Long gone are the studio grey backdrops and fake smiles. Here are some tips for making the most of your child’s outdoor school portrait.
School Portrait Tips: School pictures are a great time to get an updated picture especially of young children because Mom is not there. They usually respond better to me when we are one-on-one. You can prep 2 year olds and under by letting them know ahead of time that I will be taking their picture. Feel free to describe me as “another Mom” because that is usually how they think of me and don’t worry about telling them to “smile”. Natural expressions are best and I can get that when we are together. Feel free to tell them it will be “fun” because it is (for me anyway!). Their teacher is always close by and they always feel comfortable so not telling them anything is a good tactic for most.
What to Wear: Bright solid colors are best for a nice portrait. Pick things that contrast against a natural background of greens and browns. A brown or green shirt may not give you that “Pop” of color you would like. Don’t wear favorite Spiderman or Disney Princess T-shirts on picture day. Solids or small prints are best to keep the focus on cute faces and beautiful eyes. A soft plain t-shirt or collared polo style shirt is always great for a boy. Dresses, sweaters or anything with texture will look great on girls. If your school still does indoor pictures with a studio backdrop, these clothing tips can still be used as a guideline for you to use.
I have a very short time with each child and I try to capture the best natural smile I can get. I also stick to the traditional portrait of children looking at the camera for school sessions. If you prefer candid or more expressions shown, a full photography session would be better suited for you. Especially young preschoolers have a better chance to warm up and show me their real personalities when we have longer than 2 minutes together.
Remember whatever your child’s picture looks like, the school picture will be a great marker of this school year. You will love it more and more as the years go by! Good luck!
