Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Baby Clara

Karen contacted the studio to book a newborn session when she was at the end of her second trimester with her daughter. The best time to book your newborn session is definitely when you’re in the second trimester to guarantee a spot on our calendar! While we don’t pencil in an exact date for your session until your baby has been born - you are secured into our books and guaranteed a spot no matter what.

Because of the amount of time we dedicate to each newborn client for shooting and editing, we book a limited number per month so that we can provide the best possible service to each client. Once those spots are gone, we accept last minute newborns on a case by case basis. If you contact us when your baby is two weeks old and it happens to be a week where we don’t have any scheduled newborns, we can sometimes fit in last minute clients. Babies arrive on their own timetable! Sometimes we’ll have availability open up if some of our newborns arrive earlier or later than expected. Plenty of of our newborn clients don’t actually arrive in their due date month! So if this is you - don’t assume that you’re out of luck. Give us a call or send us an email to see if we can fit you in.

When Karen let us know that Clara had arrived, she asked to add on hair and makeup services. We’ll take out the legwork for you so you don’t have to call around to see who is available! You’ll simply let us know you want to add it on, and we’ll take care of making sure someone is available for you on your newborn session date. You’ll be connected via email, and your artist will take it from there with what they need from you. All you’ll have to do is show up on the morning of your session and you artist will be waiting for you to step in the chair!

Side note: we are often asked if adding on hair and makeup lengthens your session. The answer is nope! I will be photographing your newborn alone for the first 90 minutes or so, so you’ll be sitting around waiting either way. Some mamas are nervous about having professional makeup done because they’re worried it’s going to be too heavy or make them look unrecognizable. While professional makeup applied for the camera is heavier than every day makeup, you should know that about 30-40% of makeup disappears in post processing. Having your makeup done is a lovely way to pamper yourself and most mamas do have some undereye circles happening from the sleep deprivation that comes along with having a new baby. Our team will work with you to craft a gorgeous look for you that enhances your features. They are experts in creating “barely there” makeup for a natural and classic look, but they can also add a little extra oomph on request if that’s what you want. You won’t just sit in the chair and have makeup applied to you - your input and preferences are important and matter!

While Karen arrived and settled into the chair, I started photographing Clara alone. Karen had brought along a Santa hat (December due date baby born in November!) and requested that I incorporate it into her session. I am always happy to incorporate a special hat or blanket brought along when the session allows for it. They ended up using that image on their Christmas card, which I just think is adorable! It’s usually very easy to add in a hat into my workflow, but there are times that the hat or blanket is too big or won’t photograph well. I'm always honest with my clients about that and it’s ultimately up to them whether they want to proceed with including it.

Her daddy, James, watched the session from the comfort of our studio couch, and even did a little bit of work throughout. While we were chatting, we found out that we live in the same neighborhood and had a mutual friend from my husband’s workplace. Such a small world!

As I was finishing up with Clara (she was getting a bit fussy due to being hungry), Karen was also finishing up with hair and makeup. James tended to Clara for a bit while Karen and I looked through the studio wardrobe. I pulled out a few options, and she loved a simple lace sheath dress that we had on hand and slipped into it. We then moved right into the family/parent portion of the session. I noticed at the end of this that Clara was in super deep sleep, so I ended the session with a few more solo newborn images. When I placed Clara on her belly in the beginning of our session, she did not want to turn her head. I assumed that the direction was uncomfortable for her, and wanted to try placing her on her tummy the other way. My instincts were correct - and after turning our newborn posing surface the other way and placing her down, she had no issues and I was able to photograph her that way for a few images before handing her back to her parents. Photographing newborns requires lots of patience and observation. I don’t force babies into positions they don’t like. If they’re protesting or fighting, I go through the options of why that might be happening. Sometimes it’s nothing - they’ve just decided in that moment they don’t want to do it. Other times there is a reason - such as not wanting to turn their head a certain way due to it being uncomfortable for their neck. I listen to my babies and watch their body language and facial expressions to keep them comfortable throughout.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Clara’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 First Birthday Photographer | Veda is ONE!

I first worked with Nick and Nutan for their maternity session in the gardens location when they were expecting their daughter! You can view those images by clicking here.

Nutan contacted the studio a few of months before Veda’s first birthday to book a First Birthday session and wanted it to be outdoors at our park location. She also asked to work with Margaret again for add on hair and makeup services as she’d loved it so much with her maternity session. Because it was during our peak fall season, she knew our availability would be limited or completely gone if she delayed booking. We recommend booking at least 3-4 months or so in advance for a fall session as our fall calendar is usually fully booked by end of July/early August. Some of our clients just go ahead and grab their fall date in January each year so they can set it and forget it. While we can (and do) fit last minute inquiries in sometimes, there are also times that we just cannot. We hate for anyone wanting to work with us to be disappointed, so if you’re able to, it’s best to reserve a spot on our calendar as soon as you know you want a session in the future especially if there is a specific date you’re hoping for.

We sent over our studio style guide to Nutan along with our cake tips sheet. Our guides are simple, straightforward, and really easy to read! Clients find them helpful, and we are here for any additional questions you may have. Should you want to utilize the studio wardrobe or input on what you’re thinking of wearing from home, that’s what we are here for! We are always available to our clients to assist however they may need.

The afternoon of their session, the family of three arrived at the park. I loved what they were all wearing! Nick is a sharp dresser who enjoys wearing suits. I always tell my mamas that their partner should dress how they love and feel comfortable. Whether that’s a suit or jeans and a casual t-shirt - if your guy is comfortable and happy, the session will be enjoyable for him!

I typically begin with family images to let babies warm up if needed, but Veda wasn’t a shy baby at all. I loved her big brown eyes and sweet smile. We started with family and parent images with Veda in their arms. She was an early walker, and as soon as her toes touched the ground she was off to a running start! If you’ve never had a professional photography experience for your family, you should know that family sessions with me are not difficult. I promise to guide you on exactly what to do. All you need to do is be the mom and dad that your baby adores…. and the rest will naturally into place. After we finished with those, Nutan changed Veda into her second outfit and brought out the cake!

Nutan had been a little iffy about doing a smash cake because of the sugar involved but eventually decided that she would cover it with strawberries and just cut Veda off if she started eating too much icing. Her plan worked out… because Veda was ALL about the strawberries and not a big fan of the rest.

You may be wondering if you have to include a cake in your First Birthday session. Answer: Nope! Not every First Birthday session includes a cake! It’s completely up to YOU. There is no right or wrong way to do one, because ultimately, First Birthday sessions are about celebrating your baby and their first year. While a cake is often lots of fun and results in some super adorable images, it’s not a necessity. You decide what best fits your vision and we’ll make it happen!

Here’s a few of my favorites from Veda’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 | Baby Lulu

Thomas called the studio to learn about milestone and family sessions, and asked to book a session to take place in that next month. He requested to add on hair and makeup for his wife, Noi, and scheduled a complimentary studio visit as well to take place a week before their session. We sent over the style guide for his review, and an overview of what to expect.

When Thomas and his family arrived for their style consult, I welcomed them into the studio and we spent a bit of time getting to know each other. They wanted to look through the studio wardrobe and potentially borrow from it, but were coming more for inspiration and to meet me in advance. Noi and I went through lots of different options available, and looked through the limited baby wardrobe as well. I’ve found that the majority of my clients prefer to use their own clothing for their babies - but we do have a limited wardrobe for babies 1 year and under if you’re in a pinch! I welcome and encourage my booked clients to come in to the studio beforehand for a style consult to go through what we have and talk, so if you can make the time - please do! :) The family left feeling confident about how to proceed with their wardrobe and excited about our session in the coming week.

