Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Charlie & Annie, identical twin girls!

Alana called the studio to see if we had any availability for her twin girls to come in for a newborn session. We sent her the information and then didn’t hear back for a while…. until a week before the twins’ due date when she was on hospital bed rest. Things had gotten a little crazy, so she had simply forgotten to get back in touch to confirm her session with us. Fortunately, we still had availability and were able to schedule a session based on her nearing induction date.

I typically have a few sets of twins every year and I love it! As a note, twin sessions CAN take a bit longer than a single newborn, but that's not always the case. It really just entirely depends on the set of twins. I knew that even though these two girls were identical, there was a 1 pound difference between the two. The biggest visual difference was in their head size as you’ll see in the images shared! We also chose different colors for each of the girls as well to further eliminate any potential confusion on which was which, especially for the up close and individual images.

When she booked, Alana asked to work with our HMUA team and added on hair and makeup services. She also borrowed a dress from the studio wardrobe, because hello... nobody has time to try and go find something to wear with one baby, let alone two!

While Alana was in the hair and makeup chair with Brielle, I was photographing the girls. I don't use an assistant for twin sessions, but I do often use dad's help. Dad was absolutely amazing in bringing me each baby as I photographed them individually and then together and we laughed about how Annie was being a bit finicky about where she wanted to be positioned and how. Photographing twins together is either really easy or really challenging - in this case, it was more on the challenge side because Charlie was not having it. She didn’t like being next to her sister at that moment, and kept trying to break free, which was disturbing Annie. So, I asked dad to take Charlie so I could focus on Annie’s solo images. When I finished up with Annie, Charlie was sound asleep and Annie was still sleeping, so I was then able to get the images of the two of them together! After those, I handed Annie to dad, and finished up with Charlie’s solo images.

Once I was finished with the twins, we moved on to sibling photos. Big brother was SUCH a sweetheart and such an amazing kid! For a three year old, he listened incredibly well and was gentle and patient. Dad still stood right next to him just out of the camera frame ready to swoop in if needed. After the sibling images, we moved into family and parents and it was a pretty smooth session conclusion as both babies slept like rocks.

I loved working with this sweet family, and can’t wait to see them at our annual Santa event and see how big they have gotten! As a note, our Santa event sold out within a few hours, but you can still get on the wait list in case a spot opens up.

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 | Rylan is ONE!

Sindi emailed me to set up a First Birthday portrait session for her younger daughter. I had last seen Rylan for her sitting milestone session, and you can see those images by clicking here. It has been so much fun getting to know her parents over the past few years since I started photographing them when they were expecting their first child, Rylan’s big sister!

Since Rylan’s last session had doubled as a family session too, Sindi opted to keep the focus totally on Rylan for this one. You’ll notice that a cake smash didn’t take place during this session! First Birthday sessions can incorporate a cake (or an alternative like donuts if that’s more your style!) or just be focused on your baby. There is no right or wrong way to plan it - it is whatever your preference is!

Sindi had bought along some of the most ADORABLE outfits for Rylan. The first striped seersucker dress was from a local store, and the second Spanish styled lace top with a denim flounce skirt was from Amazon, of all places! Amazon is actually such a great resource to shop for special outfits. In all honesty, the fabric quality of some items on Amazon is not that great, but they photograph beautifully. So if you only care about how an outfits looks in a photograph and not the durability over time, definitely consider browsing Amazon for your baby’s First Birthday outfit!

Rylan was such a sweet and happy baby and made the funniest expressions! Sindi and I kept laughing throughout the session at over how ridiculously cute she was. I used a variety of things in the studio to show off her pulling up skills. Since Rylan was not walking yet, I focused on her pulling up and crawling. Only about half of my one year old clients are walking at the First Birthday session, so don’t worry if your baby is not there yet! The point of a First Birthday session is to capture your baby exactly as they were at that milestone and document the skills that they do have. Crawling photos are just as cute as walking ones - and I promise that you will badly miss the days when they scurried towards you on the floor.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from Rylan’s session!

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | Priyanka is six months!

I’ve worked with this family since their first child was born. They booked the Birth Session the DAY before he was born, and I literally met them for the first time when I showed up to the hospital. Over the past few years, I’ve enjoyed getting to know them and it’s always so much fun to have them in my studio!

I had last seen Priyanka at her newborn session, and was so looking forward to photographing her for her six month milestone session. You can see her newborn session images by clicking here. It’s always fascinating to see how babies have changed since their infancy, and to see whether or not they’ve retained their features. Priyanka definitely had, and she was such a joyful and bubbly little girl with lots of love for her big brother and parents. I loved all of her adorable expressions and her beautiful brown eyes.

Michelle had brought along an armful of clothes for me to look through. I had also pulled a few of my studio pieces for Michelle. When I work with clients for a long time, I get to know their tastes and preferences and I know what will work for their body type and skin tone. I was pretty sure that she would fall in love with one particular dress that I had just added, and I was right - she gasped when she saw it and it was the winner out of the few I had pulled aside. Once we had confirmed what Michelle would be wearing, I pulled from the options she’d brought for Priyanka & Henry and selected the best shirt for her husband Kaylan. TONS of my clients do this -so don’t be afraid to bring along multiple options if you’re not 100% sure on what to wear! We do send a helpful style guide over before the session, and we are here to assist however we can. If you’d like to email photos of what you’re considering, or set up a time to come by the studio in advance of your session for me to see the pieces in person we will gladly accommodate that. We want your experience with us to be fun and as stress free as possible, so please don’t hesitate to ask for anything you might need while we’re planning your session.

Since Priyanka was such a friendly little girl, I started with solo photographs of just her, and we added big brother Henry in as well. Toddlers are often short on patience, so it’s always my goal to get those images with them included done as early as possible in the session and to give them breaks as needed. I also love to snap a few photographs of just your toddler with you as well - just because they’re not the current baby of the family anymore, they will always be your very first baby. We moved into the family and parent images and had so much fun. A few more solo portraits of Priyanka, and then she started getting tired, which is normal. It’s actually NOT a bad thing because it allows me to photograph real moments of true snuggles with your baby. If your baby sucks their thumb or twirls your hair when they’re getting sleepy, I make sure to photograph those little details as well. I want you to have photographs to look back on that capture exactly who your baby was at that point in their life. After all, that’s the entire point of a milestone session!

Enjoy some of my favorites from Priyanka’s six month session! I can’t wait to see this sweet family again in December for our Santa Event (sold out, but you get on the waiting list!) and to celebrate her upcoming First Birthday 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Winnie

Let’s say….. you booked a session with a photographer for your newborn session months in advance of your baby’s arrival and you were looking forward to it. Let’s say you also kept in touch with the photographer throughout your pregnancy to keep them updated on how things were going. Let’s say your baby arrived later than expected (since most babies don’t tend to arrive on their “due” date). Let’s say when you contacted the photographer to let them know after months of keeping in touch, they let you know that they’d be unable to photograph your session after all, because they were on an extended vacation with their family.

::silence::

(That. Actually. Happened.)

When this sweet mama called our studio and explained her situation and what had happened, we immediately looked through our schedule to find a date and time that might work for them. Fortunately, we had ONE day open that week and they were able to make it work for their schedule as well!

Note: we take vacations too, but we are able to fit our schedule newborn clients in to the 8-21 day window that we have even if they’re born right before we leave or during our vacation. If we did have a vacation scheduled for longer than a week during a particular month, our clients would be made aware of this when requesting to book.

