10 First Week of School Photo Tips for Parents | Chesapeake Photographer10 First Week of School Photo Tips Every Parent Can Use The backpack is packed. The new outfits are hanging up and ready. The pencils are sharpened—and now it is time to capture those all-important first week of school pictures! Whether you have a little one beginning preschool, a teenager starting high school, a senior celebrating their final first day, or a college student moving into a dorm, these photographs become part of your family’s story. We treasure first day of school pictures while we are taking them, but we often do not realize just how meaningful they are until the tradition ends. One day, those photographs will remind you of the missing teeth, oversized backpacks, favorite outfits, nervous smiles, and personalities that changed from year to year. The good news is that you do not need a professional camera to capture memorable back-to-school pictures. Your phone, a little natural light, and these simple first week of school photo tips can help you create images you will love for years.
1. Give Younger Children Something to Do Young children may feel excited, nervous, wiggly—or all three at once—on the first day of school. Instead of asking them to stand perfectly still, have them sit on a step, lean against a wall, hold their backpack, or look through a favorite book. Steps are also a great place to display a first day of school sign featuring details such as:
Do not be afraid to move closer, either. Have your child sit down, place their hands under their chin, and look up at you for a sweet close-up. PRO TIP: Never publicly display your child’s full name, age, birth date, school, teacher’s name, classroom, bus number, daily schedule, or specific location. These details can reveal more personal information than you may realize. If you would like a more detailed sign for your family scrapbook, take two versions of the photograph: a private keepsake with the personal details and a simplified, safety-conscious version for social media.
2. Photograph the Entire Back-to-School Story Your first day of school pictures do not have to be limited to one rushed photograph beside the front door. Make the entire day part of the story. Photograph:
Sometimes the photographs you will love most are the candid moments that happen between the posed ones. Professional photographer tip: Stop asking children to say “cheese!” It can create a forced smile that does not look like your child. Instead, ask a silly question, tell a joke, mention something they love, or ask them to show you how excited—or dramatically unexcited—they are about school. 3. Find Soft, Even Light Good lighting makes one of the biggest differences in any photograph. If you are outside, look for open shade near your home, porch, tree, or covered walkway. If shade is unavailable, place the sun behind your child instead of asking them to face directly into it. This helps prevent squinting, harsh shadows, and the inevitable complaint: “The sun is in my eyes!” Your child’s face may look a little darker with the sun behind them, so tap their face on your phone screen to adjust the focus and brightness. Early morning light is often softer, but do not stress if your schedule is hectic. A shaded location can work beautifully at almost any time of day.
If rain, extreme heat, or a chaotic schedule keeps you indoors, position your child beside a window or open doorway. Turn off overhead lights when possible. Household bulbs can create yellow or uneven color, while natural window light is generally softer and more flattering. Have your child face the window or stand slightly turned toward it. Avoid placing the bright window directly behind them unless you intentionally want a silhouette. 5. Clean Your Phone’s Camera Lens This may be the easiest—and most overlooked—smartphone photography tip. Before taking your first day of school pictures, gently wipe your phone’s camera lens with a soft cloth. Fingerprints, makeup, dust, and pocket lint can make photographs look foggy or blurry. It only takes a few seconds, but it can make a noticeable difference. 6. Capture More Than One Angle
Take a few steps forward, backward, and to each side. Photograph the traditional full-length portrait, but also capture the smaller details that tell the story. Consider photographing:
For younger children, lower yourself to their eye level instead of taking every photograph while standing above them. This creates a more personal view of the moment. For variety, take both vertical and horizontal photographs. Vertical images work well for social media and framed portraits, while horizontal images give you more room to include the environment.
