Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Adrienne, Dave & Logan

When Adrienne emailed me to let me know she was expecting baby #2, I was so excited! I first worked with them when they were expecting their first baby for their maternity session in the studio, and again for his newborn and First Birthday sessions, and then a family session that also was at his second birthday milestone. As with Logan, they had decided to wait until birth to find out whether or not they were having a boy or a girl. I made the same decision with all three of my own babies, so I love when my clients also opt to not find out beforehand!

She let me know that she wanted to book both maternity and newborn with add on hair and makeup services to both. Adrienne loves working with our HMUA team, and has elected to add services on to nearly every session! A couple of weeks before their session, she came to the studio to look through our wardrobe. We are constantly adding pieces to it and sometimes retire other pieces. At 4’11”, Adrienne is one of our most petite clients (the winner stands at 4’10”!) and has a very small frame. We have plenty of options to accommodate petite clients though, so it’s not a worry. After looking through the options, she decided on two dresses: a pretty purple maxi dress, and an off the shoulder white gown with a high low hem. I love this particular white gown for my petite clients since they can walk freely without having to worry about moving the dress bottom out of the way. I carry clamps and fabric tape in my bag at all times, so if a dress is too big for a client we can usually make it work. We’ve also had other instances where the dress wouldn’t zip, so we just clamped the back of it to the client’s bra. If you’ve browsed the website, you’ve probably seen plenty of instances of that… but you just don’t know it since it’s not visible! ;)

The evening of their session, we met at the park location and got started. At their last session, Logan had still been pretty shy and had stranger anxiety, but at almost a year later, that had all changed. He was outgoing and friendly, and had fun participating! How adorable are his little blue glasses?! During maternity sessions that include families, I almost always take the opportunity to photograph dads with their little ones while mom is getting changed into her second look, and this time was no exception. Dads really enjoy having fun with their little ones, and we have some fun playing and goofing off in those few minutes. I’ve had several moms comment that they had no idea what was going on while they were getting changed and that they were brought to tears when seeing the proof gallery and the special daddy-kid moments that they didn’t see unfolding. It’s the last time it’ll just be your little family unit before the newest member arrives, and it’s such a bittersweet feeling. Rest assured, your life is about to change in an amazing way and your heart will love even more than you ever thought possible. Almost most every client I have worries a little bit about how it’s all going to work out! I remember being in labor with my second baby and holding my firstborn in my arms during contractions at home… and thinking to myself “WHAT HAVE I DONE?!” The idea that she would no longer be my only little sidekick made me slightly terrified and I worried that maybe I was somehow going to ruin her life. Verdict? It made her life incredible and she has a best friend for life… and I had two of the best little sidekicks ever…. now it’s three since their brother joined us too!

Towards the end of the session, Logan was getting a bit restless, so I had Dave take him off for a break while I photographed just Adrienne. I called Dave back over for a few couples images, and then Logan was interested in participating again. The bubbles I brought along may or may not have had something to do with that! ;) All in all, it was a fun 45 minutes together and I worked around Logan’s willingness to participate at any given moment throughout. People ask what’s needed for a successful family session. I’d say it’s an even tie between patience and flexibility for all the adults present (me and parents!). I know those sweet moments WILL happen during sessions, and it’s just a matter of being patient and quick on my feet. While I give my families guidance and direction for natural interaction, the kids run the show. At the end of the day, you cannot force a three year old to have genuine emotion or interaction - but trust me, with patience and flexibility, that will unfold on its own.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this family maternity session - and be on the lookout for the photos from their newborn session soon!

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 River

Jessica emailed me to let me know that her second baby BOY, River had arrived! I was so excited for their family and we confirmed their newborn session date. We’d actually reserved a date for their newborn session based on her scheduled c-section date and history of being “overdue” because of her husband’s travel schedule. Typically we will not schedule a firm date until babies have actually arrived, but because of those extenuating circumstances, that’s how we handled it! The reason why is because babies don’t tend to arrive when we expect. If your baby came two weeks earlier, the date we had scheduled based on their due date would likely be later than needed. If they came a week later than expected, we would have to push the date out. However, since the weekday we scheduled was the ONLY date that would work for their family, we knew going in that it would be the day regardless of whether baby came earlier than expected. We like to schedule our newborns to come in between 8-21 days of age. There are a few important factors that we take into consideration when scheduling: the size of your baby, when they arrived relative to their expected due date, and how the both of you are recovering.

The morning of River’s newborn session, Jessica and her mom arrived at the studio with River in tow. Big brother Griffin and daddy stayed at home to play! We have big kids and dads arrive about 90 minutes after I get started with baby. This allows moms to have some quiet, and in Jessica’s case: pampering in the hair and makeup chair as she’d elected to add on those services!

I took River for his solo portraits while Jess settled into the hair and makeup chair. River was smaller than his brother was at birth, and it was quite a different experience photographing him since he was much easier to wrap and work with. Griffin had rolls on rolls which made it a little more complicated! ;) If you want to see Griffin’s newborn session, just click here to see those images! River was a little sweetheart and flashed a few grins for me. When babies smile in their sleep, I know we are approaching wake up time. Every baby is different: some wake up and are immediately angry and hungry, while others slowly rouse and take in their surroundings.

River was totally calm while awake and gave me some very quizzical expressions. I love when newborns are awake and calm as it gives me an opportunity to photograph those open eye and eye contact with the camera shots. Once I finished with those, I took him back to Jessica and she nursed him while I pulled out options from the studio wardrobe for her. I had an off the shoulder cream lace dress in mind for her that I knew she would look beautiful in, and was pretty sure she would love it. My instincts were on the mark, and she kept commenting on how much she loved the dress and how pretty she felt in it.

Daddy and Griffin arrived shortly after, and we started with family and parent images. Griffin was such a sweet big brother and was interested in participating at times and other times not so much. This is never a problem - I just let toddlers do their own thing. Griffin would drift over to his grandma and then jump back in to join us, and it all worked out perfectly. I have parents ask big siblings to do things like “Show me baby’s toes” or “Can you give baby a kiss?” and am right there to photograph whatever naturally happens. Sometimes they’ll say no or run away, and that’s ok! The most important thing we can do is to have patience and not try to force a child to do anything. (A) Forcing toddlers to do anything almost always backfires and (b) it’s not fun to be forced to do things. I have all sorts of techniques in my bag of “tricks” from the past six years of photographing newborns and my own three children - so come relaxed and ready to play a few games, and we’ll get beautiful images of your children interacting naturally with the newest family member!

Enjoy a few of my favorites - I can’t wait to see River again when he comes to meet Santa next month! (PS: we are totally sold out and have been for a couple of months, but you can hop on the waiting list and cross your fingers!)

