Why You Should Take Your Own School Photos (And How to Do It Without Losing Your Mind) with Melissa Ortendahl
Let’s talk school photos.
You send your kid off in their cutest outfit, hair actually brushed, backpack clean-ish, and maybe - just maybe - even a smile on their face. Then weeks later, you get the proof back and…
Wait. What exactly happened between the bus stop and that camera flash?
One side of their collar is flipped up. Their smile is more grimace than grin. Their eyes say, “Please help me, I hate this.” And the background? Let’s just say the ‘clouds and lasers’ aesthetic is doing no one any favors.
And yet, you pay for it. Because that’s just what we do, right?
But what if I told you… you could take your own school photos? Ones that actually look like your kids. Ones where their personality shines through, where the backdrop doesn’t look like a relic from 1997, and where you don’t feel like you need to slap a sarcastic caption on them just to make it worth printing.
Spoiler alert: you can. And it’s easier than you think.
Why Take Your Own School Photos?
Let’s start with the obvious: school photos are rarely flattering. They’re fast, impersonal, and often taken in those weird five-minute windows when your kid is somewhere between snack time and meltdown mode.
Here’s what you can expect when you take the photos yourself:
1. You capture who they really are
No awkward forced grins. No “chin down, eyes up, smile bigger… no, less than that… actually just stop.” You get to photograph your child the way you see them: playful, expressive, maybe a little mischievous—authentic.
2. You control the time, the lighting, and the vibe
If mornings are chaos, do it in the afternoon. If your backyard gets beautiful golden light after dinner, boom-built-in studio. And if they need a snack break or want to pose with their favorite stuffed animal? Go for it.
3. The photos are actually good enough to print
Not just “I guess we’ll stick this in a scrapbook somewhere” quality. We’re talking frame-worthy. Grandparent-worthy. “This is who I was at age seven” worthy.
4. You’ll actually look forward to it every year
It becomes less of a chore and more of a tradition. You might even get creative with it-let them pick the backdrop, make signs, show off their favorite book or new shoes. It’s a chance to mark the year in a way that’s meaningful and fun.
This isn’t just about snapping a few decent photos on your iPhone and calling it a day.
The Back to School Guide gives you everything you need to pull this off—without needing complicated lighting setups, or a degree in photography.
For just $19, here’s what you get:
✅ Step-by-step instructions on how to take natural, flattering school portraits at home
✅ A list of what you actually need (and what you definitely don’t)
✅ Tips for getting real smiles and personality-packed photos (without bribes)
✅ Easy editing tips to make your photos pop
✅ Bonus: A complete guide to filming a First Day of School video on your phone (the kind you’ll cry watching in five years) - see my favorite of my kids HERE
Because let’s be honest: it’s not just about the photos - it’s about capturing a moment in time. That wiggly tooth. The backpack they insisted on even though it’s half their size. The way they say “kin-dee-garden” with an extra syllable. You deserve to remember that.
Real Talk: You Don’t Need to Be a Pro
You just need to be a parent who’s willing to slow down for 15 minutes and say, “Hey, let’s take a few photos before you grow up overnight again.”
This guide was made for you. For parents who want something a little better than the default, a little more personal, and way more meaningful.
And honestly? The $19 (or more) you’d spend on one of those awkward school photo packages could be better spent on pizza. Or this guide. Your call.
Make It a New Tradition
So this year, skip the cringe. Take your own school photos and create something you’ll actually want to hang on the wall - not in a “haha, look how weird this is” way, but in a “wow, look how much they’ve grown” kind of way.
Get the guide. Take the photos. Make the video. Freeze time for just a little bit longer.
