How to prepare your student for school picture day

Remember the obligatory school photos from your youth, complete with the blue marbled background, a quick sit-down on a stool, tilting your head, being asked to say “cheese” without blinking? It was a one-and-done (or occasionally a two-and-done) situation that may or may not have resulted in a halfway-decent photo. No wonder no one looked forward to it!

That’s why my approach to school photography is a bit different.

Yes, we’ll get a great shot for your student’s yearbook photo, but I’ll also create a variety of other images that will showcase your child’s personality, in most cases with a range of expressions and poses. The highest compliment I frequently receive from parents is, “You captured my child’s personality perfectly!”

So what happens on picture day?

Your child will come with the class to the picture-taking area, which will include my gray backdrop and a couple of lights. I have an assistant on hand to help with making sure faces are clean and hair is neat (but we can’t style hair, y’all - we’ll just fix flyaways as best we can). Your child and I will spend a minute or two together, laughing, having fun, and maybe even twirling or jumping (for the little ones). My goal is for your student to feel relaxed and comfortable, so they can be themselves - whether that’s a small, quiet smile or a larger-than-life, laughing grin. Read on for some things to tell your kids so they know what to expect.

You can let them know I’m a mom.

When my own kids (now 13 and 16) were younger, they would sometimes like to know if the adult they would be interacting with had kids. I’ll bring all my mom skills to connect with your child during their photo session.

Let your student know that I will help them have a great smile…

…but if your kiddo prefers more of a closed-mouth smile or a small, shy smile, that’s great! My job is to capture who they are, and forced “cheese”-y smiles never show the true essence of who your child is.

Let them know their teacher or my helper may clean their face.

Before your child steps in front of the camera, the teacher and/or my assistant will check for any leftover snacks on the face, a runny nose, etc. and will use unscented/sensitive baby wipes to gently clean the face if necessary. We will also do our best to make sure hair is neat and tidy.

Most of all, let them know it will be fun!

I can’t wait to meet your child and have a great time! (And yes, the older kids get a great experience, too!)

What happens after picture day?

You’ll receive an online proofing gallery of your child’s images typically 4-6 weeks after picture day. If you’ve pre-purchased your child’s digital images, you’ll receive instructions on how to immediately download your child’s photos. Otherwise, you’ll have options for digital files and print/wall art purchases through the gallery. Digital images are delivered immediately after payment has been made. Prints are distributed at school typically within two weeks after the gallery closes.

Please let me know if you have any questions at all. You can reach me using the contact page. Thank you for the privilege of photographing your child!