Picture Day

5 Tips for Preparing Your Child for School Picture Day

Smiling girl outside

Closed eyes, wrinkled clothes, streaming tears – these are classic examples of a Picture Day nightmare. When done correctly, individual portraits and class photos give your child something to smile about while capturing the priceless memories of the school year.

From choosing comfy clothes to embracing imperfections, below are our top tips for making Picture Day a fun, stress-free experience.

Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep

Sleeping boy

Beauty sleep is a big deal! Whether your child is in kindergarten or middle school, getting a good night’s sleep is a must before Picture Day. A full night’s rest will have them feeling energized and looking fresh for their close-up.

Choose a comfortable outfit

Smiling boy

Everyone wants their child to look fabulous on Picture Day. To have them looking their best, choose an outfit that’s low-maintenance and comfortable. If your child is wearing uncomfortable clothes, it will show in their picture. However, if your little one feels confident in their favorite shirt, their personality will shine through, resulting in a memory you’ll want to share with the world.

Add accessories to show off your child’s personality

Girl wearing lilac headband

Show off your child’s personality by adding accessories to their outfit. Something like a sparkly headband, a colorful scrunchie, or snazzy suspenders can spruce up their look and make them feel unique. That’s something to smile about!

Don’t over-practice smiles

Smiling girl outside

When it comes to smiles, natural is the way to go. If you have your child practice their smile too much, it can cause unnecessary stress and a forced grin on Picture Day. Give your child the freedom to be themselves, and the results will be picture-perfect.

Embrace the “imperfections”

Smiling boy with braces and green eyes

Picture Day is exciting, but it’s easy to stress about making it perfect. It’s best not to worry about the results and to embrace the experience as a way of documenting your child at this special age. Whether it’s a toothless grin or a stubborn cowlick, your child – just as they are – is the star of the photo. School pictures are keepsakes that show all the ways they’ve grown over the years, and the imperfections are what you’ll come to love most.

Smiling Kids Ad

Your child’s Picture Day will be easy, fun, and memorable with these five tips in mind. Ready to spread more smiles? Buy photos and gifts using your online code, or learn more about our various programs.

Nicole DiGiose

Nicole DiGiose

Nicole DiGiose is a lifestyle writer who serves as the Director of Marketing & Communications for Irvin Simon Photographers. By combining her love of journalism and photography, she helps spread the word about creating amazing Picture Day experiences. Previously, she's written for 1-800-Flowers, Harry & David, Chilled Magazine, and local newspapers in her hometown.

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