Atlanta Baby Photographer | Aliza is six months!

I first worked with Farah & Irfan when they were expecting their baby girl for their maternity session at the park location. You can view their gorgeous session images by clicking here. Farah called the studio to schedule her daughter’s six month milestone session, and told us how excited she was to work with us again and for us to meet her little girl, Aliza. I can’t tell you how much I love meeting babies after maternity sessions and watching them grow throughout the years. I’m so happy to have so many clients who choose to return over and over again for sessions as their family and children grow.

Farah also requested to add on hair and makeup services because she loved it so much for her maternity session. Lots of our clients are converts to our team after working with them and tell us they’ll never have professional photographs taken again without hair and makeup services! It’s well worth the investment in how confident and beautiful you feel, and it’s such a nice treat to yourself too! Lots of our clients plan a date or girl’s night out afterwards to get the most mileage out of it!

When the family arrived at the studio, Farah chose a pretty champagne pink dress to wear. We looked through our studio wardrobe for baby girls and she loved a simple white romper with lace accents that we had. I pulled a few tiebacks from our wall for her to choose from and she selected a sweet triple rosette one that matched perfectly and was perfect for Aliza’s head size. We don’t do bows the size of Texas here. The last thing I want is for someone’s to have trouble trying to see your baby behind a bow the size of their head.

Aliza was such a friendly and happy baby and thought I was so funny. She giggled a lot and searched the room for me if I went out of her line of sight. Not all babies can sit unassisted at six months of age, and Aliza was one of them. We’ll prop your baby up with some help from you if this is the case! There are also plenty of other images we can capture of tummy time, back time, etc. - the list is endless. I’ll make sure you have a great variety of images to choose from in your proof gallery.

This was the first six month session that I had involving a half birthday cake! Six months is a very important cultural milestone for Aliza’s family, and they wanted to mark it. Farah said - and I QUOTE - “It’s not like she’ll eat it!”

Famous. Last. Words.

As soon as the cake was placed in front of Miss Aliza, she tore into it like it was her last meal and she most certainly did take a bite. I think our reaction was a mix of horror and amusement! Six month old babies shouldn’t be eating cake, right? But at the same time, one bite isn’t that big of a deal. Plus, it made for some of the cutest pictures! I swear her little face has a “I know I wasn’t supposed to do that” expression. If you scroll down to the end of the gallery, you’ll see what I’m talking about. Enjoy some of my favorites from Aliza’s six month session!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Introducing Fine Art Maternity Portraiture

For quite some time, we’ve been asked if we offer fine art maternity portraiture which involves bare belly images on a black background. Some clients choose to wear pretty lingerie, others choose to wear bottoms only, and others opt for fully nude. Some participate alone, and others opt to include their partner for an intimate session with some couples images mixed in. Partners are generally shirtless or in a form fitting t-shirt/tank. It’s completely your preference and what you’re most comfortable with! Images from these sessions are not shared on the website or portfolio without the client’s express permission and approval - so you don’t need to worry about that! These images look best in moody black and whites, but our clients receive their final images in both black and white AND color.

Our lovely client below was excited to document her pregnancy with her second baby at 39 weeks and 5 days pregnant! She loves her pregnant body and was more than happy to share her images here for you to view and decide if this style is for you.

Guess what the BEST thing about this style is? If you’re restricted schedule wise by work, you can come to the studio later in the evening. We shoot this type of session with a black background and studio light, and can schedule your appointment for 8 PM if necessary. Contact the studio to inquire about availability and details!

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Leo is ONE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | A park session with Jessica, Sascha & Justus

Jessica contacted the studio requesting to schedule a family session. Her family had just moved here from Germany, and she wanted some photos in Atlanta to remember their time here. She also wanted some photos for their annual Christmas card!

The family requested to come to the studio in advance of their session to meet with me, and I was happy to. We talked about wardrobe, and Jessica asked if it was okay to wear Converse tennis shoes. I laughed and said, “OF COURSE!” While many of my families opt to wear clothing that looks “dreamier” and involves a neutral palette and long dresses, this is absolutely NOT the only look that looks great for a family session. It all comes down to your preference. I love colors in clothing too, and will help you coordinate your colors and patterns in your clothing choices for a look that is cohesive. Please, be true to who you are. If wearing a long dress isn’t your thing, then don’t wear one! Wear jeans and duck boots with a puffy vest if that’s what you love and feel cute in. We are here to personally help you pull everything together for your family - all you have to do is ask.

This particular family session was unlike any other I have ever photographed because while Jessica and Sascha spoke English, their three year old son, Justus, did not. I have worked with many clients who brought in family members who did not speak English, but they were all adults. I didn’t worry about this too much because my family sessions are honestly about families having fun and interacting together. When young children are involved, I typically give guidance to the parents, and not to the kids.

