How To Take Great Back-To-School Photos

Summer’s almost over, vacations are now memories and back-to-school shopping is (hopefully) done. While on Tuesday, most Anne Arundel County children will start back-to-school, tonight most parents will be charging up their camera’s batteries in anticipation of taking the perfect first day photo. Whether your child tends to be a bit camera shy or if you simply want to brush up on your photography skills, the below tips will help you take great back-to-school photos.

Don’t Forget the Details

You’ve spent hours shopping for school supplies and that perfect first day outfit, so why not photograph these details? Crayons, markers, pencils and notebooks are colorful and an integral part of your child’s school day. Backpacks hanging by the door, even the shoes they picked-out themselves are memories worth capturing. Packing their own lunch, getting on or off the bus or doing their homework all make great photo opportunities.

Play With Your Perspective

The best way to get a real sense of how your child feels about their first day of school, whether starting kindergarten or high school, is to get on their level. There’s no better way to add variety to your photos then to shoot them at different angles. Try lying down on the floor in front of your kids or standing on a chair above them. Tilt your camera or crouch down to see things from their perspective. Sit your kids on a step or a bench and shoot them from the knees down. Nothing says “childhood” like scraped knees and dirty socks!

Start a Tradition 

If you’re like me and have a child starting kindergarten, now is the perfect time to start a back-to-school photography tradition. You can take a picture in the same spot every year or have your child hold up a sign with their grade or graduation year. The sign could be made by them or you can get a small dry erase board at a dollar store. The sidewalk and some chalk work great, too. No matter the tradition you start, it will make for a glimpse of your child’s growth through the years. You might also think about marking down their favorite book, game, music or movie at the time.

Pick your Moments

It’s important on such a big day to know when to hit the shutter and when to put the camera down. If your son or daughter is nervous and anxious about starting school, adding a clicking camera to the mix isn’t going to help. Wait until he or she is having a quiet moment such brushing their teeth or eating breakfast and then sneak a shot when they’re not looking. And don’t forget the end of the day. When your kids come home excited and bursting to tell you about their day is a perfect time to take a few pictures.

One more thing to keep in mind – you don’t need a fancy camera to take great photos. “Point-and-Shoots” have come a long way and chances are your phone probably has a decent camera. The goal is to snap a few great pictures that truly capture the excitement and fun of the day. If you follow the steps I’ve outlined above, you’ll become a “parent paparazzi” in no time. 

See more of Megan Arts Evans' work at meganevansphotography.com.