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 | A Mommy & Me session at the park

I first worked with Jess when she was pregnant with her first baby, and was so excited to hear that she was expecting a second! We scheduled her maternity and newborn sessions, and met up at the park on a summer evening in August. She also asked to add on hair and makeup services, which she’s done for pretty much every single session at this point. She loves our HMUA team so much that she’s hired them for special events not related to photography - and she’s not the only one. Many of our clients have done the same thing, and our artists love working with them for any of their beauty needs - from event prep to makeup lessons.

I’ve worked with Jess MANY times at this point (maternity, newborn, six month, First Birthday, 18 months, and Santa for her first child) - so we’ve gotten to know each other over the past couple of years. She let me know she’d be bringing one of her own dresses (I got her hooked on the brand when she wore one of their dresses during her first maternity session) and she borrowed a blush off the shoulder dress from the studio wardrobe. It’s one of my favorite dresses to photograph clients in on sunny days because I can shoot through the sheerness of the dress and create beautiful images that show off the belly without actually showing any skin. You’ll see what I mean later in this post!

Griffin is a busy little boy, and as any parent with a toddler knows: you can’t really tell them what to do. Directing two year olds is not actually a thing. Fortunately for my clients, that’s not how I run my sessions with small children. I engage with them and give parents direction for natural interaction. We play games, sing songs, break out bubbles…whatever it takes. I want your little ones to have fun during our time together. Come to your session with patience and a go with the flow attitude, and we will create beautiful images of your family together.

Enjoy a few of this sweet mommy and son duo before welcoming the newest addition (check back in a couple of days to find out if it was a boy or a girl!).

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 | Anna is ONE!

Oksana contacted the studio to schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Anna. They had recently moved here from Germany and were looking online at different photographers and knew instantly when they came across my website that I was the perfect fit for them. We scheduled a date for them, and sent over our easy to follow style guide. If you’re still worried about your outfit selections, we are here to help you with that! You can come into the studio a couple of weeks before your session with the clothes from your own closet and I’ll help you pull things together. You can also borrow from our client wardrobe! If coming in is not feasible for your schedule, you can also email snapshots of the different combinations you’re considering. Whatever is easiest for you. I have three kids, so I totally get having a busy schedule. I want your session experience to be fun and as stress free for you as possible!

On the morning of their session, the family arrived and Anna was in the prettiest pink dress with lace accents. Her mom had picked up a gorgeous lace dress for herself from H&M which is such a great local option for Atlanta moms. They often have total gems from season to season that photograph so beautifully.

We started with Anna in her mom’s arms for solo portraits. While she was friendly and curious, she wasn’t quite ready to take photos by herself just yet since she was still getting used to me and the sound of the camera shutter. Babies run the show around here, and I structure my session flow to each individual baby and their personality. We called dad in for some family images and ended with more parent and child.

After we finished with the family and child portraits, Anna was ready to be photographed alone! She gave me the biggest grins and cutest expressions, and we had a lot of fun. What you can’t see is Anna’s dad right outside the frame ready to catch her if needed. You never know when a baby will decide they want to take a swan dive off of a chair, so we always have a parent right there spotting to catch if that happens.

Once we were finished with those, we moved to the cake! When Oksana presented the cake to Anna, she immediately touched it. She wasn’t super interested in eating it until her parents helped her out a bit, but then she totally lost interest and wanted OUT of the high chair.

So, we took her out of the high chair and concluded on the floor! I will always work with a baby to make them comfortable and happy, and sometimes that’s in the arms of their parents when it comes to the cake.

Clients should know that each baby reacts differently to their birthday cake. How they reacted at their party (if they had one) may not be how they react in the studio. Many babies do not “like” their cake at their party. Keep in mind that birthday parties are MAJOR sensory overload for one year olds. At the end, when the cake is served, they’re often completely exhausted and spent. Finally, a crowd of people staring at you waiting for your to eat is not a low pressure situation for a baby. Just so you know, a smash cake is not a required part of First Birthday sessions, but they sure are cute and lots of fun!

Here are a few images from Anna’s birthday celebration 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 Claire

I first worked with Sean, Charmaine, and their beautiful daughters for their field maternity session. You can see those images by clicking here. They wait until birth to find out what they’re having - and I was so excited to hear from Charmaine that their third little GIRL had arrived!!!! Fact about me: I also waited with each of my pregnancies to find out what I was having. We have two daughters, and we thought we would have a third for the perfect little trifecta of sisters… but instead we had a little boy who completed our family of five.

We scheduled a time for them to come in for Claire’s newborn session when she was 10 days old and sent over the newborn prep packet for them to review before their session. It’s a short and easy read, and covers best practices for the morning of the session, what to bring with you, and what to wear from your own closets if you aren’t utilizing the studio wardrobe.

We are often asked how we schedule newborn sessions. When you reserve your newborn session with us, you are getting a guaranteed spot on our calendar. We only take a certain number due in each month to make sure that we have enough time to dedicate to each of our clients. If your baby arrives earlier or later than their schedule due date and end up being born in a different month than their “due” month, that’s totally ok too! We’ve planned for that as it tends to happen for at least one or two babies on our calendar each month. ;) Once your baby has arrived, you let us know within 48 hours of their birth. I tend to schedule newborn sessions to take place between 8-16 days of age but have photographed babies up to 26 days old. When you contact us to let us know your baby has arrived, we’ll ask a couple of questions about their weight and how you’re both recovering from the birth and schedule the date from there!

Charmaine arrived at the studio first with Claire. When older siblings are involved, we have dad or a grandparent bring them in later. It’s much easier and stress free for the whole family for older kids to only be there when being photographed! Being told to sit still and be quiet isn’t fun for anyone, and for the first portion of the session the studio needs to be a very quiet environment as I am photographing baby only. I got started with Claire’s solo portraits while Charmaine looked through the wardrobe to see what was available for her to wear. She loves lace, so quickly settled on a pretty cream lace dress with lots of detail and texture.

Claire was a sweetheart and slept well for her portion of the session. She did need a short break to nurse, so while Charmaine was tending to her, I pulled a few of our studio dresses for little girls to go through with Charmaine. We settled on a white dress from the studio wardrobe for her older daughter, and decided to put her middle daughter in a dress she had brought from home. All of their dresses were now in the same tonal color palette but different enough to contrast well and flattered each individual’s skin tone!

Sean and the girls arrived as I was finishing up with Claire, and we moved right into the family portraits. The girls were just so excited about their new baby sister and eager to hold her and participate in the session. At 5 and 3 years old, they were definitely quite easy to work with and direct! Sarah (3) was a little hesitant at first, but because she already knew me from our time together at the family’s maternity session she relaxed quickly and had a lot of fun. We wrapped up with a few parent only images and then the family went on their way home.

