Getting Ready for School Photos

Aug 18

School photos are right around the corner. My goal as a photographer is to create images of your child that reflect who they are: happy, confident, and uniquely themselves! This guide will help you and your student prepare for picture day and have a fun, stress-free experience in front of the camera.

Prior to Picture Day

While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wardrobe or style, it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare both yourself and your child.

Get plenty of rest the night before.
Make sure your child eats well and drinks plenty of water. They will look and feel healthier.
Plan your morning. Little things like laying out their clothes the night before can really help reduce stress the morning of the shoot.

What to Wear

You may already know what your student will wear for their school picture. But whether this is you or you are more of a “I’ll decide that morning” person, here are a few tips to consider.

Rule number one when choosing what to wear is your student is the star, not their clothing. If what they are wearing draws the attention away from their face, it could be the wrong choice.
Comfort and fit are the top priority. This doesn’t have to mean casual, but if your child is uncomfortable or their clothes don’t fit properly, it will negatively impact their photos.
While solid colors are often the best choice (NO NEON!), patterns can be a fun alternative but choose wisely. Large, loud prints or logos, and small, fine patterns (especially wavy lines, small polka dots, etc) rarely translate well through the lens and can be distracting.
Less is more when it comes to accessories. A little flair can be great, but remember not to choose anything that will pull attention away from your child’s face.

Glasses

If your child normally wears glasses, they should were them in the photo. I have a lot of experience creating portraits for kids and adults with glasses, and can often reduce, if not completely eliminate, reflections. Still, there are a couple considerations to keep in mind.

We will be taking the photos outside, so “transition” or photo-chromatic lenses should not be worn. These lenses darken in sunlight, and may prevent us from seeing your child’s eyes.
If it is an option, glasses with anti-reflective coatings are the best choice, and offer many benefits.
Please be sure to clean the lenses on picture day morning.

Hair

If a haircut is on the to-do list prior to photo day, try to schedule it at least a week in advance.
It’s best to keep hairstyles simple. The fancier the hairstyle (think elaborate braids and “updos”), the less likely it will be to survive until it’s time for your child’s photo. Avoid too much product.
It is always best to choose a hairstyle they regularly wear and feel confident in.
Wash and condition their hair 24-48 hours before the session to avoid it looking greasy.
Don’t use mattifying products, only those that enhance shine.
Now isn’t the time to experiment with new products.

Skin Care

Your skin is one factor that can be very hard to control, but there are a few simple things anyone can do prior to the day of your photo.

Sunscreen is your friend. You won’t want a sunburned face for the photo.
Focus on a consistent, gentle skincare routine in the days prior to your shoot.
Avoid any products (such as anything containing alcohol) or treatments that may cause irritation.
Just like with their hair, now is not the time try out new products or treatments.
On photo day, please be sure to wash your child’s face after breakfast. Especially for the younger kids, remnants from breakfast often linger around their mouths. A little extra attention to the nostrils is also great.

The Smile

As a photographer, my approach is to work hard to elicit an authentic, genuine smile from every person. Getting these sort of smiles can be easier said than done at times, but is always the goal. Not only does it make for a far better photograph, it also more accurately reflects each subject’s unique personality!

DON”T practice with your child. This inevitably leads to a strained, unnatural smile once I raise the camera. Even the adults I work with can struggle with their “photo smile” if it’s too practiced. Think of the character “Chandler” from Friends.
If you’re worried your child won’t smile for their photo, here’s a trick. Have your child prepare their favorite joke to share with me on photo day! It can be tough to tell a joke without smiling yourself.
“Remember that time when…” Another tactic that often works is to give your child something funny to think about. Remind them to think of a favorite movie scene or a funny memory from vacation when it’s time for their photo.