On the day of their session, Noi arrived and settled into the hair and makeup chair. Thomas and Lulu came a bit later, and I started photographing just Lulu since she was curious and friendly. If babies are a bit shy, I’ll have them in your arms instead until they warm up. Lulu was 5 months old at the time of their session, so not quite sitting unassisted, but had great head control! She was such a smiley little thing… and then she fell asleep!

I LOVE when my milestone babies fall asleep during sessions, so if this happens to you, do NOT stress. It’s cause for celebration! This is a wonderful opportunity to photograph their sweet sleeping faces and their lush eyelashes. I even joked that we’d get a few “newborn-esque” images since she was sleeping SO deeply for her short nap!

Thomas and Noi are such doting parents to little Lulu, and the whole family was just so sweet together! When I have a younger baby that can’t sit unassisted, I shoot these sessions with baby in the arms of their parent(s) for the majority of the time. If a parent just wants to document the milestone and doesn't want to be in the images at all, we'll work around it by shooting from above while on the floor, or have a parent hold their baby and not photograph the parents' face. I strongly encourage parents to participate though! You will love having these images of yourself with your baby when they fly from the nest someday (and that will happen sooner than you think). I can't keep them little for you forever, but I CAN freeze time in a tangible way with portraits of them at this stage. 

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re packing their bags for college? 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!

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 T

I’m always honored to be chosen as a family’s photographer, but there’s something special about being asked to travel out of state for a session! I don’t accept these requests often due to my busy studio schedule, but it’s hard to say no to heading to the Big Apple if my schedule allows! ;) I’ve been up to NYC several times over the past few years to photograph clients for family, maternity, First Birthday, Fresh 48, and newborn session. This particular newborn session took place in New York, and was a mix of lifestyle and posed. When I travel to homes for sessions, I do a very limited number of posed images. These are kept to a white/cream/beige color palette, and we often incorporate a onesie for many images as well.

While I bring studio lighting in case we need to augment the lighting, it wasn’t necessary for this session due to the windows of the house facing north and south. We had plenty of abundant lighting in the two rooms we used. The family did not have a nursery set up just yet, so you won’t see any images of his nursery here!

T was a sweet little boy with big brown eyes and perfect little lips. He looks like such a sleeping angel in these images, but rest assured: he made me WORK for it. Some babies are more sensitive than others to being touched or moved, and I adapt my session flow to accommodate their needs. In T’s case, I had to move him very, very slowly, and we slowly rotated from on the back, to the side, to his tummy before moving on to the lifestyle portion in his parents’ arms. We moved into his parents’ bedroom for this part - and I just love all the gorgeous detailing in their home - from the floors to the crown molding and original doorknobs. They had let me know in advance that they wanted a true lifestyle approach and they were fine if he had a pacifier in his mouth, and also wanted images where they were giving him a bottle.

I have always said that my photography style for newborns is the perfect marriage of lifestyle and posed. My lifestyle images are very much client led - but I am tweaking things along the way. I’ll correct positioning, fix wayward hair, and make sure parents aren’t giving themselves a self inflicted double chin.

Believe it or not - I photograph the EXACT same way whether I’m in your home or in my studio. There are some big differences between the two though! Once of the differences is is that in my studio I know that I’m getting exactly what I need in terms of light and positioning, and in homes it takes a bit more effort to find the light and best place for shooting. The other MAJOR difference is that in my studio the background is designed to be neutral and free of distractions, and is a very controlled environment in terms of temperature. In your home, you may not have a neutral background, and we will likely spend some time moving things out of the way that would be really distracting in the background. Some great examples of that: the diaper caddy on the changing table with all the tubes of ointments, or an Owlet cam hanging out above the crib - and all the odds and ends you might have laying around that just don’t quite fit into the overall setting. Getting your home to a comfortable temperature for a newborn session might prove difficult (and not comfortable for you!) if you don’t have a way to just heat one room. We can talk about the differences and what type of session is the best fit for your family!

I loved traveling up to NYC for this session, and am so looking forward to photographing this family again as T grows. Enjoy some of my favorite images from their time with me below.

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

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

Atlanta First Birthday Photographer | Parker is ONE!

I first photographed Parker when he was a tiny little newborn, and was so excited for him to come to studio to for his First Birthday. I had last seen them for an in-home lifestyle session a few months prior, and was looking forward to catching up.

While most of our families choose to make a First Birthday session a family affair complete with a cake, Madeleine and Tyson wanted birthday portraits of just Parker at one year old. I so love getting to watch my clients grow and photograph them throughout! The 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 every time!

The day of his session, Madeleine, Tyson, and Parker arrived and I just died over the adorable outfit that Madeleine had brought for him to wear.

Parker has the most beautiful blue eyes and the sweetest 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 (20 minutes or so) because I’m only photographing one subject. However, we allot up to an 45 minutes because sometimes your little one will need a break for a snack or snuggles.

I pulled out our Eames modern chair and captured one of my favorite images ever - Parker was about to try and take his hat off. What you can’t see is dad hovering just out of sight of the frame to catch Parker if he decided to try and dive off of his chair.

I then pulled out the high chair, and it was smash cake time! Madeleine and Tyson LOVED being able to stand there and watch and just soak in those moments without needing to worry about documenting it. As you can see, Parker was a big fan of his cake!

Enjoy this little sweetie’s handful of birthday pictures! If you’re looking for a photographer to photograph your baby or older child for a milestone or birthday, or want some updated portraits, 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 Family Photographer | The A Family at the studio

Jessi called the studio to learn about our process and asked to book a family session. She had never experienced professional photography with her entire family together, and she was very excited to find a studio that was in line with what she was looking for. Because she wanted to schedule her session for December, she didn’t want to try for an outdoor session with the risk of it being too cold outside. You just never know what you’ll get in Atlanta - sometimes we have 75 degree December days and other times we have 21 degree days. Studio sessions happen no matter what the weather is outside, so if you can’t be flexible to reschedule to the next available open date due to weather conditions, the studio is the best choice.

We sent over the style guide to Jessi for her to review as she planned what everyone would wear. On the phone, she expressed that her family loved to wear color, and we told her we love color too! Our studio is a very neutral setting and as long as families dress in color combinations that don’t involve neon or certain colors with heavy color casts, it’s all good! Our style guide is super helpful when it comes to deciding what to wear, and we are more than happy to have you come in for a complimentary style consult as well. We’re here to make this experience as easy and stress free as possible - so if you need some extra help or guidance, all you have to do is ask.

We set a date, and Jessi asked to add on hair and makeup services. We paired her with Olivia, who Jessi absolutely loved. She e-mailed us after her session just to tell us that Olivia was the best hair and makeup person she’d ever had in her life so far. Pretty high (and well deserved!) praise! Our hair and makeup team is absolutely fantastic, and our clients love working with them. It’s not unusual for clients to decide to never step in front of my camera again without utilizing the services of our team! You’ll feel like you’re chatting with a good friend the entire time you’re in the chair.

When the family arrived the afternoon of their session, I introduced myself to the kids. My approach with children is to give them space and let them approach me. I believe that kids are people too, and they deserve as much respect and consideration as adults do. Getting into a child’s face with a peppy cheerleader voice is not my style, nor does it tend to go over well from what I’ve observed. Sometimes my littlest clients are outgoing and friendly from the start, and other times they need to take a little time to familiarize themselves with the surroundings and warm up to me. This is exactly why I structure my family sessions the way that I do! We will almost always start with the whole family together and then move into parent/child images. This helps your child feel safe and secure with you while I gain their trust. By mid session, we’re usually exchanging high fives and playing games and that’s when we go for sibling and individual child portraits. There is no 100% set session flow that I refuse to deviate from. I’ll switch it up depending on the needs of your family and who is willing to participate at any given time.

