With the first day of school right around the corner for some of us, I thought I’d update this previous blog post and provide a few tips for getting great photos of your kids before they head off to start another year.
These are photos of our oldest two kiddos, who are now adults both living on their own. It goes fast I tell ya!
just do it.
You don’t need a fancy camera - your smartphone is great! Just remember to wipe off the lens. While you’re at it, consider getting a little video, too. (You can stitch it into your 1 Second Everyday app later if you’re into that sort of thing) Nothing is better than hearing those little voices years down the line!
think about lighting.
Find a spot where your child isn’t squinting. Full shade works best. Try turning them in different directions until you find the one where your child’s eyes shine.
scope out areas ahead of time.
Time is always short on the first morning of school, so look for a suitable spot for photos a day or two before the first day madness.
don’t forget the details.
I still remember my Holly Hobbie metal lunchbox with the thermos I had in elementary school… it will be fun for the kids to look back and see what shoes, backpack or lunchbox they picked that year so make sure to capture those details in some of your shots.
go for scale.
Find a place to take a photo that shows scale. I like to use the front door of my house, so every year it’s easy to see how much taller everyone has gotten. You could also use a tree, the sign out front of the school, etc.
go close up.
in addition to a full body shot that shows scale, make sure to get a close up that shows those cute missing teeth/braces/freckles/etc.!
capture the journey to school.
Do your kids walk? Take the bus? Ride a carpool? Whatever it is, a photo of that process will be fun for them (and you) to look back on in future years. Especially if it involves your older brother walking you to his school for the first time and taking you by the hand. 😭
consider getting in the frame.
I am guilty of not doing this myself many years, but consider hopping in a photo or two with your kiddos. Your future self will thank you. If you want my whole take getting in the picture, read this post here.
Happy Back to School! #themostwonderfultimeofyear