Preparing Your Child for School Photos

It is one of those days that most school aged children hate, picture day. Most parents however see this day as a day of monumental importance, it is after all the way many parents record their children’s school career.

So how does a parent ensure that their child’s school pictures turn out looking like something they want to put on the wall and send to family members? There are some simple steps to take to ensure that your child’s picture turns out ok.

Fist it is important to understand that background can make or break a school picture. These days parents get a choice of backgrounds. In the 70’s and 80’s it was a blue background for everyone and that was it, but these days there is usually a choice between several different colors. The key to making sure that your school picture has a good foundation is to decide which color suits your child.

Everyone has a set of colors that “fit” them. They are colors that you would look well in if you were wearing them. To decide which color is right for the back ground for your child’s school picture is to decide what color he or she looks best in. Another key to deciding can be eye color. If the background matches your child’s eye color it may well make the photo pop. Color is all about reaching the right understanding of contrast.

Once you have decided on the background color then consider what your child will be wearing. You don’t want him or her to fade into the background because the color they are wearing blends into the background. It is important that your child’s clothes assent the background so that the child is the most noticeable thing in the photo.

Hair is usually the reason most school pictures do not turn out. It happens time and time again, a parent sends their child off to school dressed nicely and looking presentable but then somewhere between their leaving the house and the picture taking moment a huge wind storm, or something or that nature, comes along and they look like Albert Einstein in their final photo. The way a parent can combat this is to send a comb to school with their child and give them instructions to comb their hair before the photo. Depending on the age of your child you may have to call ahead to the school and ask that they help but if you give older school children a comb and instructions there is at least a chance their hair may get combed.

Finally, talk to your child the day of pictures and tell them what your expectations are. Usually if you share with them your desire to get a good picture they will comply the best they can.