How to prepare your student for school picture day
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.
That’s why I do things differently with my Modern School Portraits At Hunnicutt Photography.
I want kids to have fun, be excited for picture day each year, and have treasured memories that reflect their true personalities to hold and display for years to come.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols
I’m currently wearing a mask for all school picture days for Covid-19 safety, and ask that teachers and school staff help to clean children’s faces and noses prior to their photo. Since the kids can’t see my smile through my mask, I’ve made a short video for you to share with your students so that they can meet me (without a mask) before picture day!
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 To Be Relaxed And Have Fun
Let Them Know To Be Themselves
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.
Tell Them That You’ve Heard The Photographer Is Pretty Silly
Kids love knowing what to expect from a situation, and you can let them know that I’m a pretty silly adult. I’m going to share some jokes with them, and ask if they can remember them to share with you later. I’ll also ask them questions to help them feel comfortable and relaxed, and it’s helpful if you communicate with them that they can feel free to chat with me as much as they are comfortable.
You Can Let Them Know That I’m a Mom
I know my own girls (currently age 9 and 11) like to know if the adults that they are interacting with also have kids. I’ll often share cute stories about my own girls, or my two silly cats to connect with your student during their photo session.
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 Their Teacher May Clean Their Face
Before your child’s photos are taken, the teacher will double check them for leftover snack, a runny nose, etc. and my wipe off their face. Some children don’t care for this so please let them know that this will help them to create the best photos possible.
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! 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.
