zulily's Picture Day Contest! + Photo Tips & Tricks #zulilyPictureDay

Everyone is in the throes of summer break and all the adventures that come with the season! But, sooner than we know it, the entire family will be heading back-to-school (BTS).  To commemorate the BTS season, now live, zulily has kicked off a #zulilyPictureDay contest. 

 zulily’s studio department features 310 in-house photographers, stylists, make-up artists, photo editors and copywriters, all working to create custom creative imagery designed to accompany our fresh, daily assortment of 100 events (aka sales!). They’re photographing nearly 100 kids per week!  And, when we photograph children’s merchandise, we engage our community and we photograph children without modeling experience, be it an employee or customer’s daughter or son, toddler, baby, etc. so you can imagine all of the tips & tricks our teams know from interacting daily with families and children to capture the zulily spirit.

So, what have they launched?

• All zulily fans are invited to submit their favorite school’s unique story in 100 words or less as to why zulily should outfit their school with back-to-school photos.
• Nominations are open from July 10-16, 2017 on zulily.com as well as in our app.
• On August 11, 2017, zulily will identify the eight lucky finalists and launch an interactive Facebook Live series highlighting each entrant’s unique school story. During the series, viewers have a chance to cast their vote and help select the winning entrant and school.
• The nominator with the winning entry will receive a $500 shopping credit on zulily.com.
• And, the winning school of which the entry is about will receive a zulily Studio team visit, during which professional photographers will bring to life what we do every day! Plus a few surprises for students & teachers!
• A special gift for entering #zulilyPictureDay is that for every person who submits a nomination, you’ll receive a special $10 off on $75+ purchase during this limited time.

Back-to-school season applies to getting your home, family, kids, pets, etc. ready for the ‘new year’. 

Now you can slay picture day! zulily has some great photography tips from experts who photograph millions of shots every year.  These are some of the best frameable pro-background hacks, tips for taking the best “first-day-back” photo, or age-specific tips on how to best photograph your kindergartener through college-age kid, photographing your pet, your home, etc.

zulily’s Tips & Tricks for Capturing the Perfect First-Day-of-School Photo & More!

The first day of school is as exciting for parents as it is for kids. It’s the time of year when social media newsfeeds are filled with eager smiles, adorable front porch shots and uniquely styled back-to-school ensembles!

zulily’s studio department features 310 in-house photographers, stylists, make-up artists, photo editors and copywriters, all working to create custom creative imagery designed to accompany our fresh, daily assortment of 100 events (aka sales!). They’re photographing nearly 100 kids per week!  And, when we photograph children’s merchandise, we engage our community and we photograph children without modeling experience, be it an employee or customer’s daughter or son, toddler, baby, etc. so you can imagine all of the tips & tricks our teams know from interacting daily with families and children to capture the zulily spirit. 

Kindergarten to 4^th Grade

·         Give your memories some context. Try posing them in a familiar setting with elements that define that time in your child's life. Use the photo as a way to tell a story to their future selves.

·         Squish the Bug! Sometimes it's hard for kids to understand why standing in one place for a photo is important.  In our studio, we draw a little bug on a piece of masking tape and place that tape precisely where we want the child to stand. When the time comes, we don't demand the kid stands still, we just play a game! "Can you jump on the bug?"  "Can you squish him?" Every time the model starts to wander off we say "jump back to the bug," "Quick! Squish him before he gets away!"

·         Simon Says. Games are the best way to keep your kids involved and present during your photoshoot. Rather than ordering them to stand up straight and smile, play a game of Simon Says! Mix in fun commands with your desired poses so as not to give away your new trick… “Simon says put your hands in your pocket!”

Tips for Photographing Tweens

·         Get them moving. Whether it’s a hair flip, throwing a football or flipping through a notebook, movement can capture the perfect candid (and what is more Instagram worthy than that?)

·         Give them something to do. A task. An Act. Three steps. Often times, standing still and smiling can get really old, really quick. For a more entertaining, enjoyable photoshoot introduce some sort of task and the photos will come effortlessly.

·         Big laughs, close crops. More than capturing a moment, we want our pictures to capture the essence of our subject’s personality. Laughter is a beautiful way to bring out those genuine features and we recommend getting up close so you don’t miss a thing!

Tips for High School / College Kids

·         Let them pick their outfits and setting. By high school kids have developed their own style personality and no longer need their parents to pick out a matching top and bottom combo. Let your high schooler/college-age kid show off their unique style and outfit combos that they feel great in!

·         Adding context to the story. The best photos tell a story. Use this opportunity to include objects that tell the story of your kid’s life at the time the photo is being taken. Including things like a basketball, dance shoes, or the family pet can give great context to the photo and provide a wonderful walk down memory lane years later!

·         No peanut galleries. Remember that for the camera-shy, having an audience can make the ordeal all the harder. Create an environment for your model that allows them the greatest comfort – this will lead to even better, more genuine photos!