Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Kisha

You may recognize Kisha from my short video about the studio experience. She was kind enough to participate in the video for me in advance of her actual maternity session. Kisha scheduled her session to take place when she was 30 weeks pregnant, and it was the perfect timing. I like to schedule maternity sessions for between 30-34 weeks, since most expectant mothers are showing well, but are still able to move well. I have had other clients reserve last minute sessions, but there's always a risk of going into labor early before the session takes place! 

Kisha came to the studio in advance of her session start time for our resident HMUA, Margaret, to apply her makeup. Many of my clients add on Margaret's services to their maternity and/or newborn sessions, and her application is absolutely flawless. If you're interested in booking Margaret's services along with your session, be sure to note that when you inquire. 

I always enjoy studio sessions since my clients get to play dress up with the studio wardrobe. I have a wide array of dresses ranging from size 0-16 that look stunning on expectant and new moms. Kisha already felt absolutely stunning with her makeup application, and loved the dresses that we chose for her to wear. I loved working with Kisha, and can't wait to meet her sweet baby girl in a couple of months.  

Without further ado, here are some of the images from Kisha's maternity session! 

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 Newborn Photography | Ava, 12 days new

Brittany contacted me in January to reserve her newborn session, and I was happy to be able to have space for her due to some early arrivals. When clients reserve in advance, they receive priority booking - and that includes being able to have their session on a weekend day. I do not assess an additional fee for a weekend date. I understand that not everyone works in a job where they have the luxury of a lot of time off for a weekday. I always do my best to accommodate later or last minute inquiries, so even if your baby is already two weeks old - you haven't necessarily missed out on your opportunity for a newborn session! I frequently photograph babies up to 5-6 weeks of age whose parents didn't think they wanted newborn images and then changed their mind later and are trying to find someone. It breaks my heart to think of someone not being able to have images with their newborn. For guaranteed availability though, it's best to reserve your session as early as possible. I currently have newborns booked every month through October 2016! 

When Brittany arrived at the studio, we chose her dress from the studio wardrobe, and she settled into a comfy chair while our hair and makeup artist worked her magic. Brittany also selected one of the button down chambray linen shirts for her husband that I keep on hand for dads. Most clients will bring things from their own closet too just in case they don't find anything that works in the studio wardrobe - but almost everyone ends up wearing one of the beautiful pieces available! 

Hair and makeup services are available as an add service on to maternity and newborn sessions, so if you're interested in that be sure to ask about it when reserving your session! Brittany loved the experience since all she had to do the morning of her session was follow the instructions in the newborn preparation guide. Brittany loved the little rosette halo that she had seen on my Instagram and requested that I use it in some of Ava's images. 

I'm excited to share some of my favorite images and little details from their session.

While Brittany was in the hair and makeup chair, I started the session with a soundly sleeping Ava. I love to capture the sweet little details of baby toes, lips, and noses. 

After I wrapped up with Ava, I shot the images of Ava with her daddy. He is totally smitten with his little girl. I love seeing how tiny every baby's head is in the hands of their father. The head of your newborn grows SO fast - even two weeks later you'll be astounded at how much bigger they have gotten! 

I think it's safe to say that Ava loved being snuggled on her daddy's shoulder. There is nothing quite like seeing your partner with your baby. You'll fall in love with them all over again, and even more than you ever thought possible. Just wait, you'll see. It's nothing short of amazing. 

When we finished with those images, Brittany was totally ready and refreshed. She commented that she loved having some time to be pampered and enjoy herself since this was the first time she'd gotten out since Ava's birth. We started with family images, which I absolutely love. My favorite images are those of new parents looking at each other while snuggling their baby. My clients sometimes worry about what they should be doing for their images. My answer? "Look at each other, think about this awesome tiny human being that belongs to you that you made together, and just love each other." And you know what? They do. And the results are authentic, genuine, and beautiful. 

After family images, it was time for more of just Ava and her mommy. I have two little girls of my own, and I shoot images of my clients that I know they will hold dear for the rest of their lives. I know, because I am a mother. I cherish the little images of my firstborn's tiny hand clutching my finger and the joy on my face as I admired her. I want you to have these images with your baby too. They're so important. Literally all you have to do is love your baby. I'll take care of the rest. 

When Brittany came back to the studio two weeks later for her design appointment, she talked about how much she loved the whole experience, which is exactly what I love to hear. I have designed everything carefully so that all of my clients have a wonderful time and truly enjoy the experience from first contact to final product delivery! 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 Newborn Photographer | Daddies are important too

I recently had a newborn session in my Atlanta natural light studio, and had one of the most involved fathers to date. This father wanted to be in the photos with his newborn son, and was eager to create beautiful images for an album. I do not pose babies completely naked, so this little guy kept his diaper on. I keep my studio warm and toasty so that babies are comfortable and sleep well. While his mother was pregnant with him, both parents wore a pendant with the archangel Michael, which is what they named their little boy after. If you look carefully, you can see the pendant on the father's chest in this image. Since the pendants have such special meaning for this family, I knew it was important to have his father keep it on for their photos. 

While I love motherhood portraiture, I also believe that images of babies and children with their fathers are equally as important. Your children need to see how strong their daddies are, how much their daddies love them, and how tender their daddies were with them when they were babies. I have found that fathers (and most men in general) often do not understand the emotional importance of photographs. My own husband is included in this generalization. I have a very dear friend who lost her father to cancer a few years ago. We were on a trip with them when our first daughter was an infant, and my husband didn't want me to take a picture of him holding our daughter. Our friend turned to him, put her hand on his arm, and said "I have many photos of my father. I don't have anywhere near enough photos of us together. And now that he's gone, photographs are the only thing that I have left." My husband  hugged her and turned to me with a nod, and I took the picture. 

Be in the photos. Your children will be grateful for it someday. 

My newborn sessions are a blend of posed and lifestyle. Clients often remark on how easy and relaxed their session was at the end of it as we are packing up, and that they were expecting it to be more stressful. Your baby always leads the way, and we work around their needs the day of their session. There are so many beautiful images that can be created with baby in your arms, even if they aren't asleep. 

Want to stop by the studio to meet and see the products available or reserve your session? Contact me today. I can't wait to meet you!

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