When we arrived at the park location, we all had a good laugh about the weather! Germany is quite different than Atlanta in the fall… and this particular fall day was literally in the high 80’s. Jessica couldn’t believe how hot it was in early November, and I told her that it’s pretty normal for the south. We got started with our session, and Justus was quite the ball of energy. He wanted to run everywhere and sitting still was not on his agenda. That’s par for the course with young children, and it’s my job to keep up with them. I used some of my favorite tricks for family portraits and just absolutely love what we created. It is such an accurate representation of their fun and laid back approach to life. I also loved their outfits and the hats that dad tied in as well.

At the end of our session, Jessica and Sascha were exhausted from chasing Justus around! Jessica was a little worried about whether I had been able to get any good family images. This is a common question from parents, because it’s often so crazy and chaotic for them that it feels like we can’t possibly be getting anything that’s frame or Christmas card worthy. I assured her that we most certainly had and that I knew she would be pleased with her proof gallery. She emailed me later that evening thanking me for the fun session and expressing how excited she was to see their proofs later that week.

When they viewed their proof gallery, she emailed saying how amazed she was at all of the images and that they would have such a difficult time choosing their images for their final gallery. They actually chose to add in a few extra images which is always an option if you can’t quite narrow it down.

Here are a few of my favorite images from this November family session! We currently have just a few remaining dates for November sessions. If you’re hoping for a fall session, contact us to discuss details and get on our calendar! 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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | A Mommy & Me session with Abby & Liam

Abby scheduled a studio mommy and me session for her son Liam’s three month milestone. Three months is such a fun age, and the baby smiles and expressions are absolutely adorable! At three months, babies don’t have a lot of range of motion or motor skills, so mommy and me sessions are perfect for this age! With your baby in your arms, you’re able to support their neck and head, and we’re able to get all sorts of expressions from your baby and the sweet interactions between the two of you. Three month olds know exactly who mommy is and love to look at you! They also are interested in the world around them and will give me direct eye contact with the camera.

When Abby booked her session, we sent her our Pinterest inspiration board of ideas for what to wear, as well as our style guide. She knocked it out of the park with a gorgeous grey tulle maxi skirt and an ivory crepe top. What you choose to wear is totally up to you! If you’re more of a jeans and t-shirt kinda gal, that’s great. That will photograph beautifully as well. What matters most is that you feel both comfortable and beautiful. We’re more than happy to assist you with what to wear by going over what you’re considering either in an email exchange or quick studio visit. Clients are also more than welcome to borrow from the studio wardrobe should they wish to utilize it.

Abby had her makeup done by Margaret of our HMUA team. Add on services are available for every type of session, and are highly recommended! We have such an incredibly talented team of hair and makeup artists, and they’ll work with you and your preferences for a look that is natural, polished, and enhances your best features within your comfort level.

When Abby walked in, we got started right away. Liam was very interested in me and such a smiley baby. He thought my funny noises and peek-a-boos were just hilarious. Abby is such a loving mama, and had no problems snuggling her little boy as directed. Liam became a little fussy midway through our time together, so I suggested a quick snack break. Once he’d polished off a bottle, he was ready to go again. Babies run the show here at the studio! If your baby needs a little break for a snack or some snuggles, please don’t stress about it. You are not wasting time or ruining your session by attending to your baby’s needs and comfort. We’ll pick right back up where we left off as soon as your baby is ready to go again.

All clients receive their final gallery images in both color and back and white. I loved Abby and Liam’s session images in black and white, so have chosen to share some of my favorites below!

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 | Baby Lance

Baby Lance decided to follow in his sister’s footsteps and arrive prematurely. (see this previous post on this family’s maternity session for the backstory!)

Because of his early arrival, he ended up with a NICU stay. We stayed in touch with Tonya for updates during his time in the NICU. If your baby arrives prematurely and you’ve scheduled a newborn session with us, please know that we are here to support you however we can. We are constantly thinking of you and your baby, and will check in with you to see how you are. We don’t expect responses since we know that having a baby in the NICU is scary and each day is unpredictable with lots of twists and turns. When your baby is released, we’ll talk about scheduling your session!

After a few weeks, Tonya let us know that baby Lance was finally coming home! We were so excited for their family and glad to know he was home with his family. We scheduled a time for them to come in for their session. When they arrived, I squealed over his head of hair, his cute little lips, and how perfectly tiny he was! I got started right away with his solo portraits while Tonya and Briana looked through the wardrobe to choose dresses for themselves.

NICU graduates are often very scheduled babies, and Lance was no exception. He slept through his entire session, and was very much still a newborn in size and curliness. Briana was such a loving and doting big sister, and I invited her to assist me in the newborn room by holding Lances’ pacifier and sitting next to me. If you have a much older child (10+) who is interested and capable of assisting me during your baby’s solo portraits I will always involve them. I want them to know how important and valued they are!

After we finished up, we moved into the family portion of the session and also took some time with just Briana and her baby brother. He reached his hand up and smacked her in the face, which surprised her and made us all laugh. He’s already letting her know he’s going to boss her around! :)

Here are a few of my favorites from this family’s newborn session - I am so happy for them and for baby Lance! He has an incredible family to love and support him as he grows.

