What to Wear

These sessions are meant to feel light, artistic, and true to you: relaxed, connected, and creative. Think editorial, not stiff, formal, or department-store portrait.

Choose a Soft, Cohesive Color Palette

For these minis, we strongly recommend a simple palette that ties everyone together:

• Timeless: cream, ivory, beige, warm white

• Warm and cozy: soft tan and muted neutrals

• Holiday: burgundy, red, green, and white

• Colorful: rich jewel tones

Please skip loud prints and neon colors.

Shoes (or No Shoes)

Style yourself head to toe in the look you love. Choose something intentional and stylish, and leave the athletic sneakers and busy footwear at home. Bare feet are welcome also, as long as they suit your outfit and overall vibe.

Lean Into Creative Layering

Some of our favorites:

• Linen textures

• Chunky knits

• Soft cardigans

• Relaxed button-downs

• Oversized sweaters

• Simple dresses with movement

Layers add depth and give your images an editorial, creative feel without looking overdone.

Please Avoid Very Short Skirts

We move a lot during sessions: sitting, standing, kneeling, and cuddling. Very short skirts make posing difficult, so please choose skirts or dresses that hit mid-thigh or longer. You'll move more comfortably, and everything will look effortless and flattering. Little girls in dresses or skirts should wear leggings or tights underneath, since they'll be on the move too.

Dress Confidently

If you don't love it, don't wear it. Feeling comfortable and confident in your clothes plays a big part in how much you'll love your final images.

We all have areas we're not feeling great about, so dress with them in mind:

• Not loving your arms? Choose sleeves.

• Not loving your legs? Go for longer skirts, dresses, or pants.

Put simply, highlight what you love and let your clothing gently soften the rest.

Hair & Makeup

Please arrive fully ready for your session.

That means:

• Hair styled

• Makeup complete

• Everyone dressed

Pro tip: If it normally takes you 30 minutes to get ready, give yourself an extra 15 to 30 minutes. Rushing is when things feel stressful. Planning extra time keeps the morning calm and smooth.

Temporary tattoos are really fun for kids, but they aren’t great for photos. Before you come in for your session, please use an alcohol wipe to remove any temporary tattoos on your children.

Nails

We often see hands! Fresh, clean nails make a big difference. Make sure everyone’s nails (hands and toes, if you will be barefoot) are manicured). Neutral or soft tones photograph beautifully for women. Men should also make sure nails are clean and trimmed.

Plan Ahead

Planning your outfits in advance helps ensure nothing gets missed on session day and saves you from running around the house searching for that one last missing piece. We’ve all been there.

We recommend choosing everyone’s outfits, head to toe, at least a few days before your session. Be sure to allow time to order anything additional you may need. Once everything is selected, hang each complete outfit together and place shoes and accessories in a bag looped around the hanger. Set everything aside on one side of your closet. Do this for every family member.

It may sound simple, but trust us, this makes a huge difference in your stress levels on session day.

Then when the day arrives, all you have to do is grab your outfits, get ready, and head out the door. Easy.

For Those Who Wear Glasses

We will be inside of a studio, but please avoid glasses that are dark light-transitional as some take quite awhile to adjust to indoor lighting.

Best case:

• Anti-glare coating (most glasses are these days)

• Non-light-sensitive lenses

If we can’t see your eyes, we may ask you to remove your glasses so we can clearly see your eyes.

Smart Watches

Smart watches of any kind do not photograph well. The big black rectangle plate is never attractive in a photo (no matter how fancy it is).

Please remove all smart watches before arriving. They are very distracting in photos and do not match the timeless feel of these sessions.

Prepare Your Mind

Prepare your mind before you arrive. Let go of expectations. This is not about perfect hair, perfect outfits, or posing the perfect way. It is about capturing this season of your life exactly as it is. If you are worried about your clothes or focused on getting everything just right, that tension will show. Remember, heirloom photos are not just for you. They are also for all the loved ones in your life.

Also, leave any arguments in the car or at home. We have seen how quickly stress or picking at each other can shift the energy of a session. It makes the experience uncomfortable for everyone. As best you can, release the stress of the day and lean into the creativity of the moment. When you relax and allow the experience to unfold naturally, that is when the real magic happens.

Our Studio

Our studio is our converted garage. It is temperature regulated (we have heat and a/c). We have a bathroom inside our home that guests are welcome to use, but for mini’s it’s best to arrive ready to go (so use the bathroom before you arrive) so bathroom time doesn’t cut into your session time.

Working with Kids

WE SUPPORT BRIBERY + TALK UP THE SESSION

Please bring water and snacks for young kids. For children who can have solids, we recommend white chocolate baking morsels. They are small, sweet, and do not stain. Whatever works best for your child, we fully support you. Bribery and all!

We also find that how you talk about the session ahead of time makes a big difference in how cooperative kids are. Instead of presenting it as something they have to do, frame it as something fun! Tell them you are going to play, cuddle, explore, and take beautiful family photos to print and hang in your home. Let them know they are going to meet a fun photographer named Kat. You can even tell them my name is like the animal. Kids love that! It may sound small, but it truly helps set the tone and makes the whole experience smoother for everyone.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE WELL FED AND WELL RESTED

Hungry and tired kids are angry kids. ‘Nuff said.

CHECK YOUR OWN ENERGY

No grumpy dads or stressed out moms! Your kids will feed off your energy, so whatever is bothering you, try to let it go before your session and enjoy the ride! We will be here to root you on the whole way!

Feeling Stuck?

If you feel stuck with your wardrobe or need additional suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us anytime. We welcome our clients to send over photos of what outfits they are thinking about ahead of time. We are here to help!

Email: BKRoseStudio (at) gmail.com