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How to Plan Your Outfits for Photos
Outfit planning can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. Start With One Outfit Choose one anchor outfit (often mom’s) and build around it. Select 2–3 complementary colors instead of matching everyone exactly. Coordinating > Matching. Think Texture and Layers Mix textures like: Denim Knit sweaters Flowing dresses Neutral layers This adds depth and visual interest without overwhelming the image. Avoid These Common Mistakes Neon colors Busy patterns Large logos Trends


A Meaningful (and Free!) Valentine’s Gift: Create a Photo Slideshow on Your Phone
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean expensive gifts or grand gestures. Sometimes the most meaningful surprises are the ones that come straight from the heart. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, cost-free Valentine’s gift, here’s a beautiful idea: create a photo slideshow on your phone using your favorite memories together. It’s simple, personal, and guaranteed to bring smiles (and maybe a few happy tears). Why a Photo Slideshow Is So Special Photos tell your story. From the


A Valentine’s Surprise They’ll Never Forget: A Photo Session
Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love in all its forms — romantic, family, and everything in between. While flowers and chocolates are sweet, the most meaningful gifts are the ones that last. A photo session is a Valentine’s surprise that goes beyond the moment and turns into a memory you’ll treasure forever. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and heartfelt way to say “you matter to me,” this is it. Why a Photo Session Is the Ultimate Valentine’s Gift Photos freeze time.


You’ve Received Your Online Gallery — Now What?
Your gallery has arrived, and this is the fun part! Whether you’re viewing your photos for the first time or revisiting them again and again, your online gallery is designed to make enjoying, sharing, and preserving your images easy. Here’s what to do next. Step 1: Take Your Time Viewing Your Images When you first open your gallery, we recommend slowing down and soaking it all in. These images capture a season of your life that passes quickly, and it’s okay to feel all the em


Why We Only Offer Mini Sessions at Certain Times
Mini sessions are one of the most requested offerings — and for good reason. They’re quick, fun, and perfect for capturing beautiful moments in a short amount of time. But you may have noticed that mini sessions aren’t available year-round. Here’s why. Mini Sessions Are Intentional Mini sessions work best when they’re planned with purpose. Offering them during select times allows us to create a smooth, stress-free experience for everyone involved. When minis are scheduled bac


How Booking with Kate Buckles Photography Works
One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I book a session?” So today, I’m breaking it all down to make the process simple, stress-free, and easy from start to finish. Because booking your photos should feel exciting — not overwhelming. Step 1: Choose Your Session Whether you’re booking a newborn session, family photos, milestone session, or a seasonal mini, everything starts online. Our booking system is designed so you can see available dates, session options, and


The Classic Look: Why Jeans and White Shirts Never Go Out of Style
When it comes to choosing outfits for a photo session, simplicity truly shines. One of the most timeless and trusted looks in photography is classic jeans paired with white shirts. This combination has remained a favorite for families, couples, and milestone sessions—and for good reason. If you’re wondering whether this look is right for your upcoming session, here’s why it works so beautifully and how to make it your own. Timeless, Clean, and Always in Style Jeans and white


Why the End of Winter Is a Great Time to Book Your Photo Session
As winter begins to wind down, something special happens. The days start getting a little longer, the light becomes softer, and there’s a quiet sense of anticipation in the air. It’s a season of transition—and that makes it one of the most beautiful and meaningful times to schedule a photo session. Here’s why the end of winter is truly a hidden gem for photos: Softer, More Flattering Light Late winter light is dreamy. The sun sits lower in the sky, creating gentle, flattering


Fun Valentine’s Crafts to Make With Your Photos
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to turn your favorite photos into heartfelt keepsakes. Whether they’re from a recent session or a sweet snapshot on your phone, photos add a personal touch that makes any craft extra special. These projects are simple, meaningful, and perfect for kids, grandparents, or anyone you love. Here are a few fun ways to turn your photos into Valentine magic: Photo Valentine Cards Print a few small versions of your favorite images and glue them onto


How to Choose the Perfect Outfit for Your Photo Session: Season and Location Matter
One of the biggest questions families and clients ask before a photo session is: “What should we wear?” The answer often depends on two important things: the season and the location of your session. Choosing outfits that complement both ensures your photos look cohesive, timeless, and effortlessly beautiful. 1. Consider the Season Spring: Soft pastels, light fabrics, and floral accents work beautifully. Think airy dresses, lightweight sweaters, and neutral tones. Summer:


