back to school....revisiting an old post....

the following post is a repost from last year's back to school post.  many of our schools start school this week (or next week), and i wanted to share these again.  I will be doing max's first day of school photos this weekend and monday, but i wanted to inspire some of you prior to my sharing those. Enjoy!  the original post can be found here:

It is SO, SO hard to believe that school starts in less than one week.  We are really ready for school to start around here....though we love not having a schedule, our family is the type that really needs a schedule (dictated by someone else or by an institution) in order to accomplish anything.  I think all of us would live in our pjs all day if we could.  SO, the first day of school will be a joyous day around here.  I thought i would share some back to school photo tips/ideas for you as you prepare your muchkins for school.

Here is a photo session i did of Max up in Williamsburg at my alma mater (AND, the Alma Mater of a Nation!).  We dressed him in his school uniform and were able to use the Wren building for some photos that capture him as he begins this new journey at St. Pat's (in his ultra dapper uniform).  If you're on my facebook page, then you've already seen these (i have a ton more on my facebook page).

SOOOO, i thought of a shot list you may want to consider as you take your child's back to school photos this year.

• with his or her teacher
• in front of the school
• with the new backpack
• with school supplies
• in front of classroom
• with classmates
• at the bus stop (if your child rides a bus)
• reading one of his or her new text books
• with the lunch box
• with you!  {don't forget this}
• in front of your home/on the porch
• at his or her locker/cubby

Here are some i staged this morning.

yes...i actually purchased that horrid backpack for him.  He thinks he is the stuff.  I have totally failed as a parent (my cousin, courtney, reminded me earlier this week when i told her how i had absolutely caved by purchasing this backpack, that i already caved three years ago when i purchased a thomas the train blue plastic toddler bed for him to sleep in....she's SO right!).  The things we do for our children!

with his schulteute

i put all of his supplies in this tub and put a school magnet on the tub.  just to stage the photo.

an apple for the teacher

please feel free to post any other ideas/traditions you have for the first day of school (you can share in the comments section).  remember when taking your child's photos....get down on his or her level, talk to them and make it more of a fun conversation rather than a look at the camera and say cheese event, and try to capture the school experience for your child so he or she can remember it.  This backpack is REALLY important to max right now...i made sure to get it an a ton of shots.

Comments

[Molly]

Nice ideas!

The photos are gorgeous and you have quite the adorable, cooperative subject there.

I usually take a more candid approach since my kids are really beginning to tire of being seen through my lens, but this has me thinking of putting on their uniforms and heading over the evening before, to re-familiarize themselves and shoot a few in that soft warm evening glow. Our first day is Sept. 1st. Still a bit of summer to enjoy.

[Ali]

He is an adorable little boy.

[Lauren Hampton]

I always take pictures of my kid's shoes. The idea of new school shoes always makes me remember my childhood. It has been fun to look at the choices of shoes over the years. Funny, I was considering skipping that photo this year and my 8 year old actually asked me not to forget the shoe picture. It is great to see how the feet and tastes of my children have changed from year to year.
This year I actually got a shot of my girls in the car on the way to school and one of them waving out of the car at daddy & little brother as we drove off. I was very happy with that photo. Now if I had only been able to get one of my three year old waving back at the car! I'll add that to my list for next year!