I loved working with this family and can’t wait to see them again in the future! If you’re expecting a new little family member and interested in learning more about a Fresh 48 hospital or newborn session to document those first weeks as a newly expanded family, contact us to discuss your vision and learn more about what we offer!

uIf 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 | Aya, Peter & Emilia in the gardens

First and foremost, I feel the need to make sure everyone knows that I am NOT a wedding photographer, and I have no intention of ever being one. No thank you! The images below are not from a wedding but are family portraits in bridal attire with a few bridal formals mixed in as well. I strongly believe in working with photographers who specialize in what your need is. You wouldn’t hire your landscaping company to come put a roof on your house, would you?

I’ve had quite a few clients come to me for a redo of their maternity, newborn, or family images after a disappointing experience with their wedding photographer… because more often than not, wedding photographers just don’t know how to work with or photograph newborns or families. They specialize in weddings & engagements, not tiny humans who don’t follow direction. ;) (Note: this is not ALWAYS true - I have a couple of out of state colleagues who do both weddings & newborns on a regular basis and are fantastic at both!)

That being said, if you need a wedding photographer and want a few recommendations, feel free to reach out to me because I have a short list of incredible ones in the Atlanta area.

I’ve worked with Aya and Peter before when they brought in their daughter for a newborn session, and then again for Santa each year and Emilia’s First Birthday session. I’ve loved getting to know their family over the past couple of years, and was so excited when Aya asked if we could do a session that was a bit out of the box. She and Peter wanted to have official bridal attire photos, and they wanted to have some images of Emilia at age two as well. I asked if she wouldn’t rather hire a wedding photographer, and she was firm that she wanted a family session with some emphasis on couples photos. “We want your style, and we’ll just happen to be in bridal attire.” Okay then! So, we decided to knock all the birds out with one stone! Because of the timing of Emilia’s birthday, the session was scheduled for July…which as the locals know - is not exactly the best month temperature wise to wear a wedding dress or tuxedo outdoors! We tossed around the idea of a sunrise session since those are often much cooler in the summer months, but waking up that early wasn’t a good fit for their family. If you’re thinking of a sunrise session: you will need to be AT the location about 5 minutes before the sun comes up. We’ve found that late September through October are great months for most families since that tends to be between 7:30-8ish AM. In the summer the sun rises in the 6 AM hour. If you have a baby that’s up before dawn every morning, that might be a perfect option for you! The other time of day that we schedule outdoor sessions is 90 minutes to an hour (depending on the location of your session) before the sun sets. When you contact us to discuss options for your outdoor session, we’ll talk about the different locations and times they’re available and you can make the best decision for your family! No matter what you choose, your session will be lots of fun!

Aya asked to add on hair and makeup services, and we paired her with Brielle who created a gorgeous updo and natural makeup look for her. That evening, we met at the gardens and we lucked out with a cooler July evening in the high 80’s with an overcast sky. While it was still pretty warm, it was much better than 100 degrees with blazing sun! Overcast skies are always welcome for my sessions because it creates beautiful, soft, and diffused light. It also offers more flexibility in terms of placement and where we can shoot. I can’t face my clients towards a setting sun and take a photo with everyone having squinty eyes. When it’s overcast, that’s not an issue, so I can shoot pretty much any direction we want to at any point. I love a gorgeous sunny day, but I love overcast days just as much. If you’re worried about your session day being too dark - don’t. I will be the first to let you know if I think the weather will be unfavorable to the final outcome, since I want the very best end result possible for my clients!

I photographed the family together right away while Emilia was still happy and interested. Toddlers are always a wild card during sessions, so I like to play it safe and get those family and parent images done right out of the gate. That way, if your toddler decides 20 minutes in that they are DONE - no stress! We’ve already got everything we need and I’ll focus on photographing the other members of your family while giving them a break. More often than not, when toddlers see the rest of us carrying on without them, they decide they don’t want to be left out and rejoin us. That’s pretty much exactly what happened with Emilia that evening too!

This session was so much fun. So if any of you out there would like to do a really fun session in bridal or formal attire to redo your wedding photos or celebrate an anniversary, I am 100% all for it! Let’s talk about your vision and get to planning!

In the meantime, enjoy some of my absolute favorites from this beautiful trio’s family/bridal 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 | First Birthday

I first photographed Max when he was a tiny little newborn, and was so excited when his mom contacted the studio to book a portrait session to commemorate his First Birthday. While most of our families choose to make a First Birthday session a family affair complete with a cake, Jessica wanted some simple and updated portraits of just Max at one year old. We sent over our style guide and Pinterest board to give her ideas for what to dress Max in, and scheduled the session to take place after a nap and some food. Sessions with babies (and really, pretty much anyone!) are best timed for when they’re well rested with a full belly!

The day of his session, Jessica and Max arrived and I couldn’t believe how big he was! That first year of a baby’s life is absolutely astounding when you think of just how much they grow and develop. I see it all the time multiple times per week in my studio with our repeat clients and it still never fails to amaze me.

Max has the biggest blue eyes and the funniest expressions. He was a friendly and curious little guy, and I knew right off the bat that he wouldn’t need much of a warm up to me. Portrait sessions of just babies and children without their parents are typically pretty abbreviated (30 minutes or less) because I’m only photographing one subject and work quickly and efficiently. However, we allot up to an hour because sometimes babies need a break for a snack or some milk, or just want to snuggle with their mom for a little bit. Max was pretty go with the flow, and we wrapped up in about 25 minutes and used several different studio furniture pieces. Jessica was hovering just out of sight of the frame to keep Max safe if necessary. Babies sometimes decide they want to dive off a chair, so we always have a parent right there just in case.

Enjoy this little sweetie’s handful of portraits! If you’re looking for a photographer to photograph your baby or older child for a milestone or birthday, or just are overdue for updated photos, we’d love to have you in our studio! Contact us today to discuss the different options we have available.

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 Willoughby

I first worked with Katharine and Howard for their winter maternity session at the park location when they were expecting their first child. You can view those images by clicking here. To view his newborn images, click here. When they found out they were expecting another baby, they contacted me to schedule maternity and newborn again, and we had such a great time at the mountain location for their maternity session. You can view those gorgeous mountain images by clicking here.  Katharine chose to add on hair and makeup services again for both sessions and worked with Margaret each time.

FINALLY, baby Willoughby arrived! We scheduled her newborn session and sent over our easy to follow prep packet for the day of. Newborn sessions that involve big siblings are a bit different. We have dads and older children arrive later in the session so that they don’t have to be contained for 90 minutes. They’re much happier at home! We’ll work around your toddler’s nap schedule if that’s needed, so no worries there.

