It’s portrait day, and you want you and family to look and feel your best in front of the camera. Here are some of my favorite Central Arkansas and online resources for styling your portraits. Ready to look and feel amazing?
Central Arkansas Hair & Makeup Artists
Having your hair and makeup professionally done before your session can not only help you look and feel your best for your portraits, it’s another way to pamper yourself and luxuriate in the overall portrait experience. Here are a few of my favorite local artists that I trust with my own hair and makeup!
Amy Gilstrap & The Spa’ah – Conway, AR
Amy Gilstrap has long been known in the area for her incredible skills as a colorist and stylist. Now she has teamed up with Michelle Christen and the team at The Spa’ah in a new beautiful location! Add on a massage before your hair and makeup appointment to make for an even more relaxing and luxurious experience.
Lavonne Beauty – Little Rock, AR
Lavonne is based in Little Rock and travels all over the country making her clients look and feel gorgeous! She and her team specialize in corrective beauty makeup application to make your skin and features look flawless and camera ready. Her mobile luxury bridal beauty team travel to you locally and for destination weddings. For family photo sessions, she offers luxury makeup application and hair styling in her studio in Little Rock.
Central Arkansas Children’s Clothing Boutiques
When I first moved to Arkansas 8 years ago I was surprised at how hard it was to find local boutiques and shops offering high quality fashion for children. I’ve put together a list of my favorite local children’s boutiques in Central Arkansas. All of these stores carry beautiful clothing that would be lovely for family portraits. I love supporting other local businesses and I adore children’s fashion, so if your favorite shop isn’t on this list please let me know!
Simply Sweet Kids – Conway, AR
Simply Sweet Kids offers adorable, high quality baby, children’s, and tween’s clothes from upscale trendy designers like Tea Collection, Quincy Mae, Pink Chicken, Petit Bebe, Ruffle Butts, and more! Their selection is a beautifully curated mix of prints, textured solids, and neutrals – perfect for styling your next family photo session.
This Little Piggy – Benton, AR
Looking for adorable, high quality kids’ clothing for boys and girls sizes 0-14? This Little Piggy has a super cute selection from designers like Pink Chicken, Rylee & Cru, Chaser Girls, Miki Miette, Appaman, and more. I also love their selection of shoes and hair accessories.
Doodlebug’s Children’s Boutique – Hot Springs, AR
Doodlebug’s Children’s Boutique has colorful designer clothes for babies and kids through size 8, as well as accessories and gifts. Styles vary from everyday knits and pjs to dresses and outfits for parties, holidays, and photo sessions.
Strasburg Children’s of Pleasant Ridge – Little Rock, AR
Strasburg Children designs classic, heirloom quality clothing for children. Their smocked dresses for girls and adorable outfits for little boys are timeless for photo sessions or any special occasion.
Dillard’s – Little Rock, AR
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Maybe you’re looking for something to coordinate with a boutique or online find? The kids’ department at Dillard’s in Little Rock is one of my local go-to places for designer children’s clothing and accessories. Dillard’s offers a variety of designers and styles from everyday casual to formal dresses for girls and blazers for boys. Online shopping is available as well as in-store or online pickup.
The Yellow Lamb – Little Rock & Online
Classic children’s designer The Yellow Lamb is based right here in Little Rock! You can purchase their gorgeous, classic clothing for babies and toddlers online from their website or locally at Doodlebug’s Children’s Boutique in Hot Springs. Their classic clothing is “everyday heirloom” meant to be worn and loved with easy care, not just on special occasions.
Online Children’s Clothing Designers & Boutiques
I love to dress up, and so do my little ones! If you’re looking for couture design, or something specific that can’t be found locally in Arkansas, check out my list of favorite online designers of children’s fashions.
*Please note that many of these designers offer handmade or limited quantity designs that need to be pre-ordered. So, if you have your heart set on your child wearing something from one of them, please be sure to order early and give yourself plenty of time for your outfit to arrive before your session.
