Plan ahead! Don't take the photo when you're already behind schedule and rushing or you and your little one won't be happy which will show through in the photos and potentially ruin their exciting first day! Also, thing about your background and lighting. Your background shouldn't be busy or messy. Sometimes it's best to take this photo just outside your front door, or maybe in the backyard. Or in front of the school if there is time. You don't want a pile of toys, dishes, or clothes in the background though. Also, while portrait mode can be great, a blurred messy background is still messy - so don't expect that to be the solution. Also, you don' want the main source of light to be behind your kid of you'll get a silhouette effect. You also don't want super harsh light which will cause bad shadows and make your kid squint. So be prepared to change locations depending on the lighting and be flexible! Lastly, it's JUST a photo and isn't worth getting too stressed out about. You want your kid to go to school excited and happy so... if the photo doesn't work out at the start of the day, try again later! If all else fails, embrace the chaos of parenting and show off your "less than perfect" first day of school pictures with pride!