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Taking back-to-school photos is a fun way to celebrate milestones and track your child’s growth. Whether they’re in kindergarten or middle school kids grow and change quickly, even within the span of a school year. If you’re looking for ideas and insight on taking the best back-to-school photos, follow these simple tips for fun, safe and creative pictures you’ll treasure for years to come.
Back to school photo tips: Safety first
1. Crop out identifying information
If your child does wear a uniform and you post photos online, make sure to cover any logos or school names listed on their clothing. Cathy Pedrayes is a cyber-security professional who advises against putting too much info out on the internet.
“When kids are younger, if you’re posting their school uniform or sports uniform, you’re revealing where your kids are most days of the year,” Pedrayes told Today.com. “It’s just extra vulnerable information. A lot of times cyber criminals do use that information.”
Similarly, be sure to crop out house numbers and school bus numbers when taking photos outside. Either crop out the numbers, place a prop in front of them, or simply edit out the identifying information if you’re planning on posting the photos online.
Easy back-to-school photo props and ideas
It’s always fun to commemorate the first day with a back-to-school photo, but the first day can be chaotic and overwhelming. Let go of the stress and ease into the school year by planning ahead with these simple back-to-school photo tips.
2. Showcase your child with a back-to-school sign
Let your child show off their grade and new outfit while holding a back-to-school sign. These first day of school free printable signs from Lisa Thompson at Fun Happy Home include a space for your child to boast their grade, list their favorite things, and let the world know what they want to be when they grow up. It’s fun to look back on each year’s photo to see how their ambitions change throughout the years! And, they’re easy.
“The first day of school is so hectic, we like to keep it simple,” mom of three Leslie Ibanez told Mom.com. “A cute printable sign with the year and the grade takes only a couple minutes to prepare and helps to organize the photos with almost no extra effort.”
Karla Harmer agrees that back-to-school photos can be stressful. “We always do a day one photo with a sign that says their name, grade, and why they are awesome. Then we follow it up with a 100-day photo with them holding a $100 dollar bill and finally a last day of school photo with them holding a rolled-up piece of paper,” Harmer explained to Mom.com.
3. Take a photo in an unexpected spot
Middle school teacher and mom of two Jen Schneider waits to take her family’s back-to-school photos once they all arrive at school.
“Taking a picture in front of the school or school sign is our favorite to celebrate the first day,” Schneider told Mom.com. “This is a simple way to commemorate the day, and you can see how your child grows and changes throughout the years.”
4. Let them wear what they want
The last thing you want to do on the first day is argue about what your child is wearing. Provided they don’t have school uniforms, it’s totally ok to let your child choose their outfit. So, let them pick out what to wear, they’ll feel confident, proud, and more willing to pose for you if they’re the one making the decision.
Camera shy kid? Tips for getting those photos anyway
Some kids adore the camera. They’re constantly taking selfies, asking to start YouTube channels, Tik Tok accounts, and anything else to emulate those they follow on social media. My kids, not so much.
5. Have fun with it
If your child is like mine, and won’t pose for a back-to-school photo, try snapping a pic when they’re engaged in an activity at home, doing homework, or hanging out with friends instead. Candid shots are my consolation prize! Back-to-school photos don’t have to happen on the first day of school!
Mom of three and photographer, Tiffany Brown, advises parents to let their kids be kids and have fun. “Sometimes the best photos are the ones you capture in the moment. Mom and Dad, get in the photograph too, at least one,” Brown told Mom.com.
6. Take photos on a different day
And, back-to-school photos don’t have to happen on the first day. “Take the photos a day or two before the first day of school,” Brown suggested. “Trying to take pictures on the day of only adds stress to the person taking the photos and for the kids.”
7. Respect your child’s boundaries
Another concern your camera-shy kid may have is that they don’t want their picture plastered all over social media. Understandably, you want to share your beautiful children’s photos with all of your mom friends on Facebook, but it’s important to respect their wishes.
Sharenting — a new term making the rounds on social media — addresses the propensity of some social media savvy parents to overshare information about their kids online. Experts advise parents to think twice before giving up too much information publicly.
“As children’s-rights advocates, we believe that children should have a voice about what information is shared about them if possible,” legal skills professor, Stacey Steinberg, told NPR.
“We’re in no way trying to silence parents’ voices,” Steinberg explained. “At the same time, we recognize that children might have an interest in entering adulthood free to create their own digital footprint.”
So, if there’s any resistance, ask your child if you can take the photo but promise you won’t share it online. And, truly keep your promise. Respect and boundaries go both ways.
