Your school formal photo checklist

Before you leave

Allow a little breathing room before transport arrives. A few relaxed pictures in one spot are easier than trying to squeeze in a full photo shoot.

• □A whole-outfit photo in soft outdoor light.
• □A favourite detail: shoes, a tie, jewellery or a corsage.
• □A photo with the family or carers helping you get ready.
• □Your closest friends together, plus a few smaller combinations.
• □A recreation of an old school photo, if everyone wants to join in.

Arrivals and the table

Capture the room before the evening gets busy. Follow the venue's photography rules and leave doorways clear.

• □Your group arriving, taken from a safe spot off the road.
• □The room, decorations and table setting.
• □Everyone at your table while you're still all sitting together.
• □A photo at the formal backdrop or photo wall.
• □One picture with a teacher or organiser who would like to join.

The bits between the posed photos

The most personal pictures are often small moments. Avoid flash during speeches or performances if it would distract people, and don't interrupt the photographer's work.

• □A friend mid-laugh.
• □A favourite dance move, with room around the dancer.
• □A quick group selfie with everyone who wants to be in it.
• □A short clip of the atmosphere, where filming is allowed.
• □One last friends photo before heading home.

The organiser's checklist

A good collection needs a simple way for people to contribute. Check the photo-sharing plan with the school first.

• □Agree who owns the album, who can view it and how it may be used.
• □Set up the album and check available storage.
• □Test a printed QR code with another phone.
• □Put the QR cards where guests can see and reach them.
• □Share a tappable link as well as the QR code.
• □Nominate someone to send the next-day reminder.
• □Review photos before sharing the collection with the agreed audience.

Keep it kind, keep it optional

Ask before taking or sharing photos of someone. Skip embarrassing moments, respect requests to remove pictures and don't post the album link publicly. For school events, follow the school's photo-sharing arrangements. You don't need to tick every box to have a great set of memories.