Sadie & Zeke were just absolutely adorable! I love their big blue eyes and grins - and Sadie’s curly hair is just gorgeous. She had the best personality, and I spent a few minutes with just her in a chair photographing her expressions as we talked about her favorite things.

We had an absolute BLAST - the kids were running and jumping by the end and having a ball. Once I could see the kids were over being photographed, I pulled Sean and Jessi aside for a few parent only images. Most of the time with first time clients, the last time they’ve been photographed professionally as a couple was at their wedding! With my sessions, I always pull mom and dad aside for a few of just the two of them. After all, it was just the two of you once - and someday when the kids leave home, it’ll be just the two of you again.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this family’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 Maternity Photographer | The L Family at the Park

I first worked with Tiffany and her family in 2018 when she relocated to the area from Tennessee. She had loved her photographer there but could no longer travel back and forth for sessions, and decided it was time to find someone local to her. A Google search led her to me, and she knew as soon as she viewed my portfolio and read about my approach that she had found her new long term photographer.

Last fall, I met the family out at the field location for a family/milestone session around their son Abel’s second birthday. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed working with them. They told me they’d be in touch for another session… and sure enough, they were…. for a family MATERNITY session because they were expecting TWINS!!!! Tiffany chose the park location, and she made sure to get book their newborn session as well so she would be on our schedule.

We book twin maternity sessions on the earlier side for mamas for two reasons. (1) Bellies grow bigger much faster with twins, and we want you to feel comfortable at your session (2) Twin mamas are more likely to go on bedrest or have early deliveries. So, we schedule twin mamas for 24-28 weeks in most cases when we have enough notice! That being said, we have photographed twin mamas even later in pregnancy that were last minute clients, so if you’re past 28 weeks and want to book a maternity session, please don’t think it’s too late! If you’re comfortable and still moving well with no restrictions, you’re good to go.

We scheduled Tiffany’s maternity fitting to take place right after our Santa event ended since they were the last clients for that day. I wanted to save them a trip since they live an hour away from the studio. Abel had fun eating extra holiday goodies and talking to Santa as he packed up to leave, and Tiffany and I got started at looking at the dresses. She chose two really beautiful gowns that looked amazing with her skin tone and eye color. She laughed about choosing the sequin topped dress since it’s not what she would normally go for, but she just loved it so much. We have a lot of clients fall in a love with a dress that they wouldn’t have chosen just seeing it on the hanger - so keep that in mind when you come in! Sometimes a dress that you didn’t think you would even like becomes the frontrunner top pick once you see it on your body. We discussed what the boys should wear for the session as well before they left, and emailed her the style guide to have on hand. She found the style guide super helpful and easy to read, but still wanted my seal of approval on the final choices. She emailed me a photo of two outfit combinations to ask for my input, and I circled the pieces that went best together and sent back an email with my input. Easy peasy! I offer this to all of my clients because I want them to feel confident in their choices and serve them however I can to make things as smooth as possible for them. If you’d rather make an appointment for an in person style consult at the studio, we can schedule one! Mamas just bring the clothes they’re considering and we chat and go through them to pull everything together. It is never an inconvenience to assist our clients with this, so don’t hesitate to ask.

The evening of their December maternity session, it was the very beginning of winter, and it was a bit chilly outside but not too bad! We had a pretty mild December this year for the most part. Tiffany looked at me before I pulled my camera out and said, “For your information, I’m terrible at this. Just wanted you to know.” I laughed and told her she didn’t need to worry about a thing. The vast majority of my clients don’t know what they’re “supposed” to do. Guess what? You don’t have to, because I’ll guide you the entire time. My direction is clear and concise, and I will also demonstrate for you exactly how to stand and look to make it even easier. It’s basically adult “Simon Says” at some points! ;) I promise you will never be left standing there staring awkwardly at the camera wondering what on earth you’re supposed to do next. That’s not the way I work around here.

We started off with just Tiffany and then pulled in Greg and Abel for some family photos. My goal during maternity sessions is to make it as easy on pregnant moms as possible. So I have other participants be the ones that jump in and out and I change up my angles as well rather than have mom constantly have to move around and change it up.

I love to photograph expectant moms with just their child. When kids are participants in sessions, we spend a lot of time playing and having fun to keep them interested and engaged. You are one of their favorite people in the whole world, so this is very natural interaction. I’ll give you guided prompts for things to say or do to get those giggles and smiles if they’re not already happening, and everything will unfold organically.

Abel was a busy little guy, so when I saw him start to get fidgety, we moved on from our spot and explored the park a bit. He loved being able to run and walk with mom and dad, and had fun playing in the leaves as well. While your child is happily playing, I’ll photograph just you and your partner. If you have a child that can’t be trusted to stay close or is just too young, I always recommend bringing along a stroller to hold them for just that bit. I’ve been known to hold a baby on my hip in a pinch, but not every baby is okay with someone other than their parents holding them! Your photos will reflect it if you’re stressed out about where your child is wandering off to instead of safely secured in the stroller in your line of sight.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this maternity session! I can’t wait to share the beautiful newborn session photos of their new additions on the blog 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 Family Photographer | A Brookhaven in-home session with Madeleine, Tyson & Parker

I’ve worked with Madeline & Tyson before for their maternity session at the gardens location when they were expecting their son, Parker - and then again for his newborn session and First Birthday session! They are such a fun couple to work with and I’ve enjoyed the time I have spent with them.

Madeleine contacted me to schedule an in-home lifestyle milestone session at their gorgeous home in Brookhaven that also included some professional headshots for a print campaign for her (which I won’t show in the gallery below). I love in-home sessions when babies are older because you can photograph them actually enjoying and interacting with all the aspects of their nurseries. The vast majority of our newborn clients choose to book a studio session over in home and plan an in home session for the sitting or First Birthday milestone.

We scheduled the session around Parker’s nap times and at the best time for the best light in the rooms they wanted to photograph within their home. I do carry lighting equipment with me just in case we need it, but it’s pretty rare. I tend to embrace the light in a client’s home - so if it’s not as well lit, the photos will just have a darker and more moody feel to them that reflects that. If it’s too dark for the images to meet my quality standards, that’s when I will make the decision to augment with my lighting equipment. So, how do you know when the best light of day will be in? You probably have the answer right on your iPhone! Go into the room you want to photograph and open the compass application. North facing windows are pretty great all day long (and what I have in my studio). East facing windows can be too bright and harsh in the morning and it’s better to wait until the sun has risen up a bit closer to noon. South facing windows are often the most difficult to work with as it’s just super harsh light, and West facing windows are great from noon until right before the sun lowers so much that it’s shining directly in the windows. This will also be affected by whether you have trees outside your windows and the time of year. Spring and summer tree foliage block out a lot more light than fall and winter when the leaves have dropped. There are lots of factors at play - and we’re here to assist you in determining the best time of day light wise!

