Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Christy & Chris

   Christy and I have known each other for a few years, but she's actually known my husband for much longer since they went to high school together!  Christy doesn't live in Atlanta, but in Charlotte, NC. She has followed my work on Instagram for a while and would tell me how sad she was that I didn't live closer for her photography needs. Luckily for Christy, my parents live in Charlotte, so I arrange to be in town every few months. I have a few locations that are my go to's for sessions. If you're in Charlotte and hoping for a maternity or family session in Charlotte rather than traveling to me in Atlanta, definitely contact me! 

   When Christy found out that I would be in Charlotte and had some availability to shoot her maternity session, she jumped at it. We kept our fingers crossed that it would all work out weather wise, and it turned out to be such a gorgeous evening with perfect light.

   Prior to her maternity session,  I asked which dresses she would be interested in from the wardrobe, and she told me to bring whatever I thought would work for her. I brought 5 dresses with me, and we ended up using 3 of them, all of which she looked absolutely gorgeous in. Her husband, Chris was such a sweetheart and is also a photographer as well. I enjoyed working with them both and their willingness to lay down in the field together at the very end after the sun had almost disappeared. When I asked "How do you feel about being on the ground?" they both said, "We'll do anything you ask us to do, because we know the results will be worth it!" High praise, and I don't take that kind of trust lightly. Clients who are willing to trust me and step out of the box just a little bit are my favorite kind.  

Here are just a few of my favorites from the fun evening in the field! 

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Carolyn & Greg

Carolyn contacted the studio to reserve a newborn session and didn't have maternity on her radar. When she viewed the maternity portfolio on the website, she decided that she did want maternity photos in the field because my photos "were not cheesy or contrived." Her husband's sister is a successful photographer in Manhattan but does not specialize in maternity and newborn. She and I share the philosophy that it is best to reserve your specific session type with someone who specializes in that niche. Jack of all trades, master of none is definitely something that I see far too often and it makes me a little bit sad. 

Carolyn came into the studio for a maternity fitting and arrived in scrubs. I found out that she is a speech therapist, and informed her I'd been in speech therapy for the majority of my childhood. For those who don't know, I wear hearing aids! I don't use sign language to communicate, but have no issues understanding my clients and communicating verbally. :) During the fitting Carolyn decided that she loved this one dress with a shawl so much that she didn't want to wear anything else.

Carolyn also opted to add on hair and makeup services and worked with Margaret. She absolutely loved working with her and stated that she felt gorgeous and natural but not overdone. Our HMUA's are amazing and professionals at what they do. They specialize in classic clean beauty but can kick it up a notch if you prefer a more dramatic look.

When we arrived at the field, we started shooting and had a lot of fun. During my sessions, I'm all about relaxing and joking and having fun.  When you are having FUN, it will show in your images. The joy will be evident, and you will look back on your session and smile when you see them. You can't fake real emotion...and why would you want to? Authenticity is what I strive for with every aspect of your experience with me.

I can't wait to share Carolyn and Greg's newborn session with you! Here are some of my favorites from their maternity session.   

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Caroline & Eduardo

Caroline contacted me for a last minute maternity session in the field. She and her husband had recently moved here from Brazil and she has two years of English under her belt. I frequently work with clients from all over the world and even when English isn't the first language, we always figure it out! 

Caroline let me know that she had chosen two of her own dresses because she preferred short and fitted and that they were in line with what she had seen on my website as far as color goes. She definitely nailed it with her choices! 

We met at the field on a hot summer night, and got to work. The two of them were so loving towards each other, and have been together for a very long time. They moved here for Eduardo's job and are enjoying everything that Atlanta has to offer so far. Caroline expressed relief that she was pregnant here in America since the Zika virus was a big problem in Brazil at the time of their session.

How sweet are these two? I loved working with them, and can't wait to see them again in the future! 

