Individual School Portraits: A Parent & Student Guide

Individual portraits are usually quick — often less than a minute per student — but a small amount of prep at home makes a big difference to the result.

Before the day - Iron or steam the uniform the night before, and check it fits well — a properly done-up collar photographs much better than an untucked shirt. - Brush and settle hair as it's normally worn. If a haircut is planned, book it at least a few days before photo day, not the morning of. - On free-dress days, plain or simply patterned tops photograph better than busy prints, character logos or slogans. - Sunscreen is fine, but avoid heavy or shiny moisturiser right before — it can catch the studio lights.

On the day - For younger students: a quick chat and a joke from the photographer usually gets the best genuine smile — there's no need to coach a pose beforehand. - For older students: stand or sit naturally, bring the chin slightly forward and down rather than tilted up — it avoids an unflattering angle and keeps the neckline clean. - Relax the shoulders and let the arms hang naturally rather than locking them straight at the sides. - It's okay to blink, laugh or need a second take — we always take more than one frame per student.

We photograph thousands of students a year across Queensland schools, and every single one gets treated as an individual, not a number on a list.