The 10 Stages of School Picture Day

Updated on Oct 20, 2014 at 8:44 AM

Whether your child is in preschool or high school, it seems that the school picture process is always the same — stressful. And while we already have thousands of pictures of our kids in our possession, for whatever reason, a lot is riding on that one school portrait. Maybe it's the one-and-done mentality, or maybe it's the outrageous price tags, but it's best to be prepared when you get the notice that picture day is just around the corner at your tot's school. Source: Shutterstock

The flier arrives in your child's backpack.

It tells you when the big day is scheduled, along with how much this is gonna cost you. You scoff at the package prices and vow to only buy the pictures you need this year. Source: Giphy

There are so many decisions to be made.

Pick a package. Pick à la carte items. Pick a background. How many poses? Add retouching? Digital proofs? Custom mug? Personalized stationery? What about a mouse pad? Huh? Source: Fox

Despite your best efforts, you end up spending a fortune.

All the packages are crazy expensive and make no sense. Who needs 32 two-by-one-inch pictures anyway? You pick the most expensive one, because it's the only one that makes sense. You got me again, portrait company. You got me. Source: Fox

Then it's off to shop for the picture-perfect outfit for your child.

After a frustrating trip to the mall, you and your kid finally agree on the perfect school-picture-worthy look. Source: Bravo

You have your child practice how they will smile on school picture day.

Since you still have the $60 worth of pictures of your child's awkward smile from last year, you don't really want the same this year. Source: CBS

Finally picture day is here, except you totally forget.

I forget about picture day for at least one of my children each year. It's kind of my thing. At the same point I realize I forgot is when I also remember exactly what said child wore to school — and it's far from awesome. Source: Disney

Meanwhile, back at school . . .

He's taking his photo. And he totally forgot all that smile practice you did together. Source: Disney

And the school photographer does not care.

I'm pretty sure school photographers live for bad school photos. Retakes must be their bread and butter. Source: Netflix

Then the pictures come home, and they're just as you suspected.

Not good. And not something you want to pay $50 for. Why is this such a hard process? Source: NBC

So you gear up to do it all again for retake day next week!

Because you will get a decent school portrait of your child. Even if it takes his entire educational career . . .

Source: NBC