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Morgan & John

Morgan contacted me to schedule a studio maternity session with her partner, John. When she came in for her fitting, I found out that she was delivering her baby girl at Atlanta Medical Center and was a patient at Intown Midwifery. This is the same hospital and practice that I worked with for the births of all three of my own children, so I was more than happy to give her all the details on what to expect. She was disappointed that she missed out on being able to book The Birth Session with me, but was elated that I had room for her maternity session. We had a lot of fun trying on dresses and chatting during her fitting.

Two weeks later, Morgan and John came back to the studio for their session. I loved the white gowns that Morgan chose. She knew she wanted to show off the bare belly for some images, so she chose a cream split front gown. She loved how she looked in our form fitting gowns and chose an off white lace one with a flared bottom. John and Morgan also have quite the height difference between them! This is never a problem, and you won't see me asking men to hunch over to make themselves shorter. I embrace height differences! I'm a tall person myself at 6 feet tall, and I remember how self conscious some photographers made me feel about my height by asking me to bend my knees a little bit. I never want one of my clients to feel that way.

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite images from Morgan & John's maternity session!

*This session was photographed before the installation of our all white studio floors  

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | The G Family

Shayna contacted me to schedule a studio maternity session with her husband and four year old daughter. Like me, she waits to find out if she's having a boy or girl until the baby is born. Shayna had heard about me from a friend who recommended me after working with me for a newborn session. She came into the studio for her fitting and we talked about what her husband and her daughter should wear. 

The day of the session, the family arrived and her daughter had brought a dress from home that was just perfect. She was such a little lovebug with her mom, and they had some snuggle time on the bed while I quietly worked behind the camera. I remember being pregnant with my second and snuggling with my daughter while wondering all sorts of things...if they would like each other and be friends... if I could love the second as much as the first... if maybe I was a tiny bit crazy.... the whole gamut! We brought dad in and they just had tons of fun dancing and singing (completely unprompted be me) and being a family. The majority of the family images required zero direction from me... you're seeing who they really and truly were that day, which I love. Some clients aren't this comfortable at first, and that's completely okay! I'll work with you and your family to get you there, and give you some guidance for natural interaction that produce authentic moments between all of you. 

*This session was photographed before the installation of the studio's new all white floors

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | The Patrick Family

Jason contacted me to schedule a studio maternity session as a surprise for his wife. Yomaira, for a Mother's Day gift. They were expecting their third baby, another little girl! Professional photos were not something they had done before, other than their wedding, and he wanted to go all out. He asked if he could bring her to the studio for her maternity fitting (unbeknownst to her) and surprise her with the session there. 

I loved that he was gifting her with a maternity session and images to have forever of their growing family. I mean, I would personally just be so excited if my husband gifted me a photography session! It's truly a gift that lasts a lifetime and that means so much to me personally. Plus, I have something to show and give to my children as well!

The day they arrived for the maternity fitting, I had expected him to have already told his wife why she was there... but no. They walked in and she asked, "Okay, so why are we here?" I said...."Surprise! Happy Mother's Day!" She was a little bit concerned we were going to shoot the session right then and there without having had the time to do her hair and makeup to her liking, but I assured her the session wasn't until the following week and that she was only here for the fitting. Her older children, Tony and Julie were also along for the ride and they are just the CUTEST and sweetest kids! Julie tried on dresses from the children's wardrobe and found one that she loved. While Yomaira was trying on dresses, Patrick and I chatted about what he and Tony should wear. 

The day of their session, the family arrived, and we began shooting. Family sessions tend to take a little bit longer since we have so many different groupings to do. We shot Yomaira alone, with just her husband, the entire family together, mother and daughter, and mother and son. And I just had to take a few of just the kids lounging on the studio bed while their mother was getting changed. They were just too cute not to! Baby girl is so lucky to be coming into such a close and loving family with the best big siblings ever. I so enjoyed working with the Patrick family, and can't wait to have them back in the studio again in the future! 

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. Be sure to view this short 1.5 minute film to hear about my philosophy and see how I work in the studio so you can determine if I'm the right fit for you. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Yetsie & Roger

Yetsie called the studio to ask questions about a maternity session with me, and was thrilled to hear that she could borrow from the studio wardrobe. Many clients are glad to hear they won't have to deal with shopping while pregnant, and won't have to purchase a dress they may never wear again. She and her husband came to the studio for her maternity fitting, and she chose two dresses from the wardrobe that she loved. It was so much fun getting to know them at their fitting, and I couldn't wait for their session!

