Back to school looks different every year. With your kids growing up so quickly and the school years flying by, documenting your little ones’ first day through the perfect first day of school photos gives you great memories to look back at in the future. We’ve got some helpful tips and tricks on how to best capture back-to-school photos of your children.
Although we’re all getting into the back-to-school mindset, these back-to-school photo tips can be used all year long, from birthdays through to Halloween. Plus, it’s a fun way to continue practising your photography skills – make it your goal to capture some frame-worthy snaps of your little cuties, even using just your smartphone!
Your Guide To Creating The Perfect Back To School Photos
1. Get on their level and get close
To get the best first day of school photos, you need to get the best angles. Kneel or crouch to get down to their eye level. This perspective is much better than a top-down shot; it’s warmer and friendlier. And coming down to the little one’s level will make you seem more approachable, and the kids will be more relaxed.
2. Be silly and have fun!
This back to school photo on the left is the first photo this little one and her mum took on the way to school at the park that day. Her hands are balled up, her smile is just not quite there, and she appears very stiff. The quickest way to relax and have a more natural smile and body language is to have fun!
So, don’t be afraid to get silly with the kids when taking their back-to-school photos. Come out from behind the camera yourself! Let them see your faces, eyes, and smile. Tell them jokes or ask them to depict different emotions – be happy, be sad, be surprised, be scared, be…..stinky? Or ask them to make funny faces – as we did here. You’ll get a laugh. They’ll get a laugh. And hopefully you will snap up that perfect smile.
Eventually you might end up with the perfect first day of school photo like this one! So, don’t give up on capturing a picture-perfect photo of your little one, it’s just moments away.
3. Just keep shooting
Kids move fast. So fast that it can feel impossible to get a non-blurry shot. This little guy was running in circles around his sister and dad. But his mum knew what she was doing; just keep snapping away to get the ultimate first day of school photo!
Digital media makes it easy to shoot quick, shoot often, and review the photos instantly. Sometimes you need to take a few photos before you get the best one. And the best back to school photo won’t always be the one where they are posing and smiling just right. And that’s okay. Follow their lead… and shoot often.
How sweet is the moment when this little guy was finally caught? Certainly a frame-worthy memory!
4. Try out some DIY props
Getting little ones to strike a pose or even look at the camera sometimes can be a struggle, especially if they’re feeling shy on their first day of school. This is where props come into play, not just to give your little one something to pose with in the photos but to also personalise the moment.
Well, let us explain. A simple signboard or a piece of cardboard with your little one’s name, the year, and what school year they’re entering is a great time stamp for any back to school photo. The best bit, you can keep the signboard to use year after year or even keep the cardboard plaque as a keepsake to place inside a scrapbook or photo book for those crafty parents.
5. Pick some photos to be printed
While it may be easy to document their first day of school outfit with these helpful tips, don’t forget to show it off in your home as well so you can cherish the memory forever.
Looking for some inspiration on what might look best? We’ve got you covered. Prints are an easy and affordable way to bring your favourite snaps to life, and you can get 50 free 6×4″ prints with the Snapfish app!
Or if you are looking for a sure-fire way of showcasing your back to school photos from over the years on the walls of your home, then canvas sets are a great addition! These easy-to-hang wall art pieces look stunning in the bedroom, living room, and more. Plus, it’s easy to update them with single canvas prints as you capture even more gorgeous shots of your loved ones as they grow up. You could also add the photos into your year in review photo book!
If you want to create a gift for your little one to use throughout the year, adding a back to school photo onto a personalised notebook, or with a personalised mouse mat for when they’re doing homework.
Share your first day of school photos!
Did you use our tips to snap some great first day of school photos? Share your favourites with us on social media! You can tag us using @snapfishuk in your pictures on Instagram or Facebook or use the hashtag #snapfishuk. Don’t forget to follow us on YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest, too!
