Lynchburg Studio Newborn PicturesBaby M and her Family

This sweet girl was an angel baby for her studio newborn session here in Lynchburg, VA. Upon arrival, mama settled into the hair and make-up chair while I started preparing little M for her portraits! She stayed fast asleep and we zoomed through the different set ups for her pictures, allowing a variety of looks and feels to her session. As soon as her beautiful mama was all dolled up and ready, we were just finishing up her solo-pictures. We rolled right into pictures with mom, and then soon dad and big sister arrived for their pictures! I always recommend older siblings arrive separately if possible, so they won't have to wait around and observe while we give so much attention to the new baby. I absolutely love the way this session came out, and so does mama! 

Here's what she had to say about our time together: 

"I wouldn't trust anyone else with my family's memories. We hired Liz for the full birth experience and newborn sessions. The investment was beyond worth it. The images and emotions that she captured are too good to be true. She is extremely professional and prepared for any scenario, while having the sweetest disposition and so down to earth. I felt like I had my best friend in the labor and delivery room with her there. Her studio is beautiful and full of light. She does everything she can to make you comfortable, providing snacks and a place to relax while the photos are taken. She has a wonderful wardrobe to choose from because let's be honest.. what new mom likes what she looks like or has a perfect flattering pastel top for photos days after giving birth? I sure don't. But Liz dressed me in a flattering dress and the images are priceless. I recommend her to anyone who wants breathtaking images full of love and emotion. :)" - Kelly J.

Are you expecting and ready to book your newborn session? I am currently booking sessions as far out as early Winter 2017. Newborn sessions are best scheduled before your baby has arrived. If you have waited until the last minute, please contact me - if I am able to fit you in, I will! I don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to have this short and sweet season of life documented. 

All newborn sessions include the use of the studio wardrobe, a styling consultation to discuss the look and feel you desire for your session, as well as my exclusive client preparation guide. On site hair and make-up services are also available with our stylist so that you feel relaxed, confident and beautiful at your session. I make the process of preparing for your session simple and seamless, so you can focus on your first priority, taking care of your newborn baby. Contact me today to reserve your session.

Virginia Baptist Fresh 48 Session | Brand New Baby Pictures

This sweet girl came into this world gently, steadily, and healthy. Her mama made the decision to invest in a full First Year package with Liz Cook Photography and I have had such a wonderful time getting to know her family! 

Here is one of our first sessions together, her Fresh48!

Are you expecting and aren't sure how you feel about a birth experience? A Fresh48 session is a great option for you if you want those first few moments of your baby's life captured, but you don't feel quite so comfortable with the idea of a camera in your delivery room. I will come to your birth space only hours after your baby has arrived to capture all the going-ons and the sweet moments of exploration as you get to know one another. 

I am currently booking Fresh48 sessions as far out at late Summer 2017. Fresh48 sessions are best booked during your third trimester. I will be on-call for you (which means I won't travel out of town, etc) and once you go into labor, you simply let me know! I will clear my schedule to make room for your session within the next 24-48 hours. Contact me today to reserve your session.

Lynchburg Engagement Pictures | A Downtown Engagement Session

Dylan and Rachel booked me for their wedding photography at West Manor Estate last fall. They had amazing chemistry (which Rachel tried to deny for years, ha!) and I had SO much fun photographing them together! After any couple books with me, I send a Getting To Know You form so I can, well, get to know them better. :) Rachel and Dylan did such a great job telling the story of how they met and how Dylan proposed that I thought it would be best to simply share their words with you! Aren't they adorable? 

First up, How They Met:

Rachel: My sophomore year at Liberty University, Dylan happened to be "the sound guy" on the same theater production as one of my best friends. I remember meeting him for the first time and wasn't exactly swept off my feet by his bravado. 
Dylan: Through Kaitlin, the mutual friend, I met Rachel and was immediately attracted to her. Working with Kaitlin gave me a great excuse to spend more time around Rachel. However, I was still a freshman guy...
Rachel: Our little band of friends grew increasingly close, spending countless hours together getting into mischief, studying, going on trips, getting snowed in, pranking each other, hosting holiday celebrations and movie nights, and generally having a great time. Dylan made it clear pretty quickly that he was interested in being more than friends and I made it pretty clear that I was not.
Dylan: Over the next two years I continued to take every opportunity possible to spend time with Rachel and get to know her better. Through that time, we grew closer, I matured greatly, and she began to have feelings (even though at the time she denied it with everything in her). 
Rachel: It was pretty obvious to perhaps everyone except me that Dylan and I had some remarkably strong chemistry. We often found ourselves instigating adventures or sipping hot tea (our mutual favorite beverage). When my three best friends moved into an off-campus apartment, he would consistently offer to drive me and had a captive conversationalist for a full seven minutes! This bearded West Virginia mountain boy with his cheeky grin and antagonistic ways started sneaking into my heart and...
Dylan: After two years in the friend zone, I finally convinced her to let me take her on a date.

