Prepping Kids & Tweens for picture Day

Dressing up or not

It’s so true that children become more independent with every year. It’s also been my experience that some children are always OK with parents having an opinion on what they wear for picture day. So in the end my advice really just depends on who your kid is just be mindful that as they age they may not want to “dress up” for school pictures anymore and that is okay! 

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Choose the Outfit Ahead of Time

As kids get older, their personal style becomes part of who they are, so let them have some say in what they wear. Neutral and classic colors photograph beautifully. Read more details in this post here.

Decide Hairstyles Before Picture Day

Everyday hair may not feel “special” but it will feel like them. Trying out a new hairstyle for picture day might end up with your child not feeling like themselves when they get their pictures back.  

Hair should be clean and brushed.  And if they’re gonna use hair accessories, do so thoughtfully.   

My daughter wore an oversized bow one year and it took up a good chunk of space in her  picture. I thought it was cute but she doesn’t look back on that picture and love it.

I generally recommend a hairstyle that does not cover your eyes. As kids get older, they may prefer this type of look and as a photographer I will always respect their wishes.  It’s my opinion that hairstyles that show your eyes are best for school pictures.  

If your child gets a haircut before picture day, consider doing it a couple days before. 

Practice a Natural Smile

I used to think this was so fake when I heard people say that they practiced smiles but experience has taught me that it actually genuinely helps some kids. Some kids understand what a good fake smile looks like without help while others could really use some practice. 

As a photographer, my personal goal is to always get a natural smile. And with time I can almost always get there. But in reality picture day is a limited amount of time and some kids may just have nerves that are bigger than my personality. For some kids, having a smile in their queue helps get the job done. 

For older children, consider asking them what their real smile looks like as a way to help them understand the outside perspective.

The goal is never a perfect smile. 

It’s a genuine expression.

Some kids expect that I’m expecting a smile or know that their parents are and so if they’re gonna game or try to give me a fake one I suggest at least practicing to make it good

Get a Good Nights Sleep

The importance of a good night’s rest cannot be overstated. 

A well-rested child will be more comfortable, more patient, and more confident on picture day.  As kids get older their lives can be filled with after school activities and homework. I know how busy school nights can be, but if you can try to make the night before a regular evening with a bedtime it will go a long way to help them get the rest they need. 

Keep the Morning Routine Normal

Keep your normal morning routine. 

Help your child get ready in enough time without rushing. I like to set my children an early get ready go time. 

Please double check their hair and teeth and face after they eat breakfast before they head out the door.

Don’t you put too much pressure on pictures

That includes the perfect smile.

School pictures are often a bigger deal to parents when they are to the kids. Hmm, well, maybe with the exception of the yearbook photo as they get older.  

Statements that parents make intended to be reminders to our kids can feel like criticisms to them so try to avoid repeating reminders for your child to smile or emphasizing that they need to be “good pictures” might add pressure. Instead try keeping the conversation positive and simple around pictures.

Let Them Be Themselves

This is incredibly important to me because I want to see your child’s personality and expressions.  That’s the good stuff and the real things that us parents will remember about them when they’re older. 

If your child is naturally more on the serious side, I don’t expect them to have a huge smile for their pictures.

If they’re goofy and energetic, then their pictures will probably look just like that. 

It’s my job to guide them through expressions to give you variety but also for you to get pictures of the kid that you recognize and know.

Make it stand out

Be Mindful with Comments About Their Appearance

As children get older they may become more self critical and self-conscious. 

This year, both my kids said they look “chopped” in their pictures. Obviously, they did not.  But we looked at the difference between their image on their student IDs and their online gallery. I noticed the printed student ID looked worse.  It was the print.  Over the years, we have noticed that their school pictures will some years have bad lighting or a bad color temperature. The point of this is for them to learn to see that a picture of them is not always an accurate image of them and is especially susceptible to looking bad when the technical aspects are off. 

Try not to say things like “you look awkward” or "your smile looks weird" or "I don't like that picture" Sadly, all things I’ve heard parents say. 

Children can misinterpret criticism of the photograph as a criticism of themselves. 

Pictures can really be a fun thing and opportunity to be photographed rather than feel self-conscious about it.

 Celebrate Who They Are This Year

Every parent knows how much our children change from year to year, their personalities, their confidence, even the degree to how independent they want to be.  

School pictures are a way to document who they are this year. The fact that this photograph won’t be the same next year is what makes each school picture so important.   

When you get your school pictures back or if you get to look through a gallery of them, listen to their opinion, consider their input when making your purchases and always honor and celebrate the fact that they participated. 

This is them right now  

School pictures are not about capturing a perfect version of your child.  

They’re about remembering who they were in this particular year.  The missing front tooth. The favorite hairstyle, those new glasses or their favorite shirt all amount to creating an image of who your child is right now.

Pictures shouldn’t be stressful and with a little prep good rest and a calm morning I hope to see them be themselves in front of the camera to create a school portrait that they in your family will love for years to come.

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