Back to School Pictures

We took our "Back to School" pictures a week before school started for a couple of reasons --1. The first day of school is rushed, stressful and I want to be able to really be there for the little guy on his first day instead of hiding behind my lens trying to get the perfect shot. Will I still take a couple of shots? Of course! But this way it's way less pressure which leads into my reason 2. They get to be way cuter! 

Now, there is nothing that compares to the amazing work a professional photographer can do, but for little moments like this I prefer to control everything myself and not spend the money. Here are the prep steps I took and a little photography 101 so that you can get some of your own cute shots for the scrapbook!

First, I browsed Pinterest for some cute ideas! I loved the more antique/vintage school set so I gathered some stuff around the house and found an antique school desk on Craigslist for super cheap! I also made a list of cute poses I really wanted to steal for our home shoot! 

Pinterest really is amazing! Then, it was just the matter of setting up the logistics ... Where, when, what to wear.

There where is probably the most important of the logistics as is relates to our photography 101. You need to scout out a good location with no clutter. The "set" is the first clear distinction in an amateur vs a pro photo. Prepare your "set" and then have a test shoot so you can really tell what it's going to be like --any certain angles that your going to need to hit to avoid background distractions??

The next important thing is to understand your camera! Here is a really cute infochart I found on Pinterest curtesy of ScissorTailSister!

Any other paparazzi moms going to take some Back to School photos! I want to see them!

-C