Summer is coming to an end, and a new school year is at hand! I don’t know about you, but this was always an exciting time for me - the anticipation of starting a new school or meeting a new teacher, the joy of reuniting with old friends and making new ones, sharing summer stories and of course making new memories with peers. Be sure your camera is ready to capture your child’s memories in the making. Here are a few ideas to make your first-day-of-school photos unique and interesting!
Tell the Story Try to include key elements that make the statement: this is the first day of school. Include your child’s backpack, lunch bag, laptop, or tablet. Take a close up of those new shoes that will never be that clean again (maybe zoom in as they are tying/buckling their shoes or have all the kids line up and you get down low for a unique camera angle)! Include the school bus in the background or the kids huddled in the minivan for carpool. A teen could lean against his/her ‘ride’ before driving off to school. And get the WHOLE story, if you have a tradition of special first-day-of-school pancakes take a quick photo of breakfast. Do you put a love note in their lunch? Take a picture!! Be creative and document your daily lives, because these are the memories and traditions that kids remember and pass on to their children. 
Chronicle Chose a location that you can go back to each year that will show your child’s growth and development as the years pass - a series of images that show your child transforming from a nervous preschooler to a seasoned high school senior. It could be a tree in the backyard, a community landmark, or even your front door. If you relocate, find a new location and continue your tradition. You could even add a prop - a small chalkboard, whiteboard, or even a piece of paper with the year and grade written on it. Maybe have your child write it, so you can see the progression of his/her penmanship. I also added two links at the bottom of this post for Free Printables for each grade that are adorable.
Personalities Photograph each child individually helping each child feel important and included. Get a few posed images but don’t forget to capture the candid interactions which portray true personalities and feelings about the first day. If your child doesn’t have to wear a uniform, encourage your child to choose their favorite outfit and let their individuality and personal style shine!
And you cannot forget the group shots!
Always remember to capture those candid moments between siblings and classmates.
Always remember to capture those candid moments between siblings and classmates.
Now What Do I Do? You have a handful of great images - here are some unique ideas for using and showing them off: (1) Start an annual ‘Favorites’ photo using a first-day-of-school photo and text (favorite song, book, color, food, etc.) and hang it next to your professional school portrait. Be sure to leave some ‘negative space’ to add text to your photo. This doesn’t have to be a wide angle shot and your subject is a small portion - you can always add text on the front of your child's white t-shirt! Just be aware of the need for that open, available space. (2) In a few years you will have several years worth of first-day-of-school images. What will you do with them? Think about creating a first-day-of-school themed digital photobook or scrapbook to present to your graduate on his/her graduation day. Lastly, ALWAYS back up your photos.Most importantly, cherish these moments! Don’t be so worried about what is happening in your viewfinder that you miss these moments of sweetness. Before we know it our ‘babies’ will be grown up and starting their own lives.
Happy shooting and thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment about what ideas you like or plan to use. And I would love to see your favorite first-day-of-school image! Send an email to: melissa@melissarossphotography.com.
Links to Free Download Printables - First Day of School:
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