How to Take School Photos
- 1). Place the stool in an open space where children can easily climb on and off the seat.
- 2). Set up the back drop behind the stool, leaving just enough space for a child to fidget without hitting the drop.
- 3). Set up the clamp light to hit the area of the back drop about two feet above the stool, or where the child's face will be positioned. Be prepared to adjust the angle of the light according to the height of the person who sits on the stool.
- 4). Set the camera directly opposite the stool, keeping the clamp light between the camera and the backdrop.
- 5). Provide a preparation station off to the side with a mirror and comb where the "on deck" child may take one last look to prepare for his or her photo before taking a seat on the stool.
- 6). Ask the child to sit on the stool while you look through the camera to position the desired frame for the shot.
- 7). Keep the camera in place with the tripod and walk to the child to tilt his or head to the side just a bit.
- 8). Go back to the camera and make eye contact with the child. With younger children, holding up a stuffed animal and asking the child to say "cheese" might be enough to achieve the desired photo with just two takes. Older children respond more to banter, so be prepared to chat during the set-up to relax the child and get a nice photo in a short amount of time, allowing you to move on to the next person in a timely manner.