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, baby 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 Maternity session with Tonya, Lance, & Briana

Tonya contacted the studio to ask about booking a maternity and newborn session for their little surprise second baby! She explained that their first child had arrived prematurely, so she had put off scheduling sessions in case it happened again. She’s not the only one we have heard this from! You can book your sessions confidently and know that if your baby unexpectedly arrives before your maternity session takes place that what you have paid will transfer to your newborn session. We scheduled a time for Tonya to come in and try on dresses from the studio wardrobe that same week.

The day before our maternity fitting was scheduled, Tonya let us know that she was in the hospital for complications and unsure of when she would be released. We told her to keep in touch with us and that we would determine next steps when she knew what was going on. Her husband, Lance was able to convince the staff to let her go home for a few days with close monitoring the day before our scheduled maternity session. So instead of a separate fitting, we just planned for her to arrive earlier than our scheduled session time to choose her dresses! This actually happens regularly because we have so many out of state maternity clients who travel to Atlanta for their sessions. We have yet to have a situation in which we weren’t able to dress a client in something that they loved. Our wardrobe has a wide variety of styles to suit every taste, and can accommodate sizes 0-14(16). We also send a stye guide to all of our clients to help them with choosing pieces from their own closets for the entire family.

Tonya, Lance, and Briana all arrived at the studio and big sister Briana expressed interest in wearing something from the wardrobe as well! I pulled a few dresses for her and she really liked a blush lace one that we had. Briana is 12, so we simply pinned one of our adult dresses to fit her! Tonya loved a blue off the shoulder dress and opted for an open belly sand dress as well. We have a few dresses in the wardrobe that have the ability to show your belly off if this is something that you want to incorporate into your session. If you’re worried about stretch marks or pregnancy acne on your body, please don’t be. These are things that we can take care of and your skin will look like it did pre-pregnancy in your final images!

After the ladies had chosen their dresses, we moved right into photographing. They were such a fun and easy family to work with, and we all had a great time. I pulled Briana and her daddy into a few photos with just the two of them as well to include in their proof gallery. I’m so close to my own father, and really value our father-daughter relationship, so when I can document that for others, I always do.

Here are a few of my favorites from this family’s studio maternity session! Check back tomorrow to see their adorable new addition!

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 | Audrey is ONE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are a few of my favorites from Audrey’s First Birthday session!

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

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Clara

Megan was new to the Atlanta area and expecting baby #2. After her move, she became involved with Fit4Mom in Roswell, which is such a great resource for moms who want to meet other moms and work out! I wish there had been a chapter here in intown Atlanta back when I had my first child as it would have been such a great way to exercise and make lifelong friendships! She met Holly in the group, who is a long term client of mine. When she asked for recommendations for newborn photographers, Holly immediately gave her our information. She contacted the studio shortly thereafter, and chose to book a newborn session. Megan chose to wait until birth to find out if she was having a boy or a girl! It’s a surprise whenever you choose to find out, but I admit that I have a soft spot for fellow waiters like myself. I didn’t find out with any of my three children, and it was pretty much the best thing ever each time when I heard those words, “It’s a ____!”.

A few weeks later, we heard from Megan that her baby GIRL had arrived and was a big girl at over 8 pounds! One of the most common questions we hear from people is how it’s possible to schedule a newborn session before a baby has arrived. I’m going to touch on this really quickly because it’s an important one!

When you reserve your newborn session, you are holding your spot with us. We don’t schedule an exact date and time. We book a limited number of newborns due in each month so that we can fully serve our clients without being overextended or too busy. If your baby doesn’t arrive during their due date month, that’s totally fine! You’re still guaranteed your spot. You will let us know within 48 hours of your baby’s birth and we’ll provide you with some session dates to choose from that are generally within 8-16 days of your baby’s arrival when possible. The dates provided are affected by the following factors: whether you had a c-section, baby’s weight at birth, any complications for mama/baby, and whether you choose to add on hair and makeup services.

Megan chose to add on hair and makeup services for her session, because she didn’t want to add one more thing to do before leaving her house in Roswell that morning. When she arrived at the studio with Clara, we looked through the studio wardrobe and she chose a gorgeous textured lace dress to wear for herself. She mentioned she had brought jeans for her son but didn’t have a shirt that she liked for him. We stock shirts for little boys in size 2-5 T, and she opted for a simple organic cotton v-neck t-shirt from Burt’s Bees. They’re so comfortable and photograph beautifully. As a mom of a two year old boy, I know that most of us boy moms aren’t buying white shirts for the everyday wardrobe…. my little boy isn’t exactly known for keeping his clothes clean! We have other options in the studio wardrobe as well, so don’t worry if you don’t have something for your little boy that you like. Just bring a pair of jeans or khaki shorts and we’ll take care of the rest.

