7 Tips for a Great School Picture Day!

Use these tips to help your child get ready for school pictures.

#1.  Plan Ahead

Help your student pick out clothes and colors that make them look and feel their best.  Gather clothes and accessories the night before so things aren’t so crazy trying to get out the door for school the next day!

#2.  Choose colors/patterns wisely

Students will be shot on a plain white background so parents can choose the background they love when ordering.  So avoid white shirts or pants, as students will get a little washed out.  Also stay away from fluorescent clothing, as it reflects light back onto the face and changes the color of skin or washes out complexions.  Jewel tones look great on most skin types and photograph beautifully, as do primary colors.

Small patterns like checks or fabrics with tight weaves can render a bit wonky on the camera sensor.  Stick to solid colors or mid-sized patterns.  Shirts with logos, slogans or graphics can get cutoff, depending on their placement of the shirt and your crop.

My poses only show from the mid-thigh or above, so shoes and socks won’t be seen.

#3. Keep hair and hair accessories simple

Any hairstyle works for photos, but keep in mind that kids MIGHT go to recess or PE before they have their photo taken.  That means dealing with the Wyoming wind or having 1-2 hours to mess up that perfectly crafted hairdo.  If your student wears a headband, make sure she can put it on and off and adjust it herself to fix her hair as necessary. My staff and I, along with the teachers, try our best to keep hair in place.  But we aren’t stylists and won’t fix ponytails, braids, or complicated updos.  Choose a hairstyle that will still look great even after a some physical exercise.

#4.  Hats off…and on

Because we are photographing students online, I’m able to provide parents with more options, such as a photo with hats on and off.  Hats are not allowed for the yearbook photo, but I will photograph your student with their hat on if they’d like.

#5.  Have a glasses game plan!

It’s your student’s choice if they want to wear their glasses or not.  I have lots of tricks to reduce glare!  But discuss your preference with your student ahead of time.  If your student wants to wear glasses, just know I might ask him or her to remove glasses for one or two shots so I can work some Photoshop magic later if necessary.

#6.  Keep them relaxed.

The more you hassle students about photo day, the more tense and nervous they become.  Keep a positive attitude and be upbeat…they’ll feed off your positive energy and enjoy themselves.   Smiles can look forced if they’re practiced ahead of time.

#7.  Emphasize present over perfection.

Kids aren’t perfect.  They have all these wonderful little flaws and quirks at every age…a missing tooth, a goofy grin, a crazy haircut, a preteen smirk.  Their photos might not be perfect, but they will show your student as they are right now.  Someday, you’ll all look back on them and laugh!

Leave the rest to me!  I do my best to make picture day a positive experience for students and teachers!