S started preschool last week. I really can not believe that my baby is already in preschool. Of course, a whole new tradition starts this year with 1st day of school photos.
We are homeschooling, so we had a little bit more time in the morning to take photos. If you are feeling rushed, I suggest also taking some photos when your child gets home from school. That way you have more time and the kids may be a little more relaxed.
Photo Props
I grabbed a couple props to make our photos more fun. Of course, most children have their backpacks in their 1st day of school photos, so we grabbed S’s. I have a set of free printables one for each grade level for this school year available here! We also grabbed a favorite classic book.
Clothes
Many children wear uniforms to school, so this will not apply. However, I chose for S an outfit that felt like fall and back to school. I paired her plaid dress with a jean jacket and a favorite – cowgirl boots. I love having the cowgirl boots in the photos because they are definitely S right now and it’s something that I want to remember several years down the road.
Location, Location, Location
We have several areas on the outside of our house that have a neutral background. I chose a spot in the shade against our stucco. Some other options would be bushes or flowers in the background or your front door.
I chose a shady spot so that S was not squinting and so the photos would not be blown. I asked S to stand near the stucco, but not leaning against it. I tried to make the photo session stress free. The dog even photobombed, which lead to laughs and a natural smile. When S said she was done, we quit.
Adding Currents to Photos
I purposely off centered several photos, so that I could add a list of things that S loves right now and what she wants to be when she grows up. This is the perfect time to record this information for your child. How fun will it be to look back and see what has changed!
To add the text to my photos, I used a free photo editing website called Pic Monkey. It’s so easy to use and I always love the results.
I hope these tips help with your 1st day of school photos! I hope everyone has a wonderful 1st day and entire school year!
What cute pics! I love the finished pic with Pre-K and a list of likes.
Thank you Trish!
These are great tips! I love the print out she is holding. I have found that shaded area is always the best because you still get a natural light without too harsh a light. I love that she wants to own a restaurant for dogs! haha
Thank you Logan! She’s been talking about that restaurant for awhile! 🙂
Really reat tips! I love the rush of first day photos this time of year …
They are always so fun to look back on.
Such great tips! My girls first day photos were rushed and I feel I didn’t get any good shoots. S took some great photos and I’m loving her smile and outfit!
Thank you Louida!
Those are great tips! I have been seeing a lot of my friends doing similar photos with their children and I love it. Also, I love her little cowboy boots! So cute!
The cowboy boots are a definite favorite.
lovely tips! Super cute photo ideas
Thank you Tianna
Yes I am a first day of school photo addict. I have made my poor son hold up a sign since he was in preschool. hahaha love it!
I remember hating 1st day of school photos when I was little. 🙂
I don’t have a kid to take 1st day pictures of, but did find myself doing my nieces’ last week after school. Of course, they’re a little older and a little less cooperative (dang tweens and teens) I LOVE your suggestion to off-center the photos so you can add the info on the side. Awesome post. Oh, and your list of linkups at the bottom is fab too. Wow.
Thank you, I am scared of when S gets to be a tween/teen 🙂
A restaurant for dogs? How stinkin’ cute is that! I hope the first day goes/went well and that she has a great year!
Thank you Stephanie! She may love her dog a lot! 🙂
She is adorable! I LOVE her boots, too!! We always do the first day of school pictures in our house as well. They are required to wear uniforms to school, but it is just sweet to look back on how they’ve changed through the years. I can’t believe I now have a daughter that is a Senior and a daughter in Fourth Grade! Where has the time gone?!
Blessings to you and your little one,
Shirley
http://www.lightlovehope.com
Thank you Shirley! I hope your daughters have a great school year!
The pic with the book in hand is great! I found that moving or “doing something” makes for better, more life like pictures.
Alex – Funky Jungle
Thanks Alex! I love to see your fashion photos, they are always so interesting and pleasing to the eye.
What a cutie! These are lovely photos and it’s nice to see another Pic Monkey fan.
Thank you Nicki! I use Pic Monkey probably too much 🙂
Aww she’s so cute!!! I love that little denim jacket on her.
Thank you Ashley! I had to buy the jacket when I saw the cute ruffle!
Adorable pics! I love the one where she’s reading the book 🙂 Happy first day of school!
Thank you Chelsea! One of my favorites too!
Awh, your little one is gorgeous! These are some great tips and props, going to mark these down for when my little one starts playschool in January 🙂
Fiona @ http://www.dollydowsie.com
Thank you Fiona!
How adorable! I love all the props for your photos!
Thank you Ashleigh!
Yay, for pre-school and I love how you added things she loves on the pics. A great way to look back each year
Thank you Aleshea! I am hoping to continue the like list each year 🙂
Great tips and precious little girl! Can’t wait until my girls are old enough for school, but I will enjoy this time too.
Thank you Molly! Yes, enjoy them while they are little, they grow up too fast 🙂
Darling! I love the book tip and then putting their favorite things on the picture after!! So great. Thanks for sharing. Plus, your little one is just quite the darling, isn’t she?
Thank you so much Elizabeth!
I have mine wear the same outfit on the first and last day of the year (so we pick something I hope will still fit in 9 months). And I take at least one shot in front of the door as a visual to see how much he has grown. His head used to be level with the door knob, now he towers over it.
A friend did a cute thing for her kindergartener and had an XL mens t-shirt made with “class of 2027” printed on it. Every year she will take a picture in the same shirt.
Those are some great ideas! Thank you for sharing.
She is adorable!!
Thank you Fatima!
Adorable photos…we love looking back at 1st day of school photos. Our daughter has 4 kids and we have the first one’s day of school right on thru all the others. They stand together in front of the fridge every single year…over the last few years, both boys have graduated high school, leaving the two girls. One is going into 8th grade…the other is a Junior in Hi.
You will be so proud of your photos….
Here from Clairejustine
Thanks for stopping by BJ! I always love looking back at photos and seeing how things have changed!
Super cute photos and great tips! Glad you shared on Treasure Box Tuesday as I’ll be taking similar pictures tomorrow of my first time preschooler!! <3 Have a great week!
Good luck tomorrow! I hope your preschooler has a good first day!
adorable! love all the poses and her goals 🙂 Totally fab idea!! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you!
Great post and lovely pictures 🙂
Thanks for linking up to Creative Mondays, pinned and featuring your post this week..
Thank you so much Claire!
Fabulous post! Pinned. Lou Lou Girls
Thank you Kimberly!
She’s a cutie!!
Thanks so much for linking up at Teach Me Tuesday. You are very much appreciated! Hope to see you again this week! http://3glol.net/2014/09/01/teach-tuesday-19/
3GLOL
Thank you Bobbi!