When Katharine and Willoughby arrived, she was fast asleep in her car seat. Katharine let me know she would be borrowing from the studio wardrobe and I told her I had a specific dress in mind for her that I was pretty sure she would love. I was right, and she chose it without hesitation. When I work with clients for a while, I know what colors and styles will look great on them, and I’m usually on the mark with my suggestions from the wardrobe! I began working with Willoughly for her solo photos while Katharine settled into the hair and makeup chair with Margaret. Willoughby was the sweetest little thing and so relaxed. I loved photographing all of her little details, and was amazed at how she curled up in my lap while I was wrapping her. I never force babies into poses, and just wrap them as they naturally position themselves. She was definitely an easy baby and a great sleeper.

After I finished with Willoughby’s solo portraits, Howard and Henry had arrived. I moved on parent and family images. Katharine is so in love with Howard and her children, and is just radiant and beaming. Howard is such a fun guy, and he's a wonderful dad. It’s so fun to watch my client families grow, and I have I loved getting to watch these guys grow!

The family portion is easy and a lot of fun. I never force toddlers to do anything they don’t want to do, and I approach each session differently. Some toddlers are more than capable of laying still next to their new baby brother or sister and others aren’t. Safety is paramount, and there is always a parent right there out of the frame spotting for any images like this. Sometimes it’s clear that it’s not going to happen, and we get images in other ways. Henry was SUCH a sweetheart with his baby sister and quite generous with the hugs. He has some of the most beautiful blue eyes, which I think Willoughby will also have. Only time will tell!

Here are some of my favorite images of sweet Willoughby and her amazing family! 

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 | Kayla & Johnnie

Kayla called the studio to book a maternity session. She didn't think she wanted one initially but she found herself changing her mind the further along she progressed her her pregnancy with her baby boy. We were able fit them into the studio schedule and she came in one weekend afternoon for her maternity fitting. It was fun chatting and getting to know each other as we went through the wardrobe pieces. The only problem we had was that she loved almost every single dress she tried on! I took photos of her in each of her top favorite options, since she wanted to get her husband’s input. Most of the time I can guess which wardrobe piece(s) will be the winner but not this time: she honestly looked amazing in every single option she was considering so she couldn’t have gone wrong with any of them!

Ultimately, she chose one of our newest wardrobe additions - a beautiful blush pink ruffled off the shoulder gown that was fitted and showed off the belly. Before she left her fitting, we talked about what Johnnie should wear based on each of the options she was considering, and said our goodbyes.

The afternoon of their session, Johnnie and Kayla arrived and I got to know Johnnie a bit before we got started. He’s a personal trainer and was fun to talk to. Once Kayla was ready she then informed me she was feeling a bit nervous about everything because she wasn’t sure of how to stand or what to do with her hands.

This is the NUMBER ONE thing clients say right before a session starts, and I’ve got good news! You don't need to worry, because I’ve got you covered I will guide you through the entire session and will give you gentle direction for natural interaction while taking care to shoot from the most flattering angles. I will take the best of you, and together we'll create some beautiful photos for you to look back on.

We got started, and I modeled exactly what I needed Kayla to do - and she was a pro in no time at all. Johnnie was great as well, and I would simply nudge him a little bit in the direction I needed his head to go if my verbal direction wasn’t enough. She looked absolutely stunning in her dress, and had the most fun dangly earrings ever. (I’m a big fan of dangly earrings myself!) Statement earrings almost always work in maternity session and usually a better choice than a statement necklace. Why? A statement necklace is right above the belly and can compete with it for the viewer’s eye. For a maternity session, we don’t want that! I always suggest a more simple necklace for moms who want to wear one and to choose bangles or fun earrings for accessories if that’s their thing.

Johnnie and Kayla were so sweet together, and we were finished with their session in about twenty minutes! I ran into Kayla at our local Target a couple of weeks before her due date and she told me how much they loved her maternity pictures and how glad they were that they’d gone ahead and done them. She said they felt that they would have really regretted not having them, and expressed how excited she was to come in for their newborn session. Speaking of which… the newborn session is taking place TODAY! I can’t wait to meet and photograph their beautiful new baby 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 Child & Family Photographer | DJ is THREE!

I LOVE working with Senika and DJ, and I have photographed them since Senika’s maternity session! Senika books a family session every year for DJ’s birthday, and comes to our Santa event every year also. Santa is currently sold out, but as of this blog posting, you can still get on the wait list for December 7th!

Senika loves our client wardrobe and let me know that she would be borrowing a dress for their session. We scheduled a time to come in the week beforehand, and she fell in love with a long purple dress with pretty ruching at the bust. We talked about complementary colors for purple, and she settled on yellow since it’s one of the colors that looks best with DJ’s skin tone and also matched her special hot air balloon idea. (keep reading!)

On the evening of their session, we met at the park . Senika had brought along a foil #3 balloon and a basket with a banner to emulate a hot air balloon! I loved her creativity, and we had a lot of fun setting it up. I will note that balloons are usually tricky: and that was definitely the case that evening due to wind gusts. While we were grateful for the wind providing cool air, it kept twisting and moving the balloon, but we did eventually get a few moments when it died down that we were able to shoot. I also ended up having DJ hold the balloon at the base rather than by the string so he had more control over it. It’s definitely different than last year when Senika ended up holding the ballon since he was only 2 and couldn’t quite master it!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from DJ’s and Senika’s session. Want to see his previous birthday sessions? No problem - click here for his second birthday, and click here for his First Birthday!

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 | Jordyn is ONE!

Rashida is a long term client who has done several sessions with us since she was pregnant with her second child! I’ve been lucky enough to photograph maternity, Fresh 48, and newborn sessions for her second and third children and LOVE working with their family. Rashida called us to schedule a First Birthday session for her daughter, Jordyn with her two older sons included as well for some sibling images!

The day of their session, when the family arrived there were hugs all around. The boys know and remember me from previous sessions, and their parents are always fun to hang out with. Rashida is a pediatrician, and Jordache is an architect, and I always enjoy catching up whenever I get to see them.

Rashida has worked with me so many times, and had her kids all dressed and ready to go with no help needed from me. She did ask to borrow one of the studio tiebacks, which Jordyn kept on for a little bit! Jordyn started walking at just nine months, and was a complete ball of energy! There was lots of giggling and running around happening during this session, and she definitely made me work for it.

