Portfolio and blog showcasing photography by Tom Simpson.

Back to School Portrait Ideas

back to school portrait ideas It’s back to school time! That means all you moms are in high gear prepping everything from clothing to supplies to schedules. Getting a 1^st day of school pic is also on your very long list.

Want a stress reliever? Exactly when you take your kids’ back to school portraits is not important. Whether it’s the week before, morning of the 1^st day, or week after school begins, it really doesn’t matter.

Capturing the way the kids look as they begin another chapter in their young lives—that’s what is important. So don’t stress the when.

And to help you not stress the how, we have a few ideas and tips from a pro to help you get that image that lasts a lifetime.

1. Indoors or Out?

Outdoor shots are easier. Why? Natural light balances everything. Indoor shots require special lighting and attention to background clutter. Take it outdoors to make it easier on your busy week.

2. The Background

Change it up! You don’t have to use the same spot year-after-year. Look around your yard for what nature has to offer—a tree, fence, garden or hedge. Do a few practice shots ahead of time (without the kids) to make sure your idea will work.

3. Using props

Nothing elaborate needed when using props, however do put a little thought into it. An apple on a stack of books, a vintage desk or kids chair, or hand-held chalkboard is all you need. Keep it simple.

back to school portrait ideas

4. Watch Your Lighting

Bright backgrounds can cause faces to be dark unless you use flash for balance. Make sure those faces are well lit. And, if taking photos indoors, avoid having bright windows in the background.

It’s a Bittersweet Time

Back-to-School time is a bittersweet time of year for you. Why bittersweet? Some of you don’t even want to think about early morning rush and routines. Others can’t wait for the kids to be back in school.

Either way, it’s another reminder that your “littles” are growing up too fast. So don’t just take those back to school photos and keep them in your computer or on your phone. Get them printed! Display those portraits and enjoy watching your kids grow.

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How to Take Awesome Family Vacation Photos

Remember the last time you skimmed through your family vacation photos? Which ones made you stop and reminisce, taking you back to that time and place? Were there images that made you laugh…or sigh? Those were the awesome, memorable shots. The ones you look at most often.

If those memorable shots are few and far between, we can help. We have a few tips to help you take awesome shots on your next family vacation.

Include People in Photos

Go back through your photos from years ago and see which ones you skim over quickest. Can you guess? Yep. Those are the shots of buildings, mountains, etc…..without people in the picture. Unless you are planning to sell your vacation photos as artwork, make sure to include people in the shots.

Vacation photos capture the ages of both kids and parents along with where you have been. With awesome shots, parents and grandparents will wax nostalgic at how the kids have grown. Kids may not remember the trip or the place but will definitely be interested in what everyone looked like.

Here are a few examples to get this point across….

Example 1

These images were taken at the same place, same time, and same day. The first one is a great photo of a beautiful beach. Second photo is a memory of youth, family togetherness, and skills in action.

Example 2

You can take the “postcard shot” any time but how long will the kids be small? The 2nd shot captures more than period hairstyle. It captures brothers as friends.

Example 3

Beautiful sunset shot worth printing…..but does it bring back memories of scavenging for shells with your son? The 2nd photo definitely brings back memories of childhood.

Get Action Shots

Unless your family is ultra boring, there will be moments of silliness and stunts during your vacation, all filled with laughter. Not every family photo has to be posed. Catch them doing! As a rule, the action shots get the most attention in your book or album.

Traveling with kids? Keep your camera ready to catch those moments where personalities shine through. Those images are a story in itself. In those cases, “a picture is worth a thousand words” has even greater meaning.

toddler barefoot on beach with wet shirt

small boy with wooden toy nauvoo il tom simpson photography

Close-ups Instead of Selfies

What is the difference between a close-up and a “selfie?” First, you get more than the face with close-ups. With a selfie (of more than two people), you will get partial heads. Of course, that will depend on the arm length of the one holding the camera.

Second, close-up shots of you can still show the full expanse of an amazing background. Not so with selfies, unless you crop the face to show stuff behind you.

fall family portrait by log cabin nauvoo

family photo by brigham young house by tom simpson photography

Third, you can actually pose for close-up shots. With selfies, the only pose is the head tilt to make sure you are in the frame. Hand your camera or phone to a passerby and have them take a close-up, unless them walking (or running) away with your camera has you worried. Then a selfie will do just fine.

When taking family vacation photos, have a good balance of printable art-worthy images, action shots, and close-ups. After all, your vacation photos are not portrait photography. With a little effort, they can be better than snapshots and definitely much better than selfies.