I started photographing Clara’s solo images while Megan settled into the hair and makeup chair. She was a good sleeper and flashed a few sleepy grins at me. Ass I was finishing up, Daddy and big brother Caleb arrived, and I got started with sibling images right away. Caleb was such a sweetie and a great listener for the sibling and family portion of the session. With toddler age siblings, I work very, very quickly. We never know how much time they will give us and I want to make sure that we have images in your gallery of your whole family together before they lose patience. Caleb did eventually lose all patience, and let us all know about it. Megan expressed that she was worried that I hadn’t gotten any good images, and I reassured her that I had. Sometimes when your child throws a fit, you only remember the frustration you experience in that moment and not the calm leading up to it. After getting Caleb squared away and content on the studio couch with some snacks and an activity, we moved on to the parent portion of their session. This is where I photograph each individual parent with their baby and then parents together with their baby. It’s honestly the easiest part of the whole session! I’ll help you get positioned just right, and then all you have to do is look at your baby and snuggle them. Which is pretty much exactly what you’ve been doing since they were first placed in your arms. You’re already an expert - I’m just here to make sure you look photogenic while doing it. ;)

Here are a few of my favorite images from this wonderful family’s newborn session!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, baby 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 Park Maternity session with Farah & Irfan

Farah contacted the studio and asked to schedule a maternity session at the park location. She was concerned about what to wear, and very happy to hear that we had an extensive studio wardrobe available to her to borrow from! We booked her session and scheduled her for a maternity fitting at the studio.

Maternity fittings are about 20 minutes long and take place 1-2 weeks before your scheduled session. We want to make sure you don’t have a lot of growth between your fitting and your session, so that’s why we don’t schedule it any further out. When Farah arrived she let me know that she wanted her arms and chest to be covered. We have long camisoles in the studio that are perfect for chest coverage and plenty of options that have arms! She chose two gorgeous dresses to wear and loved how they draped her belly. When she was at the fitting she also asked me about our hair and makeup add on services. She had some questions about whether they would be able to work with her long hair and darker skin tone. I cannot rave about our HMUA team enough. I have personally selected and worked with each member, and they are all lovely and absolutely fantastic. I truly believe we have the best team in Atlanta! After hearing my rave reviews, she asked to add on hair and makeup services, and we set her up with Ellis!

The evening of their session I met them at the studio and we headed to the park location. It was a hot evening, but Farah toughed through it! During maternity sessions, I watch my clients carefully for signs of fatigue or discomfort. If you need a break to sit down or drink some water, we’ll take one! If I notice you becoming fatigued or overheated, I’ll call for a break whether you ask for one or not. I want you to remain as comfortable as possible during our time together! Being pregnant is not easy - I’ve been through it three times, and I remember it well!

Farah and Irfan were a little unsure of what to do when we got started. I reminded them that this was normal and gave them each direction on exactly what to do. By the time we were midway through, they had the hang of it and were interacting with each other like I wasn’t even there, which is perfect! When Farah viewed her gallery, she told me she was absolutely amazed by how beautiful she looked in the images and how happy she was that they had chosen to work with me. I love hearing these words from my clients! Be on the lookout for their daughter’s six month milestone session next month - she sure is a cutie!

Here are a few of my favorites from their 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!

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Thea

Stefanie contacted the studio during her second trimester to schedule a newborn session for her second baby. She mentioned that she was a bit nervous about the sibling portion of the session because her older son, Oliver, is very shy and doesn’t do well with strangers. We assured her that we work with LOTS of shy little ones, and have a tried and true approach to them in which we let them warm up to us on their terms rather than get into their faces.

When Stefanie contacted us a few months later to let us know that baby Thea had arrived, she asked if she could add on hair and makeup services. She was driving from over an hour away for her session and wanted to have less things to worry about on her way out the door. We checked with our HMUA team and sent over a couple of dates for Stefanie to choose from. After she confirmed her date, we sent her our newborn prep packet which is full of helpful tips and guidance on what to bring from home for the rest of your family.

When Stefanie arrived at the studio, we looked through the studio wardrobe at some options for her. She chose to wear a a beautifully textured cream lace dress that she loved. We offer a wide variety of sizes to fit 0-14/16 and they can accommodate lots of different heights as well. Stefanie commented how easy the whole process had been as she sat down in the hair and makeup chair. She was so glad that the only thing she had to worry about was getting to the studio and that we took care of the rest for her.

I got started with Thea’s solo images. She was wide awake when we first started. Wide awake babies are great - as long as they’re also calm! I always love to take that opportunity for some open eye photographs. Not every baby opens their eyes during their time in the studio though. I’d say about 50% of my little clients do. I always discuss mom’s preferences regarding headbands and tiebacks prior to beginning newborn sessions for baby girls. It’s totally up to you whether you want a tieback for all, some, or none of their images. I choose tiebacks from my collection that are proportionate to your baby’s head and also work well with their skin tone and the overall setup. We keep our sessions very neutral so the focus is on your little one and all their sweet features!