Margaret met Yetsie at the studio in advance of her maternity session and prepped her hair and makeup. Margaret is amazing and loved by all of my clients who have used her - roughly 75% of clients choose to add on her services to their session. Sitting in her chair is like hanging out with an old friend, and the results are perfection.

When I arrived, Margaret was just finishing up, so we got started. I loved the gowns that Yetsie had chosen. Roger was such a fun and willing participant, and we all had such a great time in the hour we spent together. Isn't she absolutely gorgeous? 

After their maternity session, Yetsie asked to book a newborn session with me as well. I can't wait to share the gorgeous images of their sweet baby girl who looks EXACTLY like her mama! 

If you're pregnant and looking for a newborn or maternity photographer, I would love to work with you to create images that you will love for a lifetime. I can't wait to meet you!

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Abby & Charlie in the field

Abby contacted me in November to schedule her maternity session right before Christmas. She came to the studio and fell in love with one of the dresses, and her husband Charlie elected to borrow one of the studio shirts that I keep on hand for men to borrow. My studio wardrobe is available to all booked clients to borrow from for their sessions. I have carefully chosen my maternity wardrobe which fits a range of sizes 0-16, and am always adding new pieces! 

It was a cold and overcast December day when we met at the field. Clients sometimes worry about whether or not their images will still be beautiful if it's not sunny outside. The answer can be found in the images from this session. I LOVE overcast days just as much as sunny days and they are just as beautiful!  

A question I am often asked is if I pose my clients during sessions. Other than some guided direction for natural interaction, not really! I often give verbal prompts to my clients during sessions to help them interact the way that they normally would if I weren't there. Most people aren't used to being in front of a camera and freeze up a little bit, so it's completely normal to feel like you're not sure what you're supposed to do. It's part of my job as your photographer to connect with you and help you connect with each other. At the same time, I don't ever want a client to look at their images from a session and think to themselves "What on earth were we doing? That's so fake and posed." I want you to look at your photos and smile and remember the moments that you shared during your session, how excited you were to welcome your sweet baby, and how much love you had for each other and your child in each frame. Pregnancy is such an exciting (and scary!) and precious time, and it's over before we know it. Even if you're uncomfortable, or don't feel beautiful in your pregnant body, let's celebrate!  Your baby and the love that you and your partner share for each other and your child deserve to be celebrated and remembered forever. 

Without further ado, here are some of my favorites from Abby and Charlie's session! 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see more of my most recent work! Ready to reserve your maternity session? It's never too early to book. Contact me today to begin planning one of the most fun experiences you'll have during your pregnancy! I can't wait to meet you! 

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Heather

Have I mentioned how much I adore maternity sessions and capturing pregnancy photos for expectant mothers in the Atlanta area? Motherhood portraiture has a special place in my heart.

My natural light studio is a warm and cozy space, and all my clients have remarked on how serene and comfortable it is. It doesn't take long to warm up to the camera with the way I shoot. If you haven't seen what I'm like in action during sessions, I encourage you to watch this short 1.5 minute film. Every single client who has scheduled a session with me and seen the film has informed me that it perfectly captures my personality and the way I work. 

This is Heather, one of the doulas behind the Sweet Blessings Doula team,  expecting her fourth child. She's waiting to find out if she has another son or daughter. I dressed Heather in several studio wardrobe pieces through her session, and I can't wait to share more from her beautiful session soon! 

Are you ready to create beautiful images of your pregnancy to treasure and share with your baby when they're older? Contact me to reserve your maternity session. I can't wait to meet you! 

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Olive

I was so excited to photograph Olive's maternity session in my natural light studio here in Atlanta. Olive had planned her wardrobe far in advance and had a clear vision for her session, which was very much in line with what I love to shoot. Olive brought her own split front maternity gown, and chose to wear a white chemise from my studio wardrobe for the in studio portion.

