Capturing the memories of your child’s first day of school through the lens of a camera allows you to tell their unique story and relive the special moment forever.
Here are some creative ways to document the first day of school using storytelling photography
#1
Start the day before
The best way to begin telling your child’s story is to start the day before school starts. This will alleviate some stress on the first morning of school. Set up a special first day of school backdrop in your home or backyard. This can be as simple as hanging a solid colour sheet or using a roll of paper with a fun design.
Have your child wear their uniform and include their new school supplies, backpack, lunchbox, and textbooks.
Use a chalkboard to add a personal touch to your storytelling photography. If you have a small chalkboard or a dry erase board, consider using it to write a special message about their first day of school, such as “First Day of School!” or “Ready for a new year!”, and have them hold it for the photo. This can be a fun and creative way to document this moment and add some personalization to your photos. For something a bit different, use a black balloon and a white marker.
#2
Don’t forget the little details
While it’s important to capture your children’s faces and expressions on the first day of school, it’s also important to document the little things that make this moment special. Take a series of photos throughout the morning, such as getting dressed and eating breakfast, packing their bag, walking to the bus, or as they’re walking out the door. This will allow you to capture the full experience of the first day of school.
Get creative with your camera angles, such as getting down to their level, or shooting from above to capture little hands tying their laces.
Remember to document the excitement and emotion of the moment, whether it’s a big smile or a few tears. These candid moments will be the most meaningful and memorable.
While it’s important to capture the excitement of the morning, don’t forget to document your children’s first day when they arrive home after school. This will help to give a more complete picture of their experience and allow you to look back on the day as a whole.
#3
Use Props
For a bit of fun, consider using some props in your photos. For example, you could use a giant pencil or ruler as a prop, or line up their favourite toys at the door to say goodbye on their way to school. This will help elevate your storytelling photography, and add emotion and interest to your special memories. Make sure you have prepared the props well in advance, and have them ready to go.
#4
Include the whole family
Storytelling photography normally documents the whole family as part of your unique story. Consider getting into the photos with your children to document the morning. For example, having breakfast together, brushing hair, or hugging the kids goodbye at the door. You may need to use a timer so you can quickly jump into the shot. This can be a great way to document the whole family’s excitement for the start of a new school year.
You can even document your day and what you got up to while the kids were at school (even the sneaky glass of wine). What great memories these photos will be for the entire family!
#5
More creative storytelling shots you might like to try
- Take a photo of their bed, neatly made with their backpack and school supplies at the ready.
- Take a photo of their breakfast spread, complete with a special “first day of school” breakfast item.
- Capture their excitement as they pose in front of their new classroom or school.
- Take a photo of the kids shoes, all lined up and ready for their big day.
- Take photos of your child walking to the bus stop or boarding the bus, or a snapshot of them in the car on the way to school.
Capturing photos of your children on the first day of school is a special and memorable moment. There are so many creative ways to document this moment. It’s important to remember to not just focus on posed photos, but to also capture candid moments and the excitement and nerves of starting a new school year. With a little planning and creativity, you can create beautiful and meaningful photos of your children’s first day of school that you’ll cherish for years to come.
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