First Day at School Photo

Ah, September: fresh pencil cases, shiny shoes, and possibly even a brand new school to start at. Most of us associate this time of year with heading back into the classroom, especially if you're a parent with a young person at home, and there's no question that this - especially their first ever day of education - is a moment that's worth capturing. So how do you do it justice? Never fear: we're here with some creative ideas for portraits, projects and more to make sure those school days are properly registered and you know exactly how to take your best ever back-to-school photo.

Start as you mean to go on

If your child is starting school for the very first time this year, congratulations! Taking that first uniform shot is an essential part of any family photo album, so make sure you're ready for it.

First, prepare. Charge your camera and clear your memory cards well beforehand, and ensure it's easily on hand during that first morning when you'll be more focused on getting them out the door on time.

A few days before, try to find a nearby background which you can use year after year to take their portrait - a brick wall, a set of steps or garage door is a good bet.

If you're really struggling, your front door is a fantastic source of lighting: have them stand just inside the doorway looking out, while you take their picture from a few steps away. The shade provided by the top of the door will give you beautiful, soft and even light for their full-length portrait.

Once you've got that first picture in the bag, this project really starts: make sure you take the same shot on their first day of term in the same spot every year. These pictures will make a wonderful collage in years to come. If you're feeling particularly organised, you could start a tradition and get them to hold a photo of themselves from the previous year, and so on and so on…

Double Trouble

Pop a note in your diary to capture another shot of your young student on their last day of the school year, so you can see how they've changed - putting these two shots together makes a lovely double portrait, and can be a brilliant way to show how quickly your child's growing up! Get your child to hold their favourite book, or their favourite toy, to add a little extra into the photo - you'll be able to see how their interests change as they grow.

Everybody line up

If you and your friends have a set of kids all starting school at the same time, try a group portrait of them altogether! It'll take a little extra planning and time, but you'll love having this record in years to come. Again, hunt out a uniform background like a wall and get them lined up, standing a few steps away from the bricks - a wide aperture will help you blur out the background and focus on their grinning faces. If you're feeling particularly brave and have the camera to cope with it, try a jumping shot - a few test runs will make sure you're pressing the shutter at the right moment!

Don’t forget the details

It's so easy to focus on the portrait, but it's the little details of the day that will melt your heart in years to come. Capture shots of their school bag, their pencil case, their teeny shoes: everything you've put thought into over the summer!

Shoot from above

If you're really stuck for a background but you have a driveway to hand, try getting them to lie down (have someone else on hand for safety!) and draw around them with coloured pavement chalks - write down the date, their favourite food, the name of their teacher, what they want to be when they grow up - then head upstairs and capture an aerial portrait of them surrounded by their current favourites!

Take a candid view

If you're too stressed out to get the classic “first day back” portrait or your little learner's refusing to co-operate with your creative vision, you could try focusing your camera on candid shots of them getting ready in the morning and heading out the door: these can be just as emotive in years to come. Try out black & white filters to add even more mood to the scene.

Have you started a new back-to-school project, or taken a gorgeous portrait of your littlest headed into school for the first time? We'd love to see your work, so please tag us in on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Class dismissed!