Wondering what your child should wear for their school pictures? Start with something they already love and feel comfortable wearing. Solid colors and soft patterns photograph beautifully, but the most important thing is that the outfit feels like them. When children feel good in what they are wearing, that comes through in their pictures!
The short answer
- Choose something your child loves and feels comfortable wearing.
- Solid colors and soft patterns photograph especially well.
- Avoid very large graphics or words that may draw attention away from their face.
- Think about the whole outfit, including their shoes.
- Add a comfortable layer for the weather. Picture Day will be outdoors!
- Skip the baseball cap for their school pictures. You’re going to want to see their face.
Start with something that feels like them
Picture Day doesn’t require a trip to the store or a brand-new outfit, unless that’s part of your tradition and something you’re excited to do. Otherwise, look for the dress or sweater they love, something in their favorite color, or a playful accessory like a fun bow tie or pair of funky socks!
What this looks like may change with your child’s age. Younger children are often most at ease in something comfy and familiar. As children get older, how they present themselves can become very personal. Giving them a voice in the decision can help the picture feel more like them.
If you and your child don’t quite agree, try narrowing it down to two or three choices you both feel good about and let them make the final call. That little bit of ownership can help them walk into Picture Day feeling fabulous and confident.
What colors and patterns photograph well?
Solid colors
Solid colors keep the attention on your child’s expression and work especially well against natural school settings. There is no single “best” color. A color your child enjoys wearing is usually a great place to start.
Very bright or neon shades, particularly reds and oranges, can sometimes reflect color onto the skin. Softer versions of those colors tend to photograph more naturally.
Soft patterns
Small florals, subtle stripes, checks, and other gentle patterns can photograph beautifully. Very busy or high-contrast patterns can sometimes compete with your child’s face, but they are not automatically wrong.
Graphics and words
Large logos, characters, or phrases can become the first thing someone notices. If you’re hoping for school pictures that feel simple and timeless, choose something without a large graphic.
But if the shirt featuring their favorite character is the one they wear on repeat, it captures exactly who your child is this year. That can make it the perfect choice.
Think about the whole outfit
At Schoolhouse Pictures, we photograph each student in multiple poses, and we love including one that showcases more of their whole outfit. That means some pictures may show more than a traditional head-and-shoulders school photo.
Think about the details that feel like your child. Maybe it’s the rain boots they want to wear everywhere, the spinny dress they never want to take off, or the sneakers they carefully chose themselves.
Depending on your school’s setting, students may sit, stand, lean, or move around a bit between poses. Choose clothing they can move in comfortably. If an outfit needs constant pulling, tucking, or adjusting, it may be harder for them to relax.
Layers are fabulous too. Nothing says fall school pictures quite like a cozy sweater, especially on a cooler Picture Day.
And if your child wears a uniform to school, sprinkle in a little personality with their shoes, socks, or a fun hair accessory!
What about glasses, hair, hats, and accessories?
Should my child wear their glasses?
Absolutely. If they wear glasses every day, they should wear them for their school pictures. Their glasses are part of who they are!
Should we do something special with their hair?
There is no need to create a hairstyle that doesn’t feel familiar. Choose something comfortable that will hold up through the school day. If a special braid, bow, or new style makes them excited, go for it!
Are accessories okay?
Yes! Accessories can be a perfect way to help a child feel special for Picture Day. Just be sure they are comfortable and unlikely to need constant adjustment.
What about hats?
Skip baseball caps and other casual hats so your child’s face is visible. Religious, cultural, and medical head coverings should, of course, be worn as usual.
Don’t overthink it
Years from now, you won’t remember whether every color coordinated perfectly. You will notice their expression, how much they’ve grown, and all the little details that made them unmistakably themselves.
Choose an outfit that feels like your child, and let Picture Day capture the rest.
