Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Ana & Abraham at the park

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 | A studio session with Sophie & Jamie

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 | A Field Maternity session with Erika & Matthew

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 birth photography in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding areas.

Atlanta Maternity Photographer | Roxanne, Zach & Orlando

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 | Safeeya and family in the gardens

Safeeya had just moved here from out of the country, and didn’t know of any photographers in the Atlanta area. She looked around online, looked through my website, and fell in love with my maternity sessions in our gardens location. As a reminder, the garden location is not available on weekend evenings, so if you want your session to take place there, you will need to arrange for your schedule to accommodate a weekday. During certain times of the year, we can also shoot an hour after sunrise time at the gardens as well - this is a perfect fit for early risers or those who want to avoid the summer heat. Weekends are sometimes available for sunrise sessions - just ask about that when you inquire!

A couple of weeks later, the family came in for their maternity fitting at the studio, I was delighted to meet all three of them! Big sister was absolutely adorable and such a sweetheart. Safeeya tried on lots of dresses, and had it narrowed down to five. I encourage my clients to take photos in each of the dresses and then send your final choices attached to an email. This ensures that we have the dress steamed and ready to wear for your session in advance, and prevents any mixups from happening since we have a LOT of pieces in the studio wardrobe. Safeeya emailed a few days later with her final choices: both off the shoulder dresses since she loves that look so much. One was a gorgeous floral dress in chiffon and the other was a cream lace dress - she looked stunning in both! They also chose a dress for their daughter from the studio wardrobe as well and expressed how happy they were that they didn’t have to go out and find something for her. Our baby and children’s wardrobe is much more limited than our wardrobe for moms, but those who have borrowed from it have loved what they’ve found.

On the evening of their session, we had such gorgeous light! Once everyone was dressed and ready, I started with family images. I always do this for two reasons: (1) in case they decide they’re over the session and don’t want to participate anymore later on and (2) to get them used to me and the sound of the camera shutter.

As we walked around the gardens, I photographed the family together, some with just Safeeya and her daughter, and some of Safeeya alone. As her daughter’s interest started waning, we gave her a break and spent some time just photographing Safeeya and her husband together as well. It was such a fun time with them, and I enjoyed hearing stories about their home country and the traveling they’ve done. We’re so lucky to photograph clients from all over the world!

I LOVED working with this sweet little family of three (soon to be four!) and can’t wait to see them again very soon for their 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 Maternity Photographer | Adrienne, Dave & Logan

When Adrienne emailed me to let me know she was expecting baby #2, I was so excited! I first worked with them when they were expecting their first baby for their maternity session in the studio, and again for his newborn and First Birthday sessions, and then a family session that also was at his second birthday milestone. As with Logan, they had decided to wait until birth to find out whether or not they were having a boy or a girl. I made the same decision with all three of my own babies, so I love when my clients also opt to not find out beforehand!

She let me know that she wanted to book both maternity and newborn with add on hair and makeup services to both. Adrienne loves working with our HMUA team, and has elected to add services on to nearly every session! A couple of weeks before their session, she came to the studio to look through our wardrobe. We are constantly adding pieces to it and sometimes retire other pieces. At 4’11”, Adrienne is one of our most petite clients (the winner stands at 4’10”!) and has a very small frame. We have plenty of options to accommodate petite clients though, so it’s not a worry. After looking through the options, she decided on two dresses: a pretty purple maxi dress, and an off the shoulder white gown with a high low hem. I love this particular white gown for my petite clients since they can walk freely without having to worry about moving the dress bottom out of the way. I carry clamps and fabric tape in my bag at all times, so if a dress is too big for a client we can usually make it work. We’ve also had other instances where the dress wouldn’t zip, so we just clamped the back of it to the client’s bra. If you’ve browsed the website, you’ve probably seen plenty of instances of that… but you just don’t know it since it’s not visible! ;)

The evening of their session, we met at the park location and got started. At their last session, Logan had still been pretty shy and had stranger anxiety, but at almost a year later, that had all changed. He was outgoing and friendly, and had fun participating! How adorable are his little blue glasses?! During maternity sessions that include families, I almost always take the opportunity to photograph dads with their little ones while mom is getting changed into her second look, and this time was no exception. Dads really enjoy having fun with their little ones, and we have some fun playing and goofing off in those few minutes. I’ve had several moms comment that they had no idea what was going on while they were getting changed and that they were brought to tears when seeing the proof gallery and the special daddy-kid moments that they didn’t see unfolding. It’s the last time it’ll just be your little family unit before the newest member arrives, and it’s such a bittersweet feeling. Rest assured, your life is about to change in an amazing way and your heart will love even more than you ever thought possible. Almost most every client I have worries a little bit about how it’s all going to work out! I remember being in labor with my second baby and holding my firstborn in my arms during contractions at home… and thinking to myself “WHAT HAVE I DONE?!” The idea that she would no longer be my only little sidekick made me slightly terrified and I worried that maybe I was somehow going to ruin her life. Verdict? It made her life incredible and she has a best friend for life… and I had two of the best little sidekicks ever…. now it’s three since their brother joined us too!

