Why I Won't Ask Your Child to “Say Cheese” on School Photo Day
Updated: Sep 3
School photo day is a tradition many of us remember from our own childhoods: getting dressed up, standing in line with our classmates, sitting down in front of the camera and hearing those familiar words: “Say cheese!”
But how many of those photographs actually looked like us? I know plenty of mine didn't.
That's why I take a different approach when I photograph your children. I don't believe every child needs to give me the same big smile—or even smile at all. A school portrait should capture a little bit of who your child is at this particular age, and sometimes that's a huge grin. Sometimes it's a quiet smile, a serious expression, or something completely unexpected.
So no, I won't ask your child to “say cheese.”
What Happens When We Stop Asking Kids to Smile?
Think about the expressions you recognize most in your own child. Maybe it's the way their whole face changes when they really laugh, the serious look they get when they're thinking, or the little smirk that immediately tells you they're up to something.
Those are the expressions I want to capture.
When we ask children to “say cheese,” we're essentially asking them to perform a smile for the camera. Some kids are surprisingly good at it, but for many, the result is a stiff grin that doesn't look anything like the smile their parents know.
Instead, I'd rather interact with your child and see what happens naturally.
Same child. Same picture day. No “say cheese” required.
They Don't Have to Smile
A successful school portrait doesn't have to mean a smiling child. There isn't one “picture ready” expression I'm looking for. I'm looking for an expression that feels like them.
Whether they're serious, laughing, being silly, feeling shy, or somewhere in between, I'm happy to photograph them exactly as they show up that day.
Giving Kids a Moment to Warm Up
School picture day shouldn't feel stressful. I spend a few moments interacting with each child before worrying about getting the photograph.
Sometimes that means asking them a question, being a little silly, or simply giving them a second to figure me out. Some kids warm up immediately, while others need a little more time. I meet them where they are rather than immediately asking them to perform for the camera.
Those few moments of connection are often all it takes for their real personality to start showing through.
There isn't one right expression for a school portrait.
The Expressions You'll Want to Remember
Years from now, I don't think you'll care whether your child's school portrait had the “perfect” smile. You'll care that you can look at it and immediately recognize the three-year-old, six-year-old, or ten-year-old you knew so well.
Maybe it's their huge laugh. Maybe it's the silly face they were always making that year. Maybe it's the serious expression you've seen a thousand times at home.
Those are the things worth remembering.
That's what I want their school portrait to preserve.
A Different Kind of School Picture Day
This approach is at the heart of my Fine Art School Photography. I create natural, modern school portraits for preschools, daycares, and private schools throughout the Philadelphia area, Main Line, and Western Suburbs.
Interested in bringing a more relaxed approach to picture day to your school?
Learn more about my Fine Art School Photography experience.
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