Say Cheese to AI: Rethinking Portraits for the Future
For decades, school photo day has been a staple of the academic year. Students line up, smile for the camera, and wait weeks for glossy prints to arrive. But in 2025, photo day looks a lot different. Thanks to new technology and evolving student needs, schools and yearbook advisers are seeing major changes in how photos are taken, edited, and delivered.
If you’re planning your school yearbook with Picaboo Yearbooks, here’s what you need to know about the trends shaping school photo day in 2025—and how you can use these ideas when you’re taking your own candid or class photos throughout the year.
1. Digital Backgrounds Take Center Stage
Say goodbye to limited backdrops. Many photography companies now offer digital backgrounds, giving students and families more options than ever. From classic blue to modern graphic styles, digital backgrounds make it easy to customize a portrait while keeping layouts consistent in your yearbook.
Yearbook Adviser Tip: Even if you’re not working with a professional setup, you can borrow this idea when photographing students yourself. Snap photos against a neutral background (like a blank wall or curtain) so you can add simple graphic elements later in your page design, giving those candid’s a polished and consistent look.
2. AI-Powered Retouching
AI is transforming the way school photos are edited. With AI retouching tools, minor blemishes, lighting issues, and even hair flyaways can be corrected instantly. This results in polished, professional portraits—without long wait times for edits.
Yearbook Adviser Tip: Don’t worry if your lighting isn’t always perfect for hallway or classroom photos. Free or low-cost editing apps now include AI-powered tools to quickly brighten images, smooth out harsh shadows, or fix small imperfections so your candids look more professional. For more photography tips and tricks, click HERE.
3. Student Self-Submission Tools
Not every student can attend photo day—but that doesn’t mean they have to miss the school yearbook. In 2025, more schools are embracing student photo self-submission platforms. These allow students (or parents) to upload approved portraits directly through secure apps or portals. Check out MyYearbookPhoto self-service tool and learn how you can flow portraits right onto the page.
Yearbook Adviser Tip: You can use the same idea for your candids! Encourage students to submit their own snapshots from games, clubs, or events. Just set clear guidelines (horizontal vs. vertical, no filters, high resolution) to ensure those photos are yearbook-ready. This not only fills gaps but also increases student engagement.
4. Faster Turnaround and Digital Delivery
With digital workflows, photos are delivered faster than ever—sometimes within days. Families can download portraits directly, and advisers can access images in organized, ready-to-use formats for the school yearbook. To see how to manage your photos in Creator Studio, click HERE.
Yearbook Adviser Tip: Think about speed and organization with your own photos too. Store images in shared digital folders, labeled by event or spread, so your staff can quickly find and drop them into layouts. The faster your turnaround, the less stressful deadlines will be.
The Future of School Photo Day
As school photo day continues to evolve, technology is making the process more flexible, personalized, and efficient. For yearbook advisers, this isn’t just about portrait day—it’s inspiration for how you manage your own photography all year long. From editing tricks to submission systems, you can borrow these same strategies to make your school yearbook workflow smoother and your candids stronger.
At Picaboo Yearbooks, we’re here to help you navigate these changes so your 2025 yearbook captures every student, every memory, and every moment—with ease.