Towards the end of the session, Logan was getting a bit restless, so I had Dave take him off for a break while I photographed just Adrienne. I called Dave back over for a few couples images, and then Logan was interested in participating again. The bubbles I brought along may or may not have had something to do with that! ;) All in all, it was a fun 45 minutes together and I worked around Logan’s willingness to participate at any given moment throughout. People ask what’s needed for a successful family session. I’d say it’s an even tie between patience and flexibility for all the adults present (me and parents!). I know those sweet moments WILL happen during sessions, and it’s just a matter of being patient and quick on my feet. While I give my families guidance and direction for natural interaction, the kids run the show. At the end of the day, you cannot force a three year old to have genuine emotion or interaction - but trust me, with patience and flexibility, that will unfold on its own.

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this family maternity session - and be on the lookout for the photos from their newborn session 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 Maternity Photographer | A Mommy & Me session at the park

I first worked with Jess when she was pregnant with her first baby, and was so excited to hear that she was expecting a second! We scheduled her maternity and newborn sessions, and met up at the park on a summer evening in August. She also asked to add on hair and makeup services, which she’s done for pretty much every single session at this point. She loves our HMUA team so much that she’s hired them for special events not related to photography - and she’s not the only one. Many of our clients have done the same thing, and our artists love working with them for any of their beauty needs - from event prep to makeup lessons.

I’ve worked with Jess MANY times at this point (maternity, newborn, six month, First Birthday, 18 months, and Santa for her first child) - so we’ve gotten to know each other over the past couple of years. She let me know she’d be bringing one of her own dresses (I got her hooked on the brand when she wore one of their dresses during her first maternity session) and she borrowed a blush off the shoulder dress from the studio wardrobe. It’s one of my favorite dresses to photograph clients in on sunny days because I can shoot through the sheerness of the dress and create beautiful images that show off the belly without actually showing any skin. You’ll see what I mean later in this post!

Griffin is a busy little boy, and as any parent with a toddler knows: you can’t really tell them what to do. Directing two year olds is not actually a thing. Fortunately for my clients, that’s not how I run my sessions with small children. I engage with them and give parents direction for natural interaction. We play games, sing songs, break out bubbles…whatever it takes. I want your little ones to have fun during our time together. Come to your session with patience and a go with the flow attitude, and we will create beautiful images of your family together.

Enjoy a few of this sweet mommy and son duo before welcoming the newest addition (check back in a couple of days to find out if it was a boy or a girl!).

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 | Kayla & Johnnie

Kayla called the studio to book a maternity session. She didn't think she wanted one initially but she found herself changing her mind the further along she progressed her her pregnancy with her baby boy. We were able fit them into the studio schedule and she came in one weekend afternoon for her maternity fitting. It was fun chatting and getting to know each other as we went through the wardrobe pieces. The only problem we had was that she loved almost every single dress she tried on! I took photos of her in each of her top favorite options, since she wanted to get her husband’s input. Most of the time I can guess which wardrobe piece(s) will be the winner but not this time: she honestly looked amazing in every single option she was considering so she couldn’t have gone wrong with any of them!

Ultimately, she chose one of our newest wardrobe additions - a beautiful blush pink ruffled off the shoulder gown that was fitted and showed off the belly. Before she left her fitting, we talked about what Johnnie should wear based on each of the options she was considering, and said our goodbyes.

The afternoon of their session, Johnnie and Kayla arrived and I got to know Johnnie a bit before we got started. He’s a personal trainer and was fun to talk to. Once Kayla was ready she then informed me she was feeling a bit nervous about everything because she wasn’t sure of how to stand or what to do with her hands.

This is the NUMBER ONE thing clients say right before a session starts, and I’ve got good news! You don't need to worry, because I’ve got you covered I will guide you through the entire session and will give you gentle direction for natural interaction while taking care to shoot from the most flattering angles. I will take the best of you, and together we'll create some beautiful photos for you to look back on.

We got started, and I modeled exactly what I needed Kayla to do - and she was a pro in no time at all. Johnnie was great as well, and I would simply nudge him a little bit in the direction I needed his head to go if my verbal direction wasn’t enough. She looked absolutely stunning in her dress, and had the most fun dangly earrings ever. (I’m a big fan of dangly earrings myself!) Statement earrings almost always work in maternity session and usually a better choice than a statement necklace. Why? A statement necklace is right above the belly and can compete with it for the viewer’s eye. For a maternity session, we don’t want that! I always suggest a more simple necklace for moms who want to wear one and to choose bangles or fun earrings for accessories if that’s their thing.

Johnnie and Kayla were so sweet together, and we were finished with their session in about twenty minutes! I ran into Kayla at our local Target a couple of weeks before her due date and she told me how much they loved her maternity pictures and how glad they were that they’d gone ahead and done them. She said they felt that they would have really regretted not having them, and expressed how excited she was to come in for their newborn session. Speaking of which… the newborn session is taking place TODAY! I can’t wait to meet and photograph their beautiful new baby boy!

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 | Renee & Marcus in the Gardens

Renee contacted us to see about scheduling a maternity session at the gardens location. She was so excited to hear that we had availability that worked with their schedule, and asked to makeup services as well. We paired her with Brielle, who is one of our most requested artists and super fun to hang out with while having your beauty needs taken care of. We also penciled Renee in for a maternity fitting appointment to look through the studio wardrobe a couple of weeks before her session date!