We started off with all the siblings together - and once those images were done, Jordache took the boys and left since they live close by. I then photographed just Jordyn, who never stayed in one place for longer than a millisecond. Rashida kept apologizing, and I told her it was totally fine, because it was! If your baby is a mover and shaker, let them be who they are. First Birthday sessions are about capturing their personalities and who they truly are at that time in their life. If they are always in motion, I’ll photograph them in motion - and they will be much happier. Also: have you ever tried to force a one year old to sit still? It’s not actually possible. ;)

Jordyn started getting fussy, so we took a break for some milk and a snack. Once she was finished, she was back to her old perky self, and we moved into the cake smash portion of the session. I keep simple camisoles on hand in white, grey, and pink for clients to use if they’d like to spare their clothing from icing. Rashida took me up on that offer since the cake icing matched the pink camisole I had, and we changed her into it.

Rashida brought an adorable smash cake with buttercream pink rosettes from Publix for Jordyn. 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! It doesn’t matter where the cake comes from, although we do have a couple of local bakeries we recommend avoiding due to the icing not working well and will give you those names when you book.

We’ll also guide you as far as what to choose for icing type and colors if you plan to include a cake in your baby’s session! Our recommended baker is super talented and can accommodate egg and diary food allergies. She can also create vegan cakes for those who may desire or need that as an option. Sugar free cakes are not an option though, just so you’re aware! Our preferred baker 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. We have a full kitchen in the studio with a fridge, so your cake will be good to go!

I brought out the studio’s antique high chair and photographed Jordyn playing with a few of the wooden studio toys in it. It helps babies get used to sitting in it, and if we find that they don’t like it, we can move to an alternative option! I suggested to Rashida that she try putting the headband back on Jordyn when she was preoccupied with the cake since she would likely be too distracted to notice it. She snuck it on really quickly once Jordyn had her fingers in the icing, and sure enough Jordyn didn’t try to take it off since she was too busy playing with the icing. I always love seeing how babies explore and react to their smash cakes. Jordyn wasn’t too interested in eating her cake, but really enjoyed playing with the icing…. until she didn’t. Check out the last image to see what I mean! ;)

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Jordyn’s First Birthday session! If you’re interested in booking a session for your baby, contact us today to discuss options.

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 Fresh 48 Photographer | Baby T

I absolutely adore Fresh 48 sessions, and this one was no exception! Fresh 48 sessions are scheduled to take place after the birth of your baby before you’re discharged to go home, and take place during daylight hours. New mamas let me know when they’re going into labor and then confirm when baby has arrived, and we coordinate when I’m coming in. If you’re welcoming a new sibling, many families love to try and coordinate my being there when big brother or big sister meets their new baby for the first time. Grandparents are always welcome to participate as well. We will always start the session with just mom, dad, and baby and have anyone else participating join after I’ve been there for about 20 minutes.

I travel to intown hospitals for these and am most often at Waters Pavilion of Piedmont Hospital, Northside Hospital, Emory Midtown, DeKalb Medical Center, and Atlanta Medical Center for these. I get a flu shot every single year in September, and my pertussis booster is updated every three years. My last pertussis vaccination was this past September. The safety of my tiny clients and their families is absolutely paramount!

Fresh 48’s are photographed in a documentary lifestyle format. I want you to remember your baby exactly as they were, with their flakes and wrinkly skin, and puffy little cheeks. I’m always amazed at how vastly different babies look at two days old compared to two weeks, and a Fresh 48 is a perfect way to preserve that forever.

New families decide on what they’re wearing. Some families want true documentary and opt to keep the classic hospital newborn hat and blanket on. Other families declined that hat and blanket and immediately used their own things for their new baby. Some mamas like to wear a robe or pretty nightgown, some mamas stay in their hospital gown, and others (like this mama) change into a dress. There is no right or wrong way to go about it - please dress in a way that makes you feel beautiful and how you want to remember being when you look at your images 20 years from now.

During a Fresh 48 session, sometimes we will have nurses stop in, and I’ll take a step back and let them do what they need to do. It’s best to coordinate with your nursing staff before I come in on a time that we will have as few disturbances as possible. I’ve had a few frustrated parents when a nurse arrived and announced they were taking baby to the nursery for a test or shot that could have been delayed until later if the nursing staff had been made aware of my visit in advance.

If you’ve had a c-section, I’ll work around whatever limitations you may have. Some mamas feel better sitting while others prefer to stand. Even though this is very much a documentary approach, I’ll still be giving you some guided direction for natural interaction and helping you as needed! I’ll also sometimes help swaddle up baby (after washing my hands of course!) if you’re still getting the hang of it, and I’ll position baby in their hospital isolette for some solo images of just them and all their little details.

Here are just a few of my favorites from this Fresh 48 session! If you’d like to talk about booking a Fresh 48 session, contact us today! We are fully booked for a bit, but also have a waiting list for some months.

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 | Renee & Marcus in the Gardens

Renee contacted us to see about scheduling a maternity session at the gardens location. She was so excited to hear that we had availability that worked with their schedule, and asked to makeup services as well. We paired her with Brielle, who is one of our most requested artists and super fun to hang out with while having your beauty needs taken care of. We also penciled Renee in for a maternity fitting appointment to look through the studio wardrobe a couple of weeks before her session date!

On Renee’s fitting date, we had a lot of fun going through the dresses and getting to know each other. She looked beautiful in so many of the options and snapped selfies of her top favorites so she could take some more time to think. Renee had let us know prior to her fitting that she was pretty tall and was worried we might not have things long enough. We reassured her that we work clients of all shapes, heights, and sizes from 0-16. Our tallest female client so far was 6’2” and our shortest was 4’10”. We have a variety of styles from glamorous to bohemian to understated elegance. If you decide to wear your own clothing, we’ll help you out with an easy to follow style guide and are available for feedback on anything you’re considering! We are here to help in any way we can, because we believe that your session experience should be as stress free as possible.

Renee narrowed down her choices and emailed us a photo of one selected dress. She let us know that she was going to wear a last minute dress of her own as her second option that was in keeping with the style guide suggestions. We have wardrobe pieces dry cleaned or laundered after being worn for a session, so we need to know your selection four business days in advance of your scheduled session date. This ensures we have enough time to get it to the dry cleaners and back if necessary! If you can’t decide on your choices the day of your fitting, no worries at all - we’ll let you know the exact deadline to let me know by. Before Renee left, she and I determined that based on her husband’s personality and her choices, his wearing a suit for one look and a more casual look for the other would be the best choice for their session. That being said, the vast majority of our guys wear just one outfit - so don’t feel like you need to have two outfits for your guy too! It’s totally a matter of personal preference.

The evening of their session we met at the gardens and got started wearing the more casual look. I love photographing at the gardens since there are lots of different areas and varying backgrounds to photograph. I definitely choose where to photograph within the gardens depending on what my couple’s outfit looks like. Certain areas lend themselves well to a dressier look, while other areas are better for a relaxed and casual feel. Marcus looked great in both of his outfits, and it was so much fun to photograph the two of them together. They’ve been together a while, and were lots of fun to be around! .

