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School days bring many precious memories where hilarity ensues just like it happened yesterday. And having your school photo taken was one of them. Mom would pick the clothes the night prior, and dad would coach you on posing in what was really just another good ol’ dad joke.

Fast forward to today, and the evidence persists. That holy school photo of yours is a gift that keeps on giving. Call it a free ticket to time travel, a hilarious vindication of your innocent days, but kids are gonna be kids, and as long as we have them, school photos will stay forever.

So this time, Bored Panda has compiled some of the most entertaining and funny school photographs where kids are totally nailing them—just not the way their parents would want them to. But hey, we’ve all been there and just because your little sis is going nuts in an elementary class shot, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. So please everyone, just calm down.

#1

My Friend’s Boyfriend Was Not Happy About His Kindergarten Picture. His Parents Still Have It Framed In Their House 20 Years Later

My Friend’s Boyfriend Was Not Happy About His Kindergarten Picture. His Parents Still Have It Framed In Their House 20 Years Later

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varwenea
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's an adorable photo. Legit that it's been displayed for 20 years.

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#2

Reagan Brought Home Her School Pictures Today. Should I Ground Her Or High-Five Her?

Reagan Brought Home Her School Pictures Today. Should I Ground Her Or High-Five Her?

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#3

Apparently I Didn't Know How To Smile In First Grade

Apparently I Didn't Know How To Smile In First Grade

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For millions of kids, picture day is that one special day in a year when they align to form a tiny conveyor belt. Smiling widely at a camera (or not, as we’ve seen in this amusing post), they will be forever memorialized in a small photograph that captures it all: innocent awkwardness, clumsiness, and carelessness which will haunt their moms and dads forever.

Kristin Boyer, a photographer in Atlanta, Georgia, told Mental Floss that school photographers get about 30 seconds per kid. “And it’s amazing how much impact you can have. You want to make them feel like a million bucks—beautiful, awesome, and smart.”

#4

I’m So Mad Right Now. I Checked My Son's Book Bag And Find These

I’m So Mad Right Now. I Checked My Son's Book Bag And Find These

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Full of Giggles
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't be mad. I'd rather have pictures that capture my kid's personality than the same ol' pose year after year.

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#5

In Case You've Ever Wondered What Happens When Your Kid Wears Green On Picture Day

In Case You've Ever Wondered What Happens When Your Kid Wears Green On Picture Day

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#6

10m, And Looking Like A Middle Age Mom Who’s Deciding To Grace You With A Smile, While Still Judging You Just A Little

10m, And Looking Like A Middle Age Mom Who’s Deciding To Grace You With A Smile, While Still Judging You Just A Little

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The school photographer also explained that photographers normally get paid when parents order photos, and the school takes a percentage from that price. Moreover, the school may well take bids in order to decide on the photographer that suits their need best. In order to get selected, Kristin makes a presentation where “I'll explain what I do. Sometimes schools are looking for certain things.”

Most importantly, as much as the little ones are excited by the big photo day at school, it’s parents who take the occasion the most seriously. Sometimes parents get so excited, they take their phones out to take some snaps on there. But Kristin is strict about that. “I usually say no cell phone photos. If they take theirs, they won’t buy mine.”

And when it comes to selfies, the little ones have grown much more comfortable standing in front of a camera. But that’s not necessarily a good thing. The photographer calls it “bad selfie behavior” when kids are “doing duck lips, thrusting their arms out.”

#7

Mason Got His Kindergarten Pictures And I Didn’t Want His Name On The Bottom So I Typed In “I Don’t Want This” And They Freaking Printed This... So Now I Have Like 30 Pictures Of Him With This On The Bottom

Mason Got His Kindergarten Pictures And I Didn’t Want His Name On The Bottom So I Typed In “I Don’t Want This” And They Freaking Printed This... So Now I Have Like 30 Pictures Of Him With This On The Bottom

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#9

I Still Think That This Is My Favorite Photo Of All Time

I Still Think That This Is My Favorite Photo Of All Time

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#10

My Brother's Pre-K Picture. He Didn't Know How To Smile

My Brother's Pre-K Picture. He Didn't Know How To Smile

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#11

I Told My 9-Year-Old I Didn’t Care What He Did In His Spring School Photos. This Is What He Gave Us

I Told My 9-Year-Old I Didn’t Care What He Did In His Spring School Photos. This Is What He Gave Us

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#12

The School Offered To Re-Shoot The Photo But My Parents Declined

The School Offered To Re-Shoot The Photo But My Parents Declined

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ML
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I swear to god if you make me pose for one more picture, sleep with one eye open

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#14

My Wife’s School Picture With Her Most Prized Possession At The Time. An Evanescence Cd

My Wife’s School Picture With Her Most Prized Possession At The Time. An Evanescence Cd

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#15

I Too Was Instructed Not To Blink During My Elementary School Yearbook Photo

I Too Was Instructed Not To Blink During My Elementary School Yearbook Photo

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#16

How’s Your 2020 Going?

How’s Your 2020 Going?

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#17

My Daughter's First Ever School Photo. She Was So Excited For Days, Went In And Got A Mugshot Instead

My Daughter's First Ever School Photo. She Was So Excited For Days, Went In And Got A Mugshot Instead

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ML
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she read the pamphlet right before the picture. NO SMILES TODAY!