After I finished up, Tom and big brother Oliver arrived at the studio! Just as Stefanie had predicted, Oliver hid behind his parents and didn’t want to look at me. So…. I ignored him. I’ve found this is the absolute best way to get a child interested in you. It was effective because he wanted to know why this lady with the camera wouldn’t even look at him. He approached me closely and I said hello. I asked him if he would like to lie down next to his sister or hold her, and he was emphatic that he did not. I think it’s really important to respect the feelings and wishes of big siblings. If they don’t want to do sibling images, we are not going to force it. Forcing things makes the experience negative and stressful for them. Instead, we’ll work around it and focus on family and parent images instead. That’s exactly what we did, and Oliver thought that my silly faces were pretty funny. He gave me a few grins, and his parents were amazed by how well he was doing with me. Stefanie sent me an email later that day after she was home thanking me for taking time with him and for being so patient. It’s part of the job! I want every person in my studio - big or small - to feel respected and that they were treated with kindness.

When I sent over their proof gallery, Stefanie was so happy with the images! She kept saying she couldn’t believe how he was smiling and interacting, and that the whole experience was absolutely amazing. She hadn’t expected much from the family portion, so was absolutely blown away. I thanked her for choosing to entrust me with photographing her family. Choosing who to work with for your newborn and family photography is a big decision, and I am always so honored and excited to be chosen!

Here are just a few of my favorites photographs from their newborn session!

If you're expecting a baby or already a parent and looking for a newborn, maternity, baby 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 Mommy & Me Session with baby Miles

Miles’ mom contacted the studio to schedule a session for his nine month milestone. I photographed their family just a few months prior in the fall when Miles was six months old at our outdoor park location. (You can view that session by clicking here) They had such a great experience the first time that they knew wanted to work with me again. I love watching my little clients grow as they return over and over again for sessions. At his six month session Miles wasn’t quite sitting completely unassisted for long periods of time, but at THIS session he was almost walking! It’s so crazy how fast babies can develop, isn’t it?

We sent over our Pinterest style inspiration board as well as our style guide for Miles’ mom to look over. I just about DIED when she walked into the studio and opted to have Miles go shirtless to show off his chubby baby belly. He had white suspenders and the most adorable shorts too. Mama wore a simple navy blue shift dress that contrasted while with Miles’ lighter palette.

If you’re feeling stressed about the idea of planning what to wear for your session, please don’t! We work with every client closely and offer our assistance every step of the way. Our studio wardrobe is available to borrow from as well, and we’re happy to schedule time for you to come in and go over what you’re thinking of wearing. If you don’t have the time in your week to do that, we’ll conduct it by email exchange instead! We want your portrait session with us to be fun and something to look forward to!

Every parent schedules their baby’s milestone sessions at different times. Some prefer to document the typical newborn, 6 (or sitting unassisted), and 12 month dates. Others like the every three months option with newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Each session is be tailored to your baby’s age and developmental abilities to have a great variety of images that capture your baby just as that are in that stage. As a reminder, if you have very specific dates that you are hoping for, it’s best to contact us to schedule now rather than waiting to ensure we have availability for you! Our calendar fills up FAST.

During our time together, I asked Miles’ mama to do her best to hold him close. He was a wiggly little thing and very interested in exploring the studio. I love his smiles and scrunched up nose - he is such a happy little boy! When I photograph babies with their parents, I focus on real moments. I’ll give you some guided direction for what to do to capture the best images of the two of you together. Patience and willingness to try different things is key to a successful session. A little baby distraction if they get fussy goes a long way.

Here are just a handful of my favorites from Miles’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 Maternity Photographer | A Field Maternity session with Kristen & Dave

Kristen contacted the studio to inquire about scheduling a maternity session at the field location. She wanted to include their two dogs in the photos, and asked if that would be okay. The answer? OF COURSE!!! We frequently include dogs in outdoor sessions, and love it when our clients opt to include them. We’ll talk about your dog’s personality and temperament to help determine the best location to shoot at for you. We require that you bring a designated person to handle your pet(s) during the session. We will photograph them at the very beginning of the session and then send them on their way! This ensures your pets are safe and being cared for when they are not being photographed, and that you are able to enjoy and be fully present for your session.

Kristen asked to add on hair and makeup services to her session. We have an absolutely amazing hair and makeup team for our clients. Choosing to work with our HMUA’s means you spend ZERO time worrying about getting yourself camera ready! You simply show up to your appointment before your session and walk out looking and feeling absolutely gorgeous. Your HMUA encourages you to bring photos of hair and makeup looks that you like, and will tailor that look to best work with your features. If you’re not big on makeup and you’re worried that you’ll look overdone and not like yourself, no need to worry! Simply let them know of that concern, and they’ll do a very classic and polished “barely there” makeup look for you. You’re in the best of hands with our team, I promise!

