Start with the way your girl likes to wear her hair. Hair accessories for little girls’ photo sessions can be a favorite bow, a small clip, or a ribbon she already owns and loves.
Try it with her full outfit before photo day. Let her walk, turn her head, and play for a few minutes. If she keeps taking it out, pack another choice.
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Choose hair accessories that feel good
Start with one piece and check how it sits. A bow can go in a half-up style, ponytail, or braid. Choose a size she likes, then check the clip under the bow.
A short ribbon can tie over an elastic at the end of a braid. Let the elastic hold the hair. Keep loose tails short and away from her face.
A small snap clip can hold one side back. Try it on her own hair. It should stay put without pulling. For a headband, try a narrow cloth-covered band with her usual hairstyle. Check the ends behind her ears. Take it off if it pinches or slips.
Try the piece while she wears her dress or shirt, too. A collar, hood, or sweater may catch on a bow that felt fine on its own. Take a quick phone photo from the front, side, and back so you can see where it sits.
Work with her hair
For fine or short hair, try a small clip with a light bow. If it slides out, try a familiar soft band or leave her hair as it is.
For thick hair, try a bow over a ponytail or half-up elastic. Check that the clip can close over the amount of hair you choose.
For curls, coils, braids, twists, or locs, start with her usual style. Place a light piece where it feels good. Keep her natural texture as part of the look.
If she prefers no accessory, try a familiar ponytail, braid, or loose hair. Her favorite outfit can carry the color. You can take some pictures with the piece and some without it.
Amazon options to compare
Check the size, colors, closure, and age label on each listing before you choose. These links offer product types used in the ideas above. The photos show styling ideas rather than the exact products in these listings.
- Three-inch grosgrain bow clips: a set of pinwheel bows on alligator clips. The cream bow shown above has two loops and tails, so its shape differs from the linked bows.
- Three-eighths-inch satin ribbon: a set of ribbon rolls for tying your own bow. It has no built-in hair clasp. Check the listed colors.
- Two-inch black metal snap clips: plain clips to compare with her usual hair clips. Check the listing’s age guidance and try the fit first.
For a headband, start with a child-size piece she already wears. Check the ends, how it sits, and whether she wants to keep wearing it.
Pack a small hair pouch
Bring the chosen piece, a spare elastic, and her usual brush or comb. Keep small parts with an adult and follow the product’s age and use labels.
If you plan to change her hairstyle, pack each piece together so you can find it between photos. A pouch also gives you somewhere to put a clip when she wants to take it out.
For a session in Bolivar or the 417, check the meeting place and weather plan before you leave. Tell your photographer which hairstyle you want to try first and which piece she may want to take off.
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