Kimono Dream
Photo Sessions

Children • Teens • Women

Feel like royalty as I dress you for a photo session in one of my rare, beautiful kimonos from Japan.

Since the 1800’s, in Japan, children ages 3, 5 and 7 years old dress up in Kimonos and go to the temple to receive blessings for health, longevity of life and prayers for their future
(“shichi-go-san”).

Today, in Japan that tradition has evolved to include photoshoots to document children’s growth.

To carry on my culture’s tradition and to celebrate our children, I’m offering Kimono dressing service + photo sessions to children of all ages and their moms.

You don’t have to be Japanese to enjoy this special experience, and these sessions are available year-round.

The Kimono Experience

During our styling consultation on Zoom, I match you and your child(ren) with the perfect Kimono. I will expertly style your shoot according to your color and style preferences.

I’ll schedule a hair artist to give you & your daughter(s) a Japanese look with a modern take. A makeup artist will also be on site for you and your daughter (optional for kids).

If dad is in the photos, we’ll help narrow down his western outfit down to color and style. Dad will enjoy the endless snacks, beverages and guy magazines in studio as we get the women & children ready.

The shoot will be on a variety of sets, and I can create a custom set for you upon request. We’ll photograph everyone together and solo to make sure this occasion is well-documented. If you want the children to be the stars, I also offer an abbreviated session for the kids only.

  • 5 years old - Shichigosan style

  • 9 years old

  • 7 years old Shichgosan style

  • 3 years old - Shichigosan style

  • Sibling Session - 7 & 9 years old

  • Furisode Kimono Dream Shoot

Packages

Children’s Kimono Package 

 Shichi-Go-San style, solos and/or sibling portraits

  • • Kimono dressing and rental included for girls 2 and under and boys 4 and under.

    • Kimono Session styling consultation

    • personalized 20-30 minute in-studio photo session

    • unlimited studio background options & props

    • 10 master retouched high resolution digital images.

    • Luxury Giclee print package
    (3 - 5x7 2 - 8x10)

  • $1150

    • add’l styling fee applies to girls ages 3+, boys 5+

Family Kimono Package 

Family Portraits

  • • Kimono rental & dressing for boys (4 and under), girls (2 and under).

    • Kimono rental & styling for mom + 1 child

    • Kimono Styling Session via Zoom + western styling consultation for dad.

    • Professional in-studio makeup & hair for mom & daughters 12 + under.

    • 40 min in-studio photography session

    • unlimited background options & props

    • 10 master retouched high res digital images.

    • Luxury Giclee Print package
    (5 - 5x7, 2 8x10)

  • $1500

    Styling fee applies to children that are 3+ (girls) and boys 5+.

    Styling Fee for more than 1 child + 1 adult applies.

Styling Fees

Boys (ages 5+) - $200

  • $200

    Styling includes:

    • Rental of genuine Hakama outfit (boys kimono, kimono jacket, pants, fan, small sheath, amulet, tabi (socks) + slippers.

    • Dressing Time (approx 15 mins)

    Dressings require child standing and keeping still for a 15-20 minutes period of time. Prizes for staying still will be involved, don’t worry!

Girls (ages 4+) & Women - $250

  • $250 each

    Styling includes:

    • Rental of genuine Japanese Kimono + accessories (all dressing undergarments, kimono, obi {decorative belt}, tabi {socks}, slippers, kids purse, fan, and more).

    • Hair Styling with genuine Japanese Kanzashi hair ornaments

    • Dressing Time (20 mins)

    Dressings require standing and keeping still for a 15-20 minutes period of time, but don’t worry, prizes for staying still will be involved for the kids:).

FAQ’s

  • IBoys
    Kimonos for ages 3+4. Hakamas (Hakamas look similar to a large pants outfit samurais wear) for ages Newborn-2 years and 5 - 10 years old. Boys 11+ ask me, and for an add’l fee I may be able to source a rental from one of my Kimono suppliers.

    Girls
    Kimonos/hakamas from Newborn - teenager. (Hakamas for girls 12mo-2y).

    Women
    Kimonos up to 5’ 8” are in stock. For 5’9” and above, for an additional fee I will source you some “tall gal” options. If you are plus size, send me your waist size and we can go from there.

    Men
    I am not offering Kimonos at this time. In Japan, dads are wearing suits or dress shirt and slacks for their family Kimono sessions.

  • Well, it depends on how many people are dressing up and boy vs. girl.

    Dressing services alone take 10-20 minutes / person depending on the age and complexity of the outfit. The quicker outfits are for ages 1 - 3 year old boys and girls, which takes no more than 10 minutes to dress.

    Hair for women & children (included in every session) takes an hour. Hair & makeup combined for women takes 90 minutes. Girls and women traditionally wear an “up-do” with the kimono (unless hair is too short).

    The actual photos take just 20-30 mins for kids only shoots and 40 minutes for family sessions (max).

  • I have taken over 16 hours of private lessons by Kimono master dressers. I had to take classes on dressing each age of child (3,5,7 boys AND girls) and women married, unmarried down to learning how to tie different types of ornamental belts (obi’s). This doesn’t include the many many hours spent online studying, researching and reading books! I am a kimono nerd.

  • Umm…a lot.

    I spent many months and hours curating & purchasing thousands of dollars worth of kimonos for children and their mothers.

    I even have attire for newborn babies.

    I have a mix of 40-year-old vintage silks to brand new pieces direct from Japan.

    I source from local collectors that bring back pieces from Japan. Whenever I can, I support local kimono dealers (there are only a few left.)

  • Right now the limit is 3-4 people total. If 1-2 are boys/girls 3 and under, I can likely dress more. Just ask me and we can go from there.

  • I am offering my Yukata (cotton summer kimonos) for women & children and some boys casual hakama for ages 1-2 years to go outside. The rest are only available for in studio.

    Much of my collection are delicate silk Kimonos that can only be dry cleaned in Japan. I have explored western dry cleaning and they ripped apart my kimonos! :(. These can be worn outside for an add’l $200 fee.

  • Book a consultation through my online scheduler. If you have a date in mind already for the shoot, put that in the notes when booking.

    In terms of my availability for shoots, me and my team are most available Tuesdays-Thursdays. Weekends till 2-3 months in advance. During the holiday season weekdays and weekends fill 3 months in advance.