Back to School (But Don’t Blink): Your Late Summer Photo Checklist

Easy memory-making ideas you can do at home before the school-year chaos kicks in.

You know that weird in-between season?

Where summer isn’t quite over but the backpacks are already lined up by the door?

Yeah. That’s where we are.

And if you’re anything like most of the moms I know, this season feels both sweet and… fast. Like you’re clinging to the last drips of popsicles and pool days while mentally mapping out school schedules and wondering if it’s too early to buy Halloween costumes.

So before everything speeds up again, let’s hit pause.

Here’s a simple little checklist of memory-making photo ideas you can do completely on your own, right from home. No pressure. No props. Just the beauty of your right-now life, exactly as it is.

1. Evening Light Snuggles

There’s something about that late summer light—it hits different.

Snap a photo of your kiddos curled up on the couch, reading, snacking, or fighting over the remote. Capture their bedhead, their favorite jammies, or the way the dog always ends up in the middle.

2. Their “Right Now” Favorites

Take a few quick pics of:

• Their current favorite toy or comfort item

• The chaos in their room (yes, even the mess)

• A snapshot of their handwriting on a summer reading log or doodle page

It’s the kind of stuff you’ll miss later—the ordinary magic.

3. The “End of Summer” Selfie

Just you and your crew. No makeup? Don’t care. Dirty dishes in the background? Even better.

Set a timer or hold out your phone and snap a photo of you with your kids doing something simple—eating cereal, brushing teeth, watching Bluey for the 87th time. Be in the photo. That’s the part they’ll care about later.

4. One Last Backyard Adventure

Let them run wild in the sprinkler. Paint rocks. Catch fireflies. Lay on the trampoline and look for stars.

Then take one photo—not posed, not perfect—just one that says: this is what our summer felt like.

5. Back-to-School Eve Moments

Sure, everyone takes a “first day” photo—but don’t skip the night before.

• Lined-up backpacks

• Outfits hanging on the closet door

• A quiet moment of you labeling supplies while sipping something warm

It’s tender and sacred and a little bit chaotic. Exactly what this season is made of.

💛 Keep It Simple, Keep It Honest

The best photos aren’t the posed ones. They’re the ones that make you feel something.

So don’t stress the lighting or the angles or the mess in the background. Just grab your phone and catch what’s already happening.

Because in six months, you’ll scroll through and say, “Oh my gosh… they’ve already changed so much.”

PS — Want Some Help Freezing Time?

If you ever want to jump in the frame more without doing it all yourself, I’ve got you.

Whether it’s a full storytelling session or a cozy mini, I’d be honored to help you preserve what this season looks and feels like. Reach out here when you're ready. 💛