On the day of their newborn session, they arrived at the studio with baby Winnie. She was just the cutest little thing with some of the best hair ever. I love when newborns have hair that has a mind of its own. It’s a feature that you will remember with fondness in the future, and you’ll laugh when you talk about it. I never try to brush a baby’s hair down, because I want to photograph them as they naturally are to preserve them that way for you forever. Her parents loved her hair just as much as I did and asked that I keep her gallery very simple with no tiebacks used and mostly white with hints of blush pink. I love keeping the focus entirely on babies, and we typically only photograph with neutrals anyway - so that was not a problem. I always ask mamas for their preferences when it comes to whether they want headbands to be used. Some don’t want them at all, and some want a mix. The headbands I select for your baby are small and dainty, and proportionate to their head size. I am not a fan of Texas sized flowers around here!

Winnie slept like a rock during the solo portion of her session, and we were finished pretty quickly as a result. Her mama had brought a bow swaddle from the Beaufort Bonnet Company, so we incorporated it into the session as well. Fair warning: mamas tie the bows on these in my studio on the rare occasion that one is brought along. It’s harder than you would think to make these look good and stay that way!

Lots of people ask - “How long does a newborn session take?” I WISH that I could give an exact answer, but the truth is: it depends on your baby. If your baby is fussy or awake, we have to work around their needs. I can absolutely work with awake babies who are calm: but not awake babies who are angry or upset. So if your baby is having a rough time of it, it will take a little longer. Come prepared to hang out for a bit - up to 4 hours. The average session is 2.5-3, but if you plan for 4 and make sure you don’t have anywhere you need to be, you will be much happier. The studio is relaxing with comfy couches to sit on, and snacks. We are actually moving in a couple of weeks to a new and larger studio over in Poncey-Highlands very close to Ponce City Market, and there will also be coffee available for clients as well as internet access provided by Google Fiber if anyone needs to get some work done while not being photographed.

When I was finished with solo portraits, Winnie needed a diaper change and something to eat , so her parents tended to her while I set up for the parent and family portion. Once she was content again, we got started! The parent and family portion is easy and I’ll walk you through the entire process and explain exactly what I need as we go through. The safety and comfort of your baby is my #1 priority, so I over communicate when your baby is being moved from person to person. Basically, I don’t let go of your baby when handing them to you until we’ve made eye contact and you’ve verbally confirmed to me that you have them. And even then, I release my grip on your little one very slowly. ;) During this portion of the session, all you need to do is love and admire your baby. I’ll make sure you’re standing where you need to be in terms of light placement, and I’ll adjust anything necessary. Sometimes I’ll fix a twisted engagement ring, tuck a piece of hair, tuck in an errant clothing tag, or move a client’s head or hand ever so slightly. Whatever it takes to produce the most beautiful images! I truly love what I do and have years of experience doing it. It’s such an honor when a new family chooses me to document some of the most precious moments in their lives.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Winnie’s newborn session!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Melanie in the studio

Melanie contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session in the studio. She wanted to document her pregnancy and knew she just wanted a few images so she could show them to her baby someday and remember what she looked like pregnant.

While chatting on the phone with Caroline, Melanie was excited to hear that we have a studio wardrobe available for our clients to use, but said she wasn’t so sure we would have anything for her. Melanie went on to explain that she was quite petite, but Caroline quickly reassured her that we’ve had clients as short as 4’10” and that they have all found something that fit them perfectly and that they loved. After sending her everything she needed to book her session, Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her as well.

When Melanie came in a couple of weeks before her session date for maternity fitting, we talked about what she was hoping for in terms of a dress. She let me know that she wanted something that would show off her belly. If you’re not a person that is interested in that for your maternity pictures, don’t worry - we have plenty of dresses that don’t bare the bump! After looking through all of her options, she settled on a gorgeous pinkish beige dress that draped beautifully. As a note, all of our split front options can be worn closed too! We also chatted about what her husband could wear that would complement her dress choice and also stay true to his own style preferences and personality.

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio with her husband all ready to go. While she got dressed, I chatted with him and got to know him a bit. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t LOVE having his photo taken, but when I let him know that the session would be a snap and I’d show him exactly what to do the whole time, he was good to go. I think it’s completely normal to be a bit nervous going into a session. You’ve invested a lot of time into all the planning, and the last thing you want is to stand there awkwardly hoping that the way you’re standing looks good. Clients in my studio never have to deal with this because I literally guide them through the entire process. In the beginning, there’s a lot more direction and mid way through when my clients have relaxed, they start interacting naturally all on their own. From that point, I just make sure to watch out for things like a bra strap peeking out, stray hairs, etc. and slightly adjust bodies if needed for the most flattering positions. It’s EASY, I promise!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Melanie’s studio session!

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

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

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Sven is ONE!

I first photographed Sven when he was just a not so tiny newborn. You can see his adorable newborn session images by clicking here. It’s amazing how much he still looks the same!

When his mom, Angela, contacted the studio to ask to schedule a First Birthday session she let us know that this wouldn’t be the typical session with parents. Both sets of grandparents were going to be in town, and Angela wanted to schedule the session for when they were there as a gift to them to thank them and honor them. I was ALL for this and absolutely loved it.

I was so fortunate to have two wonderful sets of grandparents who were both heavily involved in my life, and I still have one set here with me today that I remain incredibly close to. The images with my grandparents are something that I cherish and show to my own children. To be able to facilitate in giving that gift to another family is amazing and such an honor for me!

Angela also asked to treat Sven’s grandmother’s to makeup services, so we set that up with Ellis who traveled to their home before they came to the studio. We sent along our style guide to Angela so she could coordinate with everyone on what to wear. When the group walked into my studio, I told Angela she’d nailed it and it was the perfect mix of colors, patterns, and texture while also keeping it true to everyone’s unique personalities and style preferences. Sven was a little bit stoic when he first arrived, but this is normal for his personality. I love serious images of babies just as much as I love happy ones. It shows a range of their expressions and a look into their personality that you wouldn’t get if every photo looked exactly the same.

We rotated through grandparent pairings and groupings and it was just SO cute to see Sven interacting with his grandparents. He is one very loved little boy! Once we were finished with all of the grandparent images, we moved on to Sven’s solo portraits.

By this point, Sven was comfortable with me and was starting to interact and smile. He made some of the CUTEST little faces and showed off his adorable dimples. I love watching how babies will arrange themselves when they sit in a chair, and Sven immediately went into the perfect little cross legged pose all on his own. Then he started grabbing his little toes… and well, if you know me, you know I don’t think there’s anything much cuter than a baby playing with their toes. Sven wasn’t walking alone just yet, but I enlisted one of his grandmas to come and give him a helping hand.

We then moved to the cake smash portion. This part is completely optional for clients, but it’s a lot of fun! Angela had brought a cute little cake from Publix which was simple and had fun sprinkles. As soon as Angela placed the smash cake in front of him, he dug right in and showed us a little glimpse of his two bottom teeth. I think he was pretty happy about it, don’t you?

I can’t wait to see this little guy again at our upcoming Santa event in December and see him running around. As a note, our Santa event is sold out, but you can still get on the wait list!

