Atlanta Newborn Photographer | Harper

I had last seen Candace and Brandin at their studio maternity session with me, which can be viewed by clicking here. I was so excited to hear that they had welcomed a little GIRL! They waited to find out if they were having a boy or a girl until birth, and since I did that with all three of my children, I always love getting to find out after their maternity session and see the excitement (and sometimes disbelief!). 

When they came in for their newborn session, I (quietly!) squealed a little bit. Baby Harper was a tiny little peanut just under six pounds. She was an adorable tiny little peanut, and she slept like a champ. Candace and Brandin were just so sweet with her, and I loved seeing them as a brand new little family of three. 

Candace elected to have Harper in some tiebacks for a portion of the session. I will never put a tieback on a baby's head that is not proportionate to them. There are no giant flower headbands the size of Texas here. All of my tiebacks are small, sweet, and dainty. It is ALWAYS up to mom whether or not they are used! Some mamas prefer that no tiebacks be used at all, and that's totally okay. Others like a mix, and others want one for every image. I'll work within your specific preferences!

We sailed through Harper's solo images and then started the parent and family images portion. Candace brought a taupe dress from home, and also chose a white lace dress from the studio wardrobe that caught her eye. 

Isn't this family the cutest?! I love how in love Candace and Brandin are with each other and their new daughter. Images that capture that are my absolutely favorite and the ones that will be the most important in the future. 

*As a note, this session was shot before the new white studio flooring was installed. 

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 Photography | Baby Addison

Nicole contacted me in October to see if I had any availability for a newborn session in November. I was able to fit them in, and she elected to add on hair and makeup services as well. 

The day of Addison's session, Nicole walked into the studio wearing a sweatshirt, yoga pants, and her hair in a bun. She also brought her grandmother along since her husband was at work and could not come for the entire time. Nicole chose a gorgeous dress from the studio wardrobe and settled into the hair and makeup chair. Margaret started working her beauty magic with Nicole, and I took baby Addison into the newborn shooting room for her solo portraits. Addison was such a cute little thing and slept pretty soundly during her time with me. She needed to nurse a few times, so I brought her to her mommy to nurse while she was having her hair and makeup done. We have a couple of nursing pillows in the studio available for client use (they're washed in between sessions) and they fit perfectly on laps in the makeup chair! Our HMUA team is very supportive of nursing and will continue working while you nurse your little one. 

As I was finishing up with Addison's solo images, her daddy, Chris arrived. We started shooting daddy-daughter images and then when Nicole was finished, she stepped in for the family images. Chris had to head back to work so he bade us all goodbye, and we finished up with images of Addison and Nicole together.  Every family I work with has their own unique needs, and I'll work with each client to accommodate them as needed when it comes to the session flow. I completely understand that many daddies just don't get paternity leave, so we can structure your session to enable him to stop in during his lunch break! 

Here are just a few of my favorite images from Addison's newborn 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 Baby Photographer | Baby Vivian, 9 days new

When Jenny and Ben contacted us, their daughter was already 8 days old. They asked if I had any last minute availability and admitted that with the holiday season and the busyness of pregnancy they had just completely forgotten to make arrangements for their newborn photography session. I frequently photograph babies that are in their third week which is never a problem, but I only had one day open that week and was fully booked for the next two weeks. It's important to book early to guarantee availability since once the calendar is full, it's full. The only day I had open happened to be the very next day which worked for their schedule! Jenny opted to add on the services of one of our hair and makeup artists as well.

The next morning when Jenny arrived, she walked into the studio wearing comfy leggings and a sweater. She chose a dress she loved from the studio wardrobe, and Megan started working on her hair and makeup. I took sweet little Vivian into the newborn shooting room and started with her individual portraits. I use tiebacks during baby girl sessions, but it's totally up to mama if she wants some used for all or none of their baby's images. None of the tiebacks that I use are obnoxiously Texas-sized as I prefer dainty and pretty tiebacks that accentuate features and subtly add to the sweetness of your new baby girl.

After about 30 minutes, baby Vivian was hungry so she took a little break and joined her mama in the makeup chair to nurse. We have nursing pillows in the studio that perfectly fit on mama's laps while sitting in the makeup chair, and our HMUA team is used to working around mothers who need to feed their babies - whether it's nursing or by a bottle. We support however you choose to feed your baby and will make sure you are comfortable! 

After I finished with baby only images, I worked with Ben and Vivian for some daddy and daughter images. I absolutely love seeing new daddies with their babies. There's just something about the pride and the love that I can see in their eyes that I'm just so excited to capture. A lot of my dads are a little nervous about what they should do, and when I tell them, "All you need to do is love them", they realize that they're actually going to have fun and get to be themselves, and relax. 

As we finished shooting the daddy and daughter portion, Jenny was finished with her hair and makeup which she loved! The vast majority of mothers choose to add these services on because it's so incredibly easy and stress free. I can't tell you how many brand new mamas roll out of their bed, walk into the studio wearing yoga pants, a sweater, and slippers, and we take care of the rest. Imagine not having to worry about getting ready in the midst of caring for a brand new baby. Let's face it: most new moms are pretty tired in those first few months. Professionally styled hair and makeup application is a game changer. The goal is not to make you look like a Pinterest version of yourself, but rather to enhance your natural beauty and help make you look more refreshed and rested!  

We concluded the session with mother-daughter images mixed in with family. I know my new mamas are tired, and still physically recovering, so I don't ask them to move around a lot. Instead, I have dad do all the moving! It's a very efficient flow and works beautifully, so you'll be on your way out the door in no time. 

Without further ado, enjoy some of my favorite images from this sweet girl's newborn 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 Newborn Photographer | Cameron, 3 weeks new

When Rhonda called the studio back in December to find out if I had availability for her brand new baby, I was pleased to inform her that we could have her in that week. Rhonda asked if we could focus more on family shots - and my answer was yes. I will always customize newborn sessions for my clients if they prefer no or few solo newborn images and want to focus on siblings and family. We also discussed the best colors and tones for her husband and older son to wear, and Rhonda elected to borrow from the studio wardrobe. She was so glad she didn't have to worry about going shopping for something. When they all arrived at the studio for their session, we set straight to work. I was so impressed with big brother Charles... you'll find a picture of him on the list of "World's Best Big Brothers". He was so kind and gentle with his baby brother. The entire family was just absolutely beautiful and so much fun to photograph.  

We started the session with Charles and Cameron. Charles was a little bit nervous because he wasn't sure what he had to do. He was thrilled when I told him I just wanted him to hold his  baby brother and look at him, and confidently assured me that he could definitely do that. My newborn sessions involving siblings are fun, and zero pressure. I don't want your child to feel stressed or pressured to "perform". I want to capture them as they naturally are. When you have younger toddler siblings, bribes are sometimes necessary but most of the time when you have siblings aged 4 and up, they LOVE participating in the session and no bribing is necessary! I'm excited to share some of the images from this session below - I often do not have time to blog sessions right after they happen due to my busy studio schedule, but I often post images to my Instagram.

Aren't they just the sweetest duo? This won't be the last of their snuggles over the years to come. Cameron is so lucky to have such an awesome big brother to show him the ropes.

Mom then stepped in for some mother and son images. I just love how happy they were during their session and how it was captured so beautifully for them to always have and look back on. 

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. 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.