We then took her session outdoors to a quiet little spot that I knew would be the perfect location and backdrop for the stunning maternity gown she had chosen, and her husband joined in for some photos as well. It was in the 40's and windy, but Olive was a trouper and I worked as quickly as I could with some breaks in between for her to warm back up in a coat. 

While shooting the session was wonderful, it was even more amazing to reveal the gallery a couple of weeks later to Olive and her mother. Seeing the beaming smiles and hearing the gasps as they saw her maternity pictures for the first time was a lot of fun. Lily Sophia Photography is a full service boutique studio, and providing the full client experience is so important to me. I can't wait to see Olive again when she brings her baby to the studio next month!

If you'd like to book a maternity session, contact me today! I have limited openings this winter, and my warm and cozy studio space is the perfect place to escape the frigid outdoor temperatures we're experiencing this winter. If you're brave and willing to face the cold, I have some perfect locations that are gorgeous in the winter.  

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

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Where to buy great maternity clothing in Atlanta

I've been pregnant twice. That's me 37 weeks pregnant in 2013 with my daughter Violet above - photo courtesy of Hailey Kemper of Wildflower Photography in Charlotte, NC.  I loved dressing to show off the bump once I had it. Who says being pregnant means being frumpy? Not me! And you don't have to either. There are so many stylish options available out there to fit every budget. This is not a shopping guide for maternity sessions - if you're interested in reserving a maternity session with me, I have a fabulous studio wardrobe of beautiful pieces available to my clients. As part of the client experience, I conduct pre-session consultations where we go through your clothing together or go on a shopping trip if you prefer to purchase something yourself.

If you're in the Atlanta area, there are some great places to shop for maternity clothing. Since maternity clothing is really only worn for a relatively short time, breaking the bank to buy an entire new wardrobe isn't an option for most. 

I'm 6 feet tall, so Gap's maternity clothes were a lifesaver because of their options for tall women. If you sign up for Gap's emails, they often have 35-40% off codes. I loved their jeans and their perfect fit maternity tank. I also bought some regular non-maternity foldover maxi skirts from Gap that were wonderful for pregnancy and afterwards. These clothes lasted through two pregnancies and still have life in them for my third, whenever that happens. 

I haven't personally shopped there, but H&M has some great maternity options. I have several good friends who love H&M maternity clothing and rave about it. I've heard that it's a great option for more petite women, so if you're on the shorter side, definitely check them out! 

Old Navy is another budget option. I loved their linen maternity shorts the summer I was pregnant with my second daughter. They weren't too hot to wear, and the waist panel was extremely comfortable. I also loved Old Navy's regular jersey tanks in long. They actually fit me for my entire pregnancies even though they weren't maternity. Old Navy's quality isn't at the same level of Gap though, so be prepared for the clothing to fade with washing or shrink. Their regular maternity shirts did not work for me for this reason! 

If price is not as much of a concern and you want a dress that is simple and incredibly chic, Isabella Oliver makes amazing and comfortable maternity clothes that can be worn even after you're not pregnant. I have several pieces from Isabella Oliver and the quality is amazing. I'm wearing an Isabella Oliver dress in my maternity photo at the beginning of this post. The clothes are super comfortable too, which is key when you're not! If you fall in love with their maternity clothes, they have a sister line called Baukjen that is non maternity. Did I mention I'm a huge fan of both?!

Izzy Maternity has two locations in Atlanta as well and they are a boutique store with wonderful employees that can help you pick out the perfect outfit for a wedding, or just around town. They carry fun accessories too, and have locations in both Alpharetta and in Atlanta at Peachtree Battle shopping center.

A Pea in the Pod (located in Phipps Plaza) also has a great selection and sometimes awesome finds on their clearance rack. A budget tip is to look in Macy's maternity department over at Lenox Mall. They often have the exact same pieces but at much less. They often have free shipping deals online… and sometimes I would just order enough to meet the minimum for free shipping, try on at home, and return in store. Sometimes there just isn't enough time to go shopping! :) 

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