Turning a School Picture into a Treasured Memory

It has become one of those annual rituals associated with back-to-school: School Portrait Day.

School Portraits by Adams Photography

 

Although school picture day has received a bad rap over the years, the use of digital photography has slowly begun to soften that reputation. Photographers can now take several images at a time, trying different poses, looks and smiles – all with the hope of capturing the perfect expression of each student’s personality.

 

 

However, a great school portrait is a team effort! It’s up to the teachers, parents, students and photographers to work together to produce a portrait that will make any parent or grandparent’s heart melt. We have listed a few tips that will hopefully make this fall’s school portrait beautiful, fun, frame-worthy and stress-free.

Clothes

When choosing the picture day wardrobe, remember that this portrait is a permanent memory of your school days. It’s best to avoid shirts with logos or words as they may distract from the real focus of the portrait – that smiling face!

Clean and simple is a great choice. Stripes and polka dots are cute and often very trendy, but be sure to select something that isn’t too bold that may draw attention away from the face. Trendy tops can be a good choice as it captures a period of time that, 20 years from now, you look back on fondly. In addition, plain white or solid black clothes may also be affected by the camera flash, so opt for darker solids or pastels.

For girls, avoid strappy or sleeveless tops. Once an image is cropped or re-sized, a strappy or sleeveless top may show too much or appear too casual. You may also want to consider a “back-up plan”. If pictures are going to be taken after lunch or recess, bring an extra shirt or sweater as a back-up to cover up food, juice spills or grass stains.

Hair

Again, clean and simple is the best choice. Although someone’s hair style has always been a means of expressing their personality, school portrait day may not be the time to try something new or out of the ordinary.

Schedule a haircut at least two weeks prior to picture day. This allows enough time for your hair to grow out for a natural look while still being neat and trimmed. Amber Ingram, Yearbook Coordinator advises, “For girls, try not to wear your hair pulled back into a ponytail.” In photos, ponytails can often make girls look like they have no hair – which is provably not a look that you want immortalized in portraits or the school yearbook.

Choose a “natural” hair style or wear a headband to control fly-away tresses. In most cases, the photography staff provides a disposable comb to tidy up wild cases of “bed head” or “recess hair”. Don’t forget that the photography staff wants every student to look his or her best too.

Glasses

Too often camera lighting will cause glare on glasses, covering up the eyes and losing the essence of the portrait. However, those of us who wear glasses know that they are part of our identity, so a portrait without glasses seems unnatural.

There are a handful of fixes that the photographer will use to get the best image possible. Tilting the angle of the glasses or shifting the position of the head will sometimes eliminate the glare. Another option is to give the photographer instructions about wearing (or not wearing) glasses. In most cases, the photographer will do his or her best to accommodate any special requests.

Jewelry and Accessories

It may sound repetitive, but clean and simple is the way to go. Hats, earrings, and hair accessories should not overpower the photo. Evaluate jewelry and accessory choices carefully in the mirror before deciding to wear them on picture day.

Middle School and Upper Grade Elementary

Photographers realize that it is important to “look cool” in front of friends, but for picture day, it’s important to be cool for parents and the photographer. Don’t be afraid to smile! Let those braces shine or show off those dimples! When the photos come back in a few weeks, it will be something that’s worth sharing with friends and family.

Finally, remember to get the most out of school portrait day. It’s an annual tradition starting from preschool and continuing through high school. A great smile or even a playful grin will make all the difference.

Keep in mind, school pictures may be showcased in the school yearbook and your home for years into the future. It is an opportunity to capture a specific period in life that will pass by all too quickly.

When photographers, parents and students work together as a team to make school picture day a fun, productive  and successful event, the end result will be a great school portrait that will be worth saving forever.