Kristen and Dave came to the studio for a maternity fitting and she brought a dress with her that she had purchased to wear. When she pulled it out to show me (the cream lace one), I laughed and said “Oh boy, you’re not going to believe this…”… because we have it in our wardrobe! If you’re considering buying a dress for your session, please check with us first because we (a) might have it (b) have something very similar (c) have something you love even more. We have such a wide variety of dresses for expecting mothers in different heights and sizes in all sorts of styles to appeal to every taste! While Kristen was trying on dresses, Dave and I chatted about what he should wear and got to know each other a bit as well. He was such a laid back and easy going guy, I knew that photographing him would be a breeze! (and I was right!)

The evening of their session we met out at the field and I loved meeting their dogs - especially their Pomeranian named Tink! The cutest name ever, and I swear he was smiling for his pictures. Riggins (the big one) was also so sweet and well behaved and such a great listener. They’re going to make such great big brothers to baby girl when she arrives! When the dogs were finished with their part of the session, their friend who had come along with them took them home.

Kristen and Dave didn’t have the best wedding photography experience, so they were a little bit nervous about how their session would go. They felt that their wedding images looked forced and not like themselves. One of the reasons that I want to meet my clients before their session for a maternity fitting/style consultation is so that we can talk through specific concerns they have and get to know each other in advance!

Kristen and Dave were so easy to work with. When Kristen received her proof gallery she responded telling me that she usually hates photos of herself but that her maternity images were so pretty she loved them all. I always love to hear this from my clients because it means I have served them well - and that’s always my goal!

Here are my favorite photos from Kristen and Dave’s sunset maternity session at the field! Doesn’t Kristen look so incredibly stunning!?

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 | Baby Reese

I first worked with Kate and Trace for their daughter’s newborn session, which can be viewed by clicking here. I was thrilled to hear from Kate again letting me know she was pregnant with her second child, a baby boy! They loved their experience with us and wanted to work with us again for her son’s newborn session. I absolutely love seeing my clients throughout the years for different sessions as their family and children grow. 

Since Kate had worked with us previously, she knew exactly what to expect from our time together and already had outfits for her family chosen. While many families opt to have their newborn wrapped in a blanket, some parents choose to have their baby wear a simple white onesie or a sleeper for the family part of their session. I love either option, and encourage each client to choose the one that they like the best. There is no wrong choice here!

When Kate arrived at the studio, she made herself comfy on the couch and relaxed while I started photographing Reese for his solo images. He was wide awake when I started, but very relaxed and calm. I love capturing images of babies looking directly at the camera! Believe it or not, it’s harder than you think. Once I had these images, I wrapped him up nice and snug, and used some soothing techniques to lull him to sleep. He slept like a champ for the rest of his session, and as I was finishing up, big sister Meriwether and daddy arrived! We always have dads bring older siblings later into the session. This keeps the studio quiet and relaxed, and your older children will be much happier at home playing instead of sitting in the studio trying to be still and quiet. Moms alway tell us they really enjoy the little break too!

We moved right into the family and sibling images since toddlers have a limited reserve of attention and energy. She was wiggly little thing, but I used some of my tricks to get her to sit still for the sibling photos and she did SUCH a great job. She gave me such a hilarious face for one of her sibling photos with her baby brother. You’ll know it when you see it below! It ended up being her mom’s favorite photo of them together!

Kate and Trace are such fun-loving parents, and that shows in their final images. The family part of our sessions are relaxed and laid back, and I encourage families to snuggle together and interact just like they would on their couch at home. We’ll do a mix of sitting and standing during newborn sessions - it’s often much easier to hold a wiggly little one while sitting down! For those worried about not being able to get any images at all because their toddler never stops moving….just remember that all I need is 1/800th of a second! With patience and a positive approach, we will work together to document this special time in your lives with images you will always cherish and look at with a smile.

Here are just a few of my favorite photographs from baby Reese’s newborn photo session!

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Thomas is ONE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | A Park Maternity session with Amanda & Chris

Amanda contacted the studio to inquire about scheduling a maternity session at the park location. On the phone, she mentioned she was a little unsure about a maternity session since she wasn’t feeling that great being pregnant. We hear this a lot! When you’re expecting your first baby, your body experiences a lot of changes. Sometimes you don’t even recognize yourself when you look in the mirror!

After reassuring her that she would look fabulous and that I would make sure she didn’t look larger than she was, she decided to book her maternity session. She also chose to add on hair and makeup services as well. She was worried about what to wear, and excited to hear that we had an extensive wardrobe she could borrow from. We scheduled a time for her to come into the studio to meet and to look through the pieces.

During our maternity fitting, she was mentioned how amazed she was at all of the options available to her. She tried on quite a few dresses and narrowed it down to two of her favorites that looked beautiful with her blonde hair and skin tone. We discussed her husband’s personality, style preferences, and ideas of what he could wear. Due to the dressier look of Amanda’s choices, I suggested a simple button down and sent along the studio style guide for her to look over.

