Roanoke Mommy & Me Session | Kristy & Jessie

Kristy & Jessie

Mommy & Tween Session

We were crazy blessed to meet Kristy when we walked into Sunday's very first Pre-K classroom to meet her teacher and there she stood, ready to shake our hands and welcome us into her space. Little did we know at that time how important Mrs. Lunetta would become to our family! 

Kristy and her daughter Jessie have a uniquely bittersweet story. Their beloved husband and father passed away a few years ago and they live life missing him every day. I wanted to do something special for Kristy at the end of Sunday's first year in her classroom, to express our gratitude for her kindness and patience she showed towards Sunday and all of her classmates, but also to thank her for her beautiful display of what it looks like to walk alongside Jesus through hard seasons. Kristy is a beautiful example of a woman walking in the grace of God. As she raises her beautiful daughter with love and kind discipline, I watch with admiration and hope I can be half the mom she is. 

Below are a few of my favorite pictures of our time together in the studio. For the last few minutes, we stepped out into the chilly air to snap a few pictures by their request. The sun glare in the background made me think their husband and dad was looking down on them and smiling as they snuggled up and their beaming smiles while wrapped in each other's arms gave me no doubt those pictures were meant to be taken in that moment, in that place, on that very day. 

What a magical bond they share. Thank you for allowing me to capture it, Kristy. It was my honor.

If you're interested in scheduling your own Mommy & Me Mini Sessions, I would love to work with you to create images you will cherish for a lifetime. Contact me and if you'd like, we can set up a no-obligation consultation here in the studio to answer any questions you may have.

Click here for more information about the upcoming Mommy & Me Mini Sessions.

Click here to see other Mommy & Me Mini sessions. 

Liz Cook is a family, birth and wedding photographer in Central Virginia. She loves to photograph emotional and discreet birth stories, the details of parenthood, and fun and easygoing couples in love.

Lynchburg Mommy & Me Session | Jayna & Hailey's Mommy & Tween Session

Jayna & Hailey

Mommy & Tween Session

Jayna is a mom of two and this is her second Mommy & Me mini session that has taken place in my studio here in the New London area of Forest, Virginia. I previously photographed her with her younger son, Evan, soon after we moved into the new studio. I love having this beautiful girl and her infectious laugh in my studio!! 

Jayna has an unparalleled joy for life despite all of the ups and downs she has journeyed through. As a single mom, she has consistently worked so hard to give her children whatever they needed. About a year ago, Jayna closed her in-home daycare to pursue her growing-like-a-weed hair care sales business, Monat. So at the end of this Mommy & Me session we stepped outside to snap a picture of Jayna and her two littles celebrating the brand new Cadillac she was gifted through her business because of all of her hard work. She will tell you all day - every day, it is because of her kids that she works so hard and even took a chance on Monat. What an inspiration she is to me! 

Hailey, her daughter, has the kindest heart of any tween you will meet. She is a wonderful big sister to Evan and is always thinking of others before herself. She is beautiful from the inside out and it was my pleasure to photograph her during this season of life!

Here are a few of my favorites from our time together at the studio!

If you're interested in scheduling your own Mommy & Me Mini Sessions, I would love to work with you to create images you will cherish for a lifetime. Contact me and if you'd like, we can set up a no-obligation consultation here in the studio to answer any questions you may have.

Click here for more information about the upcoming Mommy & Me Mini Sessions.

Click here to see other Mommy & Me Mini sessions. 

Liz Cook is a family, birth and wedding photographer in Central Virginia. She loves to photograph emotional and discreet birth stories, the details of parenthood, and fun and easygoing couples in love.

Lynchburg Mommy & Me Mini Session | Meridith’s Baby

Meridith's Baby

mommy & me mini session

With her huge smile, contagious laugh, and joy for life, Meridith has a special place in my heart. It is impossible not to be encouraged and refueled after spendings just a few minutes with her. While I am always honored when clients choose me to photograph precious moments in their lives, there is something so special about another area photographer asking me to photograph them and their loved ones!

As I was preparing to share these pictures from Meridith's Mommy & Me Mini Session with her fourth (and last) child (so, her baby :)), my heart grew so tender towards the moments I was able to capture. I can practically hear Meridith's laugh as I look at her smile, and the memory of her singing her daughter's favorite lullaby while she rested her head in her safe place on her mama's shoulder is as fresh as if it happened this morning. (These pictures were in fact taken almost a year ago!) The love Meridith has for her daughter is so crystal clear in these pictures and it warms my heart to know that they will both have these images to enjoy for many years to come.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our time together at my studio located in Forest, Virginia (in the New London area of Bedford, Virginia, right outside of Lynchburg!):

If you have been thinking about investing in one of my upcoming Mommy & Me Mini Sessions (there are only a few slots left!), I want you to know that I would be honored to capture images like these for you to freeze the time you have right now with your own babies. These days may feel so long, but the years truly are short. Life right now looks different than it did six months ago, and it will continue to change and look even more different six months from now!