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their gardens maternity session! Renee was absolutely radiant, and it really shines through.

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 & Family Photographer | Baby Anjali is NINE months!

Anjali and her sweet family are some of my very favorite people. She’s the youngest of three, and I’m a mom of three kids myself. There’s a certain sort of organized chaos that always exists when you have three kids, and Nilam and I both understand (and love) it well. I first photographed Anjali at three months (click here) and then again at six months, and was excited to see her again for her nine month milestone.

If you’re wondering: most families schedule milestone sessions after the newborn session in one of two ways: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, First Birthday OR 4 months, 8 months, First Birthday.

Nilam had come to the studio the week before their session with armfuls of clothing. She really appreciates being able to go through options in person and have me pull everything together for her from what she brings. All clients have the opportunity to do this! If stopping by the studio isn’t feasible for your schedule, you can send over some phone photos and we’ll exchange emails until we have just the right mix for your family. We pulled a few pieces from the studio wardrobe for Nilam and she loved one of our simple twist strap dresses that was a perfect fit for her. Nilam left my studio that day with peace of mind that everyone was squared away for Anjali’s milestone session the following week!

On the day of Anjali’s session, the family showed up with grandma in tow. I welcome and encourage grandparents to participate as well! Her mom had brought along a few different clothing options since she wasn’t quite sure which would be best with the family’s planned outfits. I took one look and selected the winner. As a photographer, I know what colors work well together. All I ask is that you make sure the clothing fits the wearer well and is clean and ready to wear.

So, milestone sessions are supposed to be about the baby, right? Yep! The baby AND the people who love them. The vast majority of my clients choose to structure the milestone session as a family session with solo portraits mixed in also to commemorate the milestone. At the end of the day, you have a proof gallery to choose from - so if you decide you want all the photos to be of the whole family, you can choose those. I see a pretty even mix between family/parent and baby images chosen by my clients, with most opting to upgrade and keep the entire gallery of photos. By this point, Nilam and Mitch jokingly told me not to bother sending a proof gallery because they already knew they’d want them all just like the last two sessions.

I started with just Anjali who is such a happy and smiley little girl. We added in her siblings, and then gave her a break to photograph some images of Grandma with her older grandchildren. We rotated in and out between groupings, giving kids breaks where needed, and we wrapped up the session in about 45 minutes including the snack breaks and diaper changes that occurred.

I never rush my sessions. But I don’t dilly dally either. Working quickly and efficiently is important in order to keep my little clients engaged and happy - and parents are thankful that sessions don’t drag on for two hours ending with very cranky little ones on the verge or beginning of an epic meltdown. Milestone and family sessions are laid back and fun, but they’re also clearly directed with intention so we can get the most out of our time together!

Before I end this, I want to tell you about Mitch and his amazing pediatric dental practice, Peachtree Hills Pediatric Dentistry in the Peachtree Hills area of Buckhead. Ever wish your pediatric dentist had weekend appointments?! HE DOES! He’s also dad to these three cuties, and one of the most loving and hands on dads I’ve ever met. Clients who have been to him report that he was wonderful with their kids. So, if you’re looking for a board certified pediatric dentist that has flexible hours to work with your schedule, definitely check out Dr. Vaughan (and tell him I sent you!)

And now…. enjoy this family’s fun session! Be on the lookout for Anjali’s First Birthday session at the gardens location soon - it’s a fun one!

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 and Family Photographer | Baby Hank is eight months!

I first photographed Hank as a newborn, and again for a milestone session when he was four months old. You can see his newborn images by clicking here, and his four month session by clicking here. The sitting milestone was the next up, and his parents chose 8 months for this one!

Since this was a third time in my studio, Melanie already knew how to dress everyone and the general routine. She requested to add on hair and makeup services again since she loved working with our artists the first two times. Brielle was her artist this time around and is always fun to work with. I always enjoy seeing what our makeup artists create for her each time! If you’re worried that you won’t look like yourself, don’t be! Our artist specialize in natural beauty which enhances what’s already there and will take your preferences and comfort level into consideration while applying your makeup. You are very much a part of the process and your feedback is welcomed and encouraged. Take it from a girl who doesn’t even own makeup (that would be me) - adding on professional hair and makeup services to your portrait session is always worth it. I always make sure to have mine done by a member of my team for my own photographs.

When I arrived at the studio, Brielle was just finishing up with Melanie’s hair. I was so excited to see them all again and couldn’t believe how big Hank had gotten in the four months since I’d last seen him! He was such a happy and friendly baby with the cutest two bottom teeth and chocolate brown eyes. Full of smiles and curiosity, and just a total doll! Melanie showed me the outfits that she had brought along for him and I offered my input on each. She chose the cutest blue knit two piece, and we got started. Hank was an easy little guy to work with since he was interested in my camera and thought my silly faces and noises were hilarious. We moved very quickly through the session, as I always do with this age. Babies have very short attention spans and get overstimulated and tired quickly. My average sitter session takes 30-45 minutes and my parents often report that their baby slept HARD for their nap afterwards. We keep moving the entire time and your baby is engaged and active. It’s a lot for them to take in!

Typically I will start sessions with family images to get babies warmed up, but Hank wasn’t in need of that due to his outgoing personality. So I shot in a flow that took that into consideration and had his parents jump in and out of images as needed. At the very end of the session, we removed his shirt so we could show off his cute baby rolls and I pulled out our white Eames chair. I love using this chair in milestone sessions since it really offers perspective on how much your baby has grown since their last session 4-6 months prior. It’s wild to see visual proof of it, even though your brain knows they’re a whole lot bigger!

We ended with lots of family snuggles, and the last image in this gallery is my favorite of the whole session. I just love how it shows baby Hank encircled by his loving parents. Enjoy a few of my favorites from Hank’s sitting milestone 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 Cameron

Kelly contacted the studio in her second trimester to schedule a newborn session for her second baby on the way. The number one question we are asked about newborn sessions is: “How do I schedule a newborn session in advance when I don’t know when my baby will arrive?” When you schedule a newborn session with us, you are reserving a guaranteed spot on our calendar, not penciling in a specific date. Once your baby has arrived, you’ll let us know and we’ll schedule the date from there based on information you give us about your baby’s weight, date of birth in relation to their expected due date, and any complications we should know about!

