In General

Much like individual photos getting the children to look at the camera is key to getting a group photo. It is best that anyone attempting to help the photographer get the children's attention position themselves behind the camera so that any children looking at them will not be looking out of frame in the final print.

It is important that group photos happen fast. Children become restless and impatient if they are forced to sit in place for too long so generally it is only possible to get 3-4 pictures of a group before the children start to lose attention.

It is unlikely, in any group photo, that all the children will be looking at the camera smiling. This is an unrealistic expectation.

Infant Groups

Staff should be positioned along the wall, seated cross legged or kneeling with a child on each knee. The children most able to sit on their own and least in need of being held can be seated on the floor directly in front of the line of teachers.

Toddler Groups

Toddler groups normally number 10-15 children in a single pic. The best practice is to have the smallest children seated on the floor, the next smallest sitting in chairs and the tallest standing at the back positioned in between the children seated on chairs and finally the staff, kneeling or crouching, in behind. This way we should be able to see every child's face clearly.

Preschool and Above

In the oldest age categories group photos consist of 3 to 4 rows. Smallest in front - seated on the floor, next smallest in chairs and the tallest standing at the back, followed by teachers behind them. For preschool aged children it generally works best to set up the group photo area and have the photographer position the children. 

Nervous Cases

If a child in any age category is nervous about doing a group photo they are best positioned near a staff member. If the child is small they may be held by one of the staff at the back of the photo, if they are among the larger of the kids in the class they may just need to be positioned standing in front of a staff member in the back row of children.