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Nauvoo Winter Wedding Photography {Talia and Evan}

Winter cold and overcast skies were no match for the bright smiles and illuminated faces of Talia and Evan as they exited the Nauvoo Temple. They had just been sealed for time and all eternity. Happiness, joy, and excitement for their wedding day was unmistakable.

The bride’s dress was classically styled in full lace, satin underlayment, and beaded waistline. Her short veil and long train added sophistication to a beautiful look.

Pale blue and light yellow were the colors chosen for the bridal party attire with the handsome groom in a pale blue suit and groomsmen looking dapper in yellow suspenders.

Light foggy mist in the background made for an awesome ethereal look as the bridal party joked around in celebration of the day.

To Talia and Evan,

Your faces were shining with such brightness as we photographed your wedding day in Nauvoo. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your day. We wish you the best life has to offer as you set off on your journey together.

Hugs to the newlyweds!

Tom and Jeanette

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Top 5 Portrait Grooming Tips Series: KIDS

The Littles. That’s what we affectionately call the youngest ones we photograph. Their boundless energy and varied personalities can make portrait sessions tough…..but we know your preparation for a portrait session can be far more difficult.

Our best advice? Keep everything simple. Give them very little to adjust—from head to feet and everything in between.

Our portrait grooming tips for kids are short and easy to do.

Kids Hair

Choose a style that keeps hair out of their eyes and hands off their heads. Bows, etc. should be secure with any movement, as you know the kids will be playing around between poses.

Hair is where you can wait to the last minute for a few things such as bows on babies and toddlers.

Kids Facial Hair

Wet and brush eyebrows so the hairs are flat and aligned. Apply a clear brow sealer for an added measure of stability if needed.

Kids Skin

Pay special attention to elbows and knees on kids, as these seem to be the driest (and often dirtiest!).

Use a light moisturizer any dry areas, enough to smooth flakey skin but not enough to allow dirt to stick if the kids are playing around during an outdoor session.

Plan for face wiping by having tissues or wet cloths on hand during your session. Kids’ noses will run, babies will drool, and boys…well, boys will be boys

Kids Makeup

The “littles” have natural beauty so makeup isn’t necessary. Teens and tweens should wear makeup as they would normally, nothing extra for the session.

Kids Hands and Feet

Kids hands are always near their faces during photo shoots. Be sure their hands are clean and nails are trimmed and scrubbed. The same goes for their feet if they will be exposed during the session.

Getting kids ready to have their portraits taken can be the most challenging of all. They would rather be sleeping, playing, or eating instead of getting dressed up. Keep it simple and all will smoothly fall into place. You got this.

Did you miss part-1 and part-2 of this series? Click HERE for Guys and HERE for Gals grooming tips. Be sure to check out our post on what to wear for portrait sessions to help with wardrobe selections.

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Nauvoo Summer Family Portrait {Alene and Les}

Summer flower gardens in Nauvoo are a beautiful sight to behold, but none more spectacular than the gardens on the Nauvoo Temple grounds. Carefully planned and cared for by a master gardener, Les worked year round in all weather conditions to make the area a place for patrons and visitors to linger.

His lifetime career work included English castle gardens, cathedral grounds, and several Temple grounds as well as teaching beginning gardeners how to properly plant and fill flower beds.

Just after his retirement and before their move from Nauvoo, we were privileged to photograph his sweet family who has become our good friends over the years. Want to see Les’s handiwork? Just take a look at the flowerbeds on the temple grounds in the photos below.

To Alene and Les,

We are privileged to call you our friends and have enjoyed our working relationship over the years. Thank you for sharing your expertise as a master gardener and making the Nauvoo Temple grounds so beautiful for all to enjoy. You will be missed in Nauvoo. Wishing you the best in your new adventure.

Happy Retirement!

Tom and Jeanette

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Back to School Portrait Ideas

1. Indoors or Out?

2. The Background

3. Using props

4. Watch Your Lighting

It’s a Bittersweet Time

How to Take Awesome Family Vacation Photos

Include People in Photos

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Get Action Shots

Close-ups Instead of Selfies

Nauvoo Winter Wedding Photography {Talia and Evan}

Top 5 Portrait Grooming Tips Series: KIDS

Kids Hair

Kids Facial Hair

Kids Skin

Kids Makeup

Kids Hands and Feet

Nauvoo Summer Family Portrait {Alene and Les}

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