When I arrived at their home, Madeline and I headed down the street to a local park for her headshot portion. Parker was due to be up from his nap at any moment and would be eating afterwards, so that’s why we planned it this way. When we returned from the park, he was ready to be dressed. Madeleine showed me a few outfit options and I pulled out the best combos. We headed to the backyard first before the sun rose too high for some outdoor images with their pups, and then went back indoors for some images in their formal living room. After an outfit change, we headed upstairs to Parker’s gorgeous nursery. I loved the blue and white scheme and the stuffed llama was just the cutest! Madeleine has an affinity for traditional Southern clothing, and never misses an opportunity to dress Parker up. True to form, she put him in a sweet romper and handed him his silver cup and spoon that had been a baby gift from a special person in their lives. He had the best time banging and playing with them, and we wrapped up the session with family and parent images in the nursery.

As of this writing, I’ve photographed Madeleine’s second maternity session and we’re waiting the birth of the newest addition to the family later this spring!

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 | Kimberly & Eric

Kimberly contacted the studio for a  maternity session at the park location. She had a few schedule limitations on her calendar due to travel, but we were able to find a date that worked! We scheduled a maternity fitting at the studio to take place a couple of weeks before her session, and sent along the style guide for her to have on hand when thinking about what her husband should wear.

Maternity fittings are an opportunity for you to come to the studio and look through our client wardrobe! We’ll chat and get to know each other while you try on pieces. The majority of our dresses can accommodate most bellies and are based on bust size. We have dressed female clients from size 0-14/16 and that are 4’10” through 6’2”! Usage of the studio wardrobe is included with your session, and even if you choose not to borrow from the wardrobe you'll still have styling assistance from us if you need it. We care about your session experience and the final product, so we work closely with you to help you choose the best colors and styles to take the stress out and make it fun! Kimberly really enjoyed trying on all of the dresses, and settled on two that she looked and felt beautiful in. We discussed a few different options of what Eric could wear based on what she had chosen that would stay true to his style preferences.

On the evening of their session, we met at the park and I was struck by how much fun the two were having together. It was almost like I wasn’t even there, to be honest! They had eyes only for each other, and it was just the sweetest thing. Very little direction was needed from me other than where to stand and which direction to face to work with the strong backlighting, and the rest was all them. If you don’t know what to do, don’t worry - I’ll tell you exactly what to do. I position clients, and then give prompts for natural interaction and will adjust certain things when necessary to make sure it’s flattering to my clients. The rest is all you - all you have to do is focus on each other!

Enjoy a few of my favorite photos! Isn’t her round pregnant belly the cutest?!

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 Aiden

I have so many clients return year after year as their children grow or they add another baby, and this family is no exception. I LOVE getting to see the newest addition to families and seeing if they look like their siblings or not. I first worked with Adrienne and Dave when they were expecting their first child for their studio maternity session, then again for newborn and his First Birthday, then for his second birthday…and then heard from Adrienne that they were expecting baby #2! She scheduled both maternity and newborn for their second baby, opted to add on hair and makeup services with Margaret as she always has for previous sessions.

You can see their studio maternity session when expecting their first by clicking here, the newborn session of their first child by clicking here, fall family photos at the field by clicking here, and their park maternity session with their second child by clicking here. Whew, that’s a lot, right!? I don’t think I ever blogged Logan’s First Birthday session, so I should probably dig that out and post it sometime since it was such a cute one! That list doesn’t even include all the Santa sessions they’ve come to as well. What can I say? We have lots of long term clients and we LOVE it!

On the morning of their session, Adrienne and Dave arrived at the studio with baby Aiden! They had waited until birth again to find out if they were having a boy or girl (just like I did with all three of my own children) and were so excited that Logan was a big brother. As soon as I looked into the car seat carrier I was amazed at how CUTE Aiden was, but also at how different he looked from his brother as a newborn. There were definitely some similarities and time will tell - but I think they’re going to look pretty different from each other!

When I took Aiden out of his carseat, he was sound asleep, so I got to work right way with his solo portraits. Adrienne hopped into the hair and makeup chair, and Dave took the time to relax on the couch. Mamas - adding on hair and makeup doesn’t extend the length of your session time in the least bit. I’m going to be photographing your baby solo for the first 90 minutes or so of your time here, so if you’re worried that it’s going to make your session longer, don’t be!

Aiden slept for most of his time with me, but he did open his eyes to look around once. I always jump at the opportunity to photograph awake newborns as long as they’re calm and content. I love his quizzical expression in the photo I took, and then he drifted back to sleep. As I was finishing up with Aiden, big brother Logan arrived with his grandparents. Aiden woke up, but stayed really quiet and calm, so I kept photographing him while awake! Adrienne nursed him and then we got started with the family portion of the session.

We get a lot of requests for sibling photos. I want to address this because every older sibling is different. My first and foremost priority is the safety of your newborn. If I deem your older child too wiggly or too excited to calmly lie next to their sibling and follow direction, I will not put your newborn at risk by attempting it. We have LOTS of other ways to capture siblings together that involve a parent holding baby to keep them safe. Some older siblings are simply not willing to get that close to their sibling or don’t want to touch them. I always want my clients to have a realistic view on what to expect from their time with me and understand that sometimes the hope of a specific image just isn’t safe to create.

When we started the family portion, Logan was very excited and kept running back and forth between his parents and grandparents. Sometimes it’s totally fine for grandparents to remain in the studio, but in this case it was causing too much distraction. His grandparents were totally fine with stepping out and heading to our building lobby to hang out for a bit to see if that would help. It did - within minutes of their exit, Logan was participating and listening again. Sometimes having too many adults on hand can be overstimulating and distracting, so if I notice that happening, I will ask those not participating in the session to exit the studio for a bit to see if it helps. On the flip side, I’ve had so many kids do better with grandparents in the studio! Every family and kid is different, and we’ll play it by ear and see how it goes.

When I have toddlers involved, I get all of the family images and sibling images done first. That way they are free to go and enjoy their day and aren’t running around the studio or making their parents crazy. ;) Logan left with his grandparents to head home, and I ended the session with parent and baby images. Aiden was such a little squishball with the most delicious baby rolls - see for yourself!

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 | Cori is TWO!

I first photographed Cori when she was one for some First Birthday portraits. Her parents had chosen not to be in the session with her for that session, but when Rebecca called to schedule portraits for Cori’s second birthday she let us know that they wanted to be in the photos this time for a milestone/family session. They were so excited about it, and I was too! I really love when parents participate in the session because I believe it’s such a gift to give to your children. They will look at those images for the rest of their lives, even when you’re not there with them anymore - and they will see how much you loved them. I like to call photographs “tangible memories”. It’s incredible how much emotion a simple picture can evoke. Looking at a photo of myself holding my daughter as a tiny newborn in your arms instantly transports me back to those days the memories all come flooding back - from the weight of her in my arms to the sweet scent of her newborn baby head.

We sent Rebecca our style guide which she appreciated, and she let us know it was super helpful. It’s a short and sweet rule with suggested guidelines for the best practices in dressing your family. If you’re still feeling stuck or not quite sure, you can schedule a time to stop by the studio for a complimentary style consult, or we can exchange emails! Moms simply snap a few photos of their outfit combinations, email them to me, and I’ll respond with input and feedback. Super easy! If you opt for an in person consult, you simply bring what you’re considering, and we’ll sit down together and go over it. We’re here to help planning for your session be as EASY and stress free as possible and are more than happy to serve you in this way!

When the family arrived Rebecca let me know that Cori was FULL of personality and might be difficult to wrangle. Pretty much every client tells me this - and I say, “bring it!” I LOVE lively children, and I have three of my own who are chock full of personality themselves. If you have a spirited child, we are going to have the best time playing and interacting - and they will be full of those cute expressions unique to them that you know and love. Just saying that is making my brain flash through all the expressions my children make on a daily basis when reacting to certain things! I want you to always remember the fun personality of your child, and portrait sessions are such a great way to do this!

