Back-to-School Photos: A Tradition Worth Keeping (and Keeping Safe!)

Well, it’s that time of year again—school is starting! One of my favorite traditions has always been taking a first day of school picture. It’s how I’ve tracked my boys from preschool to high school, and even into college. As our family has grown, my daughters-in-law have joined in, sending me pictures of their kids’ first day too. It’s such a fun way to capture those milestones and watch how everyone changes over time.

But as we dive into the excitement, let’s talk about a few things to keep in mind:

1. Protect Your Privacy
If you’re using those cute chalkboards or printable signs that list details about your child, make sure the information is safe to share. Avoid including the name of their school, teacher, or any location details. And before posting online, consider turning off your photo’s GPS data so it can’t be tracked. Keeping our kids safe while still enjoying these traditions is always the priority.

2. Create a First-Day Album
Make life easier on yourself—set up a digital or printed album for each child. Every year, simply add their first day of school picture to that album. Over time, you’ll have a complete collection of their school years in one place.

3. Celebrate the Journey
When each of my boys graduated from high school, I loved pairing their very first first day photo from preschool with their high school first day photo and their last day of school picture. It was such a special way to see just how far they had come—a beautiful walk through time.

This school year, keep the tradition alive, keep your kids safe, and keep those memories organized. Because one day, you’ll look back and be so glad you did.