On Renee’s fitting date, we had a lot of fun going through the dresses and getting to know each other. She looked beautiful in so many of the options and snapped selfies of her top favorites so she could take some more time to think. Renee had let us know prior to her fitting that she was pretty tall and was worried we might not have things long enough. We reassured her that we work clients of all shapes, heights, and sizes from 0-16. Our tallest female client so far was 6’2” and our shortest was 4’10”. We have a variety of styles from glamorous to bohemian to understated elegance. If you decide to wear your own clothing, we’ll help you out with an easy to follow style guide and are available for feedback on anything you’re considering! We are here to help in any way we can, because we believe that your session experience should be as stress free as possible.

Renee narrowed down her choices and emailed us a photo of one selected dress. She let us know that she was going to wear a last minute dress of her own as her second option that was in keeping with the style guide suggestions. We have wardrobe pieces dry cleaned or laundered after being worn for a session, so we need to know your selection four business days in advance of your scheduled session date. This ensures we have enough time to get it to the dry cleaners and back if necessary! If you can’t decide on your choices the day of your fitting, no worries at all - we’ll let you know the exact deadline to let me know by. Before Renee left, she and I determined that based on her husband’s personality and her choices, his wearing a suit for one look and a more casual look for the other would be the best choice for their session. That being said, the vast majority of our guys wear just one outfit - so don’t feel like you need to have two outfits for your guy too! It’s totally a matter of personal preference.

The evening of their session we met at the gardens and got started wearing the more casual look. I love photographing at the gardens since there are lots of different areas and varying backgrounds to photograph. I definitely choose where to photograph within the gardens depending on what my couple’s outfit looks like. Certain areas lend themselves well to a dressier look, while other areas are better for a relaxed and casual feel. Marcus looked great in both of his outfits, and it was so much fun to photograph the two of them together. They’ve been together a while, and were lots of fun to be around! .

Enjoy a few of my favorites from their gardens maternity session! Renee was absolutely radiant, and it really shines through.

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 | Jai in the studio

Jai contacted us at the very last minute to see if we had any availability for a studio maternity session. She had come across my work on Instagram and knew immediately that I was what she had been looking for. So many of our clients come to us through Instagram - it’s such a visual platform and great for finding that thing you’ve been looking for but couldn’t quite find. I know I’ve personally been there with the “I’ll know it when I see it” when I’ve been searching for something!

We scheduled a maternity fitting for Jai, and she came to the studio with her best friend to try on pieces. Jai already had one specific dress in mind that she knew she wanted to try, but was open to everything. The minute she tried on the backless halter dress, her smile said it all. She knew she’d found her first option, and mentioned she’d really like to show her belly in some of her images. I suggested a split front dress, so I pulled out the few that we have. Don’t worry if you don’t want to show your belly in your maternity photos - it’s completely client preference. All of our split front dresses can also be worn closed. After trying on a few, she decided on a strapless split front gown with a white bandeau top and soft pink bottom. It complemented her first dress choice perfectly! We chatted a bit about what Jai’s partner should wear, and she and her best friend headed out.

The afternoon of her maternity session, Jai showed up and had brought along a cool bohemian hair clip she’d picked up. She asked what I thought, and I told her that if it was her style, the color was perfect for both dresses and would look great. I’m always a big fan of accessories! The kind you select is important though, because we want to keep the focus on your bump. If you wear a flower crown that’s bigger than your head, or a statement necklace the size of Texas, they may take away from your bump since the viewer’s eye will immediately be drawn there instead of your belly. Most of my clients bring along their favorite jewelry the day of their session and we go through it and make selections then. How you wear your hair also affects which jewelry I suggest wearing - there are so many factors that go into styling a session. I’m here to help every step of the way.

After Jai got dressed, her partner arrived as well. I introduced myself and learned that he was also an artist, and worked as a clothing designer. I always love meeting other creatives, no matter what industry they’re in. Once I explained the ground “rules” for how to stand and where we got started. The two of them didn’t need much guidance during their session - but if you do, don’t worry! I’ll make sure you know exactly what’s happening and what you need to do the entire time. You’ll never be left standing there feeling awkward and confused about what to do next.

During my maternity sessions, I don’t ask my expecting mama to move around a lot. Partners are the ones jumping in and out of the photos. Your body is doing a lot of work growing a baby, so I like to go as easy on you as possible! This also allows me to flow through the session efficiently in each dress. I’ve been told by many partners that it was the easiest and quickest maternity session they’ve ever had and that they enjoyed the experience despite thinking they wouldn’t. It seems that prior engagement sessions are mostly to blame for the intense dislike of photo sessions among my male clients. I will not keep you here in the studio any longer than necessary. Studio sessions here are super relaxing. It’s a completely relaxed vibe, and we have a whole fridge of drinks, snack buffet, Google Fiber, and a comfy couch to hang out on. Your partner will be well taken care of when they’re not being photographed!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Jai’s maternity session! If you’re considering maternity photos, I would love for you to browse the maternity portfolio and reach out to see if we’re the perfect fit for you!

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 | Srividya & Raghu, a studio maternity session

Srividya contacted us to schedule a maternity session and asked for the studio as her location. We arranged a time for her to come in with her husband for a maternity fitting a couple of weeks before her session too. We schedule maternity fittings for 1-2 weeks before the session date. We will not schedule for earlier than two weeks because of the potential of belly growth! If a client tries on a dress that’s pretty tight without much wiggle room, I will have them choose a backup dress for it just in case. This has never actually happened, but I’m all about covering all the bases so there are no unpleasant surprises on the day of!

