Get the Best School Portraits
Preparing Your Tween for Fantastic Photographs
Sometimes parents just send a tween to school without thought as to how the picture will look. The child is dressed in a stained shirt or in a blouse that shows undershirt straps without a second thought. As these pictures are often kept for life, it pays to take the time to go through whatever it takes to make it a picture to remember and cherish. Picture day is all about showing off your tween at her best.
Dressing for School Portraits
Pick solid colors or outfits with simple patterns that complement and don't get washed out by the portrait background. Often you can choose the background color, so when you make that choice, make sure it matches nicely with your tween's outfit. When you use medium to dark shades, you create a nice, timeless look to the portrait. Soft shades provide enhancement to lighter background choices.
Avoid using shirts with slogans or pictures as the photos will be cropped off and won't show the whole design. They also can date a photo and are generally unattractive. Focus on long sleeved shirts. Short sleeves can look too casual and can be distracting to the photo. When selecting accessories, pick small ones that don't detract from the facial features. These include things like simple earrings, necklaces, and pins.
Grooming for School Portraits
Do not forget to schedule a haircut about two weeks or so before picture day. This will give your child a clean look, but won't look too fresh. Make certain you send along a hairbrush, and possibly a makeup touch up kit, particularly for the older tweens.
Hold off on the sun exposure a few days before picture day. A red face can look particularly embarrassing for anyone who gets too much sun beforehand. Trim your child's nails and clean them the night before pictures are taken. In spring photos, the hands are often a part of the picture.
Tips Before Pictures are Taken
There are things you may need to do just before the picture is taken. Make sure a mirror is available to your tween. Have her comb her hair and check her shirt collar just before picture time. Make sure your daughter knows to touch up her make up, if applicable.
Give your tween advice on practicing a flawless smile in a mirror. Have her check her teeth for debris. Tell her to keep good posture, and not to lean over in the photo. The school photographer will more than likely give your child the same advice while at the photo shoot.
Help your tween choose the best colors for her skin tone and hair color. Make sure she is wearing them before she leaves the house that morning. Teach her to consciously relax before the photo, and smile just like she would if she were smiling at her favorite friend. Above all, encourage your child to be herself and have fun.
Avoid These Biggest Mistakes
Your tween only gets one shot at a good photo. Since you may not be around at the time of the shoot, help her avoid these biggest mistakes.
- Smiling too big. Teach your child to smile naturally and not cheesy. Have her look directly into the camera when she makes a natural smile.
- Forgetting to take off a jacket or shell. Lots of kids wear fleece or other types of jackets at school. Remind her to take it off before the photo.
- Wearing a color that gets washed out in the photograph background. Keep track of the colors you choose and make sure there is a contrast between the two.
- Slouching during the photograph. Kids often forget to straighten up and look slouchy in the photograph. Remind your tween to sit up straight.
Hopefully these tips will help your tween's school portrait be the best it can be. This way she will want to pass some out to her friends, and you will have an updated photo to show off to your family and friends, too.
Tween School Portraits
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