Natural Smiles, Real Memories: How I Get Awesome School Photos of your Kids

Let’s be honest. If you’ve ever tried getting your toddler to smile on cue, you already know it’s not a real thing. That natural grin that melts your heart doesn’t usually pop out when someone says “cheese.” Real smiles don’t respond to commands – they sneak out during moments of connection, curiosity, or downright silliness.

This is something I’ve learned over and over again in my years photographing children, both in families’ homes and during school pictures. Every single kid shows up differently – and that’s the point. The magic lives in those differences.

The School Picture Day Before Times: Psychedelic Backdrops and Generic Assembly Lines

The “Old School” model of school picture day seemed to have missed this obvious truth — or maaaaybe the crafters of that model cared more about efficiency and uniformity than they did about remembering that unique-to-your-kiddo expression, grin or smirk. As a result, the products of the old school model are pretty likely to end up in a drawer somewhere. (Their best hope at fame, in fact, might be that they’ll be enlarged as a gag at a future milestone birthday party).

I don’t use that model.

To capture your kid’s uniqueness at school takes a little more time. I’m certainly not posing your kids, but I’m also not making fart noises or begging them to show me their teeth. And while I sometimes get warm happy smiles, I’m not disappointed if your little gallery shows a different aspect of the personality they’re bringing to school these days.

Sometimes kids show up completely camera-shy. One little guy I’ll never forget came to his school portrait session wearing his prized backpack. He wasn’t interested in looking at me, smiling, or honestly even being there. So I didn’t push. I just asked about the backpack – where he got it, what he carried inside, and what adventures it had been on. He started marching around the small space, showing me the different sides of his prized backpack, and I just followed with my camera. After a bit, he showed me some of the things inside. He was engaged and obviously proud, but I don’t think he cracked a smile the entire time. Later, his parents told me those photos were the most meaningful they’d ever received – at three years old, that backpack was his favorite thing — turns out a photo without it would have felt incomplete.

This is exactly what I aim for – to see your child as they are and reflect it back to you through my lens. That’s a memory that’ll last a lot longer than a fake “cheese” smile.

What I Do to Help Kids Feel at Ease

There’s no magic button that makes kids act the way we want them to when a camera comes out. (If you find one, please let me know!). But over the years, I’ve built up some real strategies that work – not tricks, just intentional ways to let kids feel safe, seen, and themselves.

1. I Let Them Lead

Every child has their own vibes.

• Is your kid quiet and observant? I step back and let them watch and warm up.
• Got a tornado of energy on your hands? I channel it into movement and games.
• Carrying a lovey or wearing a superhero costume? They’re part of the story right now. Come on in. (I once carried an entire conversation with a stuffed bunny named Sprinkles.)

The point is, I never ask kids to be anyone other than who they already are. And I don’t rush them. I leave more time than most expect when necessary, which means there’s space to move at their speed.

2. I Keep Things Playful and Flexible

The camera doesn’t have to be scary or boring. I turn awkward moments into silly ones. Sometimes I ask a question no one sees coming like, “What sound does a dinosaur make when it sneezes?” or “Can your toe say hello to my camera?” (You’d be surprised how often this works.)

Other times, we just chat. About their day, the pet they left at home, the lovey they’re clutching under their arm, or something completely silly. You’d be surprised the things a preschooler might say if you just let them lead the conversation.

3. I Give Them Time… and Options

I don’t barrel through. If someone’s not feeling it, I’ll ask the teacher to let them hang back, then bring them in later once they see that it’s actually kinda fun. Watching their classmates laugh or make a funny faces can work better than any bribe.

And if they still need teacher by their side the whole time? That’s fine too.

4. I Photograph the Real Moments

Sometimes, despite everything, we get tears or a serious face. You might feel like that’s a “failed” moment – but I promise, it’s not. Those photos often become the most beloved ones. They show a real part of your child – a big feeling, a quiet gaze … it’s who he is at school right now. Honestly, a tear-streaked cheek can hold more memory than a fake smile ever could.

Want to See This in Action?

If your kid’s coming home with school pictures that harken back to the psychadelic backdrop days (or if they just don’t reflect the kid you know and love) – let’s chat!

Reach out here and let’s talk.

If you’d like to see more musings and examples of how my school picture day works, you can go HERE, where I had a little fun using the kids’ own expressions to illustrate the way I do school pictures (you’ll recognize little backpack boy in that post) or HERE, where I talk a little more about how it works for the school.

Or hey – if you want in on the action and want me to come see your family at home, let’s talk more about how sessions work at jayemclaughlin.com.

Thanks for looking,

~Jaye

P.S. What’s that? You want to know about sibling photos? Yes, we do that. If both of your kids attend the same school, I’ll take care of it automatically. If your other kid(s) go to school elsewhere, I work with the director of the school to set something up for quickie sibling sessions before or after school. It’s pretty magical.