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

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Carter

I first worked with Sara & Jay for a maternity and newborn session when they were expecting their first baby. You can see their maternity session images by clicking here, and big brother Ander’s newborn session by clicking here. When Sara emailed me a few months before her due date to let me know that they were expecting baby #2, I was SO excited for their family! Lots had changed for their family since the birth of their first baby: new jobs for both, and a move to a new house. Sara knew she wanted to add on hair and makeup services for her newborn session since she had loved having that service for her two previous sessions.

When Carter was born, Sara emailed me to let me know. Carter had been born a bit early at 35.5 weeks and would be spending some time in the NICU for his lungs to develop. Since he was on the smaller side at birth, so I suggested waiting until he was around 3 weeks old to give them a chance to get settled in at home after NICU discharge and for Carter to have a chance to fill out a bit. Sara was in complete agreement with my suggestion, so we set the date to be when he was just over 3 weeks old.

Sara and Carter arrived at the studio first that morning. I always have dads bring big siblings later on since there’s no need for them to be there in the beginning. I will be photographing your newborn alone for their solo portraits, and you’ll just be sitting and waiting. In Sara’s case, she was doing her sitting and waiting in the hair and makeup chair, and Ander & Jay were at home until it was time to join us.

Ander was a sleepy little thing, and quite easy to work with as a result. We flew through the newborn portion of the session, and the timing worked out perfectly since he needed a diaper change and a feeding when I was done. Sara attended to his feeding while in the makeup chair, while we discussed what she would wear. When I have worked with clients in the past, I often know exactly what will work for their skin tone and body shape without even having to see it on them. I knew that a gorgeous blush pink lace dress would work for her perfectly, and when I pulled it off the rack for her to look at, she fell in love with it. Even though it’s a lace dress, it’s understated and not “frilly”. She let me know that big brother Ander would be wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, and that she had also opted to have her husband in a short sleeved casual button down. With that in mind, I suggested we dress Carter in one of our studio onesies for the family images since it would look better with the outfits than having him wrapped in a blanket. I’m a fan of onesies for a more casual approach, and honestly… what’s more classic and timeless than a white onesie?! Holding and moving your baby is also much easier when we don't have a blanket to contend with. I leave the choice up to mom and dad and we’ll work with whatever your preference is.

Jay and Ander arrived, and we immediately got started with family images. Three year old boys are a wild card (trust me, I know this because I have one myself) and I always work as quickly as I can while I still have their attention and cooperation. Jay and Sara were great with rolling with whatever Ander was willing to give us in the moment and I photographed him whenever he was willing to be in the images. When he wanted a break, I simply switched to photographing Carter with just his parents. Photographing toddlers and young children is not for the faint of heart and requires flexibility, quick thinking, and patience. I have an abundance of all of those, so you’re in good hands! ;)

Enjoy some of my favorites from Carter’s session! I really loved working with this family again, and I can’t wait to see them and how big the boys have gotten when they visit the studio again for our upcoming Santa event in December!!! (We are sold out, but you can still get on our waiting list)

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 | Alina is eight months!

Tina contacted us to schedule a family session centered around celebrating her daughter, Alina’s, sitting milestone. She looked through our website and loved the garden setting, so we set a date for their session the next month. The gardens are typically only available on weeknights, so if you’re hoping for this location for your session, you’ll need to plan to be available on a weeknight evening.

Tina also asked to add on hair and makeup services, and we sent over our style guide to her to look over. Our style guide isn’t intimidating at all! It’s a short and sweet read, and it really helps our clients understand how to mix and match wardrobe pieces for all session participants to have a cohesive look. If you want more assistance, we are more than happy to look at iPhone snaps of whatever combos you’re considering, or we can have you stop by the studio for an in person style consult. You simply bring all the clothes you’re thinking of with you, and come by to spend 20-30 minutes with me. I love meeting my clients in advance of their sessions, or getting a chance to catch up with clients who have worked with me before!

The evening of the session, I met the Tina, Danny, and Alina at the gardens. It was a beautiful evening and the temperature was perfect for June! Tina had been worried the week before that it would rain on the day of our session. We reassured her that it was too early to make a weather prediction and that we would watch the weather closely and reschedule to a different time if it was a problem. Atlanta can be unpredictable when it comes to weather during the summer, so we often will make the call the day before or day of and then reschedule for a future date that works for us both. We also give our clients the option to move into the studio for a studio session if they don’t want to (or can’t) reschedule for another day in the future.

Alina was a curious and happy baby. I loved the dress Tina had chosen to wear, and the outfits she had brought for Alina were adorable. We started with family images to get Alina comfortable and used to the sound of the camera. I am very respectful of little ones and approach them slowly and quietly until they have indicated that they’re ok with me and feel safe. The best way for a baby to feel safe is in the arms of their parents - so that’s why I always start with that! Tina and Danny absolutely love their little girl, and they did such a great job snuggling her and following my verbal prompts for interaction with her.

After the family images, Alina was completely comfortable with me, so I moved into her solo portraits. Because she was sitting up by herself perfectly with no wobbling, I knew it was safe to have her sit on the stone pathway. After a few shots from there, Tina changed her into a second outfit, and I pulled out the sweet little quilt I had brought along.

At first, Tina and Danny were calling to Alina from behind me and trying to help. I always ask parents to stand off to the side and not to call to their child or wave like a windmill being my back. There’s a couple of reasons for this request. Firstly: your child knows and loves you. They’re going to look right at you, and not at my camera, and it will make getting those gorgeous images with eye contact to the camera very difficult, if not impossible. Secondly, your child is in a new place with a new person, and will easily become overstimulated. Overstimulated babies and children tend to do one of two things: (a) decide they’re done with it all and withdraw (b) feed off of all the energy and become super excited to the point where they are too busy running/rolling/wiggling to want to interact with me. That being said, if I feel that a little one would do better with a parent behind me after I’ve assessed how they’re doing, I will absolutely ask for some assistance. As soon as I explained this to them, they immediately stood off to the side and watched quietly, and voila: Alina decided she was interested in looking at me. I encouraged her to play with her feet by tickling her toes and putting her foot in one of her hands. I really love when babies grab their feet because it’s such a unique part of that particular stage in their life… and it’s just about the cutest thing ever!

After I finished up with solo images, I rounded up the family for a few more family shots, and then we were all finished. Both Tina and Danny mentioned how much fun the whole experience had been and that they had enjoyed themselves so much. I’m always happy to hear this from my clients, because I work hard to ensure that your time with me is fun and relaxing - not stressful. I know how much work and time you’ve put into your session on your end, so when you arrive, let me handle the rest. Even if you’re concerned that your little one isn’t “cooperating”, let me assure you that they are. All you need to do is follow my guided prompts and love each other, I promise.

Enjoy some of my favorites from Alina’s milestone/family session!

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

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Cirleen & Donnie in the studio

Cirleen contacted us to schedule a maternity session at the very last minute. She hadn’t planned to have maternity photos taken, but friends convinced her that she should and would regret not having them. After speaking with Caroline, our studio manager, she decided on the studio as her location. Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her a couple of days out and also scheduled her to work with Margaret for add on hair and makeup services. Cirleen had her own eyelash extensions already in place, so Margaret did not work on her lashes.

When Cirleen arrived at the studio, I was immediately struck with how tall she was! I am six feet tall, so when I meet other women who are taller like I am, I immediately notice their height. :) We spent some time chatting about her preferences, and started going through the wardrobe together. Cirleen had been concerned we wouldn’t have anything she’d like but she found herself with an armful of dresses that she loved. She left armed with photos of her options and emailed a couple of days later with her final choices after getting her husband’s input.

