SCHOOL PICTURE DAY

Greetings First Years Children's Center Families,

Photo day is just around the corner! My name is Shelby, and I am the portrait photographer behind Shelby Huff Studios. I’m so excited to provide your school with fine art portraits that capture the authentic personality of each child. My goal is to create a more personal and thoughtful experience for both schools and families, ensuring that photo day feels seamless, enjoyable, and memorable.

WHAT IS A FINE ART SCHOOL PORTRAIT?

Fine Art School Portraits are a modern, timeless approach to school photography.
Gone are the awkward poses and busy, artificial backdrops. Instead, children are photographed against a simple and solid background in natural light, allowing their true personality to shine. Rather than forcing smiles, I encourage natural expressions. Children are encouraged to be themselves and will never be forced to smile. The result is classic, authentic portraits that families will treasure for years to come.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON PHOTO DAY

On photo day, children will come to the portrait area with their class. Each child will spend about one to two minutes with me while I chat and take their photos. This relaxed approach allows us to capture genuine expressions rather than forced smiles. Sessions are quick, easy, and designed to keep kids comfortable while making the process smooth and enjoyable.

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD WEAR?

• KEEP IT SIMPLE AND SOLID: For fine art school portraits, solid colors help keep the focus on your child’s face and expressions without any distractions. Solid colors create a classic look that won’t date the photo as trends change. Avoid loud, neon colors which can reflect oddly on skin tones and detract from the natural beauty of your child’s features. 
• CHOOSE COMFORTABLE, CLASSIC TOPS: Since all shots are shoulder-up, the focus should be on the upper part of your child’s outfit. Choose a top that fits well and is comfortable for your child, as a relaxed kid is more likely to show genuine expressions. Opt for classic collars or simple necklines that frame their face well. Think about textures too — a soft, knitted sweater or a smooth cotton shirt can add a nice touch without overpowering the photo. 
  
• AVOID DISTRACTING ACCESSORIES: Hats and large bows might look cute, but they can overshadow your child's face in a portrait. It's best to avoid these as they can also create shadows or obscure facial features. Similarly, keep hair accessories simple and functional rather than decorative.
  
• HAIR AND GROOMING: Make sure your child’s hair is neat and tidy, keeping it out of their eyes. This not only helps in capturing their full expressions but also ensures that their face is clearly visible, contributing to a polished and professional-looking portrait. A simple hairstyle will complement the classic nature of the portrait without causing distractions.
  
• WHAT TO AVOID: It’s best to steer clear of tops with logos, graphics, or bold patterns. These elements can distract from the main focus of the portrait — your child’s expressions. Also, overly bright or neon colors can create unflattering shadows and highlights on the face, so it’s better to choose more subdued shades.

HOW CAN I VIEW MY CHILD'S IMAGES?

Within three weeks of photo day, you will receive an email with a link to your school’s proofing gallery. Each child will have a minimum of 2-5 images (in both color and black & white) placed in an individual album within the school’s gallery, making it easy to view and order. If you would like to password-protect your child's photo folder, please let me know by emailing me at shelbyhuff.photo@gmail.com.

HOW WILL I ORDER?

Families have the freedom to choose which images they’d like to order. Prints, canvas wraps, and digital files can all be purchased directly through the gallery. Unlike traditional school photography, there are no pre-purchased packages. All prints and digital files are sold à la carte within the viewing gallery, so you only purchase the images you truly love. This approach gives families complete flexibility and ensures you’re only investing in the portraits that best capture your child.

Please note: The gallery will remain open for fourteen (14) days only, and all orders must be placed within that time frame.

HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY PURCHASED IMAGES?

Digital file orders are delivered instantly. As soon as your purchase is complete, download instructions will be sent directly to your email. This allows you to enjoy and share your child’s portraits right away.

All print and tangible product orders will be delivered directly to your school within two weeks of the gallery closing. The school will then send orders home with students, ensuring families receive their portraits quickly and conveniently.

PRICING

All tangible products are produced by a high-quality professional print lab, ensuring your portraits are beautifully printed and made to last. Please note: professional prints may look different than those produced by consumer labs. The lab delivers true-to-life colors, accurate tones, and archival quality.

Pricing is reviewed annually and may change from year to year. Current pricing is listed below.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Remember, the goal is to capture the essence of your child’s personality through these portraits, so dressing them in something they feel good and comfortable in is key. If you have any doubts or need further advice on what to choose, don’t hesitate to contact me at shelbyhuff.photo@gmail.com. I'm here to make sure your child’s school photo day is a success!

Looking forward to capturing beautiful, timeless portraits of your children this school year!