Chester County School and Private School Photographer

Exceptional School Portraits for the Philadelphia Area

If you’ve ever groaned over stiff, awkward school portraits—or worse, had to prepay for images before even seeing them—you’re not alone. Many parents are frustrated by the “big chain” approach to school photos. Too often, the results are cookie-cutter pictures where kids look uncomfortable, distracted, or like they’re counting the seconds until it’s over.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

I offer school portraits with personality—images that capture the natural expressions and joy of your children. Whether you’re a preschool director searching for a stress-free photo day or a parent who wants keepsakes you’ll actually treasure, my goal is to make Picture Day feel easy, fun, and genuine.

What Makes My School Portraits Different

Instead of rushing children through in 30 seconds, I offer each child a “tiny session”—a 3–5 minute portrait experience. It’s just enough time to help them relax, chat a little, and coax out those authentic smiles we all love.

I’m a parent myself, so I know that sometimes the best way to get a grin is by referencing Paw Patrol, cracking a corny joke, or saying the buzzword of the month. Whatever works—I’ll do what it takes to make your child feel comfortable so they give natural expressions. No forced cheese smiles here!

And here’s another key difference: if a child isn’t ready—whether they’re shy, fussy, or just not in the mood—I don’t just snap a frame and move on. My assistant and I will give them another try a bit later. Patience and kindness always win.

If your child has special needs, they will be greeted with the same excitement and praise as everyone else, but will be allowed a little extra time to warm up to photos. I pride myself on capturing the personalities of every child, including those on the autism spectrum, children with visual, hearing, or physical impairments, or those with Down Syndrome. I read their cues and gently guide them along so their true self shines through!

Picture Day, Simplified

On Picture Day, my assistant and I arrive ready to make the process smooth and stress-free for teachers, parents, and kids alike.

• Individual portraits – Each child gets a variety of poses: a full-length photo, a close-up, and one on a colorful background with a chair/stool.
• Outdoor options – If your school has a courtyard or playground we can take photos outside for a seasonal, natural look.
• Sibling portraits – If brothers or sisters attend the same school, they’ll be photographed together in addition to their individual shots.
• Class photos – Each age group can have a traditional class portrait with their teacher, or I can create a professional montage featuring each child and teacher, complete with the school name, logo, and year.

Every school is unique, and I tailor the process to fit your needs. Whether you run a small in-home daycare or a larger preschool, the setup is flexible and stress-free.

Online Ordering That Parents Love

One of the biggest frustrations with chain photo companies is the pre-pay model—parents are asked to commit to packages before they’ve even seen the photos. I do things differently.

Parents will receive a secure online gallery link featuring only their child’s portraits. They can choose the images they love most and order digital files or prints directly.

• Digital images are available instantly after purchase.
• Prints are ordered from a professional lab, not a drugstore, so colors and quality are guaranteed.
• Bulk print ordering is open for 2–3 weeks, with free shipping to the school. After that period, parents can still order, but shipping is direct-to-home for a small fee.

It’s simple, convenient, and stress-free for parents and administrators.

Pricing for School Portraits

There is no cost to the school for hosting Picture Day. All purchases are made individually by parents. A minimum of 20 children is required for bulk school pricing.

• Print sheets – $15 each (choose from one 8×10, two 5×7s, four 4×5s, or eight wallet-sized photos).
• High-resolution digital files – $25 for one image, or $20 each for two or more, further discounted on a sliding scale down to $15 each.
• Novelty items – Keychains, ornaments, and other fun keepsakes are also available.

Because everything is ordered directly online, there’s no handling of cash, checks, or order envelopes by teachers or staff.

Why Parents Appreciate My Approach

Parents often tell me they finally feel like school portraits capture their child’s true personality. No more stiff poses or forced smiles—just natural, joyful portraits you’ll want to share with grandparents and frame on the wall.

Did your toddler fall off his or her bike the day before picture day? No problem, retouching is included, so boo-boos and boogies will disappear before you see the proofs.

And because you see the images before ordering, there’s no risk of paying for photos you don’t love.

Why Schools Appreciate My Approach

As a preschool or daycare director, you already have plenty on your plate. The last thing you need is a chaotic Picture Day with paperwork, envelopes, and frustrated families.

Here’s how I make it easier for schools:

• No cost to host – Schools never pay for the photo day.
• Free staff headshots – Use for ID cards, websites, or classroom decor.
• Minimal disruption – Sessions are short and efficient.
• Easy ordering system – No need for teachers to handle payments or order forms.
• Professional delivery – Bulk order prints arrive at the school in individual envelopes, ready to hand out. Orders after the bulk deadline are shipped directly to the students' homes at the address provided at checkout.

My assistant and I handle all the details so your staff can keep the focus on the kids.

Crissy has provided personalized photography for our preschool for over 9 years! Crissy has mastered the art of successfully capturing the most precious moments for our children. In a fast paced environment, with 70-90 children needing photos in one day, you may expect a conveyer-belt like photo experience but not with Crissy! She takes the time to connect with each child to ensure they feel safe, allowing them to be themselves in front of the camera. Crissy’s unsurpassed attention to detail doesn’t just stay behind the camera. I was provided with personalized reminders and information to pass to our center families well in advance. Crissy’s photo software makes viewing proofs, ordering prints and downloads and electronic sharing a breeze!
- Caitlin Fioravanti, Preschool Director

The Experience

Parents often describe their children’s portraits as “the first school photos I’ve actually loved.” From shy toddlers to energetic preschoolers, my approach is warm, patient, and fun.

Some highlights families can expect:

• Multiple poses, not just one quick snapshot
• Close-up and full-length photos
• Portraits with siblings
• Fast turnaround time—most galleries are ready in about one week
• Easy online ordering
• Professional quality prints

Serving Chester County and Beyond

I proudly provide preschool and daycare portraits in Chester County and the greater Philadelphia area. Whether your program has 20 children or 200, I’ll make sure your next Picture Day runs smoother than ever before.

Ready to Schedule Picture Day?

If you’re a preschool director, daycare owner, or parent who wants to bring better portraits to your child’s school, let’s talk! Your students deserve portraits that capture their real smiles—not stiff, rushed snapshots.

Contact me today to learn more about scheduling school portraits for your Chester County preschool or daycare.