Heading off to school for the first time, or going back to school each year, is always a milestone — and a brilliant photo opportunity for proud parents too. If you’re looking for something a bit more creative than the usual doorstep snap, there are lots of lovely ways to mark the day.
In our house, we always take a picture of the kids in their uniforms on the doorstep with their schoolbags on their backs — but if you fancy trying something new this year, here are 13 fun and funky ideas for first day of school photos.
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Brilliant Ideas for First Day of School Photos
Chalk the Details
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Use colourful chalks to write the year, class and teacher’s name out on the pavement, like this cute example one parent shared on Pinterest.
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Alternatively, you could create a full chalk picture around your child to record the day, like this fun idea from Paging Fun Mums!
Graduating Class T-Shirt
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Grab a large white men’s t-shirt and create this brilliant photo prop for your back to school photos! Where the Smiles Have Been shows you how to make your own graduating class t-shirt, complete with space for a handprint each year — a lovely keepsake to present to your child at graduation.
Holding Last Year’s Pic
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Show your child holding a picture from last year — a great way to see how much they’ve changed. Some parents also take last-day-of-school pics to go alongside the first day ones, but we love this idea from How Does She, where last year’s photo sits in a frame for your child to hold in this year’s picture. You’ll find step-by-step instructions for creating this picture-in-a-picture effect on their site.
A Simple Printed Sheet
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Keep it simple with a homemade printed sheet listing the details of the coming year. You could even turn it into a keepsake by adding a signed good luck message from each family member.
Homemade Polaroid Frame
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Create your own giant homemade, reusable Polaroid frame with instructions from No Biggie, then add the year, class or a funny message to mark your child’s return to school each year.
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Photos with Siblings
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Taking a picture of your child with their siblings, as well as on their own, makes for a lovely series over the years. We love this idea from Pinterest, with an older sister holding her younger sibling’s first-day sign.
Glass Door Photo
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If you have a glass door, use markers to write out the year and details, then take the photo through the glass — like this parent did on Pinterest.
Write Out Their Class and Year
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Write out the class and year, or better still, let your child write it themselves as handwriting practice — just like mum Kate did with her child, shared on HVParent.com.
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Sit Siblings on Steps
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A clever idea from Pinterest: sit all the siblings on a set of steps and chalk each child’s class on their step, with the year at the bottom.
Life-Sized Ruler
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For a fun, reusable photo prop you can bring out every year, create a life-sized ruler like mum Erin did. Find her instructions on Craftybiggers.com.
Chalk Board
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A lovely way to capture all the back-to-school details in one shot. This chalkboard idea from Building Our Story includes great prompts like what your child enjoys and what they want to be when they grow up. Taking this photo each year builds a wonderful set of memories to look back on.
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With Their Favourite Book
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For the book-loving child, take their first day of school photo with their current favourite book — a nice series to look back over once they’ve finished school. This mum got creative with her daughter’s first day of school pic, pairing a Dr Seuss book with a set of broken sunglasses as a fun prop.
First Day Balloon
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For something a little different, try this idea from The Idea Room: a black balloon with the year’s details written on in white marker.
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Tips for Taking First Day of School Photos
Take the photo the day before. Rather than rushing on the morning itself, take the photo the day before school starts. It’s less stressful, and your child can have one last try-on of their uniform or chosen outfit.
Allow plenty of time. If you do decide to take the photos on the morning itself, build in extra time. It’s nice to be able to try out a few different poses and let your child add their own creative touch.
If staging, have all your props ready. Organise your props in advance — write out or print your signs and have everything set up before you start.
Bribing works! There’s nothing wrong with a little gentle bribery to get a smile on demand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write on a first day of school sign?
Simple details work best — your child’s name, class or year, teacher’s name, and the school year. You could also add a fun prompt, like what they’re looking forward to or what they want to be when they grow up, for a lovely record to look back on.
How can I make first day of school photos more fun?
Try a reusable prop like a chalkboard, a life-sized ruler, or a giant Polaroid frame that you bring out every year. Involving your child in decorating the sign or prop themselves often leads to the best, most natural smiles.
Should I take the photo before or on the first day itself?
Either works. Taking it the day before tends to be calmer, with more time to experiment. If you’d rather capture the actual morning, just build in a few extra minutes so it doesn’t feel rushed.
What if my child doesn’t want their photo taken?
Keep it quick and light-hearted, and don’t force it. A little bribery, letting them choose the prop, or snapping a few candid shots as they get ready can work better than a formal pose.
Related Articles
- Brilliant Back to School Traditions to Delight Your Child
- How to Take Great Photos: 12 Top Tips for Photographing Kids
- 21 Top Tips for Making Back to School Night Super Easy
- Expert Tips for When Your Child is Anxious About Starting School
- 10 Back to School Tips to Overcome First Day Nerves
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