“My child is really, really shy.” - that might be what you’re thinking right now. That’s okay! When you come in for your session, you won’t see my camera out for a little bit. I’m going to give your child a LOT of space and start playing by myself with toys. Yep, you heard right. When they show interest, often times they’ll come over to see what’s happening. I tend to ignore my littlest clients until they show interest in me - and I meet them where they’re at. The last thing a shy child needs is an overly peppy photographer getting in their face because that’s just not going to build their trust and win them over. If it’s taking them a little longer to warm up, we’ll start the session with family images in your arms. We have lots of fun techniques that we use to warm kids up, and as long as you’re laid back and go along with my prompts - we will work together to create some magic!

Since Cori wasn’t shy, she hopped right up onto one of my studio chairs and proceeded to show me all her expressions. We brought her parents in one by one and together, and just had lots of fun playing and running around. I want you to know that this session was VERY high energy, and mom and dad were a little out of breath at the end. When they saw their gallery they LOVED the photos of their family together and all of the images of Cori as well - from the funny, to silly, to happy, to serious. I can’t wait to see them again next year!

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 | Katherine & Daniel at the park

Katherine contacted us to book a maternity session and let us know that she had been referred to us by a few nurses on her floor. I immediately knew which floor it was because we have literally had FIVE nurses from the same floor come to us! :) I love when our clients loved their experience so much that their friends know they’ll be taken good care of too.

After looking at the locations, Katherine chose to book a maternity session with us at the park location. When she came in for her maternity fitting, she informed me that her husband didn't enjoy having his picture taken and would probably feel super awkward. I told her not to worry at all. I really love working with dads and have lost count at how many have told me they enjoyed the experience after initially thinking it would be something they just had to survive and get through. Dads like really clear direction and knowing what to expect, and I make sure they get that! My sessions are not dragged out and never ending, and your guy will feel comfortable with me and my direct but laid back approach quickly.

Katherine came in to the studio for a fitting, and after looking through several options, she chose two lace dresses from the wardrobe. One was a gorgeous cream off the shoulder dress, and the other was a steel blue dress that looked beautiful with her eyes. We discussed what her husband should wear, and she asked for my opinion on whether she should add hair and makeup services. My opinion is always, absolutely, yes - you will not regret it! This is coming from a gal who doesn’t wear makeup or even own any - but you can bet that I work with a member of our team whenever I am stepping in front of the camera. Our hair and makeup team is absolutely incredible, and each artist will work with you to create a look that is true to who you are tailored to your specific preferences. If you want classic and clean or want a bit more dramatic glam, they can do it. They collaborate WITH you during the process, and they’re just wonderful. She ultimately did decide to add on hair and makeup services  and met Brielle at the studio the afternoon of the session to get ready.

I met them at the park on a beautiful and sunny fall evening with her dresses, and while Katherine was getting changed into her first dress, I chatted with Daniel and got to know him a bit. I could tell he was a bit nervous and not really looking forward to this, but absolutely loved his wife and wanted him to be happy. I let him know that being nervous wasn’t necessary because I was going to tell him exactly what to do and would literally nudge him into the right position if he wasn’t there. He was visibly relieved to hear this and it didn’t take him long at all to relax! Because my primary focus is on love and connection between my subjects rather than “Ok, please look at the camera and smile” formal and stuff portraits, your guy just has to focus on YOU. Most expectant dads look at their pregnant wives and start thinking about everything that the future holds, and they start smiling all on their own without any help from me. How can you not smile when you’re looking at the only part of your life that truly matters?

Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures from their 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 Fresh 48 Photographer | Baby Marin

Fresh 48 sessions are some of my absolute favorites! I first worked with Roxanne and Zach when they were expecting their first baby for their maternity and birth sessions. When Roxanne let me know she was pregnant with their second baby, she knew she wanted to book a maternity session at the park location, and she asked if she should book birth or Fresh 48. After some discussion, we determined that Fresh 48 was the best fit for her because she was most interested in documenting the entire family together and Orlando with his baby sister. Sometimes babies are born in the middle of the night, so I’m gone by the time the rest of the family comes to meet baby unless the family chooses to do both birth and Fresh 48. We can discuss which session type is best for you if you’re on the fence or not sure.

Want to see Roxanne’s maternity session at the field location when she was pregnant with her son? You can see the photos by clicking here. We met up at the park for her family maternity session on a hot late summer evening and you can see those images by clicking here. One difference between her maternity sessions was that this time, Roxanne chose to add on hair and makeup ! She had attended our Motherhood Experience event in the past and really loved the simple makeup application that is included, so was excited to see what the full experience would be like. I’m happy to report she loved every second of her time with our lead HMUA, Margaret, and looked absolutely stunning to boot! I love looking back and comparing images from each pregnancy to see if they look similar or totally opposite!

As a quick note: I’m fully booked for The Birth Session for the remainder of 2020 with a limited wait list remaining for the months of August and September. Contact us to discuss what being on the wait list entails! As a note, The Birth Session for 2021 due dates will exclusively be available to clients booking at least 2 other sessions with me over the first year (choosing from maternity, newborn, and a milestone session for 6 months or First Birthday).

Roxanne let me know that she was scheduled for an induction, and confirmed with her daughter Marin had arrived. I asked when her big brother would be napping and available to come to the hospital, and we chose a time that worked for both of us during daylight hours the next morning. I always take nap times of older siblings into consideration when scheduling, but cannot guarantee a specific timeframe. Fresh 48 sessions are photographed during daylight hours in your hospital room before you are discharged to go home from the hospital.

“What if my baby has some unforeseen complications and we aren’t able to do a Fresh 48? because of a NICU stay?” We are asked this a lot, and it’s totally a valid concern because life doesn’t always go according to plan. No need to stress about this - we’ll transfer your Fresh 48 to a future milestone session for 6 months or First Birthday.

When I arrived at Northside Hospital, I made my way to their labor & delivery recovery room. I always ask that when I arrive it just be parents and baby present. This allows me to efficiently photograph those parent moments and baby alone, and get set up for when an older sibling is arriving, especially if videography has been added on. Sometimes it’s the very first meeting between siblings, and other times it isn’t. Everything is very natural and lifestyle oriented for Fresh 48 sessions. I will move some things around if they’re distracting in the background, but typically leave your room as is for the most part in keeping with the truly authentic style of documentary storytelling.

Marin was absolutely ADORABLE and such a little sleeping beauty. Grandma brought Orlando about 15 minutes after I had arrived, and was happy to see me. After a few high fives, I set about photographing the family together and gave Roxanne and Zach some simple prompts for what to do. Everything I photograph is natural interaction unfolding, but sometimes my clients need a little help to get the ball rolling. That’s pretty normal, and I’m here to get it going, so you never need to worry about what you’re supposed to do. Grandma jumped in for a few photos as well - and I welcome other family members! Keep in mind that I will want to start with just parents and baby and then bring in others to keep the atmosphere calm and peaceful for all involved.

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this precious 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 Maternity Photographer | Taylor & Julianne

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you’re spending it with people you love. I decided to share one of my favorite fall maternity sessions with one of the sweetest couples in honor of it!