My maternity fittings are about 20-30 minutes long, We send ahead a tip sheet with directions, where to park, and what to bring along. I also have my clients take cell phone in the dresses they like the most if they’re not 100% sure of which should be their final choice. This gives them time to think about it and poll their trusted friends and family members for opinions if you want more help. Once the decision has been made, my clients simply attach the photos of their final choices and email them to me at least four business days (M-F) before their session date! This allows me to make sure your dress will be clean and steamed before your session.

Srividya and her husband, Raghu came together on the day of our fitting. She had lots of fun trying on dresses and her eyes lit up when she saw one of our sequin and tulle studio dresses. It was the perfect choice for her skin tone and personality. She chose to wear a more simple white off the shoulder dress for her second look, and then we were all set.

A couple of weeks later, Srividya and Raghu returned to the studio for their maternity session. Brielle was there waiting for them as they had added on hair and makeup services. I arrived a few minutes before our session start time and loved the look that Brielle had created for her. Srividya mentioned she felt absolutely beautiful and was so confident and excited to get started!

Once Srividya was dressed, we got started! At first Raghu was a bit nervous but I reassured him that I would walk him through everything. He wanted the experience and photographs to be perfect for his wife (such a sweet husband!) so he wanted to make sure he didn’t mess anything up. There’s no need to worry about that with me. I will give you verbal direction and I’ll also come right up and move your head where it needs to be. Most guys prefer if I just come up to them and move them instead of saying “Ok, turn your head two inches to the left.” It’s just easier for all of us! Srividya was a natural in front of the camera and needed very little direction. By the time we were midway through, Raghu was relaxed and enjoying the session. You can see by the genuine smiles that we had a lot of fun!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this couple’s maternity 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 | Melanie in the studio

Melanie contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session in the studio. She wanted to document her pregnancy and knew she just wanted a few images so she could show them to her baby someday and remember what she looked like pregnant.

While chatting on the phone with Caroline, Melanie was excited to hear that we have a studio wardrobe available for our clients to use, but said she wasn’t so sure we would have anything for her. Melanie went on to explain that she was quite petite, but Caroline quickly reassured her that we’ve had clients as short as 4’10” and that they have all found something that fit them perfectly and that they loved. After sending her everything she needed to book her session, Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her as well.

When Melanie came in a couple of weeks before her session date for maternity fitting, we talked about what she was hoping for in terms of a dress. She let me know that she wanted something that would show off her belly. If you’re not a person that is interested in that for your maternity pictures, don’t worry - we have plenty of dresses that don’t bare the bump! After looking through all of her options, she settled on a gorgeous pinkish beige dress that draped beautifully. As a note, all of our split front options can be worn closed too! We also chatted about what her husband could wear that would complement her dress choice and also stay true to his own style preferences and personality.

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio with her husband all ready to go. While she got dressed, I chatted with him and got to know him a bit. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t LOVE having his photo taken, but when I let him know that the session would be a snap and I’d show him exactly what to do the whole time, he was good to go. I think it’s completely normal to be a bit nervous going into a session. You’ve invested a lot of time into all the planning, and the last thing you want is to stand there awkwardly hoping that the way you’re standing looks good. Clients in my studio never have to deal with this because I literally guide them through the entire process. In the beginning, there’s a lot more direction and mid way through when my clients have relaxed, they start interacting naturally all on their own. From that point, I just make sure to watch out for things like a bra strap peeking out, stray hairs, etc. and slightly adjust bodies if needed for the most flattering positions. It’s EASY, I promise!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from Melanie’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 | Cirleen & Donnie in the studio

Cirleen contacted us to schedule a maternity session at the very last minute. She hadn’t planned to have maternity photos taken, but friends convinced her that she should and would regret not having them. After speaking with Caroline, our studio manager, she decided on the studio as her location. Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her a couple of days out and also scheduled her to work with Margaret for add on hair and makeup services. Cirleen had her own eyelash extensions already in place, so Margaret did not work on her lashes.

When Cirleen arrived at the studio, I was immediately struck with how tall she was! I am six feet tall, so when I meet other women who are taller like I am, I immediately notice their height. :) We spent some time chatting about her preferences, and started going through the wardrobe together. Cirleen had been concerned we wouldn’t have anything she’d like but she found herself with an armful of dresses that she loved. She left armed with photos of her options and emailed a couple of days later with her final choices after getting her husband’s input.

On the day of her session session, Cirleen arrived and I was absolutely in love with the updo that Margaret had created for her! Donnie arrived with some clothing options that I went through and I chose the best complement to what Cirleen had chosen and he went to get dressed and then came back. While Cirleen was getting dressed, I spent time chatting with Donnie and getting to know a bit about him since this was our first time meeting. He was a fun guy to talk to, and I could see how much he loved his wife.

Once Cirleen was ready, she came out in her first dress, which was a strapless split front ivory gown with a sweetheart neckline. We have a few split front gowns in our wardrobe that can be worn both open or closed. Cirleen wanted to wear hers open for some images, and this is completely up to each individual client. If you have some stretch marks or a belly button ring piercing hole that you’re worried about, we can absolutely make those go away in post processing (if that’s what you want!) so don’t let that be the reason you skip baring the belly. If you’re just not a belly baring kind of gal, no worries at all!