From one mom to another, you won't regret having pictures like these taken! In fact, all this heart-tugging writing is making me want to schedule my own session for me and my girls! 

Click here for more information about the upcoming Mommy & Me Mini Sessions.

Click here to see other Mommy & Me Mini sessions.

Liz Cook is a family, birth and wedding photographer in Central Virginia. She loves to photograph emotional and discreet birth stories, the details of parenthood, and fun and easygoing couples in love.

Tell Me More: Studio Consultations

Studio Consultations

Who, What, When, Where, Why?

Studio Consultations are complimentary, no-obligation meetings available to anyone interested in booking Liz Cook Photography for their baby, family or wedding photography needs.

Most of the time, consultations happen in my natural light studio located in the New London area of Forest, Virginia (just a 10 minute drive from Lynchburg, Virginia). However, there are times when a client lives out of town and plans to travel a few hours for their session in which case our consultation can happen either over the phone or through google hangout. These meetings are simply a low-pressure conversation where we get to know one another a little bit and I ask all the key questions regarding what you are hoping to get out of your photography investment. This is also the time for you to receive answers to any of your questions.

There is no pressure to book a session or wedding at this consultation. In fact, I always encourage prospective clients to go home, think about all we discussed, and then let me know if they would like to move forward with booking. All booking, contracts and payments are handled easily and securely online and can be taken care of from any location. You do not have to be at the studio to reserve your session or make any payments.

Why Should I Schedule A Consultation?

I understand custom photography is an investment and it is imperative that we have open communication about your photography experience.  I want to know all of your expectations and it is important that you know mine as well! If you have hopes and dreams for your final images, this is your opportunity to tell me all about them! I want to do my best to give you exactly what you are hoping for, but I can’t do that without a full understanding of your expectations.

To put it simply, meeting for a consultation helps guarantee you will receive final images you truly love!!

When Should I Schedule My Consultation?

Prospective clients typically schedule a complimentary consultation as soon as they know they are interested in working with me. My calendar fills up quickly, so if you think you may be interested in booking a session with me, I’d recommend you schedule a consultation as soon as possible!

Since consultations themselves don't take very long, it's easy to fit them on the calendar. However, it's not so easy to fit in full photo sessions at the last minute. This is why I recommend you schedule a consultation as soon as possible since we will be discussing the scheduling of your session when we meet. 

If you are looking to book a photographer at the last minute for a baby milestone or newborn session, the latest I can schedule a consultation is about a week out from a pre-scheduled session date. To get an idea of when you should plan for your session (not consultation), here’s a quick list:

• Maternity sessions are typically scheduled between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, but have been scheduled as late as 38 weeks (though that really was risky considering mama went into labor the very next day!).
• Newborn sessions are typically scheduled when baby is between 7-20 days old. These sessions are normally reserved months ahead of time (when mom is about 25-30 weeks along).

How Can I Schedule My Consultation?

When someone is interested in booking a complimentary studio consultation, they can simply inquire with me or click here to access the consultation booking page. It’s an easy process and all are welcome!

How Should I Prepare For My Consultation?

Depending on your photography needs, you may need to prepare a little before you come to the studio. Below are some ways you can make the most of your time with me:

• Any prospective clients coming in for a consultation are welcome to bring any questions you may have for me, as well as a way to show me any of your photography “dreams” for your session or wedding pictures. You can do this through a pinterest board or simply a few images you’ve seen that you love. (You’ll know we are a good match if any of my pictures make your short list! :))
• Brides and Grooms are welcome to bring along a parent and/or a friend to help ensure you are getting all of your questions answered and well-documented. Some also bring along their wedding planning binder with a list of pre-printed questions.
• Maternity, Newborn, and Family consultations are a great time to look through the studio wardrobe and try on a few pieces. If you plan to do this, please bring along neutral undergarments including a strapless bra and one or two pair of shoes you plan to wear for your session.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know Before I Come?

Yes! The studio is attached to Liz’s home in the New London area of Bedford, Virginia. The property is pet-friendly (dogs, cats, geckos and more! :)), and smoke-free. All of the pets are out of reach of the studio with the exception of the cats. If you have allergies to pets, please let Liz know ahead of time so necessary precautions can be made.

Click here to book your complimentary Studio Consultation!

Click here to read more about what to expect at a Newborn Photography Session.

Liz Cook is a family, birth and wedding photographer in Central Virginia. She loves to photograph emotional and discreet birth stories, the details of parenthood, and fun and easygoing couples in love.

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.