How to Prepare Your Child for Picture Day

Quick answer: Choose clothing the student feels comfortable wearing, complete normal grooming before school, and keep instructions simple and positive.

Clothing

Choose an outfit that fits comfortably and reflects the student’s personality.
Make sure collars, ties, necklaces, layers, and buttons sit the way you want before school.
For a green-screen event, avoid wearing a large amount of bright green when possible because it can blend with the capture background.
Follow any school-specific graduation, uniform, sports, or dress requirements.
Avoid sending a clothing change unless the school has approved time and supervision for it.

Hair, face, and glasses

Complete the preferred hairstyle at home and send only simple school-approved touch-up items.
Clean eyeglasses before school.
If glasses are optional, decide with the student whether they should be worn; Van Gogh photographers will work with positioning, but glare cannot be eliminated in every lens and lighting combination.
Remove temporary items the family does not want photographed, when practical and permitted by the school.

Help the student feel comfortable

Tell the student that the photographer will give simple directions and that a natural expression is best. Avoid asking a young child to memorize a special smile or complicated pose. A calm, confident student usually responds better than one worried about getting everything perfect.

Special considerations

For mobility, sensory, communication, medical, religious, or other accommodations, coordinate with the school in advance so staff and the photographer can plan a respectful, safe approach.

Important: Van Gogh photographers make reasonable appearance checks, but they cannot guarantee every hairstyle, clothing detail, expression, eyeglass reflection, or temporary feature will match a family’s preference.

Still need help?

Use the Van Gogh Help Center to search for an answer or submit a private support ticket. You can also email info@vangoghphoto.com or call 847-382-2282.

Please include:

Student’s full name and school
Picture Day date
Accommodation or concern
School contact already notified, if applicable

For your security, never send a full card number, security code, banking password, or account password.