When Julianne contacted us, she let us know that she was actually the aunt of three newborns that had passed through my studio in the past four years. Her most recent niece had just come through, and she absolutely loved all of their photos. She told us she couldn’t imagine going anywhere else based on what she had heard about the experience from her brother and sister-in-law and knew she would be coming to us whenever she started a family. That day had come, and she chose to book maternity and newborn together. For her maternity session, she chose the park as her location and we scheduled a time for her to come into the studio to try on dresses.

The day of her maternity fitting, her sister-in-law let me know that she would be stopping by to pick up her newborn collection order. As luck would have it, Julianne arrived shortly after Kate did and we all chatted for a bit. Kate left, and Julianne and I started going through the pieces. We had fun looking through everything and I pulled items that I knew would look great with her skin tone and body type. My first consideration is always the color of the dress with a client’s skin tone. Secondary to that is how it fits. If a dress is too big we can often clamp it and resize it that way! Our studio wardrobe has a wide range of sizes from 0-14/16 and accommodates all heights - we have dressed 4’10” to 6’2” female clients for sessions! After trying on several pieces, she chose a gorgeous nude dress with a lace overlay and a simple pale pink dress. We discussed what her husband, Taylor could wear from his own wardrobe too. When you come in for a maternity fitting we’ll discuss that together, but the nutshell version: keep your partner true to HE is and respect his style preferences. He’s part of the session and we want him to feel comfortable too, not like an imposter wearing something he felt forced into.

The day of their session, we met on a gorgeous and sunny evening, and Taylor looked great in his chinos and pullover sweater. Julianne got dressed in her first dress and Taylor and I chatted a bit about what to expect during the session while she was doing that. Both of them told me that they weren’t really sure what they were doing and were a little nervous, and I reassured them that everyone feels that way! With me, you don’t have to worry about what to do because I will give you clear guidance the WHOLE time. You’ll find that after about 10 minutes you are naturally doing everything you need to, and once you’ve relaxed and start having fun - we get those beautiful and authentic images that show your emotional connection. I get so many clients who tell me that they love the photos they see on the website but “My husband isn’t lovey dovey so I don’t think we’ll get those gorgeous pictures.” Let me tell you something. Most of my clients aren’t “lovey dovey”. But the moments you see are real and not forced. All I do is position my couples in close proximity to each other and give them a prompt, and what unfolds is uniquely them. You cannot fake emotion in photographs, and your love for one another will shine through with those quiet looks and exchanged smiles. I’ve never had a couple not break into a smile when I ask them to think about their baby and what they think they’ll look like! So don’t worry about what to do with your hands or how to stand, or where to look - I’ve got you! :) We’re going to have a blast, just like Julianne, Taylor, and I did.

See for yourself! I can’t wait to share their newborn pictures of their beautiful baby boy on the blog 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 Family Photographer | The S Family at the Field

I first photographed this family when Hannah was just a tiny newborn! She’s one of the babies I’ve had that looked EXACTLY like one of her parents. You can click here to see images from their newborn session a few years ago!

When Samantha reached out asking to schedule updated family portraits at our field location, I was SO excited. It’s such an honor to be chosen by families to photograph them, and I SO love getting to work with families again and again. My longest client has been working with me for seven years now, and getting to watch their family and children grow over their years has been such an honor. I consider it a privilege to help my clients with their photography needs, and my goal is to serve them well. We sincerely want our clients to walk away feeling well cared for throughout their experience and know how much we appreciate them.

We sent over the style guide for Samantha to look through and when we followed up to ask if she had any questions or needed any help, she told us it was the perfect resource and was super helpful so she was all set. If you DO need more assistance in planning what to wear, we are here to help as much as you need with that. We can communicate via emailed photos with input and feedback or schedule an in person consult here at the studio if your schedule allows for that. Consults are complimentary to our booked clients, and we are more than happy to spend some time with you to help you pull together the look for your family.

Samantha worked with our HMUA team for her previous session, and she asked to do so again. Hope met her at the studio before her session, and I met the family at the field location that evening. I was so excited to see Hannah again and was shocked at how much she had grown… and at how much she still looked the same from her newborn images! It’s so cool to see how some babies retain all their features while others look like a totally different person. Hannah was happy and excited to be out in the field with her parents,

As a mom of three, I know how overwhelming it can be to plan your session and then have it seemingly go sideways if your child (or children…or partner!) are in a less than stellar mood. My best advice is this: come to your session with a laid back and relaxed attitude. Children FEEL when their parents are stressing out, and guess what happens? They decide it would be fun to push a few of your buttons to see what happens. Putting pressure on young children almost always backfires. Take it from a mom and seasoned photographer: you simply can’t force a toddler to smile and look genuinely happy. Every time you look at your images you would see that the smile wasn’t real and you would remember how miserable everyone was that day because of all the stress that didn’t need to be there in the first place.

I give my little clients the time and space to warm up to me. If they want to snuggle with you, we go with that. Once they’re more comfortable, I’ll quietly give you some prompts of things to do with your child. I also step back and let things unfold naturally to capture your unique family dynamic in the most authentic way possible. I can’t tell you the number of clients who leave a session wondering if things went okay and if I even managed to get anything who then see the gallery and email me with tears in their eyes because they can’t believe it’s really their family and that those sweet moments really happened during. As I like to remind people: I only need 1/800th of a second to create an image. So let them be themselves, follow my prompts, play and have fun…. the rest works itself out. :)

Hannah had a lot of fun during the session hanging out with her parents but there were definitely a few moments where she lost interest and didn’t want to participate anymore. When this happens, sometimes I put the camera down and we play. Other times I call out to mom and dad that we’re going to go explore and let their child lead the way. So many awesome family images are created simply by letting your child be who they are and go where they want to go - and getting yourselves on their level and into the frame. I talk about how my sessions with newborns and babies are very baby led - family sessions are also very child led especially when it comes to the younger ones. I think this gallery will give you a fantastic overview of what to expect during a family session. Lots of FUN, love, and personality. ;)

Want to capture your family just as you are now before time completely slips away and you’re packing their bags for college? 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!

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 Darcy

Emily contacted the studio after her daughter was born to inquire about a newborn session and see if we had any last minute availability. Fortunately, we had one day available that week! After speaking with Caroline, our studio manager, and reviewing the information sent over with her husband she snapped up the spot. We scheduled the date, and sent over our short and sweet newborn prep packet for them to review. It covers the basics of how to prepare for your session, what to bring, and what to wear if you’ve opted to wear your own clothing from home. The studio wardrobe is available to our mamas, but it’s totally a matter of your personal preference whether you want to borrow from it or wear your own. Emily also asked to add on hair services with our HMUA team, so we coordinated that for her as well. You have enough going on at home with a brand new baby, so we make it super easy for you to add on hair and/or makeup services to your session. We will take care of matching you with a member of our team and connecting you with them so you don’t have to worry about any of that.

Let’s talk about when to book your session with us real quick since this is a topic we cover a ton. Most of our clients reserve their newborn sessions while they’re still pregnant to ensure that they have a spot on our calendar. It’s never too early to book with us and sometimes we are the first to know about a pregnancy before the clients’ extended family. But don’t worry, keeping secrets is one of our specialties. ;)

One of the most popular questions that our clients is: “How do we book our newborn session date in advance when we don’t know the exact date our baby will arrive?” Answer: We don’t schedule the exact date when you book before your baby is here! Booking a newborn session with us before birth simply means that you’re securing your guaranteed spot on our calendar. We take a limited number of newborns due in each month so we can ensure that all of our clients have the best experience from start to finish. Newborn sessions take more time than regular portrait sessions, and take far more time to edit due to the complex skin work that newborns need. (ie: skin flakes, jaundice, baby acne, purple feet - just to name a few) Once you’re on the studio calendar, you’ll let us know when your baby has arrived! We’ll ask you a few questions about your baby and your recovery and schedule your session based on the answers to those questions. In general, we photography newborns in between 8-21 days of life and usually schedule for 8-12 days when possible and factors make sense for that. We’ve photographed up to 6 weeks, but it’s not ideal for true newborn photos unless your baby was born prematurely. So if you’re reading this now while holding your three week old and kicking yourself for not scheduling a newborn session, just contact us to see if we have room to fit you in! You will not be the first last minute client, and you definitely won’t be the last. The number of last minute newborn sessions from moms who initially thought they didn’t want one and then changed their minds is much higher than you’d think! Every one of those moms has expressed how happy they were that they decided to contact us and come in!

