Hello there! This is Caroline, the studio manager! My job is primarily client care and communications - all the behind the scenes work. If you call the studio phone, I'm who you'll speak with, and I'll be calling you to chat as the first step if you submit an inquiry via the website.

I put together this FAQ from what I am asked the most often to make your life a little easier. If you're looking for more information on the entire experience, be sure to check out The Experience page on the website too!

Simply click on the plus sign to see the answer. If there is a question you have that's not listed here, please contact us!

Do I get the digital files? +

The most popular question deserves first place.

The answer: Yes! Every single one of our collections for all session types includes a certain number of high resolution digital files with a personal print release and recommendations for the best consumer labs to print on your own. We offer gorgeous heirloom albums with custom debossing options as well as stunning framed prints for your walls, which our clients love! Unlike most photographers, we actually handle the matting, fitting, and framing of client artwork right here in the studio.

When should I book my maternity session? +

Most clients book in their first or second trimester! Booking early guarantees availability as the calendar fills very quickly. If you're 36 weeks and just now reading this, please check and see if we have availability. We fit in last minute maternity clients all the time. As a note, last minute clients are sometimes very limited in location choice due to the calendar already being full. The studio has the most flexibility!

What can we do if you're fully booked? +

If we are totally booked already for an outdoor maternity session, you still may be able to schedule a session. We are not like most other photography studios because we reserve dates in our calendar to serve as reschedule dates for our outdoor clients in case of rain. This may sound crazy that we block extra dates off on our calendar, but here's a little story for you...A couple of years ago we had SO much rain from the Florida hurricanes. Many other local photographers had overbooked clients and had no dates left for them to reschedule. We were not one of them. All of our clients were rescheduled in a timely manner and were not waiting six weeks for images due to us being overwhelmed. :)

So, we are happy to put you on our waiting list! If a session goes as scheduled, reserved dates will be released on our calendar. We alert those on the waiting list in the order they are on it.

Where do you shoot maternity sessions? +

Maternity sessions take place in one of four locations: studio, park, field, or mountains. Please visit the maternity portfolio page to see images from each location to determine the best fit for you!

What time of day do you shoot maternity sessions? +

Outdoor sessions are always photographed in the hour before sunset or beginning at sunrise, year round. We'll discuss which option is best for you! Not sure what time that is? Just google "sunset and sunrise time for X date in Atlanta" and you'll find the answer! Studio sessions are photographed between 9 AM - 3PM dependent on the studio schedule and time of year.

I need a weekend date for my maternity session. Is there an extra charge for a weekend day? +

Nope! However, please reserve early to guarantee your date as outdoor locations book very quickly in advance. Our First Year Collection members have first dibs on weekend evenings, so these go pretty quickly! Remember: newborn sessions are NOT offered on weekend dates.

At what point in pregnancy is it best to schedule my maternity session to take place? +

30-34 weeks is the recommendation. If you are on the shorter side in height or carrying twins/triplets, between 26-32 weeks is best.

I'm worried about stretch marks showing, will you edit them? +

If you choose to have your bare belly photographed, no need to worry about stretch marks! All images are professionally retouched. So if you have stretch marks, a few skin blemishes, navel ring piercing scar, etc - these are all removed! If you have other scars on your body, we will discuss this during your session about whether you want those removed or left alone. Some scars are an important part of who you are, and you may want to keep them in your images!

What should I wear for my maternity session? +

Most of our clients borrow from the studio wardrobe! Lauren schedules a styling appointment at the studio two weeks in advance of your session to try on studio wardrobe pieces and provide wardrobe styling assistance for your partner and/or other children. This benefit is offered to ALL booked clients, not just maternity clients, as a part of their session experience.

What if it rains on my scheduled maternity session date? +

If your session is taking place outdoors, we'll reschedule to another date! We reserve backup dates in our calendar for this reason so that we can guarantee our availability to our clients. Please note that a weekend backup date is not guaranteed and a weeknight may be the only availability. If your maternity session is in the studio, rain will not warrant a reschedule.

When should I book my newborn session? +

As soon as you know you want to work with us! We book far in advance with many clients booking at the end of their first trimester/beginning of second trimester.

Will you come to our house for the newborn session? +

No. Newborn sessions are only held in Lauren's commercial studio for the safety of all participants, including Lauren. The studio is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized with an air purifier constantly running, and only one newborn session is scheduled per day. You may think it will be easier to do it at your home. Trust us, in-home newborn sessions are the exact opposite of "easy" and are INCREDIBLY stressful for families. We've had so many families come to us with a second baby after their first newborn session was in their home and they all tell us how absolutely horrible their in home session was compared to being in our studio. Cleaning the entire house and getting it warm enough for the best images, and stressing about lighting and the best time of day is just not something you want to deal with immediately postpartum. Here, you literally just bring your baby and show up.