On the day of her session session, Cirleen arrived and I was absolutely in love with the updo that Margaret had created for her! Donnie arrived with some clothing options that I went through and I chose the best complement to what Cirleen had chosen and he went to get dressed and then came back. While Cirleen was getting dressed, I spent time chatting with Donnie and getting to know a bit about him since this was our first time meeting. He was a fun guy to talk to, and I could see how much he loved his wife.

Once Cirleen was ready, she came out in her first dress, which was a strapless split front ivory gown with a sweetheart neckline. We have a few split front gowns in our wardrobe that can be worn both open or closed. Cirleen wanted to wear hers open for some images, and this is completely up to each individual client. If you have some stretch marks or a belly button ring piercing hole that you’re worried about, we can absolutely make those go away in post processing (if that’s what you want!) so don’t let that be the reason you skip baring the belly. If you’re just not a belly baring kind of gal, no worries at all!

I could tell Cirleen was a bit nervous as we got started. She had previously mentioned during her fitting that I’d most likely have to tell her what to do since she didn’t know how to go about a maternity session. If this is a concern for you also, please don’t worry - I expect this! Unless you’re a professional maternity model, why would you know anything about how to stand or where to place your hands? It’s my job to get you comfortable and help you relax and have a good time. I’ll make sure there’s no lipstick on your teeth, ensure your hair isn’t out of place, and that you’re not accidentally self inflicting a double chin.

I always start off my sessions pretty slowly to get my clients comfortable in front of the camera and to get a grasp for the “rules”. I explain everything as we go along, so you will never be wondering what to do next. Once we’re on a roll, then I add in dads.

The vast majority of my clients talk about about how they really appreciate the love and connection they see between expectant couples on my website and then say, “But my husband would never do that… he’s just not that romantic.”

Guess what? They still ended up with those kinds of images! My “secret” is to save those super close and personal images for the end, when you’re both relaxed and comfortable and have almost forgotten that I’m there. Nothing is forced or contrived between my couples. I simply position two people in love (ie: the two of you!) close to each other and gently give verbal prompts that lead to unique and natural interaction. Voila. That’s when the magic happens - and my clients are just as much a part of creating that as I am! The looks that you see exchanged between couples in my images aren’t faked, they’re very real. I love being able to give that to my clients.

Can I just say how much fun I had with these two during their time with me? I really enjoyed getting to know Cirleen & Donnie, and loved their sense of humor and personalities. Enjoy some of my favorites from this wonderful couple’s maternity session! I’m looking forward to seeing them again in the future and meeting their little boy!

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 | LaMiya is ONE!

Bernadette contacted the studio to schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, LaMiya with her older son included as well. She was really excited because it would be the first time that her children would be professionally photographed. We sent Bernadette our style guide, Pinterest inspiration board, and our cake tips sheet.

The day of their session, when the family arrived I introduced myself to everyone and was taken with how cute LaMiya was! Bernadette pulled out the cutest little outfit that she had bought for LaMiya from an Etsy boutique and outfit options that she had brought for LaMont to wear. I went through them and pulled the best choice for LaMont that worked well with LaMiya’s romper and headpiece.

Lots of my client mamas source Etsy for one of a kind pieces, but please be aware you’ll usually need to order several weeks in advance and sometimes the sizing can be off! If time is scarce, Amazon has been a surprisingly great source for some of the cutest First Birthday outfits I’ve seen come into the studio. Bernadette asked if she could take a a look at our studio tutus as well and we put together a second outfit from the studio wardrobe with a grey camisole and cream/tan/grey ombre tutu. My studio wardrobe for little ones is limited as I’ve found that most mamas prefer to dress their little one, but we can dress many of our clients in a pinch with what we have!

Bernadette brought along a dainty pink rosette cake with buttercream icing for LaMiya. If you choose to include a cake in your baby’s First Birthday session (nope, it isn’t required!) we have a list of resources for you in the Atlanta area if you don’t want to make it yourself! Our recommended baker is super talented and can accommodate egg and diary food allergies as well as create vegan cakes for those who may desire or need that as an option. She does NOT create sugar free cakes though, so be aware of that! She can also drop the cake off at the studio before your session so it’s one less thing you have to worry about on the day of. Using our recommended baker’s services is not required! It doesn’t matter where the cake comes from - we will walk you through what to choose for icing texture and colors, etc, if you plan to incorporate a cake into your baby’s session!

LaMiya was friendly and curious, so we started the session with just her and big brother LaMont. She had started walking at a very young age, so I made sure to photograph her doing that during the course of her solo portraits. I have found that about half of my one year olds are not walking by their First Birthday. If your baby isn’t walking, don’t worry - there are so many other things that they ARE doing that we will photograph! After we finished with LaMiya’s solo images, I took a few of LaMont also at Bernadette’s request. He was such a giggly and fun little boy, and reminded me a lot of my own son!

I brought out the studio’s antique high chair and photographed LaMiya playing with some of our studio toys in it. It helps babies get used to sitting in it, and if we find that they hate it, we can move to plan B for the cake smash. Not every baby enjoys sitting in a high chair, and we’ll work around their preferences so that they are comfortable!

We removed the tutu right before bringing the cake out as our studio tutus are not used during cake smashes due to it being impossible to get icing out of them. (I speak from experience! ) Bernadette presented her with her birthday cake with help from big brother LaMont. I LOVE when big siblings are in attendance for First Birthday sessions and “help” their little brother or sister because it makes for some of the cutest images! Sometimes a baby is suspicious of the cake but when they see that their big brother or sister is all about it, they throw their caution to the wind and jump right in!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this sweet baby girl’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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Natalie

I first worked with Bethany and John for their maternity session at the park location. You can view those images by clicking here. I had such a great time with them and their two pups during their maternity session, and was so looking forward to seeing them again when they welcomed their daughter!

That day finally came when I got the email from them announcing that their baby girl, Natalie, had arrived! Bethany knew she wanted to add on hair and makeup services again, and we scheduled their session for a couple weeks out.

The morning of their session, the new family of three arrived. I really love getting that first glimpse of their little face in their carseat and seeing which features they have from each parent. Little Natalie definitely favored her daddy in many ways, but I could see Bethany in her too. It’s amazing how fast babies change, though. When my first daughter was born EVERYONE made a point to let me know that she looked just like her dad. By the time she was six months old, that wasn’t the case anymore. She’s seven now, and she’s pretty much my twin (minus the hair color) - especially when you compare photos of us at the same age. It’s so much fun to see how they develop and change over time.

Bethany settled into the hair and makeup chair with Margaret, our lead HMUA, and I got started with Natalie’s solo portraits. I keep my colors very neutral and simple and generally use ivory whites, creams, blushes, and some beiges depending on which look best with each individual baby that comes my way. I want the focus to be on your baby and their sweet features, not on a busy or loud backdrop. Some of my wraps and tiebacks have texture to add visual interest and layers, but my photography style is very clean, simple, and authentic to my subjects.