When Emily and Kevin arrived at the studio with Darcy, I couldn’t get over her full head of hair! She was SO adorable, and slept throughout her solo portraits! Emily hopped up in the hair and makeup chair with Brielle for her hair services, and Kevin took some time to relax while I photographed Darcy. After Emily’s hair was finished, she looked through the studio wardrobe and found a pale pink dress that she loved.

When I finished photographing Darcy, she was in need of a diaper change and was hungry. Her parents took care of her, and we spent some time chatting about what would happen next while she was being fed.

My clients are never left hanging during sessions with me. I will guide you through the entire experience with clear and easy to follow prompts. Much of what you will be doing is completely natural interaction, but I’ll be adjusting things a bit for the best photographs. I’m always fixing hair, turning dad a half an inch (yes, that half an inch adjustment really matters!), and rearranging baby’s wrap, etc. All of those little details are important, and I’m constantly looking for them. Clients don’t need to be worrying about all of that - so I ask them to leave it to me and just enjoy their session!

After Darcy had finished eating, we continued on with the family portion. Darcy was one of my newborns that I’ve had in that never opened her eyes the entire time she was here. Some babies are sleepier than others! :)

Parent and family images are usually the easiest part of newborn sessions. Every once in a while I’ll have a baby that decides they’re going to be fussy after their solo portraits. If this happens, no need to stress. I have a bag of tricks up my sleeve of things to calm them, and they’ll be in your arms the whole time. It’s far easier to calm and work with a baby during the family portion than it is for their solo portraits!

Because Darcy was so sleepy, the family portion didn’t take long at all. I work in a very efficient flow and have dad step in and out of the photos, mom eventually hands baby to dad, and then she steps in and out of the photos. Sessions here are relaxed with a laid back vibe because there’s no room for stress! :)

Enjoy some of my favorite photos of this beautiful baby girl and her loving parents!

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 First Birthday Photographer | Emily is ONE!

Hitomi contacted the studio to schedule up a First Birthday portrait session for her daughter, Emily. She asked to come by the studio to look through dresses we had. We scheduled a time for that, and sent over our easy to follow style guide for her to look through beforehand.

Our style consults are complimentary to our booked clients, and scheduled for 20-30 minutes. Clients can bring clothing from home that they’re considering wearing and we’ll look through studio pieces too. Some clients end up wearing studio clothing, while others wear their own or a mix of the two. Hitomi brought along a gorgeous pastel peachy skirt with an off white shirt, and a dress for Emily for me to look at. We talked about what her husband could wear from his own wardrobe as well. They asked if they could bring along a flower crown for Emily to wear and if they could incorporate balloons into the session. I’m always up for this, but just know going in that your baby might not want to keep anything on their head - so don’t get married to the idea that they’ll wear it for the entire session. Hitomi left the studio that day feeling confident in her choices for wardrobe, which is the whole point! Planning a session for your family can be overwhelming, and I’m here to take that away by providing assistance to you. If coming into the studio isn’t an option for your schedule (we completely understand busy lives!) that’s not a problem! Plenty of our mamas choose to coordinate over emails instead. It’s as simple as taking a phone snap of your outfit considerations and sending them over. I’ll use markup to circle things and respond with detailed feedback.

On the morning of their session, when the family arrived, Emily was very, very shy. She had been bubbly and outgoing at the style consult, but on this day was not. I could see that her parents were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to get any photos from our time together, and reassured her that we would take our time. This is the primary reason that our portrait sessions are structured the way that they are. Sometimes your baby needs extra time to warm up and feel secure!

We started the session with Emily in her parents’ arms, and I asked them to just love and snuggle her, and play with her. As predicted, Emily wanted nothing to do with her flower crown so it didn’t stay on for very long! Hitomi attempted to put it back on her head but after the tenth time of Emily flinging it to the floor, she gave up. Pro tip: if you want your child to wear something on their head for part of their session, definitely plan to incorporate a cake smash. As we present the cake to your baby, we’ll slip whatever you’ve brought onto their head and they’re usually so distracted by their cake that they keep it on for a little while or for the entire time! Every baby is different. ;)

As you look through these gallery images, you’ll probably notice that a cake smash didn’t happen! 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 do it - it truly is whatever your preference is!

Emily started warming up and having fun, and we played some of her favorite music over our studio bluetooth speaker. We suggest that parents have something on their phones and connect to the speaker since singing and dancing around with your baby can loosen even the toughest little client up. Baby Shark and Frozen songs are big winners around here!

As Emily became more and more comfortable, we moved on to solo portraits and some of those showcased her walking and standing skills and some BIG smiles, much to the delight of her parents (and me!). Only about half of my one year old clients are walking at the First Birthday session, so don’t worry if your baby isn’t! The goal of photographing your baby for their First Birthday session is to document them exactly as they were at that milestone. Pictures of your baby crawling are JUST as cute walking ones - and I promise that soon you will miss the days when they crawled over to you on the floor.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from Emily’s session! She was just the cutest little girl with the biggest eyes and smile. She has an affinity for her mama’s shoes, and I love that she grabbed one and wouldn’t let go of it.

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 | The S Family on the mountain

Priscilla ans Steve are long term clients and near and dear to my heart. I first worked with them when they were expecting their little boy! They were new to the Atlanta area at the time and were in search of a photographer that didn’t overly process their images as they love a clean and beautiful look that doesn’t look fake. I fit the bill for that, and I photographed their maternity, newborn and First Birthday sessions for Luke.

I was THRILLED for their family when Priscilla emailed me to let me know they were expecting their second baby! I’m often one of the very first people to find out when my clients are expecting another one because they want to ensure they’re on my calendar since I often am booked out a few months in advance. I’m really good at keeping secrets! ;)

Priscilla had seen some of our mountain location photos and is always up for an adventure, so requested their maternity session be there.

Priscilla is 4’11”! She is a petite little thing, and when she first worked with us she was worried we wouldn’t have anything that would fit her because of her height. She knows now that she doesn’t have to worry about it because we can outfit a range of heights and sizes from 0-14/16. Our shortest client that we have ever had is 4’10” and our tallest female client was 6’2”. We were able to dress them both from our studio wardrobe with no problems.

Priscilla came into the studio for a fitting and fell in love with two of our dresses. We discussed wardrobe for Steve & Luke, and she also elected to work with Margaret, our lead HMUA for add on hair and makeup services. She’s worked with Margaret many times in the past, and really enjoys playing with makeup for a more glammed up and fun look. For mamas that prefer a more understated and muted look, that’s not a problem at all! Our makeup artists will work closely with you and create the look that you’re going for - whether that’s the “no makeup” makeup look or a little dash of Kim K. ;) Priscilla’s hair and makeup looked absolutely amazing and she was so happy with it as it was exactly what she had requested.

