I have talked a lot about why I strongly believe that Modern School Photography is the best way to approach school photo day, but today I wanted to chat about what the difference is between traditional yearbook photos and modern school photos. I have been a Grapevine school photographer for the past 4 years and have provided both traditional and modern school photography across the DFW area for kids ages 6 weeks – 12th grade.

A toddler wearing a teal polo shirt smiles while sitting against a dark background.

What are Traditional Yearbook Photos?


These are most likely what you remember school photos being as a kid. They are a single pose of your kid taken from the mid chest to just above their head. They typically are on a speckled blue, brown, or gray background, and with some companies, you can switch the background to a variety of things. I think one year I saw an American Flag and an Eagle alongside a Winter Wonderland Scene. With big box school photography companies, they’ll bring in a photographer, and their job is to snap one photo of each kid as quickly as possible. They are not typically concerned if the child just came in from recess, spelt spaghetti sauce on their shirt at lunch, or their hair is falling out of their ponytail.


There is an absolute place for school photography that is one simple photo per child, and I can provide this type of photography for your school. But I will make sure their hair isn’t crazy, that all the snot is wiped away (schools are germ factories!), and if the pose isn’t working, we’ll change it quickly. My backgrounds are simple, so the student is the highlight, and I aim to get a genuine smile as quickly as possible.

Small child wearing a Nordic style sweater with feathered hair clips smiling against a gray background.
A child wearing a pink collared shirt smiles brightly in a series of four similar portrait photos.

What are Modern School Photos?


In Modern School Photography, I take a few more moments to engage with each child. I take photos in 2-3 different poses with a variety of looks from each pose to give parents a robust gallery delivered in both color and black and white (my personal favorite!). And the best part? A traditional yearbook photo is easily included in this! Modern School Photography are school photos that parents want to hang on their walls. The backgrounds are simple and timeless to go with any décor and season. If your school schedule allows for it, I can also include siblings, graduation or staff photos as part of our day. There are so many benefits to working with a small business for your school photo day.


By choosing to do Modern School Photos for your school photo day you are giving parents the option to see their child’s personality shine and how they grow from year to year. I create images with my knowledge of lighting, posing, and editing as well as my eye as mom. I aim to make all the kids feel comfortable from the shyest to the biggest energy in your school.

A series of four studio portraits showing someone wearing a black polka dot sheer top against a gray background.
A series of black and white photos showing playful expressions and gestures against a dark background.

What do schools receive with Modern School Photos?


I can provide schools with PSPA files for their yearbook creation whether we do a traditional school photo day or a modern school photo day. Regardless of which way you go, your yearbook photos will be timeless. Other benefits to schools include either a monetary donation of the proceeds of photo day or a school branding session. The students that I photograph year-to-year also get to know me. They remember me and are instantly comfortable in front of the camera, which makes for a better experience and better photos.

Two children wearing glasses embrace and smile together in a heartwarming series of candid portrait photos.

Are you ready to elevate your school photo day to Modern School Photos?


Reach out to get on my calendar for this school year.