I could tell Cirleen was a bit nervous as we got started. She had previously mentioned during her fitting that I’d most likely have to tell her what to do since she didn’t know how to go about a maternity session. If this is a concern for you also, please don’t worry - I expect this! Unless you’re a professional maternity model, why would you know anything about how to stand or where to place your hands? It’s my job to get you comfortable and help you relax and have a good time. I’ll make sure there’s no lipstick on your teeth, ensure your hair isn’t out of place, and that you’re not accidentally self inflicting a double chin.

I always start off my sessions pretty slowly to get my clients comfortable in front of the camera and to get a grasp for the “rules”. I explain everything as we go along, so you will never be wondering what to do next. Once we’re on a roll, then I add in dads.

The vast majority of my clients talk about about how they really appreciate the love and connection they see between expectant couples on my website and then say, “But my husband would never do that… he’s just not that romantic.”

Guess what? They still ended up with those kinds of images! My “secret” is to save those super close and personal images for the end, when you’re both relaxed and comfortable and have almost forgotten that I’m there. Nothing is forced or contrived between my couples. I simply position two people in love (ie: the two of you!) close to each other and gently give verbal prompts that lead to unique and natural interaction. Voila. That’s when the magic happens - and my clients are just as much a part of creating that as I am! The looks that you see exchanged between couples in my images aren’t faked, they’re very real. I love being able to give that to my clients.

Can I just say how much fun I had with these two during their time with me? I really enjoyed getting to know Cirleen & Donnie, and loved their sense of humor and personalities. Enjoy some of my favorites from this wonderful couple’s maternity session! I’m looking forward to seeing them again in the future and meeting their little boy!

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 | Katharine, Howard & Henry on the mountain

I first worked with Katharine & Howard for their maternity session when they were expecting their son, Henry. I went on to photograph Henry’s newborn and First Birthday sessions. They’re some of my favorite clients because they’re so much fun! Howard is absolutely hilarious and keeps us all laughing constantly. When Katharine emailed us to let us know she was expecting her second baby (a girl!) and wanted to book a maternity and newborn session, I was so excited for them and to get to see them again. I absolutely love photographing growing families! I’ve been photographing for a while now, and I’m seeing a LOT of second and third babies for my existing clients this coming year, which is so special for me.

Katharine also asked to add on hair and makeup services for both sessions, and we scheduled a time for her and Howard to pop into the studio for a maternity fitting. When they came in, I showed her a pretty blue lace dress that I thought would look amazing on her, and she and Howard loved it. She also chose a purple dress with pretty bust detailing paired with a sheer white shawl for arm coverage and we discussed options for Howard and Henry based on her choices. Your partner is not required to attend the maternity fitting with you, but they’re certainly welcome to! I enjoy chatting with my clients and getting to know them during that time together, so if they’re able (and willing) to come, bring them along!

The evening of their spring session in April was sunny and pleasant. One of the best things about living in Atlanta because for the most part I can shoot year round outdoors . It’s not common to have days that are so cold you can’t be outdoors for a shoot . If that happens, it tends to be mostly in December-February. But, it’s the south after all….I’ve had sessions in January where it was 71 degrees while I was shooting here and it reached 75 on another day in December one year. You just never know!

Maternity sessions that involve families are full of fun and play so the big kids have fun too! I ask parents to check their expectations at the car, and to be ready to play games and follow gentle prompts for guided interaction. Trust me, I know how easy it is to become frustrated when you feel like your session isn’t going well. I know how much time and planning goes into the entire event. I have three kids of my own, so I really do get it. I have found that when my clients trust me and go with the flow, they are often pleasantly surprised by the resulting gallery even if they felt like the session was chaotic at times. If your children are full of energy and running around, that’s TOTALLY ok! Embrace it! Usually this also means they’re full of joy and their personality is shining through. We’re going to get images where that sheer happiness is clearly evident and their eyes are sparkling. All I I need is 1/1000th of a second to get those sweet and quiet moments…which might literally only last half a second before they’re running around again….but again, I don’t even need that long.

Henry enjoyed walking along with his parents and seeing all sorts of sticks and rocks. We spent some time at the base of the mountain, went into a forested area, and then we headed up to the top after Katharine changed into her second dress.

At the top, Henry had lost interest in participating, so I photographed just Katharine and added Howard in for some couples photos. Most of the time toddlers will see their parents working with me and it suddenly dawns on them that we are doing something WITHOUT THEM! :::indignant gasp::: In most cases, they suddenly appear with renewed interest in participating for a few minutes, and we’re able to photograph some sweet mommy and me moments and whole family moments too. I work around your child’s needs and mood, so we’ll get what we need at some point!

The mountain location is a favorite because kids have a lot of fun exploring, and the scenery is different than the norm. There are a few different areas to photograph in as we make our way up to the top. The constant moving and changing scenery keeps kids engaged and interested. It’s about a mile hike from our meeting place to the top. My own little boy hiked it successfully by himself with no assistance from me when he was twenty months old, and we’ve had several maternity clients get up there with no issues. So, physically, it’s on the easier side for families and pregnant women, but there is some physical effort involved. In the summer and fall months it can be extremely hot since the mountain is an all rock surface with nowhere for the heat to go. I share these facts with you so you can make the best decision on whether it’s the right location for you and your abilities.