We met at the mountain location and started the walk up. I always have mamas wear shoes that are easy to walk in and change into whatever shoes they’re wearing for the photos once we are at our shoot location. I like to start my mountain sessions at the base in a wooded area and then make our way up to the top. Many pregnant women have handled the hike with ease, but be aware that your husband will likely need to carry your toddler if you have one as it can be a bit much for them. That being said, when my son was two, he had no problem getting up to the top by himself but it does take more time with short little legs!

After finishing up in the woods, we walked up to the top, and the sunset was absolutely stunning that evening! It was such a gorgeous night and pretty warm for the fall as well. We had some wind gusts which added beautiful movement to Priscilla’s hair and dress, and I couldn’t be happier with their images!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their family maternity session on the mountaintop.

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 Malcolm

I first worked with Kayla & Johnnie for their studio maternity session, which you can view by clicking here. They were such a fun couple to work with, and I was so excited to meet their son when he was born! I ran into Kayla at our neighborhood Target while shopping less than a couple weeks before she gave birth, and she looked absolutely amazing. She told me how much they loved their maternity photos and how much they were looking forward to the newborn session! I wasn’t surprised when she emailed me less than two weeks later to let me know that their son, Malcolm, had arrived, and we scheduled his newborn session.

As many of you know, we moved from our studio in Grant Park to our new (much larger and amazing) studio here on the Beltline by Ponce City Market at the end of summer 2019. So, their maternity session took place at our old studio, and their newborn session took place at the new one!

When they walked into the new space, they were absolutely amazed by how gorgeous and spacious it was, and any uncertainty they had about being somewhere new for their newborn shoot immediately went away. They immediately plopped down on the couch and helped themselves to the snacks and beverages available for clients. Our goal is for parents to relax during their newborn session when just their baby is being photographed, and we’ve set up our studio to allow for that! If you need to work a little bit (we know some of you just don’t get much paternity leave) we also have Google Fiber for you to use while here.

Our old studio was cozy and lovely, and in a quaint old church building. We were there for five years, and it served us so well in that time. However, the client experience is paramount for us, and we had been looking for a new space for a while. Our studio now is 1,000 square foot with over quadruple the shooting space, and has a giant wall of windows that measure 25 feet by 11 feet. The en suite bathroom (complete with a shower and bathtub!), full kitchen, and elevator access in the building are just the icing on the cake.

I know some of you might be thinking “Why would I need a shower or a bathtub during my session?” Well…. let me share a couple of real life instances where they were used! (a) Dad took a walk with his toddler on the Beltline during the solo portion of the newborn session. Dad exerted much more energy than he thought he would and came back dripping in sweat. I handed him a towel and pointed him to the soap, and he jumped right in. (a) Toddler was in the wrong place at the wrong time during the family portion of his baby sister’s newborn session. Baby sister spit up what seemed like her entire feeding… right on top of big brother’s hair. Bathtime! (c) One year old got REALLY into their birthday cake and baby wipes just couldn’t cut it… into the bathtub they went! The bathtub and shower are sanitized after every use as well just so you know. It’s there for clients, along with towels and basic toiletries if they need it!

Malcom was a BIG boy at almost 9 pounds! Kayla let me know that he had been awake a lot, and she was concerned that he wasn’t going to sleep for his session. I reassured her that she didn’t need to worry about it, and that even if he didn’t sleep I would work with it and we would still get beautiful photos that reflected his personality and alertness! Turns out that Malcolm is a champion sleeper… at least he was for me that day! :) He was sleepy when they arrived, and I just worked with him and snuggled with him, and managed to capture a sweet baby yawn too! He was OUT after that and we flew through the newborn portion. As I was finishing his solo portraits, he started waking up and it was pretty evident that the little guy was hungry! Kayla took care of feeding him, and then we moved on to the family portion of the session. When Kayla had come in for her maternity fitting, she had fallen in love with a dress that she tried on and knew that she wanted to wear it when it came time for the newborn photographs. I had the dress ready to go for her! Many of our clients book both maternity and newborn together and they have a pretty good idea what they’ll be wearing when they come back for their newborn session. The vast majority of our dresses can fit both expectant and postpartum mamas and have a bit of stretch in the bust if more room is needed after delivery.

I so loved watching Kayla & Johnnie together with their son. They were so content and so joyful, and the photographs reflect that so beautifully. When Kayla saw her gallery she told me she didn't know how on earth I’d managed to make them look so well rested! Good lighting and post processing helps a lot with that! ;)

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Malcom’s newborn session! I can’t wait to photograph him again as he grows!

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

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

Atlanta Family Photographer | The O Family at the park

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE when my clients return as their children grow? No? Well, I do! I’m so lucky that the last majority of my clients work with me several times over their baby’s first year to document all the special milestones and then return yearly after that for annual family portraits.

When Whitney contacted us to schedule a family session, I was so thrilled to be seeing them again! I first worked with them for their daughter’s newborn session, and couldn’t wait to see how much the kids had all grown in the three years since then! Whitney and Matt are also some of the coolest parents, and so laid back and go with the flow. Their kids are wonderful also, and I couldn’t wait for our time together!

Whitney travels a ton for work, and with three kids life can get a little crazy. She was a little frazzled at the thought of planning outfits, but I sent over our style guide and inspiration board in advance of her session and once she looked over it she understood exactly how to put everything together. We hear that a lot from our clients: the style guide simplifies dressing your family and breaks it down in a way that’s easy to understand. If you’re still not sure about your choices or need additional guidance, we’re here to help! We can communicate via email if you have a busy schedule, or if you want to make an appointment to stop by the studio with an armful of clothes for me to pull together, we can do that too. We’ll do whatever works for your schedule and assist as much as you want us to. Family sessions should be FUN - and we’re here to help reduce (and hopefully eliminate!) as much stress as possible in the planning process.

The morning of their session day, Whitney texted me that one of her kids wasn’t feeling so great. I told her that I was happy to play it by ear. As the day went on, she let me know she wasn’t sure that it was going to happen, but at the last minute he rallied, and she said “Let’s do it!” We met at the park location and everyone looked perfect in what Whitney had chosen for them to wear.

Another note that I want to share about this session: it was incredibly dark and overcast outside. Can you tell? Didn’t think so! :) As a professional photographer, my equipment is pro level and can handle lower light situations with ease. As a last resort, I carry off camera flash with me if it’s needed, but it was not in this situation. Overcast days may seem a bit scary at first glance, but there are plenty of positives to them too! The biggest positive is soft, even, and diffused light. The runner up is flexibility in where we photograph. On a bright sunny evening, I can’t face my subjects towards the sun or they’ll be blinded and squinty eyed. On an overcast day, we can pretty much face any direction at any time and don’t have to take the sun placement into consideration. Rest assured that your images will be beautiful regardless of whether it’s sunny outside or not.

Back to the session: it was lots of fun and we spent our time playing and wrestling, and having a good time. I always start with the whole family together and then break up into different groupings as we go through. This allows people to have a break from being in front of the camera, and I’ll focus on whoever is interested at that time. Sometimes toddlers will check out midway through, but by the end they’ll be interested again. We keep things low pressure around here, which is KEY for toddler cooperation. Ever noticed how if you try to force a toddler to do something that your chances are about as high as snow in Atlanta in July? Yep, it’s like that. Keeping a laid back and go with the flow attitude will get us a lot further, and it’s a whole lot more fun for everyone involved!

Enjoy a few of my favorite photos from this awesome 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.