Natalie was a good sleeper for me, and I was able to move her around and wrap her pretty easily. Some babies are not, and I modify my wraps and how I place them to their preferences. No two newborns look the same because every baby is unique in their preferences and touch sensitivity. I absolutely will not force a baby into a position that they don’t want to be in, and have years of experience in knowing when a baby can be coaxed or when we should move on to the next thing. I always like to photograph the little baby details as well, such as toes, hands, eyelashes, noses, etc with my macro lens. These macro shots are the perfect way to capture your baby’s sweet little details forever, so I always include them in the proof gallery. They’re often chosen as favorites: especially the toes!

When I was finished photographing Natalie, she was in need of a diaper change and a feeding break. John changed her diaper and then handed her to Bethany who nursed her while Margaret put the finishing touches on her hair. Once Natalie was done, I had the studio set up for the parent and family portion. Most of my new parents are a little bit nervous about what to do, but since Bethany and John had worked with me for their maternity session, they knew they didn’t need to be nervous. No matter what type of session, I guide my clients through the entire thing. I make slight adjustments, smooth hair flyaways, straight shirts, tuck in bra straps, and give easy to follow direction. AND we’ll have fun during the session too! ;) Newborn sessions are really just about loving your baby and admiring them… and parents of newborns are pretty much experts at that straight out of the gate. I’ll take care of the rest and make sure you’re photo ready!

After going through a mix of John and baby, Bethany and baby, and the whole family together, we were finished with the session. Bethany changed back into her clothes and I went over what to expect from me next in terms of when they’d see their proof gallery. We exchanged hugs goodbye, and they set off for home while I started the cleaning up of the studio. All studio pieces worn and used during a session are laundered afterwards, and the floors are swept. Our studio changing table is disinfected and the changing table cover and pad is changed out for a fresh one for each new client. All door handles and surfaces are also disinfected after each client just to be on the safe side. We take cleanliness seriously around here with the tiny little immune systems that come through our doors.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Natalie’s newborn session. I cannot wait to see her and her parents again in December when Natalie meets Santa for the first time as a six month old!

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 | Katharine, Howard & Henry on the mountain

I first worked with Katharine & Howard for their maternity session when they were expecting their son, Henry. I went on to photograph Henry’s newborn and First Birthday sessions. They’re some of my favorite clients because they’re so much fun! Howard is absolutely hilarious and keeps us all laughing constantly. When Katharine emailed us to let us know she was expecting her second baby (a girl!) and wanted to book a maternity and newborn session, I was so excited for them and to get to see them again. I absolutely love photographing growing families! I’ve been photographing for a while now, and I’m seeing a LOT of second and third babies for my existing clients this coming year, which is so special for me.

Katharine also asked to add on hair and makeup services for both sessions, and we scheduled a time for her and Howard to pop into the studio for a maternity fitting. When they came in, I showed her a pretty blue lace dress that I thought would look amazing on her, and she and Howard loved it. She also chose a purple dress with pretty bust detailing paired with a sheer white shawl for arm coverage and we discussed options for Howard and Henry based on her choices. Your partner is not required to attend the maternity fitting with you, but they’re certainly welcome to! I enjoy chatting with my clients and getting to know them during that time together, so if they’re able (and willing) to come, bring them along!

The evening of their spring session in April was sunny and pleasant. One of the best things about living in Atlanta because for the most part I can shoot year round outdoors . It’s not common to have days that are so cold you can’t be outdoors for a shoot . If that happens, it tends to be mostly in December-February. But, it’s the south after all….I’ve had sessions in January where it was 71 degrees while I was shooting here and it reached 75 on another day in December one year. You just never know!

Maternity sessions that involve families are full of fun and play so the big kids have fun too! I ask parents to check their expectations at the car, and to be ready to play games and follow gentle prompts for guided interaction. Trust me, I know how easy it is to become frustrated when you feel like your session isn’t going well. I know how much time and planning goes into the entire event. I have three kids of my own, so I really do get it. I have found that when my clients trust me and go with the flow, they are often pleasantly surprised by the resulting gallery even if they felt like the session was chaotic at times. If your children are full of energy and running around, that’s TOTALLY ok! Embrace it! Usually this also means they’re full of joy and their personality is shining through. We’re going to get images where that sheer happiness is clearly evident and their eyes are sparkling. All I I need is 1/1000th of a second to get those sweet and quiet moments…which might literally only last half a second before they’re running around again….but again, I don’t even need that long.

Henry enjoyed walking along with his parents and seeing all sorts of sticks and rocks. We spent some time at the base of the mountain, went into a forested area, and then we headed up to the top after Katharine changed into her second dress.

At the top, Henry had lost interest in participating, so I photographed just Katharine and added Howard in for some couples photos. Most of the time toddlers will see their parents working with me and it suddenly dawns on them that we are doing something WITHOUT THEM! :::indignant gasp::: In most cases, they suddenly appear with renewed interest in participating for a few minutes, and we’re able to photograph some sweet mommy and me moments and whole family moments too. I work around your child’s needs and mood, so we’ll get what we need at some point!

The mountain location is a favorite because kids have a lot of fun exploring, and the scenery is different than the norm. There are a few different areas to photograph in as we make our way up to the top. The constant moving and changing scenery keeps kids engaged and interested. It’s about a mile hike from our meeting place to the top. My own little boy hiked it successfully by himself with no assistance from me when he was twenty months old, and we’ve had several maternity clients get up there with no issues. So, physically, it’s on the easier side for families and pregnant women, but there is some physical effort involved. In the summer and fall months it can be extremely hot since the mountain is an all rock surface with nowhere for the heat to go. I share these facts with you so you can make the best decision on whether it’s the right location for you and your abilities.

I love photographing at the mountain location since it’s such a unique place. When’s the last time you climbed a mountain and watched the sunset or surveyed land for as far you can see in all directions? Been a while? Come do it with me in the near future, and you’ll have some gorgeous photos to show for it too! ;)

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this sweet family’s gorgeous 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | Kirin is TWO!

I first worked with Suleka & Jesse for their maternity session at the field location when they were expecting their son, Kirin and went on to photograph his newborn session as well. You can see their maternity images by clicking here, and Kirin’s newborn session by clicking here.

I was thrilled to hear from Suleka when she contacted the studio to schedule a session for Kirin’s second birthday. She wanted an outdoor session and loved the gardens location. Because she had worked with Megan, one of our HMUA’s for her previous sessions, she knew she wanted to add on hair and makeup services with her again. Suleka also let us know that both sets of grandparents would be participating in the session as well! I was so excited because I think the grandparent relationship is SO special and important. I was incredibly fortunate to have two absolutely wonderful sets of grandparents that were very involved in my life growing up. One set still remains, and I can’t imagine a life without them in it. So anytime a family wants grandparents to be involved in their family session, I am 200% on board. What an incredibly beautiful gift to give to your child!

We also sent over our style guide to Suleka to help her in coordinating her family’s wardrobe since there were so many of them and let her know we were happy to assist further if she needed to run anything by us. She found the style guide easy to read and super helpful when it came to coordinating everyone’s outfits and did a wonderful job all on her own! If you need more assistance than she did, we’re here to help!

The family drove all the way from Cumming into Atlanta for their session. We had a mostly overcast evening with really nice spring weather. Overcast days are awesome because the light is really soft, even, and diffused and it affords a lot of flexibility in which direction I can place my subjects. When we have a clear day with sunlight, that’s also gorgeous - but I don’t face my subjects towards the sun because I don’t want them to be blinded and squinting in every image.