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#18

Me In The 4th Grade Ready To Go On Some Sort Of Tropical Safari With My Best Friend

Me In The 4th Grade Ready To Go On Some Sort Of Tropical Safari With My Best Friend

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ravn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dunno, even in college a safari with Pee Wee would have made my life goals list.

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#19

School Photos Sometimes In The Early 2000s. I Really Thought I Was "Da Bomb"

School Photos Sometimes In The Early 2000s. I Really Thought I Was "Da Bomb"

I remember going to "Limited Too" and thinking those velour pants were a must.

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#20

Jack's Picture This Year. Seriously, School Photographer? Seriously?!?!

Jack's Picture This Year. Seriously, School Photographer? Seriously?!?!

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually like this photo. Jack has a cute smile that probably lights up the entire room. Even his eyes are smiling.

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#21

Sasshole

Sasshole

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Rissie
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would you put that on a child though. Hardly a surprise that this would happen.

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#22

My 2nd Grade School Pic. I'm A Girl

My 2nd Grade School Pic. I'm A Girl

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#23

This Was The Retake Of My Second Grade School Photo

This Was The Retake Of My Second Grade School Photo

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#24

My Friend Was Saying “Yee” Before You Were Saying “Haw”

My Friend Was Saying “Yee” Before You Were Saying “Haw”

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#25

My Mom Found My Old Elementary School Photo The Other Day

My Mom Found My Old Elementary School Photo The Other Day

I just remember my mom was mad because they didn't let me do a retake.

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#26

"He Was Told To Wear Nice Clothes For His Graduation Pictures. I Expected To See Him In His Green Cap And Gown. This Was So Much Better! I Literally Laughed Until I Cried. I Hit The Picture Lottery. -- I Asked Connor How Pictures Went And If He Smiled Nice. In True 6 -Year Old-Fashion, He Told Me He ‘Smiled Handsome.' I Thought Nothing More Of It. Until Yesterday Morning

"He Was Told To Wear Nice Clothes For His Graduation Pictures. I Expected To See Him In His Green Cap And Gown. This Was So Much Better! I Literally Laughed Until I Cried. I Hit The Picture Lottery. -- I Asked Connor How Pictures Went And If He Smiled Nice. In True 6 -Year Old-Fashion, He Told Me He ‘Smiled Handsome.' I Thought Nothing More Of It. Until Yesterday Morning

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#27

School Photo Circa 1996. Allergies Were Hitting Me Hard That Day

School Photo Circa 1996. Allergies Were Hitting Me Hard That Day

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#28

Why Yes!! My Vest Was Homemade!

Why Yes!! My Vest Was Homemade!

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#29

School Pictures Today. I Hope I Don’t Get A Repeat Of This Gem From 2016

School Pictures Today. I Hope I Don’t Get A Repeat Of This Gem From 2016

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DC
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Made me very laugh ... a very laughy laugh, you know?

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#30

What? You Don’t Always Have Your Arm Straight Out To The Side While Looking Terrified During Pictures?

What? You Don’t Always Have Your Arm Straight Out To The Side While Looking Terrified During Pictures?

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#31

My Original 3rd Grade School Photo (Left). Mom Demanded A Retake (Right) With The Instructions "Smile! Show Some Teeth!" Note Which One Got Framed, And The Caption On The Envelope

My Original 3rd Grade School Photo (Left). Mom Demanded A Retake (Right) With The Instructions "Smile! Show Some Teeth!" Note Which One Got Framed, And The Caption On The Envelope

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#32

When You're Super Excited To See Your Kids School Pictures... And Then You Find This In The Packet

When You're Super Excited To See Your Kids School Pictures... And Then You Find This In The Packet

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Raine Soo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a grade school photo where I looked like that. My mother was not amused.

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#33

Note To Self: Don’t Let Your Kid Wear Green On Picture Day

Note To Self: Don’t Let Your Kid Wear Green On Picture Day

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#34

Best Yearbook Picture Ever. Apparently The School Sees No Future For This One

Best Yearbook Picture Ever. Apparently The School Sees No Future For This One

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#35

Best School Picture Ever. Kai Kai Was Obviously Not Feeling Picture Day

Best School Picture Ever. Kai Kai Was Obviously Not Feeling Picture Day

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#36

1994, Age 7 First Grade. My Stepdad Says I Wanted My Hair Cut That Way

1994, Age 7 First Grade. My Stepdad Says I Wanted My Hair Cut That Way

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#37

Beau And The Photographer Had Great Chemistry

Beau And The Photographer Had Great Chemistry

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#38

I Promise My Child Is Happy And Isn’t Living In Misery As He Appears In This Photo

I Promise My Child Is Happy And Isn’t Living In Misery As He Appears In This Photo

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Kim
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hahaha aaaw I really like this one. You can see him trying so hard to NOT blink. "Oh wait, I also need to smile... uh oh that was the picture!"

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#40

When Your Sweet Boy Wears His Favorite Green Underarmour Shirt To School For Picture Day! Green Screen Fail!..

When Your Sweet Boy Wears His Favorite Green Underarmour Shirt To School For Picture Day! Green Screen Fail!..

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Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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