How to Set Goals That Are Actually Achievable
(This isn’t a photography post — just a little inspiration for life, growth, and making your goals happen!) The start of a new year — or a new season — often inspires us to set big goals. While dreaming big is important, the key to success is creating goals that feel realistic, attainable, and motivating, not overwhelming. Here are a few simple ways to set goals you can truly follow through on. Start With Clarity Vague goals are hard to achieve. Instead of saying “I want to b


Celebrate the Journey: Turning Your New Year’s Resolutions Into Memories
No matter what’s on your New Year’s resolution list this year, it’s worth celebrating with photos. Big goals, small wins, and everything in between deserve to be remembered — not just the end result, but the journey it took to get there. Whether you’re starting something new, working toward a personal goal, celebrating growth, or reaching an exciting milestone, booking a photo session is a meaningful way to mark that season of life. Photos allow you to look back and see how f


A Slower Week to Reflect and Be Thankful
The week between Christmas and New Year’s has a different rhythm. Schedules slow down, the pressure eases, and there’s finally space to breathe. It’s the perfect time to pause — even just for a few minutes — and reflect on the moments that filled this past year. One of the simplest ways to do that? Scroll through the photos on your phone. Look Back at the Moments You Lived As you swipe through your camera roll, you’ll see more than pictures: Ordinary days that turned into mem


Looking Into the New Year: Planning When You Want Your Photos Taken
A new year always brings a sense of possibility — fresh starts, new routines, and moments waiting to be remembered. As you look ahead to the months to come, it’s a great time to start thinking about when you want your photos taken and how you want to document your family’s story this year. Planning ahead not only makes life easier, but it also ensures you don’t miss the seasons and milestones that matter most. Why Planning Early Matters Life fills up quickly. Between school


Book Ahead: Schedule Your 2026 Photo Session Before the Year Ends
As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to think ahead. Between busy schedules, growing families, and quickly filling calendars, planning your 2026 photo session now can save you time, stress, and disappointment later. Booking before the year ends means better availability, preferred dates, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your memories are already planned. Whether it’s family photos, milestones, or simply capturing life as it is right now, having yo


Christmas Eve: Savor the Moments (and Capture the Candid Ones Too) 🎄✨
Christmas Eve has a way of slowing time — even just for a moment. The lights feel softer, the house feels warmer, and the moments feel especially meaningful. It’s a night filled with anticipation, tradition, and quiet magic. Tonight isn’t about perfection. It’s about savoring the moments as they happen . The laughter in the kitchen.Little hands setting out cookies.Pajamas slightly too big.Whispers before bedtime. These are the moments you’ll want to remember. Capture the Cand


How to Use Your Photos After the Holidays (Beyond Cards!)
The holidays may be over, but your photos deserve more than a moment in the spotlight. While holiday cards are a wonderful way to share your images, there are so many meaningful ways to enjoy and use your photos long after the decorations come down. Here are some ideas to help your photos live on all year: 1. Create a Family Album Albums are one of the most timeless ways to preserve your memories. Gather your favorite images from the year and turn them into a beautifully cur


The Magic of Winter Light for Photos ✨
When most people think about scheduling photos, winter isn’t always the first season that comes to mind — but it should be. Winter light has a unique magic to it, creating images that feel soft, intimate, and beautifully timeless. Here’s why winter is such a wonderful season for photos: 1. Soft, Flattering Light Winter sunlight sits lower in the sky, which creates naturally soft, even light. This means fewer harsh shadows and a more flattering glow on skin tones. The result?


Holiday Crafts You Can Make With Your Photos (Perfect for Gifting!)
The holiday season is here, and if you’re anything like us, you love gifts that come from the heart — and from your hands. Now that you have your beautiful photos in hand, it’s the perfect time to turn them into creative, personal, and memory-filled gifts your loved ones will treasure. Here are some fun and easy photo crafts you can make this season: 1. DIY Photo Ornaments One of the most timeless holiday crafts! Print a small square or circle photo Pop it into a clear orname


Your Holiday Photos Are Here! Now What?
Your gallery has arrived — yay! 🎉 Whether you booked a festive family mini, captured sweet moments with the kids, or finally got that long-overdue updated portrait, now’s the fun part: putting those beautiful images to use. Here are a few easy (and meaningful!) things you can do now that your holiday photos are officially delivered: 1. Download Your Gallery Right Away First things first — save your images!Download your full gallery and store it in at least two places: your c
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