I love photographing at the mountain location since it’s such a unique place. When’s the last time you climbed a mountain and watched the sunset or surveyed land for as far you can see in all directions? Been a while? Come do it with me in the near future, and you’ll have some gorgeous photos to show for it too! ;)

Enjoy a few of my favorite images from this sweet family’s gorgeous maternity 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 | Saidie, Daniel & Zoe in the Gardens

Saidie contacted us pretty late in her third trimester to inquire about booking a maternity and newborn session. Because she had moved here from California after the birth of her first daughter, she didn’t know of any photographers in the Atlanta area. Saidie looked around online, looked through my website, and fell in love with my maternity sessions in our gardens location, and proceeded with booking her sessions with us. Please note that the gardens are not available on weekend evenings, so if you want your session to take place there, you will need to arrange for your schedule to accommodate a weeknight.

When Saidie came in for her maternity fitting at the studio, I instantly loved her warm and bubbly personality. She is one of those people who is incredibly caring and kind to anyone she interacts with, and so genuine. She told me about her daughter Zoe, and her husband Daniel, and we started looking through dresses. Saidie’s problem wasn’t that she couldn’t find a dress… she loved so many of them that she had such a hard time narrowing them down! I reminded her that she could choose to wear one for her newborn session, and that made her feel better. ;) She chose a sleeveless lace overlay gown and a blush off the shoulder flowy gown. The vast majority of our dresses can be worn for both! Many of our pieces aren’t even maternity specific but accommodate growing bellies. Booked clients are welcome to borrow from the wardrobe as a perk, but not required. We looked through some of our little girl dresses as well and she chose one for Zoe to wear that worked perfectly with her own dress choices.

Their session was scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks, but Atlanta experienced a cold snap… and the weather was breezy and in the mid 70’s. I happened to have a weeknight open, so I emailed Saidie to ask if she’d like to move it up because of how perfect the weather was. She wasted no time in replying, “Yes, let’s do it!”

On the evening of their session, we met at the gardens, and the weather was AMAZING. Saidie had brought along a flower crown and asked what I thought about her wearing it. I’m all for flower crowns if my clients want to wear them, and suggested she wear it with the bohemian dress as it was a better fit for that look. She agreed, and the family all got dressed and ready.

I always start with family and child images just in case they decide they’re over the session and don’t want to participate anymore later on. Zoe was tired and a bit emotional, so we worked around her mood. She did such a great job participating but would lose interest quickly. That’s never a problem! I’ll just photograph mom alone or parents together until the interest picks back up. Trying to “force” a toddler to participate is not possible. It’s best to approach them with a laid back attitude and invite them to join in when they’re ready. Removing pressure and creating a no-stress environment is the best way to engage positively with my little clients, so that’s what I strive for!

There’s lots of variety to be had in the garden setting with tons of areas to shoot in. Backlit photos with the setting sun are not always possible due to tree foliage. We will often be working around other photographers and their clients, so if you’re hoping for seclusion and privacy during your session, this is likely not the best location choice for you. I can assure you that nobody is paying any attention to anyone else as we’re all there for our own sessions!

Daniel, Saidie, and Zoe enjoyed walking around the gardens and playing together. As we walked, we chatted about all sorts of things. One of my favorite parts about being a photographer that works with so many families is getting to know my clients and listening to their stories. I am constantly reminded of what a small world we live in and how much we can have in common with others from my conversations with them.

I LOVED working with this awesome family of three (soon to be four!) and can’t wait to share images of their new daughter’s newborn session later this week! In the meantime, enjoy a few from their maternity 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 | Charmaine & Company

Charmaine’s husband, Sean, called the studio to ask about booking a maternity session as a surprise for his wife. He had looked through several websites and really loved what he saw on ours. He knew that we’d be the perfect fit for his family and his wife’s tastes. I always love when dads schedule a session as a surprise gift, and we’ve had many clients do this in the past few years. If you plan it far enough in advance, we can whip up a gift certificate to present to your partner.

Sean wanted his wife to dictate the location and actual session date, so he booked the session with us and told her he had a surprise for her. Caroline called Charmaine to go through the location options and talk about dates. After viewing the different locations, Charmaine fell in love with the field and was thrilled to hear that the location was just minutes from where they lived! Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting date with me at the studio for a couple of weeks before their scheduled date. We don’t schedule maternity fittings further than two weeks out because we want to ensure that there isn’t a really big growth spurt between the fitting and session. If a client chooses a dress that I’m concerned MIGHT not fit in two weeks, we have a backup option to that choice just in case. I’ve never had to default to that backup option, but you just never know.

Charmaine showed up for her maternity fitting, and I instantly liked her straightforward personality and cool South African accent. She and I both had a few things in common: we’re both business owners, we each have two daughters (who look very different from each other!) and we both choose to wait to find out what we are having until birth. If she has a boy as her third child, that’ll be another thing we have in common! After trying on several dresses, Charmaine opted for a blush pink lace off the shoulder dress with embroidery and a floral quarter length sleeved dress. Since her daughters did not attend the fitting with her, I showed her a few things we had in the studio for little girls and she eyeballed the size. I made a note of which dresses were possibilities to bring along with me to their session. Caroline also sent her our studio style guide to review when choosing her husband’s outfit, and we were all set! All clients receive our studio style guide which is short and easy to read. It’s super helpful when planning what to wear for the members of your family not utilizing the wardrobe. We’re here to provide as much assistance as you need with that if you want to run some options by us beforehand.