Kirin spends lots of time with his grandparents, and is a very loved little boy. His face lights up whenever he’s with the people he loves, and it was such a fun session to photograph. He enjoyed walking around the gardens and exploring, and the session was pretty much “pass Kirin around to everyone” and group images. I work REALLY fast with toddlers of this age when we have a larger family group because I want to make sure we get those whole family images checked off the shot list before my youngest subject(s) lose interest! Then we let loose, we play, and we keep moving to keep them active and engaged. The entire session took about 30ish minutes, because that’s all Kirin was interested in giving us… but as you’ll see, it was more than enough time - and the adults actually loved that it wasn’t a long and drawn out session. When we said our goodbyes, I was the only one that left since everyone else opted to stay and keep exploring and playing!

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this family session! I can’t wait to see these guys next year!

Would you like to capture your family just as you are now before you blink and they’re not so little anymore? Contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography!

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

Atlanta Lifestyle Family Photographer | Baby Suman's In Home Milestone Session

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

I first worked with this sweet couple for their maternity session at the park location. You can view those images by clicking here. I was so excited to head to their home in East Cobb and meet their son, Suman! Chitra wanted to schedule an in home session and include her mother in the photos as well, which I was more than happy to do. We chatted a bit about the best time for Suman during the day when he was well rested and happy, and settled on a date.

Suman is the most adorable little guy! He is the perfect mix of his parents and has such beautiful deep brown eyes. When I arrived at their home, I did a walk through to see what I had to work with, and decided to photograph in 2 of the rooms there as well as on the covered front porch. Each home is unique in terms of layout and lighting, and because I work with the available natural light, each session will look different, too. When we plan your in home lifestyle session, you’ll send over some phone shots of some rooms in your home at a couple of different times during the day. We’ll look at those and then determine the best time to schedule your session (and know ahead of time which rooms we’ll be photographing in)! The two rooms I chose had lots of windows and tons of light. We did spent a little time rearranging some things (mainly clearing off the coffee table and moving some toys) so they wouldn’t be distracting in the photos.

We started in the living room, and then headed upstairs to Suman’s adorable nursery. Lifestyle sessions are all about having fun together as a family. You will play, you’ll tickle, you’ll snuggle together. Suman really enjoyed playing peek a boo, and gave me some really big smiles. Chitra was shocked because Suman has stranger anxiety and she wasn’t sure how he would do with me.

I can’t wait to see him again and how much he’s grown in the fall when I photograph them next! In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorite images from their session.

Are you interested in learning more about an in home session? Contact us to discuss your vision and we’ll get to planning! Travel fees may apply for homes located more than 30 minutes from 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Lucia

I last worked with Saidie, Daniel, and big sister Zoe for their family maternity session at the gardens location. You can view those images by clicking here. I was SO excited to hear from Saidie that baby Lucia had arrived! When Lucia was born, she was a little itty bitty thing at just over 5 pounds. Her session was scheduled for when she was almost three weeks old because of her weight and to give Zoe a little bit of time to acclimate and adjust. You just never know how your older children will react to having a new baby in the house. I’ve found that the majority of kids in the 18 month through late 2’s range need some time, so I tend to schedule those sessions around the 2-3 week mark. It also gives mom and dad some time to adjust to having another member of the family too! :) The way that I work with and photograph newborns does NOT require them to be under 10 days old like many other photographers. So if you’ve heard that before, ignore it when it comes to me. It’s just not the case here! And if you’re reading this while holding your three week old newborn, regretting not booking a newborn session, and thinking you missed the window….think again. Give us a call and we’ll see if we can fit you in on the schedule!

Saidie and Lucia arrived at the studio on the morning of their session, and I got started photographing just Lucia while Saidie took some time for herself to relax. She already knew exactly which dress she wanted to wear because of her maternity fitting, so her dress was already steamed and ready for her.

Lucia was wide awake when I took her out of her carseat, but very calm. I immediately wrapped her up to take advantage of her alertness as photographs of newborns with eyes open and looking at the camera can be difficult (and sometimes impossible!) to get. I’d estimate that about half of my newborn clients are asleep for their entire session and won’t open their eyes, or are angry when awake, which doesn’t make for a good open eye portrait. Lucia didn’t want to sleep at all, so when Daniel arrived with Zoe, we moved right into the family and parent portraits. Zoe was interested in her baby sister and we played a few games to encourage natural and gentle interaction with her. I always hear from parents at how amazed they are by some of the techniques that I use to get images… the truth is, they’re pretty easy as long as the older child is interested in playing that particular game. If they’re not, we pivot to something else. We’ll eventually find something to engage them!

As we were finishing up with family photos, Lucia fell asleep, so I was able to get some family images with her both awake and asleep. Zoe and Daniel left to head back home, and I photographed Lucia’s solo portraits. Usually it’s the other way around, but babies run the show… so that’s how it was for this session! Saidie had brought the family rosary passed down from generations before them. Such a special family heirloom that I was honored to incorporate for them! She also brought a beautiful linen Mexican dress with a matching blanket that we saved for the very end that Zoe had also been photographed in. Lucia woke up as we were dressing her in it, but remained calm, so I was able to get a few quick images before she decided to announce very loudly that she was hungry again. ;)

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Lucia’s newborn session! You made me work hard, sweet girl, but it’s always worth it in the end!

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 | Saidie, Daniel & Zoe in the Gardens

Saidie contacted us pretty late in her third trimester to inquire about booking a maternity and newborn session. Because she had moved here from California after the birth of her first daughter, she didn’t know of any photographers in the Atlanta area. Saidie looked around online, looked through my website, and fell in love with my maternity sessions in our gardens location, and proceeded with booking her sessions with us. Please note that the gardens are not available on weekend evenings, so if you want your session to take place there, you will need to arrange for your schedule to accommodate a weeknight.

When Saidie came in for her maternity fitting at the studio, I instantly loved her warm and bubbly personality. She is one of those people who is incredibly caring and kind to anyone she interacts with, and so genuine. She told me about her daughter Zoe, and her husband Daniel, and we started looking through dresses. Saidie’s problem wasn’t that she couldn’t find a dress… she loved so many of them that she had such a hard time narrowing them down! I reminded her that she could choose to wear one for her newborn session, and that made her feel better. ;) She chose a sleeveless lace overlay gown and a blush off the shoulder flowy gown. The vast majority of our dresses can be worn for both! Many of our pieces aren’t even maternity specific but accommodate growing bellies. Booked clients are welcome to borrow from the wardrobe as a perk, but not required. We looked through some of our little girl dresses as well and she chose one for Zoe to wear that worked perfectly with her own dress choices.

Their session was scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks, but Atlanta experienced a cold snap… and the weather was breezy and in the mid 70’s. I happened to have a weeknight open, so I emailed Saidie to ask if she’d like to move it up because of how perfect the weather was. She wasted no time in replying, “Yes, let’s do it!”

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens, and the weather was AMAZING. Saidie had brought along a flower crown and asked what I thought about her wearing it. I’m all for flower crowns if my clients want to wear them, and suggested she wear it with the bohemian dress as it was a better fit for that look. She agreed, and the family all got dressed and ready.

