How to Prepare Your Student for School Picture Day

Updated August 2025

School picture day is a yearly tradition

School picture day is a yearly tradition that many of us remember from our time growing up.

When I think back to school picture day it included having to sit with an uncomfortable posture, be told to angle my shoulders and chin in an un-natural manner, and then to smile on command without blinking. Even as I write this I feel uncomfortable, and it’s no wonder that my true personality never shined through in those annual school photos.

School picture day is a yearly tradition that many of us remember from growing up. For some, it meant awkward postures, forced smiles, and never quite seeing our true selves in the final image.

At Rebecca Hunnicutt Photography, I do things differently. My goal is for kids to have fun, feel comfortable, and walk away with portraits that truly reflect their personalities — the kind of photos you’ll treasure for years and be proud to hang on the wall.

What Are Modern School Portraits?

Not your average school photo…These are playful, relaxed portraits that let your student’s true personality shine! Forget stiff “cheese” smiles — I capture genuine expressions, whether that’s a big laugh or a thoughtful gaze. With a simple grey background, the focus stays right where it should: on your amazing student.

Sessions are quick and stress-free, taking just a few minutes. I keep things light with jokes, silly antics, and friendly conversation. If your child has a quieter side, that’s beautiful too — I’ll capture them exactly as they are.

About me, Rebecca Hunnicutt…Owner of Rebecca Hunnicutt Photography + Education

Before becoming a photographer, I was a pediatric nurse practitioner. I learned to meet kids where they’re at, even in uncertain or nervous moments, and to build genuine rapport. That skill now helps me connect quickly so kids feel comfortable — and it shows in their portraits.

I’ve made a short video for you to share with your students so that they can meet me before picture day! (This was made when we still needed masks…but the video is cute!)

Rebecca Hunnicutt of Hunnicutt Photography introduces herself to preschool students, as she may wear a mask during their photo shoot and wants them to see her smiling face.

Preparing Your Students for School Picture Day Can Help Them Relax and Have Fun

I want nothing more than for your children to be relaxed and to enjoy having their photo taken. When they are relaxed and themselves, they will have natural expressions that are true to their personality, and you will LOVE to see their true selves shining through the portraits.

Let Them Know To Be Themselves

A forced smile never looks natural…so I’d rather capture a serious, thoughtful expression than a stiff grin.

Tell Them That You’ve Heard the Photographer Is Pretty Silly

Kids love knowing what to expect, and you can let them know that I’m a pretty silly adult. I’ll share some jokes with them (and ask them to remember one to tell you later!), and I’ll ask fun questions to help them feel comfortable.

You Can Let Them Know That I’m a Mom

My own girls (currently age 11 and 14 now) love knowing when adults who they interact with are parents. I often share stories about my girls or our two silly cats — it’s a quick way to connect.

Tell Them An Adult May Clean Their Face

Teachers, my assistant, or a school volunteer often help by wiping away leftover snack crumbs or fixing stray hairs. Some kids don’t like this, so it helps to prepare them in advance.

I do want them to listen to my directions, but I don’t force them to sit, stand, or hold perfectly still

When it’s their turn for their photos, I typically assess if it’ll be better for them to sit or stand for their photos, but they are welcome to let me know what they’d like to do. I give students a lot of autonomy about how they’d like to have their photos taken. They don’t need to hold perfectly still, or keep their hands in their lap for the whole time, but I do ask that they go in the general area needed to keep them in front of the backdrop.

Let Your Student Know That They Only Need To Smile If They Want To!

A forced smile never looks natural…so I’d rather capture a serious natural portrait of your child than a stiff grin.

Tell Them They May Get To Take Photos With Their Sibling

If you have more than one child at your school, we may have an opportunity to take photos of them together (pending the school’s contract)! This is always a fun little photo session where they get to be with their sibling, to hug, laugh, and have fun.

My Number One Rule For Picture Day is to HAVE FUN!

Here are a few photos that you can share with your student of my Picture Day setup at different schools. I have a grey background, and a black cover on the floor. I have a few different sized stools that I utilize for sibling images and depending on your student’s age.

How School Picture Day Looks

The setup for school picture day is different at each school that I work with based on the area within the school that I’m utilizing, but here is an example of my photo day setup that you can share with your child so they can see what to expect to see prepared at their school. (The only thing not pictured is my light on a stand with a 7ft white umbrella.)

Health & Safety FYI

I maintain my vaccinations annually, keep hand sanitizer with me, and will reschedule picture day or send an associate photographer if I am ill.

If your child is unwell, please keep them home — for schools under 150 students, I offer make-up sessions at my home studio so no one misses out.

Picture Day Tips For Parents

• Plan outfits in advance (see clothing tips below).

• Give kids a quick hair/face check before school. Overnight eye goobers don’t look great in photos.

• Let them know they can chat with me, ask questions, and be themselves.

Clothing Tips:

• Avoid grey tops — they blend with the backdrop.

• Skip large logos, graphics, or text.

• Steer clear of bright fluorescent colors — they can create unwanted skin color casts.

Picture Day Tips For Teachers

• Offer gentle encouragement before each student’s turn.

• Organize in small groups to keep the flow smooth.

• Quick checks for hair, collars, and faces help create the best images.

Tips For Parents and Staff by Age Group

Preschool & Kindergarten

• Practice smiling in a fun way at home, but let them know a perfect smile is NOT expected.

• Choose comfy clothes they can move in and love.

• Let them know the photo will only take a moment, and that they should have fun.

• If they have a comfort item, they can hold it and bring it to start their turn. I’m skilled at using comfort items to make the session fun.

Elementary School

• Offer two parent-approved outfit options for your student to choose from so they feel in control.

• Do a last-minute hair, face, and eye check before leaving for school.

• Encourage natural smiles and relaxed posture, letting them know that perfection is not the goal, but feeling comfortable and having fun is.

• If your child’s hair looks unkempt after an hour or two, encourage them to bring a brush for right before pictures (and let them know it’s not to share for sanitary reasons).

Middle School

• Schedule haircuts about a week before.

• Suggest solid colors or subtle patterns. Layers also look great in photos.

• Remind them it’s about capturing them, not perfection.

High School

• Choose outfits that reflect their style while looking polished.

• Let them know their hands may be photographed, so checking for clean well trimmed nails will improve photos.

• Let them know being relaxed goes a long way towards natural smiles and photos they will love.

Quick Picture Day Checklist

✅ Outfit picked & clean
✅ Hair brushed / styled
✅ Face clean (no snack remnants)
✅ Glasses cleaned (if worn)
✅ Accessories ready (if any)
✅ A reminder: “Be yourself and have fun!”

I hope this helps your child feel excited and prepared for a fun school picture day! If you have questions, please feel free to email me at rebecca@hunnicuttphotography.com.