The evening of their session was absolutely gorgeous, and we were some of the only people there. It’s pretty rare for that to happen at this particular location, but you won’t hear me complaining. Charmaine asked if we could incorporate a family heirloom into their session and showed me this lovely lace parasol she had brought with her. I was thrilled to include it, and thought it was so perfect with what she had chosen to wear and the gorgeous sunlight in the background.

There is no set flow for a maternity session including a family. Kids sometimes lose interest for a bit, and I just work around who is up for participating. I definitely take advantage of fresh and ready to go kids right at the beginning. That way, if they lose all interest and just want to play, we’ve already gotten those family images. These little girls loved being with their parents and enjoyed walking and playing in the field together. The girls reminded me of my own, personality wise - my oldest is quite the camera ham and enjoys being photographed, while my middle daughter is more reserved and serious. We explored many areas of the field together, and had a lot of fun doing so.

When Charmaine looked through her proof gallery, she emailed saying how much she loved the images and how they had captured their family perfectly. She was amazed at how it truly looked like their family, and at how much fun the whole experience had been. So… she requested to book a newborn session for when baby #3 arrived! ;) Most clients book both their maternity and newborn sessions at the same time so they can be assured of a date when their baby arrives. We take a limited number of newborns each month to ensure the best level of service for our clients. Booking a newborn session in advance does not mean that we set an exact date for it. Babies are so unpredictable! I’ve had some of my clients deliver at 37 weeks and others at 42. When you book your newborn session, you are simply reserving one of our reserved spots. Once your baby arrives, you just let us know and we’ll get you on the studio calendar for your exact date after learning a bit about your baby’s stats and how you’re recovering. Typically, we schedule clients to come in between their baby’s first 8-16 days of life, but we’ve had plenty of newborns in the three week range too.

I can’t WAIT to find out if Charmaine and Sean have a boy or a girl and to see their awesome family again soon. In the meantime, enjoy a few of my favorites from their maternity 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 | Olivia at the cliffs of Montauk

I’ve wanted to photograph a session at Montauk on Long Island for YEARS ever since I saw photographs of my sister with the cliffs in the background when she visited with friends.

So, when the chance presented itself, you better believe I took it! Olivia is a fellow photographer and she and I trust each other to photograph each of our families. As a photographer, it can be so hard to find a photographer that understands your vision and can capture your family the way that you want them to be captured. Some of my most favorite images of my own family are from when she photographed us all when our children were 4.5, 2.5, and 6 months old.

When Olivia found out she was pregnant, she let me know that she wanted me to photograph her maternity and newborn sessions, and I was absolutely thrilled and honored to be chosen to do so! We set up a time for me to travel up to New York in April for her maternity shoot, and I blocked some time in the studio calendar to be able to travel back up to NYC in the summer after her baby’s arrival. Travel sessions are not something I do on a regular basis, but if you’re interested in having me travel to you, please do reach out and we’ll talk about details!

Please note that the first lace overlay dress is available in my studio, while the other two are not yet available but I’m thinking about adding them soon! :) I do have the second dress in ivory at this time, but not blush pink as shown. We pulled those dresses from Olivia’s client wardrobe as they were perfect for her in both fit and color.

What you can’t see in these photographs is how COLD the temperatures were that day. I couldn’t feel my fingers or my lips by the time we were done and we were only out there for about 30 minutes tops. Olivia toughed it out, and trusted me to work as fast as I possibly could without compromising the photographs. We took a few warm up breaks and incorporated a shawl into some of the images to help block the wind and make it a bit less cold. In the end, it was completely worth it all!

Enjoy a few of my favorites from this bucket list shoot. Isn’t Olivia absolutely stunning? I can’t wait to share the images from her baby girls’ newborn session 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 Maternity Photographer | Ima

Ima contacted the studio to schedule a maternity session for the very next week. She had been pretty busy and then realized she was running out of time, and panicked a little bit! Fortunately, we had some last minute availability for studio sessions and were able to work her in to our schedule.

While chatting on the phone with Caroline, Ima was thrilled to hear that we had a studio wardrobe available for her since that was one less thing for her to worry about finding in time for her session, since it was so last minute. She expressed concern about her height since she is a petite woman, but we assured her that we have dressed clients as short as 4’10”, so she needn’t be concerned. Caroline scheduled a maternity fitting for her with me the very next day as that was our first mutual availability.

When Ima came in the next day for her maternity fitting, she informed me that she knew several of my clients! This seems to happen so often. We have so many clients book a session, and then peruse our website or Instagram and start recognizing friends. The client then texts or calls the friends, hears all about their experience with us, and then feels even more confident they made the right choice! It’s always fun being reminded of what a small world we really live in. After looking through all of her options, she settled on one of our most glam options that is restricted to in studio use only. It’s a gorgeous lace bodice with a split front tulle skirt. Ima knew she wanted to show off the belly, so the split front was something she loved. Not all of our clients are interested in showing their belly off! Split front gowns can also be worn closed, so no worries there!