I always start with family and child images just in case they decide they’re over the session and don’t want to participate anymore later on. Zoe was tired and a bit emotional, so we worked around her mood. She did such a great job participating but would lose interest quickly. That’s never a problem! I’ll just photograph mom alone or parents together until the interest picks back up. Trying to “force” a toddler to participate is not possible. It’s best to approach them with a laid back attitude and invite them to join in when they’re ready. Removing pressure and creating a no-stress environment is the best way to engage positively with my little clients, so that’s what I strive for!

There’s lots of variety to be had in the garden setting with tons of areas to shoot in. Backlit photos with the setting sun are not always possible due to tree foliage. We will often be working around other photographers and their clients, so if you’re hoping for seclusion and privacy during your session, this is likely not the best location choice for you. I can assure you that nobody is paying any attention to anyone else as we’re all there for our own sessions!

Daniel, Saidie, and Zoe enjoyed walking around the gardens and playing together. As we walked, we chatted about all sorts of things. One of my favorite parts about being a photographer that works with so many families is getting to know my clients and listening to their stories. I am constantly reminded of what a small world we live in and how much we can have in common with others from my conversations with them.

I LOVED working with this awesome family of three (soon to be four!) and can’t wait to share images of their new daughter’s newborn session later this week! In the meantime, enjoy a few 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Child & Family Photographer | Kendall is FOUR!

Milestone sessions aren’t just for babies! We have lots of mamas contact us to schedule portrait sessions for their big kids too around their birthdays. I love this, as I do it with my own children. There’s something so cool about being able to look back and see what your child looked like each year and how much they changed between the years.

Chrysten contacted us to schedule a session for her daughter, Kendall to celebrate her fourth birthday! We sent over the style guide for Chrysten to look through to pull clothing from their closets. I know how it is to be a busy working mom, so I am happy to provide assistance through emailed photos of clothing options if stopping by the studio just isn’t an option for you and your schedule. Please note that if you’re planning to borrow anything from the wardrobe, you will need to arrange to come to the studio for a visit beforehand though!

On the day of Kendall’s session, she arrived at the studio with her little brother Finley, and her dad, Nick. Nick is such a cool guy, but doesn’t enjoy being in photos unless it’s absolutely necessary. I did end up asking him to sit in for a bit because it was the only way to keep the two kids next to each other! :)

Nick had brought along a bouquet of flowers and a gold #4 balloon to use during the session. He also brought a bag of clothes for me to go through for each of them and I pulled together the best options and combos. Once I had that squared away, I began to photograph Kendall.

Kendall has a BIG personality, and an even bigger smile with the biggest blue eyes. She loves flowers and really wanted to take her picture with the bouquet that her dad had brought along. I was all for it - birthday sessions are meant to be fun and allow personalities to shine. Sitting primly and properly for the entire session just isn’t going to happen with kids, and that would honestly be pretty boring. Kendall broke out her “model” poses and did lots of jumping and running around. There were lots of giggles during our time together, and it truly was so much fun. By the end of our session, the kids were both bouncing off the walls, so I pulled Nick in for a few images as well.

When Chrysten saw Kendall’s gallery, she absolutely loved it and let us know that we had captured her daughter’s true personality perfectly. She added on several more images to her collection since she couldn’t manage to narrow them down to what it included. She then emailed to schedule Finley’s second birthday session, and opted to be in some of the photos with him this time! (yay!)

I’m looking forward to sharing the images from Finley’s second birthday session soon! In the meantime, enjoy some of my favorites of little miss Kendall!

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

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Theo

Greer contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a newborn session. She had a lot of questions about the process and what to expect, so Caroline (our full time studio manager) gave her a call to answer all of her questions in depth. Caroline is lots of fun to talk to and super responsive. Our clients love chatting with her, and you will too! Greer emailed us the next week to let us know she was ready to proceed with getting on our calendar.

Let me address the MOST often asked question when it comes to newborn sessions. “How can I schedule my baby’s newborn session when I don’t know when they will actually be born?”

The answer: We have a limited number of spots each month for newborn clients in order to maintain the best level of service to our clients. When you reserve your newborn session, you are taking one of those spots that we have set aside. Once they’re full, they’re full. If you’re reading this right now and have already had your baby, please call the studio to see if we can accommodate you. When babies arrive earlier or later than their estimated due date, we are often able to fit in last minute requests depending on our schedule!

A couple of months went by, and Greer let us know that baby Theo had arrived! She also requested to add on hair and makeup services to her newborn session as well. When you add on hair and makeup, you don’t need to worry about finding dates that will work for our schedule. We handle all the coordination in house to make the process as easy as possible for you. Our HMUA team is absolutely wonderful and skilled at working with all skin types and tones. They’re caring, and kind, and specialize in natural beauty which is exactly what most of our newborn moms want. Should you want to kick it up a notch, simply discuss your preferences with them while you’re sitting in the chair, and they’ll create a beautiful look for you based on your vision that will also photograph well. I also want to mention that adding on services does not lengthen the amount of time that you are in the studio. You’re going to be sitting and waiting regardless while I photograph your newborn alone for the first portion. Might as well treat yourself and not worry about getting ready! PS: our HMUA artists are MAGIC when it comes to undereye circles from newborn induced sleep deprivation.

We settled on a date that worked for Greer, and sent over our newborn prep packet for her to review. It’s a short read and goes over best practices for the smoothest newborn session experience. We also cover what to wear if you’re bringing your own clothing from home, and we’re available to answer any questions you might have in the time leading up to your time in the studio!

When the new family of three arrived at the studio the morning of their session, Greer settled into the hair and makeup chair with Ellis at the helm. I took Theo back to the newborn shooting room. He was such a sweet and cuddly little guy and slept like a champ. As a newborn photographer, I’ve worked with all sorts of babies. Some babies need some extra help to get into a super sleepy state, and I have a bag of tricks up my sleeve that I’ve picked up over the past six years of photographing newborns. Because Theo was such a deep sleeper. I was able to move through the solo portraits pretty quickly.

When I came out of the newborn shooting room with Theo, he was hungry and needed a diaper change. Perfect timing! Daddy attended to Theo while Ellis put the finishing touches on Greer’s makeup. Greer had brought a few options from her home closet, and I loved what she’d brought. She was most comfortable wearing casual jeans and a blouse, and I thought it was perfect! While we have a large selection of studio dresses available to clients, it is NOT a requirement. I strongly encourage clients to choose clothing that they feel comfortable and beautiful in. If that’s a floor length maxi from my wardrobe or your favorite broken in Levi’s with a v-neck tee - either works! These are your images from one of the most important times of your life, and I want you to look at them and feel like you’re seeing yourself. One is not “better” than the other, it simply comes down to individual client taste and aesthetic preferences. The only thing I am concerned with is colors and patterns working well for the session type, which is why I’ll happily provide any assistance and guidance you need!

After Theo was changed and had a full tummy, we moved into the family portion of the session. New parents are often still getting used to holding and handling their newborn. Most new moms have been sitting down while holding them at home! My clients comment a lot about how amazed they are by how I make it look so effortless when handling their newborns. You’ll get the hang of it too and be a pro in no time!

I’m constantly watching my mamas to make sure they’re doing well and not getting dizzy. An 8 pound baby can start to feel like a 50 pound baby after 15 minutes of standing holding them, trust me. If you or baby need to take a break, we take one! The safety and comfort of my clients is my top priority in the studio, and I over communicate with my parents when we are moving baby from person to person to make sure the receiving person has baby securely in their grasp before removing my hands.

