Back to School photos

With all the kids almost set to head back to school, I thought it might be timely to post this acticle with tips for taking back to school pics.
It was written by Tara Whitney and comes from Two Peas In A Bucket...


September (or August for me) is all about back to school. Getting the kids clothes, making sure I have lunch food and Capri-Sun's, and of course film in my camera. Talking with them about what they might expect that first day, buying school supplies, and preparing us all for the early morning wake up routine again. I think I might have been more nervous than my kids this year. I had to force myself to get my camera out. But I am so glad I did. Now, I can create a layout, or layouts about how I felt that morning, and how the kids reacted to the change. I would like to share with you some of my shots that day, and give you some ideas for your own hectic morning.
One of the things I ALWAYS do is get a great close-up face shot of each kid with their backpack on and their new duds. Can't go wrong with this type of shot!


This idea has to be my favorite. A picture of your little person from behind, walking all alone up to that big school for the first time. It conjures up so many feelings! And it makes them seem so grown up...


I wanted to show Drew with his new class, but I didn't want to line them all up and say, "Cheese!" So I got behind them again, and captured them all nervously getting to know one another.


I also think it is important to show a little bit of what your routine is. Maybe the kids eating breakfast, everyone brushing their teeth or getting shoes on-those are all fun things to remember! Everyday I drop Mckenna off at school and every day she gets out of the car, schlepping her backpack the same way. I love this shot because you can see Jeff in the background, having just finished stroking her little cheek goodbye.


Kim Heffington had a great idea. She lined up her son Iain's new school supplies and took a photo with him in it too. Someday he is going to crack up seeing his skater and flame notebooks!


And last but not least-if you know me at all, you know I am ALL ABOUT the little details of life. I feel this unquenchable desire to capture every little thing I can. I don't trust my brain to remember them. So I implore you to start seeing things differently, especially on big days like the first day of school. Here is a shot I couldn't resist. Drew's teacher came out with a sign for her class. I thought it was a photojournalistic way to get some details across in his scrapbook at a later time.


Good luck on your first day back to school! After it is over and the kids are all packed off, grab a magazine and take a long hot bath! I did!

Thanks for sharing this Sue!! DD starts pre-entry term 2 this year, then Kindy term 3, so it will be good to keep these ideas in mind!!

Thanks Sue, no kiddies here, but my 'little' Goddaughter starts high school this year.
I hope she stays the sweet, beautiful little girl that she is . . . . I'll pass these on to her Mum (subtley (sp) of course).

Great Sue! Don't know about the long HOT bath though! More like a swim to cool off!

How I wish that I knew about scrapbooking when my kids started school!! They are teenagers now and doing Year 10 and 12 this year!
Oh well, maybe I'll scrap some wonderful layouts of my grandchildren going off to school one day!!

Chantal wrote:Great Sue! Don't know about the long HOT bath though! More like a swim to cool off!

I know! I thought the same thing when I read it!

Just perfect Sue, as you know Madeline is off to start Prep in 4 days time, her first year of 'school' .... argh! Wow, 5 days a week, and she is so looking forward to it. These tips will be great for me on Thursday! Thanks.

Thanks for sharing Sue!

I always do the back shot... it helps that we live across the road from the school so I get it in the background

I love the idea of taking a pic of the supplies!

I will always be looking for your tips too Julie, after all, you ARE a professional!

Hey - how did everyone go with their back to school pics??? Does anyone want to post up any of their fave pics so we can see how you went?