What if my baby comes earlier or later than their estimated due date? +

Great question! When you book a newborn session with us, you are not scheduling a specific date. Instead, we put you on our list of guaranteed spots for that month. After your baby is born, you simply let us know, and we'll schedule you on a date that is within the first 8-21 days of life. The one exception to this is if you know you're having a scheduled c-section or induction. We will mark off a tentative date for your session and confirm it in the week beforehand. Sometimes babies have other plans and decide to arrive before they're scheduled to!

My husband doesn't get any time off, and we have kids who are in school, so we need a weekend date for our newborn session. Is this possible? +

No. Newborn sessions are only photographed on weekedays Monday-Thursday. Many of our clients will have dad come during his lunch break or take a half day from work if he does not have paternity leave. We have lots of clients with older school age children, and they have them leave school early after 11 AM to be counted present for the day, just like they would with a doctor or dentist appointment.

What time does the newborn session start? +

All newborn sessions are scheduled Monday-Thursday and start between 9:00-10:15 AM.

What if it's raining the day of our newborn session? +

We have a natural light studio, and have photographed many sessions when it was darker and stormy outside. Even with cloudiness and rain, there is still plenty of light, and our professional equipment can handle lower light situations with ease. Lauren will use studio lighting to augment the available natural light if she feels it's necessary on a cloudy or rainy day.

How long does a newborn session take? +

We block off 3 hours for our newborn client sessions in case it's needed. Some babies just need extra time to eat or settle. We don't rush sessions, and we take the time needed to accomplish the best gallery for your family! Come with patience and something to do. Google Fiber is available at the studio, so lots of dads work remotely while hanging out on the cozy couch and enjoying a beverage from the studio fridge. Please do NOT schedule an appointment for after the session so you can avoid feeling stressed or rushed if your baby is taking longer to setlle.

What should I wear for the newborn session? +

New mothers are more than welcome to borrow from the studio wardrobe if they're coming in for a studio session! The vast majority of our mothers walk in the morning of their session with their hair in a bun and yoga pants. We have you covered between our studio wardrobe and add on hair and makeip services - all you need to do is show up! If you prefer to wear your own clothing, you will have a newborn preparation packet sent to you in advance that has suggestions for what to wear and instructions for the morning of your session before you arrive at the studio.

Do I need to bring anything for my baby to wear? +

Nope, you just need to bring your baby! Lauren does not use props, loud colors, or place babies in unnatural positions. All of the wraps, simple tiebacks (if you have a baby girl), and fabrics are provided. The focus of newborn session is on your new baby and all of their unique and adorable details, as well as the emotional connection between you, your partner, any older siblings, and your baby.

Are siblings allowed to participate in the newborn session? Is there an extra fee? +

YES, and we welcome siblings to be present for their portion of the session! Once they are finished, they'll need to be escorted back home by a heper. We have specific suggestions for how to make the session run smoothly based on the age of your older child that we will discuss with you when you reserve your session.

Do you photograph milestone sessions? +

Yes! We have weekend dates available for these. We love photographing milestones and frequently see 100 day olds for their 100 day celebration, 3 month, 6-8 months (Sitting unassisted), and 1 year sessions. Many of our clients return to us on a consistent basis - and our First Year Collection is a very popular offering. Members of the First Year plan have first dibs on our weekend spots for portrait sessions (not newborn sessions). We work with lots of new clients for milestones too, so no worries if you haven't worked with us before!

Do you offer mini sessions? +

No. We have never offered mini sessions in the entire 11 years we've been in business as we firmly believe that it would negatively impact the client experience we are known for. We do offer sessions with Santa in the studio every year. These sessions are exclusively available to our clients who have completed a full portrait session with us in the past and are offered to First Year Collection members first, with families who have completed a full portrait session in the year since our last event second. After this early booking priority period, IF there are sessions remaining, they will be opened to our client only Facebook group.

Do you photograph families? +

Yes! Family sessions are some of our favorite sessions. The approach taken is "love in real life" rather than perfectly posed, everyone looking at the camera, etc. The goal of family sessions is to capture your family as they are right now, and the love that you have for each other. Family sessions are a ton of fun and we'll help you style everyone in your family and prep for the session. Weekend dates are available for family sessions as well!

When should I book my family session? +

As far in advance as possible to guarantee your date - ESPECIALLY if you're hoping for fall photos for the Christmas card! We know, "please book early" seems to be the recurring theme here, but we hate having to turn clients away. Please note: we tend to be completely booked for fall weekend dates by the month of March before that fall season, but may have limited weeknight dates available.