When Cameron was born, Kelly let us know she had arrived and that baby Cameron was NINE pounds with lots of rolls! She asked to add on hair and makeup services to her newborn session because she knew she didn’t want to have to worry about getting ready while wrangling a newborn and toddler. You don’t need to decide whether you want these add on services until you contact us to let us know your baby is here. We’ll take care of checking on artist availability and give you dates that you’ll have their assistance. One less thing for you to worry about - we take care of the coordination for you! After we looked through our calendar and checked with our HMUA team, we gave Kelly a couple of dates to choose from. Please note that weekend newborn sessions are sometimes available, but cannot be guaranteed. She chose a date for the family to come in for her newborn session and we sent over the easy to follow newborn session prep packet for her to review.

On the morning of their session, Kelly arrived first with Cameron, and we looked through the studio wardrobe together for her older daughter and herself. We found the perfect options for each of them, and Kelly got herself settled into the hair and makeup chair.

I started with just Cameron for her solo portraits in the newborn area and she was sound asleep. She started waking up a bit, but so was calm and content. I always take the opportunity to photograph calm and awake babies to get those pretty eyes. A lot of my clients request that I photograph their newborn looking at the camera. While I wish I could promise this to everyone, whether this is possible is totally dependent on your baby. There are some babies who come in and they never open their eyes the entire time. Other babies will wake up but they’re not happy or calm while awake and start screaming. Because every single baby in my studio is unique, their resulting gallery images will also be one of a kind too!

Big babies (as a general rule) are pretty deep sleepers, and Cameron was no exception. When babies are truly conked out, the more pliable and flexible their bodies are. I will never force a baby into a position and prefer to arrange the wrap around their body in whatever position they naturally assume. My goal for newborn solo images is for their parents to be able to look at them and remember every detail about their baby. Memories fade, but photographs don’t.

As I finished up Cameron’s solo images, Kelly’s husband and older daughter arrived. We have other session participants arrive later on for a good reason! Toddlers and dads are much happier not waiting around in the studio, and it gives moms a chance to really relax. Kelly and her daughter got dressed and we moved right into the family portion of our session, which was a lot of fun. As we chatted during the session, I learned that they were my neighbors - just a few blocks away! It’s always so much fun to realize what a small world we live in. I’ve had so many neighbors in the studio this past year as clients and always find out at their sessions with me. Since our session together, I’ve seen them around the neighborhood a few times, which is always fun.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this sweet 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.

Atlanta Baby Photographer | Benicio is ONE!

This little guy is one of my favorite babies! His parents are some of my favorite humans too. I first met and worked with Erised and Dan for their maternity session in the gardens, and then photographed Benicio when he was a not so tiny newborn. I then saw him during our 2019 Santa Event (sold out, but you can get on the waiting list! ) and then again for his six month session. I was so excited to celebrate his turning one with a First Birthday session!

Erised always chooses the cutest clothes for Benicio’s milestone sessions, and this one was no exception. She dressed him in an adorable chambray romper with tan suede straps, and brought second linen romper with removable suspenders as well. (Have I mentioned how much I love suspenders on little boys?) Benicio is one of the friendliest and happiest babies I have ever worked with, so no warming up was necessary. Every baby is different, and I follow their cues to determine the best flow of the session. Sometimes that means we start with family images, but for this session we started with just him and then added in his parents for whole family photos and some with each of his parents. I move pretty quickly during sessions involving little ones because they do not have the attention span or patience to last long. My average session involving babies this age is 30-45 minutes even though I allot an hour just in case we need to take a break for a diaper change or a snack!

As we moved through the session, Benicio gave me the BIGGEST grins, showing off his two bottom middle teeth. I love that toothy grin so much, and it’s just about the cutest thing ever. My girls both had those two bottom teeth come in first… but then my son decide to reverse it and his two top middle teeth came in first instead. After parent and family photos, he let us know he didn’t want to be held anymore, so I suggested letting him do his own thing. I really love to capture all the cute things that babies do all on their own, so I’ll often give them one of the studio wooden toys to play with and wait to see what happens. After he was done playing, I pulled out our white Eames chair which is a popular favorite in the studio. When babies come see me throughout their first year, I like to photograph them in this chair because it really gives you perspective to look back and see how much they’ve grown! Erised changed his outfit after a few images in the chair, and as soon as we put him back in, he stood right up and was SO proud of himself. Don’t worry - dad was standing just outside of the frame ready to catch if needed. Safety is a top priority here!

Benicio was pretty much over the session, and that’s when we pull out the cake, if you’ve chosen to include one. Cake is a great distraction and something new for them to explore. Erised had brought along a fun balloon to include, and the cake was designed by our preferred baker, She Takes the Cake. Many of our clients love using her services, and she’s located in the Summerhill area. You can either pick up your cake from her before your session, or she does offer an add on delivery service to the studio as well where it will be here waiting for you when you arrive. If you just want to stick with simple, we have a Publix and a Kroger less than a mile away from our Poncey-Highlands studio, and we’ll give you a cake tips sheet for best practices. (Believe it or not, the type of icing on the cake is important stuff!) If you want to do something different, feel free! We’ve had cakes, pies, donuts, even a bowl full of whipped cream. Remember, including something for your baby to smash is optional - we have plenty of clients who skip that part entirely. The choice is yours!

Benicio loved his cake and went right for it. Check out that little tongue of his! I absolutely love photographing the natural interactions that happen with the first birthday cakes! Parents also really enjoy being able to watch it all and take it all in instead of worrying about documenting it for posterity. Watching something through a camera lens is not the same as being fully present in the moment, trust me. I learned this the hard way from personal experience - and now when I’m watching something momentous that one of my kids is doing, I ask a friend to do the documenting so I can be 100% all there.

I can’t wait to see this Benicio again at 18 months for fall family photos in November, and to see him again with Santa this year!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this session! If you’re considering a First Birthday session for your little one, I would LOVE to hear from you to see if we’re the perfect fit for what you’re looking for. We schedule our milestone sessions around naptimes so your baby is as well rested as possible.

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 | Jai in the studio

Jai contacted us at the very last minute to see if we had any availability for a studio maternity session. She had come across my work on Instagram and knew immediately that I was what she had been looking for. So many of our clients come to us through Instagram - it’s such a visual platform and great for finding that thing you’ve been looking for but couldn’t quite find. I know I’ve personally been there with the “I’ll know it when I see it” when I’ve been searching for something!

We scheduled a maternity fitting for Jai, and she came to the studio with her best friend to try on pieces. Jai already had one specific dress in mind that she knew she wanted to try, but was open to everything. The minute she tried on the backless halter dress, her smile said it all. She knew she’d found her first option, and mentioned she’d really like to show her belly in some of her images. I suggested a split front dress, so I pulled out the few that we have. Don’t worry if you don’t want to show your belly in your maternity photos - it’s completely client preference. All of our split front dresses can also be worn closed. After trying on a few, she decided on a strapless split front gown with a white bandeau top and soft pink bottom. It complemented her first dress choice perfectly! We chatted a bit about what Jai’s partner should wear, and she and her best friend headed out.