And now... the story of their engagement:

Dylan here. On May 22nd I got up at 3:30 in the morning to get on a plane from Houston, Texas. Rachel was unaware that I was coming to Virginia and I wanted to keep it a surprise. The first leg of my flight went smoothly, however, the second leg was delayed an hour and began to throw off my entire plan. Now rewind a few weeks, I had been talking to Mary, Rachel's sister and Maid-of-honor, about how to make this plan work. What was supposed to happen was that Mary, conveniently home for the weekend from her summer internship in Haiti, was supposed to ask Rachel to go to lunch at the same pizza place where Rachel and I went on our first date. Ally, one of Rachel's best friends and roommate, would plan to join them, but "be running behind" and therefore cause Rachel and Mary to have to improvise and waste some time by walking around the gorgeous college right across the road.

Unbeknownst to Rachel, what was actually happening was that Ally was picking me up from the airport and driving me to Randolph College, where I would then propose where Rachel and I had spent hours walking and talking on our first date. However, with my plane having been delayed an hour, Ally and I were pressed for time and had to rush out of the airport. I changed in the airport bathroom, consequently dropping my wallet into the freshly used toilet. In her haste, Ally sped through downtown and was promptly pulled over by Lynchburg's finest with no time to spare as we knew Rachel and Mary weren't far behind. Throwing a coat over me to hide me from view, Ally flashed the ring and explained our urgency. The officer kindly gave her a warning and wished me luck. We pulled away at brisk legal speed and made it into Randolph College just in the knick of time. Once arrived, I discovered that the bench I had planned to propose on was no longer there. Once again, improvisation was necessary. Fortunately, Randolph College does not have a shortage of beautiful locations and we quickly found a nearby, gorgeous, brick gazebo to plant ourselves and, for the first time that day, wait. 

There I was, ready to ask the love of my life to be my fiancé. Then I saw her in the distance, walking, totally oblivious that anything was about to happen. She began to walk up the steps beside the gazebo and I peeked my head out and said "hey there". She looked up and a huge smile raced across her face as she sprinted up the stairs and leapt into my arms. (We had been long distance since January and hadn't seen each other in-person in three months.)

The rest, as they say, is history. I asked, and she said YES!

Oh my goodness, HOW CUTE ARE THEY?! I am so excited to share their stunning fall wedding with you soon! For now, enjoy my favorites from their engagement session below!

Are you recently engaged? Engagement sessions are reserved for clients who book the full wedding experience with Liz Cook Photography. I am fully booked for the 2017 wedding season and am currently booking for 2018 weddings. It is best to book your wedding photography as soon as possible, as dates fill up quickly.

Every Liz Cook Photography wedding photography package includes a complimentary engagement session, full day photography coverage, and the best 500+ high-resolution images from your wedding day. For more information, see the wedding page. If you would like to meet in person, contact me today to schedule a no-obligation, in-person consultation at my studio in Forest, VA (or online over Google Hangout). 

Forest Virginia Newborn PhotographerBaby James

When baby James' mom, a local midwife in the Lynchburg area, reached out to me about photographing her son's newborn session I was so honored! What a treat to have another birth professional in the area trust me with capturing this precious season for her. We quickly secured a date and they traveled to the studio all the way from their home in Charlottesville, VA for his newborn session. 

They arrived to the studio relaxed and... early! Believe it or not, I tend to expect my newborn clients to arrive a little late. That's usually what happens when you are still getting used to having a new life to be responsible for! But because they were traveling from so far, they overcompensated on time and we were able to start their session early. We each took turns snuggling their handsome little guy, and I was able to capture all of his unique details and mannerisms as well as how deeply loved he is. Baby James was the smiliest baby I have ever photographed! It was so fun capturing that little grin over and over again!

Here are a few of my favorite newborn pictures from our time together: 

Are you expecting and ready to book your newborn session? I am currently booking sessions as far out as early Winter 2017. Newborn sessions are best scheduled before your baby has arrived. If you have waited until the last minute, please contact me - if I am able to fit you in, I will! I don't want you to miss out on the opportunity to have this short and sweet season of life documented. 

All newborn sessions include the use of the studio wardrobe, a styling consultation to discuss the look and feel you desire for your session, as well as my exclusive client preparation guide. On site hair and make-up services are also available with our stylist so that you feel relaxed, confident and beautiful at your session. I make the process of preparing for your session simple and seamless, so you can focus on your first priority, taking care of your newborn baby. Contact me today to reserve your session.