If you’re worried about whether we will have pieces that fit, you should know that our wardrobe has been curated personally by me. I’m constantly adding to it, and it has something for all heights and bump shapes sizes 0-14/16. Our shortest female client has been 4’10” and our tallest 6’2”.

The day of their session, Amanda and Chris drove from over an hour away. A lot of our clients come an hour or more, and we’ve had several from out of state! Chris is a pretty causal guy and chose to wear a soft blue button down shirt and jeans which looked great with Amanda’s choices. The ultimate goal is for you BOTH to feel comfortable in your choices and to feel like you look like yourselves.

At the beginning of our session, Amanda mentioned she was a little nervous, and Chris agreed. Guess what? That’s normal! I reminded her that nearly everyone feels this way and there was no need to be nervous. She looks absolutely AMAZING, and I walked her through how to stand and position herself for the most flattering angles to her body. Within ten minutes, she was laughing and having fun, and said that she felt so beautiful (truth!). Yay! Sometimes it just takes a bit to warm up. I promise to make your experience easy and stress free, and most of all - FUN. I want you to look back on your time with me and smile.

When Amanda and Chris viewed their proof gallery, they responded saying they were having such a hard time narrowing down the images for their final gallery because they loved them all!

Here are just a few of my favorites from their 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!

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Natalie

Erin contacted the studio to inquire about booking her baby’s newborn session when her daughter was already a week old. We were able to fit her in right away as we happened to have an opening that week. Erin also asked if hair and makeup add on services were also available at the last minute, and to her luck - we had someone available! While we strongly recommend reserving your newborn session in advance, we understand that sometimes life and circumstances get in the way. We can’t guarantee we will have availability, but definitely check with us if this is you!

The morning of of their session Erin and her mother in law arrived at the studio with tiny six pound Natalie Wren. She had such delicate features and her name fit her so perfectly! Erin and I quickly looked through the wardrobe and she chose a simple blush dress to wear. She expressed relief that she didn’t have to worry about going out and finding something that would fit. We hear this all the time from our clients and have a wide variety of sizes 0-14/16 to choose from.

Natalie’s husband arrived a bit later, and when he started talking with his mother, I immediately recognized their accent…. Pittsburgh! I know it when I hear it immediately and said, “Wait a minute…. do I hear Pittsburgh?!” My dad’s family hails from Pittsburgh. I was born in Pittsburgh and am a Steelers fan by default. It was so much fun to feel like I was back home as we chatted while Natalie took some nursing breaks. Mike doesn’t love having his photo taken. When I asked him what he was wearing he said he didn’t know and gestured towards a bunch of button downs that Erin had brought from home. I said, “Well, why don’t you wear what you have on?” He looked at me incredulously and said, “What, are you serious? I can wear this?” When I told him “Absolutely!”, I think I might have been his favorite person on earth in that very moment. Moms, there’s nothing wrong with your husband wearing a comfortable cotton t-shirt. The color is what is most important, and it should be free of logos and pocketless. Our newborn prep packet will give you ideas of the color palette to choose, and your guy will love you for it. If button downs are more his style, have him go with that. Ultimately, my goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and like themselves. This seems so simple but it affects your entire session.

Natalie was a curly and sleepy baby and stayed asleep for the majority of her solo portraits. She needed to take a couple of nursing breaks and then went right back to sleep, Babies dictate the flow of my sessions. What works for one baby won’t necessarily work for another, so every newborn session in the studio is unique to each individual baby.

After we had finished with our session, I noticed that the blanket they’d brought from home was the perfect match to the dress Erin was wearing. I asked if they’d like to use it for the family portion, and they loved the idea. I welcome the use of blankets from home. This particular blanker was a soft muslin blanket from Amazon with blush and gold accents. I pulled a gold headband from my stock, and the whole look was perfection! You’ll notice it throughout the photos below. I love being able to tie in a personal piece for that extra touch. If you’re thinking about bringing a blanket, we’ll give you tips and suggestions about what kind to bring. If it’s a blanket that was knitted by a loved one, it might not work for all of the images but we can definitely incorporate it into an image or two.

Here are my favorite photos from Natalie Wren’s newborn session!

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Camille is ONE!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are my favorites from Camille's one year photo session!

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | A fall session at the park

This family contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a fall family session. They wanted their session to serve as their son's six month milestone session as well. I always include parent and family images in milestone session galleries unless a parent specifically only wants images of their child. 

As a note: we don't always have last minute openings. We strongly encourage booking your session in advance to ensure you get an opening ESPECIALLY if you're hoping for images for your Christmas card! How early is too early to book? Most of our sessions this coming October were booked in April and May. Many clients schedule their baby's First Birthday session almost an entire year in advance. The earlier you book, the more choices you will have for your date. Weekend dates are the first to be snapped up, so if you're able to be flexible with a weeknight late afternoon/evening you have a much better chance of snagging a last minute date. 

Fortunately, we were able to schedule them with our last remaining date that month. We talked about where their son was developmentally. Not all six month olds are sitting up unassisted just yet!

