'PICTURE DAY'

Amanda Byrd
Aug 24, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Aug 25, 2023

We all remember 'Picture Day' in school.

It meant carefully laying out our clothes the night before, only to don the chosen outfit on right as we headed out the door and it just not looking the way we imagined. We tried our very hardest to not mess up our hair that Mama painstakingly arranged, at least not until picture time! 'Picture Day' meant waiting in line in alphabetical order and sitting down in a hurried fashion and looking at the camera with a quick flash and hearing "NEXT!". We could only hope that we had smiled quick enough, but at least the stressful part was over and we got fifteen minutes of time out of the classroom.

Sure, some years the photo turned out just fine, while others we ended up looking like a convict or a deer in headlights! Of course, no matter what, Mama would ooh and ahh over her baby's portrait.

'Picture Day' got the job done, I suppose. The yearbook had something to put by our names at the end of the year.

But what if there was a way to capture the milestones and grade succession every year that actually wasn't rushed?

Maybe a student could actually feel free to take a moment and dare I say enjoy 'Picture Day'?

Whoa! Well I think it can be done.

We all know someone who hates pictures. Maybe you're one of those people? I'm a firm believer that anyone can enjoy a session. It just takes a good experience.

This is especially true for young kids who really require "cheese" to get a smile. It ends up looking pretty forced, right?

While those types of photos are fine and acceptable, a TRUE smile is hard to beat.

When a child, or anyone of any age for that matter, hears encouragement and conversation from their photographer, the smile goes beyond the surface and reaches their eyes. That's what 'Picture Day", should be.

But we of course understand that school photographers have a hefty job ahead of them. Hundreds of students in 3 hours? Not a lot of interaction is feasible. And traditional school portraits generally come as is. Editing all hundreds isn't even an option for these companies.

That's where I'm headed with this. No shade to 'Picture Day'! But I'm sure that if given the option, most families would prefer a bit more to their annual portraits.

Our children are special. Their personalities and all that entails should shine through their portraits. I'd like to bring school minis to the table. A new twist on 'Picture Day'.

With an ABP 'Picture Day', you can choose what day works best for your family. On the actual session day, your child has an interaction with me where I engage with them and make them feel like the models they are! This will last around 10 minutes per child.

As with all my sessions, I will combine still posing with moving prompts. All are intended to bring out a natural smile! One that reaches the eyes.

No rush. No glaring flash. Just a fun little moment where your photographer just happens to catch it on camera.

As all my clients are familiar, I work with a professional photo lab that takes orders from pro photographers and release beautiful prints and gorgeous products.

With ABP's 'Picture 'Day', I will offer:

1 set of (4) wallets
3 5x7s
1 8x10

Your edited gallery will be processed in the same professional and artistic edit that you expect from all ABP's work. No cut & dry shortcuts for 'Picture Day'!

As with 'traditional school Picture Day', there will be no choosing photos. I will do all that work for you. I will, as I always make a habit of, take a lot of photos and pose options at the session.

My reasons?

Sometimes it takes a bit for someone to warm up to the camera. So I use a few poses to get you to be comfortable with being in the limelight.

It's impossible to not blink! So having a lot of photos allows for any closed eyes, blurred motions, unflattering angles, etc.

Before I edit, I cull through the hundreds of images I captured at the session. I find the most flattering, sharpest winners of them all to edit!

How many edited photos will you receive? 3 per student.

But you will choose which photos of the prints you want!

Much better than buying a bunch of sizes of one unedited, quick snap of a traditional school portrait!

ABP's 'Picture Day' will be a fresh take on the traditional, but also a fresh take on my minis I offer. In those, no prints are included.

This idea came to me about a week ago. My son started Kindergarten this year, and I've entered into the world of homeschool.

While I absolutely love the route we've chosen with our son's education, it occurred to me that I need to 'create' a yearbook for him, rather than wait for one in the mail from a school. I was happy to learn there are online options for this very thing! And then that thought train led to the traditional school photo. Then, it clicked. (Pun intended!)

Ready for the details? Here we go!

I've kept it simple.

Locations Available for 'Picture Day'

Breaks Interstate Park ($3 Admission)
Appalachian College of Pharmacy Campus
Grundy, VA Town Center
Richlands, VA Library

Book your session date and location. If your desired date isn't available when we book, I'll give you a list that is!
Pay invoice and sign photography e-contract. Pay online for your convenience, and the simple contract is just click and send. Pay 30% at booking and remaining balance day before session.
Show up to the session and have fun. Don't worry about posing. I've got you!
View processed images and choose what to print. Your photos will be posted to your personal gallery. Here you will tell me which images you want printed, and what sizes.
Download all 3 processed images and wait for your prints to arrive. Easily download the photos to your device, and receive your prints in the mail.
Smile. You have had a successful 'Picture Day'! You did it! A 'Picture Day' that accurately represents how special your student really is.