What to Wear for School Pictures | Chicago School Photographer

When it’s time for school picture day, choosing the right outfit for your child can feel like a daunting task. You want them to look their best, but you also want their personality to shine through in their school portraits.

As a Chicago school photographer, I’ve captured countless school photos and seen firsthand what works well on camera—and what doesn’t. Here are my top 8 tips on what to wear for school pictures so that your child feels comfortable, looks great, and most importantly, enjoys the experience!

1. The Right Fit

When it comes to school pictures, the fit of your child’s clothing can make or break the look. Loose, baggy clothing can appear sloppy on camera, while too-tight outfits might make your child uncomfortable, leading to stiff or unnatural poses.

What to Do:

• Choose clothes that fit well and are true to your child’s current size.
• Ensure that they can move easily in the outfit to avoid awkward expressions from discomfort.

2. Choose the Right Colors

The color of your child’s outfit can play a role in how the final photo will turn out. Certain colors can bring out your child’s features, like the color of their eyes or the tone of their skin, while others can detract from their natural beauty.

Best Colors for School Photos:

• Jewel tones (like emerald green, sapphire blue, and deep purple) work well on all skin tones and add a touch of richness to the image.
• Soft pastels and neutral colors can also create a timeless look.

What to Avoid:

• Fluorescent colors should be avoided as they can create unflattering color casts on your child’s face, making their chin or neck look discolored.

Choosing colors that complement your child’s natural features ensures that the focus remains on them, not their clothing.

3. Patterns and Texture: Keep It Interesting, but Not Distracting

Adding a little interest to your child’s outfit with patterns or textures can work wonders for their school portraits. However, the key is to strike a balance between interesting and distracting.

What Works:

• Small prints and patterns can be visually appealing without taking away from your child’s face.
• Textured fabrics like knits, ribbed tops, or subtle embroidery can add depth and warmth to the image.

What to Avoid:

• Stay away from large logos, bold graphics, or busy prints, as these can overpower the photo and draw attention away from your child’s personality.

The goal is to let your child’s smile and expression be the highlight, with their outfit serving as a subtle but stylish complement.

4. Steer Clear of Distracting Logos and Graphics

While kids love wearing fun graphic tees with their favorite characters or logos, school portrait day is not the time to showcase them. These elements can be cut off in the final photo or simply distract from your child’s face, which should be the focal point.

Exceptions:

• Sports jerseys are a great way to show team pride and can add a personal touch to the school portrait. Just make sure the jersey fits well!

In general, keeping it simple and logo-free is the best way to ensure your child’s face and personality shine through in their school pictures.

6. Coordinating Outfits for Siblings

If you’re preparing for a sibling photo, coordinating their outfits can make a world of difference. The key here is coordination, not matching. While identical outfits may be cute for a family holiday card, school portraits look better when each child’s individuality is preserved while still complementing each other.

Sibling Outfit Tips:

• Choose colors that complement each other without being overly matchy.
• If one child is wearing a pattern, let the other wear a solid color pulled from the pattern for visual harmony.

This method will create a cohesive look without making the photo feel too staged or formal.

6. Hair and Accessories: Keep It Neat, but Fun

When it comes to hairstyles and accessories, simplicity is key. A neat hairstyle that stays in place can prevent frustration during the photo session, but don’t be afraid to add a little fun with bows, barrettes, or headbands.

Hair Tips:

• Pigtails, braids, and ponytails are great for keeping hair out of the face while adding personality.
• For boys, a quick brush-through or a bit of gel can keep their hair looking neat.

Accessories:

• Bows, headbands, and barrettes can add a cute touch, but avoid anything too large that might cast a shadow on their face.

Remember to communicate any specific hair or accessory preferences to the school staff, as we will not know if your child’s cardigan is supposed to be on or if a headband should be added for the photo.

7. Glasses: Preparing for Reflection and Glare

If your child wears glasses, capturing their portrait can sometimes be a bit trickier due to lens glare. However, as a photographer, I love capturing kids with their glasses because they’re a part of who they are!

Glasses Tips:

• Let your child wear their glasses for the photo, but we may need to spend time working to reduce glare.
• If your child wears transition lenses, they will darken during the session. In such cases, we will ask to remove the glasses if necessary.

Ultimately, the aim is to capture your child looking like themselves, so don’t be too worried about the extra time it may take to adjust for glasses.

8. Let Them Show Off Their Style

I know I’ve given a bunch of tips on what to wear for school pictures, and this one contradicts everything I’ve said above. At the end of the day, one of the best ways to ensure your child feels comfortable and confident is to let them have a say in what they wear. While it’s important to guide them away from certain things, allowing them to express their personality can make all the difference in the final results.

Fun Outfit Ideas:

• Let your child wear something that reflects their personality, like a favorite color or even a fun accessory. (I mean, who doesn’t love a cape? Stuffies/lovies are always welcome as well).

The more your child feels like themselves, the more natural and authentic their school portrait will be.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Fun and Stress-Free!

My biggest tip for parents is to let their kids know the picture day is meant to be easy and fun.. They can smile it they want to. They can be serious. They can laugh hysterically. It’s meant to be a low pressure and easy way to capture their annual portrait.

If you’re in the Chicago area and have more questions about preparing for school portraits, feel free to reach out! As a local school photographer, I’m happy to help guide you through of what to wear for school pictures. You can reach me at michele@micheletaylorphoto.com.

what to wear for school pictures