7. Use Props That Add Meaning Props can make first day of school photos more personal, but they do not need to be elaborate. Try using:
For a fun long-term tradition, have your child hold the previous year’s first day photograph. Each year, the image within the image will show how much they have grown. Another idea is to purchase an adult-sized graduation-year shirt and photograph your child wearing it every year as they slowly grow into it. Important social media safety reminder: If you plan to share the photo publicly, avoid displaying your child’s teacher, school, bus number, daily schedule, classroom, or other specific location information. You can always take one detailed version for your private family album and a second, less-specific version for social media. 8. Include the Whole Family—Pets, Too! First day of school photographs do not have to feature only the student. Invite siblings, parents, grandparents, friends at the bus stop, or the family pet to join the fun. Take a traditional family photograph, but capture a few silly ones, too. Parents can recreate their own first day of school expressions, siblings can celebrate getting the house back, and pets can pose beside the backpack—even if they would prefer that their favorite human stay home. A quick family selfie may become one of your favorite photographs from the day. 9. Turn the First Day Into a First-Week Tradition The first morning of school can be hectic. If everyone is rushing, tired, emotional, or simply not in the mood for photographs, do not force the entire experience into those few minutes. Turn it into a first week of school project. Photograph a different outfit each day or ask your child one question after school, such as:
Do not forget an end-of-the-day photograph. There is something wonderfully real about comparing the perfectly prepared morning version with the tired, rumpled, and slightly disheveled after-school version! 10. Print the Photographs Do not let these important memories disappear into your phone or fade into the endless scroll of social media. Choose at least one first week of school photos to print every year. Display the images in matching frames, create an album, or place them together in a keepsake box. By senior year, you will already have a meaningful collection to display at your child’s graduation party. You can also use the photographs to create a slideshow, memory book, or personalized graduation gift. Digital images are convenient, but printed photographs become part of your family’s history. Bonus Tip: Let Their Personality Lead The best back-to-school photograph is not necessarily the one with the perfect pose, perfect outfit, or perfect smile. It is the one that feels like your child during that season of life. If they are silly, let them be silly. If they are quiet, capture the thoughtful expression or reading their favorite book. If they are excited, photograph the celebration. If they are feeling nervous, document the reassuring hug. Your goal is not perfection. Your goal is to preserve who they are right now. What About High School Seniors and College Students?
Older students may insist they are “too old” for first week photographs—but these milestones deserve to be documented, too. For high school seniors, capture that final first day and recreate an image from kindergarten or elementary school. Include a childhood photograph, graduation-year sign, school colors, letter jacket, sports equipment, instrument, or something that represents their plans after graduation.
College move-in day also provides plenty of meaningful photo opportunities:
And yes, empty nesters can participate! Grab the “Bye-Bye” sign, take a dramatic crying photo, or celebrate with a favorite beverage. Transitions can be emotional, so adding a little humor can make the moment easier.
Quick Answer: How Do You Take a Good First Day of School Picture? To take a better first day of school picture, clean your phone’s lens, place your child in open shade or near a window, get down to their eye level, and use prompts instead of asking them to say “cheese.” Take a combination of posed portraits, candid moments, close-ups, and detail photographs. Most importantly, let your child’s real personality show.
Frequently Asked Questions About First Day of School Pictures What is the best time to take first day of school pictures? Take the photographs when you have the best combination of soft light and a cooperative child. This may be before school, after school, or even during the weekend before classes begin. The memory matters more than the exact date. Where should I take back-to-school photographs at home? A shaded porch, front steps, uncluttered wall, garden, tree-lined area, open doorway, or room with a large window can all work well. Choose a location with good light and as few background distractions as possible. Should I use Portrait mode on my phone? Portrait mode can help blur the background and draw attention to your child, especially for close-ups. Take a regular photograph as well, since Portrait mode can occasionally blur hair, backpacks, signs, or other important details. How can I get a natural smile from my child? Ask your child a silly question, have them tell you a joke, mention their favorite person or activity, or ask them to show you their most excited first day pose. Photograph the reaction instead of waiting only for a posed smile. What information is safe to include on a first day of school sign? For photographs shared publicly, avoid posting their school, teacher, classroom, bus number, daily schedule, or exact location. What photographs should I take every school year? Try to capture one full-length photo, one close-up, one photo with the backpack, one candid moment, one family or sibling photograph, and one end-of-the-day image. Repeating a few of the same poses every year makes it easier to see how your child has grown. Professional Back-to-School and Senior Photography in Hampton Roads Some school-year milestones deserve more than a quick phone photograph. When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise creates back-to-school portraits, homeschool portraits, cap-and-gown sessions, and personalized senior photography experiences for students throughout Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and the greater Hampton Roads area. Every child and senior has a different personality, story, and vision. Your session can be tailored to capture who they are—not simply what they look like. If you would like professional back-to-school pictures or a customized senior portrait experience, contact When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise to begin planning your session. As always, YOU Make me Happy When You Choose, When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise to help preserve the people, personalities, and moments that matter most.
Denise Powers is the photographer, creative strategist, and storyteller behind When Skies Are Grey Photography, Media & Designs. Based in Chesapeake, Virginia, Denise serves families, pet parents, graduating seniors, professionals, and businesses throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, the greater Hampton Roads community, across the United States, and beyond. Before building her photography and media business, Denise spent 18 years as a Pre-K teacher—an experience that still helps her connect with children, calm nervous parents, and create sessions where personalities can shine. She has been recognized as a Best of Chesapeake Photographer and photography studio and is known for creating meaningful imagery with plenty of patience, personality, and fun. Connect with When Skies Are Grey Photography by Denise on Facebook.
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