure of parenthood. There's no turning back, your life will never be the same...and you'll never want it any other way. And with a Fresh 48 session, you'll be able to look back to where it all began when your baby was the tiniest little peanut and remember it all. 

Fresh 48 sessions are limited! We are fully booked for certain due date windows already in 2017 and 2018, so please contact us soon if you would like information on reserving your 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 Newborn Photographer | Grady

Alexandra contacted us informing us that her baby boy was almost three weeks old and wanted to know if that was too late to schedule a newborn session. She didn't think she would want newborn photos, but quickly changed her mind when she realized how fast Grady was changing and that he would only stay this little forever in photographs.

I was pleased to inform her that we have "older" newborns all the time and that we had an opening for them.  We take a limited number of guaranteed newborns each month, but often have last minute availability since babies arrive on their own timeline! That opening happened to be the same day as the day they were attending a wedding, so Alexandra was thrilled that her hair and makeup service add on with Megan would get some extra mileage that day! 

Another concern that Alexandra had was that she described themselves as a casual couple who love to wear jeans and Chuck Taylors and she wasn't much of a dress person. I told her I embrace personal style and that I encourage clients to look like themselves in photographs. So, if wearing the studio wardrobe is not for you, then wear your own clothing! Our newborn prep guide gives you guidelines for the best color palette and I'll help pull the best cohesive look together when you arrive. Many of my clients opt to wear their own clothing and just bring multiple selections from their closet along with them. So if jeans and a casual shirt is your preference, please, by all means wear it. There's no rule that you have to wear a dress or a button down shirt. I want my clients to feel comfortable and relaxed, and look at their images and see themselves. We'll work together to achieve that! 

Grady was the SWEETEST little boy with the poutiest lips and squeezable cheeks. I loved chatting with Alexandra and Evan during the session. Evan had to leave at a certain time to attend a luncheon for the men in the wedding, and we accommodated that need. We are flexible to work the session around dads since many of them sometimes need to be in and out in a half an hour. We've had LOTS of dads arrange to stop in at their lunch break since that was the only time they could get away. If you have schedule restrictions, be sure to let us know so we can best advise you and plan for your session. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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