The afternoon of her maternity session, Jai showed up and had brought along a cool bohemian hair clip she’d picked up. She asked what I thought, and I told her that if it was her style, the color was perfect for both dresses and would look great. I’m always a big fan of accessories! The kind you select is important though, because we want to keep the focus on your bump. If you wear a flower crown that’s bigger than your head, or a statement necklace the size of Texas, they may take away from your bump since the viewer’s eye will immediately be drawn there instead of your belly. Most of my clients bring along their favorite jewelry the day of their session and we go through it and make selections then. How you wear your hair also affects which jewelry I suggest wearing - there are so many factors that go into styling a session. I’m here to help every step of the way.

After Jai got dressed, her partner arrived as well. I introduced myself and learned that he was also an artist, and worked as a clothing designer. I always love meeting other creatives, no matter what industry they’re in. Once I explained the ground “rules” for how to stand and where we got started. The two of them didn’t need much guidance during their session - but if you do, don’t worry! I’ll make sure you know exactly what’s happening and what you need to do the entire time. You’ll never be left standing there feeling awkward and confused about what to do next.

During my maternity sessions, I don’t ask my expecting mama to move around a lot. Partners are the ones jumping in and out of the photos. Your body is doing a lot of work growing a baby, so I like to go as easy on you as possible! This also allows me to flow through the session efficiently in each dress. I’ve been told by many partners that it was the easiest and quickest maternity session they’ve ever had and that they enjoyed the experience despite thinking they wouldn’t. It seems that prior engagement sessions are mostly to blame for the intense dislike of photo sessions among my male clients. I will not keep you here in the studio any longer than necessary. Studio sessions here are super relaxing. It’s a completely relaxed vibe, and we have a whole fridge of drinks, snack buffet, Google Fiber, and a comfy couch to hang out on. Your partner will be well taken care of when they’re not being photographed!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Jai’s maternity session! If you’re considering maternity photos, I would love for you to browse the maternity portfolio and reach out to see if we’re the perfect fit for you!

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

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

Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Brannon

Sydney contacted the studio to inquire about booking a newborn session. She let us know that she and her two year old daughter would be using the studio wardrobe and that she was a little bit nervous about her daughter not cooperating. Caroline (our studio manager) reassured her that we have a lot of experience with toddlers. While we cannot make a toddler cooperate, we do have a bag of tricks to implement to help it happen in a fun way for them! As a note, when toddlers are involved with newborn sessions, we have them arriver later with daddy or a grandparent/caregiver. They will be so much happier at home for that first part and there won’t be any waiting around when they arrive. We will also take their nap schedule into consideration when planning your session so we can have the best possible time scheduled in the morning for them to arrive.

When Sydney and Brannon arrived at the studio that morning, we looked through the studio wardrobe options and she quickly selected a pretty blush dress with floral embroidery that she loved. She mentioned how helpful it was to have access to the wardrobe since it would have been stressful trying to find something she liked with a newborn in tow. I pulled a few options for her daughter, and set them aside for when she arrived. I got started with Brannon and Sydney enjoyed relaxing on the couch.

Brannon was a a big boy, and very sleepy with a head of brown hair. He also had the most delicious cheeks! Because he was such a good sleeper, we got through his solo portraits very quickly and he didn’t wake up durig that portion. Sydney changed his diaper and fed him when I was done, and it was perfect timing as the rest of the family arrived right then.

Sydney showed her daughter the dresses we had pulled, and they settled on one. Once they were dressed had told me she wasn’t sure how she was going to be for the session and that she was crossing her fingers that she would “cooperate”. Expecting a two year old to sit perfectly still is pretty unrealistic. The best thing you can do is just stay back and give them space to do things on their terms. Telling your older child to “say cheese” or becoming noticeably irritated with them will pressure on them and almost always backfires. When we approach the session as fun and play some games, it’s WAY more enjoyable for everyone involved. I know the feeling of wanting everything to go perfectly when you’ve invested so much time into planning your session. I have three kids of my own and am armed with a lot of patience and professional experience. While we may not be able to get the image that you envisioned in your head of your toddler sweetly cradling their baby brother or sister (safety first!) we will still get beautiful and organic images that capture their special relationship.

Enjoy some of my favorite photos from this family’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 | Srividya & Raghu, a studio maternity session

Srividya contacted us to schedule a maternity session and asked for the studio as her location. We arranged a time for her to come in with her husband for a maternity fitting a couple of weeks before her session too. We schedule maternity fittings for 1-2 weeks before the session date. We will not schedule for earlier than two weeks because of the potential of belly growth! If a client tries on a dress that’s pretty tight without much wiggle room, I will have them choose a backup dress for it just in case. This has never actually happened, but I’m all about covering all the bases so there are no unpleasant surprises on the day of!

My maternity fittings are about 20-30 minutes long, We send ahead a tip sheet with directions, where to park, and what to bring along. I also have my clients take cell phone in the dresses they like the most if they’re not 100% sure of which should be their final choice. This gives them time to think about it and poll their trusted friends and family members for opinions if you want more help. Once the decision has been made, my clients simply attach the photos of their final choices and email them to me at least four business days (M-F) before their session date! This allows me to make sure your dress will be clean and steamed before your session.

Srividya and her husband, Raghu came together on the day of our fitting. She had lots of fun trying on dresses and her eyes lit up when she saw one of our sequin and tulle studio dresses. It was the perfect choice for her skin tone and personality. She chose to wear a more simple white off the shoulder dress for her second look, and then we were all set.

A couple of weeks later, Srividya and Raghu returned to the studio for their maternity session. Brielle was there waiting for them as they had added on hair and makeup services. I arrived a few minutes before our session start time and loved the look that Brielle had created for her. Srividya mentioned she felt absolutely beautiful and was so confident and excited to get started!

Once Srividya was dressed, we got started! At first Raghu was a bit nervous but I reassured him that I would walk him through everything. He wanted the experience and photographs to be perfect for his wife (such a sweet husband!) so he wanted to make sure he didn’t mess anything up. There’s no need to worry about that with me. I will give you verbal direction and I’ll also come right up and move your head where it needs to be. Most guys prefer if I just come up to them and move them instead of saying “Ok, turn your head two inches to the left.” It’s just easier for all of us! Srividya was a natural in front of the camera and needed very little direction. By the time we were midway through, Raghu was relaxed and enjoying the session. You can see by the genuine smiles that we had a lot of fun!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this couple’s 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.