The day of her session, she arrived at the studio all ready to go. Because Ima just wanted a handful of images, she had chosen our smallest collection which is available for in studio sessions only. It’s a short session (20ish minutes) and has one outfit and up to two participants. So, if you’re being photographed solo or just want a few images of you and your partner. this might be the right choice for you! While most of our clients choose to book our higher collections, this was the perfect fit for Ima and what she wanted. She loved her gallery so much that she wasn’t able to narrow it down to the included number and ended up adding some extra images to what was included. If you’re not sure what’s the best fit for you, we can help you decide that!

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 | Bethany & John

Bethany and John contacted us to ask about booking a newborn and maternity session for their baby girl. They let us know that they wanted to include their two dogs in their maternity session, and we said “No problem!”

They loved the park location, and asked to add on hair and makeup services to both sessions as well. We scheduled a maternity fitting for them, and when they came in, we spent some time chatting. When I heard where Bethany worked, I asked if she knew another one of my clients that worked at the same place. She responded by telling me that she had seen that client on the website after they had booked their sessions with me, and had asked her about how it was working with us! That client reassured her that she couldn’t have picked a better studio, told her all about their experience, and Bethany and John felt even more confident in their choice. I love hearing this from clients - and it happens a lot!

At their maternity fitting, Bethany was overwhelmed by all of her choices. She told me “I hate off the shoulder and I hate florals” when I asked for her style preferences. She tried on so many different options, and then asked me to pick a wild card dress for her. I picked a floral off the shoulder dress and handed it to her. Haha…. and SHE PICKED IT! (and looks absolutely stunning in it) I will always respect your style preferences, but please know that sometimes how a dress looks on a hanger is not how it will look on you… and you just may fall in love with something you didn’t think you would! Keep those options open. ;)

The evening of the session, we met at the park, and I met their sweet pups, Nashville & Lincoln. They had dropped them off at a friends’ house prior to the session, so they were all tired out and calmer than usual. Pets are always welcome to be a part of outdoor sessions as participants. In studio sessions are on a case by case basis depending on size and training. You will need to bring along a helper to take care of your pets when they are not being photographed as they will not be in every image. I typically photograph clients with their pets for about 10 minutes during sessions, so it's not very long at all. 

Bethany and John were so affectionate towards one another, and I really loved working with them. These pictures make me smile because they take me back to that evening in the park with their quiet love for one another, the whispered secrets, and the laughter. It was such an beautiful session to photograph and made me so excited to meet their baby girl! Here are some of my favorite images from our time together. Doesn't Bethany look absolutely gorgeous? I love the beautiful and simple blowout that Margaret created for her.

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 | Ashley & Corey

Ashley wasn’t really sure that she wanted a maternity session, but her friends kept telling her she should have some photographs taken because she would regret it if she didn’t. When she found my website, she spent some time looking through it and picked up the phone to call the studio. Caroline, our studio manager, answered and spent time chatting with Ashley about the process and how it all works. Ashley was so excited to hear that she could borrow from the studio wardrobe as it was one less thing for her to worry about. She was a little concerned that we wouldn’t have anything that worked for her style preferences, but Caroline assured her that we had quite a few different style options! Caroline took care of scheduling her maternity session in the studio and also made an appointment for her to come into the studio for her maternity fitting the next week.

When Ashley walked in on the day of her fitting, she told me that she actually knew a few of my other clients! She had texted them after seeing some of their images on the website, and after hearing their rave reviews, felt confident she had chosen the right photographer. We discussed her style preferences and favorite colors (your least favorite is also good information to know!) and I pulled a few of the dress for her.

Ashley wanted simple and not fussy, and we have several pieces that fit the bill! After trying on several, she narrowed it down to two gorgeous dresses - that were exactly what she had envisioned. She couldn’t believe how perfectly they meshed with her vision and her skin tone, and she felt (and looked!) absolutely beautiful in them.

Maternity fittings do take up some time in your week, but they’re pretty important. Not only are we pulling together your look, but we are also getting to know one another! I’ve found that clients come in for their session much more relaxed and ready to go when they’ve spent time with me first. When we have out of state clients who are unable to come in a week or two beforehand, we simply schedule the fitting to take place right before the session. This enables us to spend some time getting to know each other before I start photographing you.

On the day of her session, Ashley arrived at the studio and I had her dresses all ready to go. She looked absolutely gorgeous, and was excited to get started. She warned me that she wasn’t quite sure what to do and felt a little bit nervous, and I reassured her that everything would be just fine.I guide my clients through the entire experience from start to finish. Out of all the sessions we offer, maternity sessions are what we photograph the most of! At this point in my sixth year of business, I think it’s safe to claim expert status. ;) From leg to hand positioning, to gentle adjustments of your head angle, I’ve got you covered! I’ll also be on the lookout for a bra strap peeking out, errant stray hairs, etc. I’ll make sure you look your absolute best. Your job is simply to relax and have fun!

Ashley’s husband, Corey, was running a bit late but that was no problem. I simply started the session with just Ashley and when he arrived, I had him get changed and jump right in. Corey was lots of fun to work with and was also an amateur videographer, so we had fun talking shop during our time together! The two of them were adorable together and so much fun to work with.

Enjoy a few of my favorite portraits from Ashley and Corey’s maternity session! I can’t wait to see them again in the future!

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.