For milestone sessions, some parents want to schedule their baby's session right at six months. Others prefer to wait until their baby is sitting up on their own. Whatever your preference may be is totally fine! If your baby is not sitting up confidently on their own, you should plan to be a participant in the session also. Safety is our first priority! If you prefer to wait until your baby is sitting up unassisted, we suggest you schedule their baby milestone session closer to the eight month mark. Most babies are usually sitting up with confidence at this stage. 

Mom dressed her family with the help of our style guide and opted for festive holiday attire. I loved her red dress, and the cozy sweaters she chose for her guys. She also chose to add on hair and make up services . Our team is comprised of the most talented artists in Atlanta, and they all do an incredible job. They are experienced and skilled at working with every skin type, tone, and texure,  and will apply makeup to enhance your best features with your preferences in mind. If you're a "barely wears makeup" kind of gal like me, they've got you covered!

Mom's completed hair and makeup was so natural, yet polished and looked perfect with her dress. Opting to add on these services is completely optional but our clients have told us that they loved having the time to relax and be pampered beforehand and that they felt so beautiful for their session. Most of our clients also plan a night out afterwards as well! 

The day of the session we met at the park location at sunset. We started with family and parent images to get their son comfortable with me and the sound of the shutter, and I walked them through where and how to stand. Then I stepped back and let them be a family. That's what family sessions are all about - you and your crew together and having fun. My job is to help you out with some gentle directed guidance if I notice that you're having some trouble because you're freezing up due to the camera. Sometimes I'll dash in to fix some hair or turn down a collar. I'll also sometimes adjust how you're standing or positioned for the best and most flattering angles. No self inflicted double chins allowed over here. 

Here are my favorite photos from the evening of their fall family session!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | A Park Maternity session with Ruchita & Abhishek

Ruchita contacted us to ask about booking a last minute maternity session. She requested a location with fall leaves changing color and asked if this would be achievable. We never know when the leaves will decide to change each year in Atlanta. Sometimes it's early October, and sometimes it's mid November. So many factors influence this that we have no control over: the amount of rain, sunshine, and temperature over the late summer/early fall. We assured her that her maternity photos would be beautiful regardless, and suggested our park location. 

We strongly recommend contacting us in as far in advance as possible to book your session as we book up pretty quickly. This helps ensure we have available dates to schedule your session. That being said, there are times we do have last minute openings so definitely check with us even if you have waited until the last possible minute! Fun fact: we once had a maternity client come in at 41 weeks and she went into labor right after we finished up! 

Ruchita and her husband came into the studio for a maternity fitting a couple of days after we spoke on the phone since they booked a session so last minute. I love this time together because it allows us to chat and get to know each other a bit before your session! You will be more comfortable right off the bat having already met me when you're in front of my lens, and it's an opportunity for you to ask me anything as well! 

At the maternity fitting she expressed that was concerned we wouldn't have anything that would fit her well due to her petite size. and bump shape. She brought along a deep purple dress of her own that she was considering wearing during the session. I loved the purple dress on her, and we determined it would be one of her choices. We went through the wardrobe pieces, and she fell in love with one of our dresses that looked beautiful on her and accentuated her bump. It also transitioned well with her purple dress to provide a cohesive look to her final images.

Clients are welcomed and encouraged to use the studio wardrobe but it's definitely not required! We'll walk you through choosing what to wear from your own wardrobe too, with a super easy style guide to follow! Some clients also opt for an email exchange or a quick appointment in the studio to go over what they're thinking of wearing. We're here to make your life easier in as many ways possible! 

While Ruchita was trying on pieces from the wardrobe, I chatted with her husband, Abishek, about what to expect during the session. He was a little wary, admitting that being photographed wasn't really his thing and he was never sure of what he should do, where he should look or what to do with his hands. I reassured him I would take care of everything and give him direction through the entire session and that this wasn't something he needed to worry about at all! I guide couples through sessions together with gentle direction for natural interaction. If your guy isn't big on photos or is worried that he'll make a mess of things; tell him not to stress. I've got you! 

Ruchita didn't want to worry about getting herself ready so she chose to add on our hair and makeup services as well. Our team is amazing and experienced with every skin type and tone, and will create the perfect look that is tailored to you. So if you are more of a "barely wearing makeup" gal or want to glam it up a bit, our team has you covered and will enhance your best features! Most of our sunset clients plan a date night out afterwards to get some more mileage out of their hair and makeup services! 

The day of their session I met them at the studio where they changed into their first outfits, and then headed down to the park location. It was an absolutely beautiful (and a little bit chilly!) November evening. Abishek was a little bit nervous at first, but warmed right up and we had so much fun during out time together! I gave him several prompts for interaction with Ruchita and he took them and ran with it... and it resulted in beautiful images of truly authentic moments between the two of them.  I say it a lot... but I SO love working with my clients to ensure they have an amazing experience with us from start to finish! 

Here are some of my favorite photos from the evening of their 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!

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