The Paper Doll
The Paper Doll and Willow Wears Pink create vintage-inspired fashion for girls that still feels fresh and modern. New releases are a mix of pre-orders (typically with a 2-3 month turn around for the most popular items) and ready to ship (which can be delivered in just a few days). This small and rapidly-growing brand has developed a passionate and devoted following, so if you want to score one of these beauties you’ll need to order quickly before the most popular sizes sell out! To purchase (or just drool over their fabrics and details), follow The Paper Doll’s Facebook and social media accounts for pre-release sneak peeks and ordering information. If you fall in love with one of their past creations, The Paper Doll has an active “Buy Sell Trade” community of moms and photographers who will sell or trade new or gently used items (often purchased to wear for one photo session and then sold). The brand’s trademark poofy, vintage-length dresses with impeccable details and fabrics provide timeless style for girls’ portraits.
Goldybelle
Goldybelle is one of my favorite brands because of their high quality fabrics, sweet and simple designs, and beautiful hand-crafted details. The “Sophia” dress – a reversible, ultra twirly dress for girls available in a variety of soft fabrics and colors – is both of my girls’ all-time favorite dress to wear for almost any occasion! I never miss a release date to score the latest versions (it will be a crisis in my household the day my daughters outgrow their “ice cream” and “flamingo” print Sophia dresses). Goldybelle designs are perfect for family sessions and for informal or semi-formal special occasions.
Blutterfly Baby Boutique
Blutterfly Baby Boutique is a small handmade designer that offers custom couture gowns and ready-made vintage-inspired pieces sold on their website in limited releases. Bee Stanley, the Texas-based creative genius behind the sewing machine, uses a unique blend of luxurious fabrics and colors to bring her fashion visions to life. She recently created the exquisite gown worn by 9-year-old America’s Got Talent singer Victory Brinker in her final live appearance on the show. BBB’s insanely poofy “cupcake couture” dresses are some of my favorites! These dresses and gowns are perfect for princess sessions, formal dress portraits, and very special occasions. Her vintage couture pieces may also be perfect for formal family portraits.
Anna Triant Couture
Anna Triant’s couture gowns are what little girls (and their gown-loving moms!) dream about. These are unique, handmade luxury pieces that are nothing less than divine. Perfect for princess sessions, very formal occasion portraits, and anytime you want something truly exceptional.
Dollcake
Australian children’s designer Dollcake offers twirly girly dresses, gowns, accessories, and more vintage-inspired pieces for upscale everyday, photo sessions, and special occasions. Their limited release collections frequently sell out, so watch their social media for information on release timing and availability. https://dollcake.com
Janie & Jack
Janie & Jack is a national brand that features modern twists on classic children’s clothing design. Their pieces are high quality, with lovely fabrics and thoughtful details. I especially love the stylish and relaxed boys’ collections for coordinating with other family members’ outfits. (I also love that their shoe collections make it easy to find the perfect accessories for each outfit!) Janieandjack.com
Joyfolie
Joyfolie is an online boutique for women and girls that offers beautiful trendy clothing and dresses in neutrals and coordinating jewel tones. Their flowing, boho styles have lots of lovely textures and unique details that are perfect for photos because they enhance the natural beauty of the wearer and adding interest without distracting from the subject. Their sample sales are not to be missed! Their shoes are some of my all time-favorites, both for moms and daughters. https://www.joyfolie.com
Whimsical Woods (Accessories & Hair Bows)
Let me warn you – Whimsical Woods’ handmade bows, headbands, clips, and halos are irresistible and addictive! Unique, detailed, and fun, these accessories are perfect for photo sessions and anytime your little one wants to add a special touch to her outfit. Many of the bows and halos are made to match the latest fashions from children’s designers such as Well Dressed Wolf, The Paper Doll, and Blutterfly Baby Boutique. Periodically, she offers fully custom creations that are designed to order! Follow her Facebook page and group for information on the latest pre-orders and custom designs.
Favorite Designers for Costumes & Dress-up Clothes
Little Adventures
I think my children may have nearly every item in the Little Adventures collection! I love that they are soft, machine-washable, durable, as well as detailed and beautiful! They recently added princess-inspired twirl dresses that are great for hot summer days, as well as super hero capes and adorable nightgowns. Their customer service is first rate. Little Adventures is one of my go-to places to look for costumes for play or for imagination portraits! https://littleadventures.com
Trish Scully
Trish Scully’s costume gowns are beautiful, high quality, and affordable. They are great for when you need an extra bit of poof and bling, and will make any little princess feel like she’s the belle of the ball! https://trishscully.com
