Say Cheese! 5 Tips To Help Your Kid On Picture Day

Nervous for school photos? (Or have a child who is?) A Bergen photographer offers advice.

School is back in session, and parents and children alike are getting back into the rhythm of the new schedule. You may be in a rush, but don’t let your kid’s next calendar stressor sneak up on you—school picture day is also on the horizon.

Though it may seem quaint in the age of photo-filled social media and jam-packed camera rolls, these snapshots tend to linger forever in frames on grandparents’ pianos and in the pages of the school yearbook. You and your child might as well get it right.

Thankfully, Maria Rogers of Tiny Hearts Photography in Franklin Lakes shared tips to help make your child’s portraits look perfect in a recent chat with BERGEN. Here are her tips:

Get comfortable. Though your instinct may be that picture day is an occasion to dress up, Rogers tells parents to instead opt for “simple, comfortable outfits in solid colors to keep the focus on your child.”

Stick with the familiar. Picture day, or the day of any portrait, also isn’t the time to be trying something new. In addition to making sure his or her hair is tidy, Rogers urges parents to “avoid making any drastic hairstyle changes right before the photo.”

Stay fresh and fueled. You should never skip the most important meal of the day, but low energy will come across in a photo even more than it does in the classroom. “Ensure that the child gets a full night’s sleep to appear fresh and energetic, and offer a healthy breakfast to maintain energy levels,” says Rogers.

Practice makes perfect. Everything, even smiling for a photo, can be improved with practice. “You can help your child practice a natural smile at home, and positive encouragement and enthusiasm about the day can help boost her or his confidence,” says Rogers. Practicing what to do beforehand can also help sooth any anxiety a child has the day of.

Have fun. To any jittery kids, Rogers assures, “If you’re feeling nervous about your school picture, just remember to have fun. A great portrait is all about capturing your natural smile, so think about something that makes you happy or laugh right before the picture is taken. It’s okay to take a deep breath and relax your shoulders to feel more comfortable. Remember, the photographer is there to help you look your best, and everyone is excited to see your smile.”

Want more tips and tricks for the start of the school year? Check out the new September issue of BERGEN!