Another concern often expressed is, “We don’t know what we’re supposed to do.” The good news? You actually already do. ;) Your job is to hold your baby and admire them, and I’m pretty sure you’ve been (or will be!) doing that from the moment of their birth. I’ll take care of the rest with gentle guidance and demonstration. I explain things verbally as we go and make gentle adjustments as needed. My goal is for all of you to feel comfortable and relaxed, and I’ll help you get there! Nobody is left hanging in my studio wondering what they’re supposed to do next - I promise.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Theo’s newborn session!

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

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Charmaine & Company

Charmaine’s husband, Sean, called the studio to ask about booking a maternity session as a surprise for his wife. He had looked through several websites and really loved what he saw on ours. He knew that we’d be the perfect fit for his family and his wife’s tastes. I always love when dads schedule a session as a surprise gift, and we’ve had many clients do this in the past few years. If you plan it far enough in advance, we can whip up a gift certificate to present to your partner.

Sean wanted his wife to dictate the location and actual session date, so he booked the session with us and told her he had a surprise for her. Caroline called Charmaine to go through the location options and talk about dates. After viewing the different locations, Charmaine fell in love with the field and was thrilled to hear that the location was just minutes from where they lived! Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting date with me at the studio for a couple of weeks before their scheduled date. We don’t schedule maternity fittings further than two weeks out because we want to ensure that there isn’t a really big growth spurt between the fitting and session. If a client chooses a dress that I’m concerned MIGHT not fit in two weeks, we have a backup option to that choice just in case. I’ve never had to default to that backup option, but you just never know.

Charmaine showed up for her maternity fitting, and I instantly liked her straightforward personality and cool South African accent. She and I both had a few things in common: we’re both business owners, we each have two daughters (who look very different from each other!) and we both choose to wait to find out what we are having until birth. If she has a boy as her third child, that’ll be another thing we have in common! After trying on several dresses, Charmaine opted for a blush pink lace off the shoulder dress with embroidery and a floral quarter length sleeved dress. Since her daughters did not attend the fitting with her, I showed her a few things we had in the studio for little girls and she eyeballed the size. I made a note of which dresses were possibilities to bring along with me to their session. Caroline also sent her our studio style guide to review when choosing her husband’s outfit, and we were all set! All clients receive our studio style guide which is short and easy to read. It’s super helpful when planning what to wear for the members of your family not utilizing the wardrobe. We’re here to provide as much assistance as you need with that if you want to run some options by us beforehand.

The evening of their session was absolutely gorgeous, and we were some of the only people there. It’s pretty rare for that to happen at this particular location, but you won’t hear me complaining. Charmaine asked if we could incorporate a family heirloom into their session and showed me this lovely lace parasol she had brought with her. I was thrilled to include it, and thought it was so perfect with what she had chosen to wear and the gorgeous sunlight in the background.

There is no set flow for a maternity session including a family. Kids sometimes lose interest for a bit, and I just work around who is up for participating. I definitely take advantage of fresh and ready to go kids right at the beginning. That way, if they lose all interest and just want to play, we’ve already gotten those family images. These little girls loved being with their parents and enjoyed walking and playing in the field together. The girls reminded me of my own, personality wise - my oldest is quite the camera ham and enjoys being photographed, while my middle daughter is more reserved and serious. We explored many areas of the field together, and had a lot of fun doing so.

When Charmaine looked through her proof gallery, she emailed saying how much she loved the images and how they had captured their family perfectly. She was amazed at how it truly looked like their family, and at how much fun the whole experience had been. So… she requested to book a newborn session for when baby #3 arrived! ;) Most clients book both their maternity and newborn sessions at the same time so they can be assured of a date when their baby arrives. We take a limited number of newborns each month to ensure the best level of service for our clients. Booking a newborn session in advance does not mean that we set an exact date for it. Babies are so unpredictable! I’ve had some of my clients deliver at 37 weeks and others at 42. When you book your newborn session, you are simply reserving one of our reserved spots. Once your baby arrives, you just let us know and we’ll get you on the studio calendar for your exact date after learning a bit about your baby’s stats and how you’re recovering. Typically, we schedule clients to come in between their baby’s first 8-16 days of life, but we’ve had plenty of newborns in the three week range too.

I can’t WAIT to find out if Charmaine and Sean have a boy or a girl and to see their awesome family again soon. In the meantime, enjoy 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 family photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Family Photographer | The A Family

Courtney contacted the studio to ask about scheduling a family session. A good friend of hers had recently worked with us and had recommended she consider us for her photography needs. Courtney was pregnant with her second child, but she wanted the focus of her session to be family rather than maternity. Not sure of the difference between a family session vs. a maternity session? We’ll happily explain that to you when you give us a call! :) After looking through the locations, Courtney chose the park location for their session. The park is a great location choice for our intown clients to avoid traffic around the Atlanta interstates, especially on weeknights!

We sent over our style guide to Courtney, which is short and super easy to read. So many of our clients have told us that it’s been incredibly helpful to them when planning what to wear. If you get stuck, or you want more feedback, we’re here to help with that too! Our studio wardrobe is also available to borrow from as well, although the majority of family session clients dress themselves. We find that the majority of our newborn and maternity clients opt to use the wardrobe!

When Courtney and her family showed up at the studio parking lot, we chatted for a couple of minutes and then they followed me by car to the location just a couple of minutes away. I loved the dress that Courtney had chosen - I have this same dress in a few different colors in my own studio wardrobe. It’s such a comfortable dress and very flattering whether you’re pregnant or not. She had coordinated her daughter’s lace dress to match the pink embroidery on her own dress and it was the perfect combo. Dad looked great in his light blue button down and khakis. If your guy isn’t a khakis guy, don’t put him in them. Have him wear jeans instead if that’s his thing. I want your family to be comfortable and feel like themselves for your images! While our style guide does have some specific guidelines for what to avoid, it’s to ensure that your images are cohesive and there’s not an element that sticks out and is distracting. I’ve had clients who opted for a glammed up look complete with tuxedos and tulle, and others who went with a monochromatic look topped with motorcycle boots and jackets. That’s who they were, and their resulting images captured them perfectly because they chose to be themselves. Don’t let what’s most popular on Pinterest or what you think you “should” wear for family photos dictate your final choices. Be YOU.

We got started with our session by playing some games…. which involved me being quite the goof. I am not a super peppy personality that gets into your child’s face, because I’ve found that often just backfires. Instead, I’m pretty quiet and slowly approach your child until I can see that they’re feeling comfortable. I match the energy level of your child throughout the session and let them lead the way. I want them to have a fun time too, not be freaked out by this person they don’t know!

My family sessions are very much about playing together and being a family. The goal is not necessarily for everyone to be looking at the camera. While it’s wonderful to get that “perfect” family photo with everyone smiling and looking for the Christmas card or for Grandma, that’s is not my ultimate goal or the heart of my approach at all. So, what is? Love. Connection. Photos that show how much your family loves each other and how much your children adore you. The kind of photos that are captured when you’re being who you truly are and have forgotten a camera is there. The kind of photos that give you a perspective of your family that you cannot see yourself. That’s what I’m after.

If you want to capture your family just as you are now before time slips through your fingers, contact us and we’ll chat about your session goals, your vision, and our approach to see if we’re the perfect match for your family photography! I can’t wait to meet you!

In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorites from this family’s session!

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

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