“The best advice that I can give to parents is to talk to your child and try to get him or her to relax and enjoy picture day. Our photography staff is specially trained to work with kids, allowing them to be themselves, have fun and really let his or her personality show through.”  Tim Adams, founder and CEO of School Portraits by Adams Photography

by Melinda Drysen

Kids Summer Safety Tips

Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

• The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches (6 inches for shredded rubber). The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.
• Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
• Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
• Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
• Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.  If you see something tied to the playground, remove it or call the playground operator to remove it.
• Make sure your children remove helmets and anything looped around their necks.
• Metal, rubber and plastic products can get very hot in the summer, especially under direct sun.
• Make sure slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.
• Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground.
• Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
• Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use a home trampoline because of the risk of serious injury even when supervised.
• Surrounding netting offers a false sense of security and does not prevent many trampoline-related injuries
• If children are jumping on a trampoline, they should be supervised by a responsible adult, and only one child should be on the trampoline at a time; 75% of trampoline injuries occur when more than one person is jumping at a time..

BICYCLE SAFETY

• A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
• Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many injuries happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Set the example: Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
• When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
• A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head and covers the forehead, not tipped forward or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened with about 2 fingers able to fit between chin and strap. The helmet should be snug on the head, but not overly tight. Skin should move with the helmet when moved side to side. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.
• Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike without training wheels until he or she is ready. Consider the child’s coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes. Consider a balance bike with no pedals for young children to learn riding skills.
• Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitted bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to “grow into.” Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.

SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATING AND HEELYS SAFETY 

• All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear protective gear; helmets are particularly important for preventing and minimizing head injuries. Riders should wear helmets that meet ASTM or other approved safety standards, and that are specifically designed to reduce the effects of skating hazards.
• Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
• While in-line skating or using Heelys, only skate on designated paths or rinks and not in the street.
• Most injuries occur due to falls. Inexperienced riders should only ride as fast as they can comfortably slow down, and they should practice falling on grass or other soft surfaces. Before riding, skateboarders should survey the riding terrain for obstacles such as potholes, rocks, or any debris. Protective wrist, elbow and kneepads should be worn.
• Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near moving traffic.
• Riders should never skate alone. Children under the age of eight should be closely supervised at all times.

BUG SAFETY

• Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
• Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
• To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it with a credit card or your fingernail.
• Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
• The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
• The effectiveness is similar for 10% to 30% DEET but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% protects for about 5 hours. Choose the lowest concentration that will provide the required length of coverage.
• The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when they return indoors.
• As an alternative to DEET, picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5% to10%.
• When outside in the evenings or other times when there are a lot of mosquitoes present, cover up with long sleeved shirts, pants and socks to prevent bites.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES

• Children who are too young to have a driver’s license should not be allowed to operate or ride off-road vehicles. Children are involved in about 30 percent of all ATV-related deaths and emergency room-treated injuries.
• Because their nervous systems and judgment have not fully developed, off-road vehicles are particularly dangerous for children younger than 16 years.
• Don’t ride double. Passengers are frequently injured when riding ATVs. Most ATVs are designed to carry only one person: the driver. Passengers can make ATVs unstable and difficult to control.
• All ATV riders should take a hands-on safety training course.
• All riders should wear helmets, eye protection, sturdy shoes (no flip-flops), and protective, reflective clothing. Appropriate helmets are those designed for motorcycle (not bicycle) use, and should include safety visors/face shields for eye protection. Wearing a helmet may prevent or reduce the severity of these injuries.
• ATVs lack the common safety equipment found on all cars and trucks that are designed for street use. ATV tires are not designed to grip on pavement, so operators should not ride on paved roads. Parents should never permit nighttime riding or street use of off-road vehicles.
• Flags, reflectors and lights should be used to make vehicles more visible.
• Drivers of recreational vehicles should not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.
• Young drivers should be discouraged from on-road riding of any 2-wheeled motorized cycle, even when they are able to be licensed to do so, because they are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

• Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime.
• Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders.
• Families should attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home.
• The AAP recommends prohibiting public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or the Internet.

LAWN MOWER SAFETY

• Only use a mower with a control that stops the mower blade from moving if the handle is let go.
• Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
• Make sure that sturdy shoes are worn while mowing.
• Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
• Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
• Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.
• Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
• Keep children out of the yard while mowing.
• Drive up and down slopes, not across to prevent mower rollover.
• Keep guards, shields, switches, and safety devices in proper working order at all times.
• If children must be in the vicinity of running lawnmowers, they should wear polycarbonate protective eye wear at all times.

© American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2014

– See more at: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips.aspx#sthash.qR9UD80I.dpuf