MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
photographers
SHOP

Our Home

Graham’s Nursery

A Subtle Safari Themed Baby Boy Nursery Design

filed in:

I'm Katelyn James Alsop, a photographer, educator and momma who believes any photographer can have a profitable AND purposeful business.

WELCOME

Top Categories

Browse All

read more

WEDDINGS

Browse All

EDUCATION

Browse All

PERSONAL

A wintery boston wedding

w/ inside, dark ceremony

KJ ALL ACCESS

WATCH ME SHOOT weddings
Come join over 3,000 other photographers from around the world & become my virtual third shooter! 
FREE TRIAL
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

Browse Series

 Baby James Story

Our Home

Our Kids

Ask Anything

I’ve found that when I’m decorating nurseries, I tend to try to stay away from some of the uber trendy decor ideas and I try to find a happy medium between a light theme, my style and baby elements. I feel like Graham’s room turned out to be a wonderful mix of all of those things and I love it! It’s simple with a very subtle theme but it’s also not so minimal that there’s nothing to it!

So how did I come up with this concept? Gradually.

I knew that I didn’t want a hard-core “theme” to the room because that’s not my style. However, a subtle, reserved, not over-the-top theme would work just fine! So what made me think of the “Subtle Safari” theme? Well, Michael’s mom (our kid’s Grammie!) has made custom watercolors for every one of our kids. I absolutely LOVE the one that she made for Graham (you’ll see it further down in the post!).  The BLUE-GREY color that she used in the painting is what I matched for the wall color and the design she used had some jungle animals included and that marked the idea for a subtle safari theme!

The goal was to have some safari “elements ” but nothing too attached to theme. I loved how it all turned out! It’s masculine but still soft and inviting. It looks like a baby-boy’s room but also has design elements that could be used in a living room or a regular bedroom. I think the hardest balance for me when decorating is the balance of textures.  I have wood, rope, white painted wood, and a hit of bronze accents in his room. I’m no professional but I think it’s a decent balance!

So enjoy his little room tour and just know…. this is NOT how it looks in our everyday life. There is normally a two-day old milk cup that got lost under the crib, an overflowing trash bin and stacks of laundry that gets worn again before it gets put away! :) I worked hard to make this room look Pinterest-worthy and it lasted for about 15 minutes.

Three-piece woven basket set  These were a splurge but they are honestly the most well-made baskets I have EVER purchased…even Michael randomly commented on how great they felt!

Tiny set of faux succulents  These can also be purchased from IKEA for cheaper… just not as cute!

Wooden Side Table It falls over easily but it’s unique and cute so we kept it! It’s teaching Graham “balance”. ha!

Dresser: IKEA Hemnes Collection (literally, we own 5 of these total… so cheap and they last!)

Crib : Gift from Grammie and Paw! Evy has converted hers twice and it’s now a full size big girl bed!

Beveled Bronze Mirror

Picture & book shelves  : IKEA – Mix of 21″ and 45″ options

Rug: 7×9 size

Blackout Curtains

Floor Lamp : Target

Rope Chandelier 

Odin Pouf

Rocking Chair – Wayfair from about 3 years ago (repurposed from Evy’s room!)

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

The Morgan Family Tuckahoe Plantation Family Portraits

How special is this?! Another sweet KJ Couple turned KJ Family and I had the honored of capturing this fleeting season for them!

READ MORE
Blog

I want this podcast to be a place where you come to have more of a conversation with me about what’s going on in our day to day life!

My $1,000 Mistake, Marriage Lessons & Our 1st Year of School Update!
READ MORE

Ep. 21 | My $1,000 Mistake, Marriage Lessons & Our 1st Year of School Update!

Business

The Archer Family A VMFA Family Session

Oh I just loved this session. The light, the outfit choices, the location, the family! It was all perfect and I’m so grateful for a chance to see a veteran KJ couple again!

READ MORE
Portraits
INSANE new AI feature in Lightroom

Insane New AI Feature in Lightroom Goodbye photoshop? Download a freebie!!

This new AI feature in Lightroom has made it easier to now leave Photoshop behind and do almost EVERYTHING I need to in Lightroom! Wow!

READ MORE
Education

I have come to realize that there have been so many people in my life who have shaped me and called me up to be the mom, wife, business owner, photographer I am today. I am sharing why I think mentorship is so valuable to every individual and invite you to consider who is helping you learn and grow!

Ep. 20 Re-Defining Mentorship
READ MORE

Ep. 20 | Re-Defining Mentorship re-defining and re-purposing what I am capable of

Blog

Devon + Caitlin Emory & Henry Chapel Wedding

This day was just perfection. I knew it would be from the moment Caitlin emailed me about being a part of their day. She and Devon are in the photography industry and I knew they would put a high value on the creative side of their day.

READ MORE
Weddings

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 74,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.