How to Take Memorable First Day of School Photos

Your child’s first day at school should be a positive and memorable experience.

And is there any better way to capture these important milestones than with a smile and a camera?

That said, if you’re a first-time parent holding a professional camera for the first time, you may be trying to figure out how to develop the best snaps of your kid.

If that’s your case, then this post is just what you need.

Learn to take memorable first-day-of-school photos with these five easy tips and tricks!

Mind the Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important components of photography. It doesn’t merely change how bright or dark your photos are but dictates their tone, mood, and atmosphere.

Sunlight, reflected light, window light, backlight, and diffused light lend different qualities and moods to your snaps. So, the first thing you should consider when taking memorable snaps of your child is where to do it.

A nice, shady spot with even lighting is ideal. If you’re in a place with limited shade, you want the sun behind your child rather than in front.

If possible, try to do your snaps during the “golden hours” of the day. That’s the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.

Here’s a trick we often use to find the best lighting:

Extend your hand in front with your palm facing your body. Examine how the light falls on your hand to look for the spot with the most even lighting.

Focus on the Eyes

Credit: Katerina Holmes

The most memorable and engaging photos typically have direct eye contact between the viewer and the subject.

A person’s eyes are crucial facial features in photography because they’re often the first thing the viewers look at—in print or in person.

So, when shooting a portrait of your kid, try focusing your camera on the eyes to convey the most vivid emotions and character.

Of course, you’re never limited to taking pictures with facial features in view. Often, the most memorable photos are those we never planned.

Take photos of random moments of your child’s first day at school. Who knows? You may capture unforgettable and momentous occasions you’ll treasure most in the future!

Learn the Rule of Thirds

Credit: Mary Taylor

The rule of thirds is a composition method in photography based on the idea that images become more attractive when not centered.

Many consider the rule of thirds as one of the most important techniques in photography as it helps you get compelling, well-balanced, and compositionally superior images.

So, what exactly is the rule of thirds? And how can you execute it?

For starters, it’s more of a guideline than a rule. Nonetheless, it’s an effective photography method that most artists use. It works for almost every type of photo—landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and even abstract snaps.

Imagine dividing your camera frame into nine equal rectangular parts separated by two evenly spaced vertical and horizontal lines. Think of tic-tac-toe squares for an easier mental picture.

According to the rule of thirds, the four spots where the lines intersect are the areas where you should place your subject. So, either the left or right third of the image while leaving everything else open for the background.

A subject placed on one of the rules of third points will naturally draw the viewer’s eyes, inviting their attention to the scene and making it extra memorable.

Most modern cameras have grid features, making the execution easier for first-time photographers.

Here’s a pro tip: When photographing your child’s face, it helps to have them look directly into the camera. This trick will pull the viewer’s gaze into the photo rather than away from it.

Be Aware of the Background

Credit: Rdne Stock Project

Nothing ruins a photo more than a cluttered, disorganized background. It distracts the viewer and takes the attention away from the subject.

Generally speaking, you want the background to be clutter-free and inconspicuous. Used appropriately, a blurry backdrop can add personality and style to your snaps.

Plain patterns and muted colors are typically great choices if you want the viewer to focus more on your photo’s subject.

Backdrops like walls and building sides are fantastic examples of simplified backdrops. Without them, you may also angle your shots to have the ground or the sky as background.

Fixing a cluttered background can be as easy as moving the subject or changing angles. But if that’s impossible, you can try moving as close to your subject as possible to fill the frame and minimize distractions.

Blurring is another superb technique to create a simplified background. You can do this trick by opening the camera aperture as wide as possible and moving closer to your subject.

A lens with a longer focal length (50mm to 200mm) is excellent for blurring backgrounds by separating the subject from its surroundings.

Understand Your Camera Settings

Setting techniques aside, understanding how to use your camera settings would be the best start to capturing the most interesting photos of your child.

Here are some of the most important photography settings you should know about and how they work:

• ISO: The ISO regulates your camera’s light sensitivity. A low ISO setting is optimal for brighter environments with plenty of light sources, while a high ISO works best for low-light conditions.
• Aperture: A camera’s aperture dictates the depth of field and how much light enters the camera sensors. Measured in f-stops, a wider aperture suits close-up portraits, while a smaller aperture is best for landscapes.
• Shutter Speed: Shutter speed controls how long the camera’s shutters stay open when taking photos. Photographers use fast shutter speeds to capture fast-moving subjects and slow shutter speeds for low-light photo subjects.
• Focus: Focus refers to the point of the frame with the sharpest details. Most modern cameras now come with autofocus features.

Final Thoughts

As parents, it’s natural to want to preserve as many memories of our children growing up as we can. Every milestone is important, and having them in print is a convenient way to cherish and remember these important memories in the future.

Thankfully, even someone with little camera experience can now do it. With practice and these easy photography tips and tricks, you can capture every moment that matters!