Preschool Photos in Calgary: Behind the Scenes at Akidemy

Today I’m sharing my experience shooting preschool photos at Akidemy Preschool in Calgary. Along the way, I’ll walk you through how I photograph little kids and how I retouch their photos afterward.

Children have always been my favourite subject. Starting out as a baby and kids’ photographer, I quickly learned how much fun and energy they bring to a session. On photo day, dressed in their best outfits and hairstyles, they honestly look ready for a kids’ clothing catalogue!

This spring, I was back at Akidemy Preschool for student portraits. We moved photo day from fall to spring this year. By spring, the kids are more settled into school and feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

Why I Love Shooting at Akidemy

Every time I visit Akidemy, I want to dive straight into their activity tables. They’re covered in toys, craft supplies, and fun materials. The space itself is beautifully designed, with natural wood furniture and soft pastel colours throughout. It’s safe, welcoming, and clearly built with kids in mind.

For outdoor shots, I use the preschool’s backyard, which has a few trees that make a lovely natural backdrop. On cooler or rainy days, we shoot indoors instead, using the school’s pretty wallpaper as a backdrop.

My Tips for Getting Great Preschool Photos

People often ask how I get such natural, happy expressions from young kids. Here’s what works for me.

Break the ice first

For many kids, this is their first time in front of a professional photographer. A friendly, relaxed introduction goes a long way before the camera even comes out.

Use props to hold their attention

I bring maracas, a small basketball, flowers, or plush toys for kids to hold. A shaking maraca almost always gets a smile. Plush bunnies and kitties often lead to hugs or pretend play. Props are also great conversation starters, and once a child starts chatting, they usually forget to feel shy.

Ask simple questions

For quieter kids, I ask about siblings, birthdays, or what they want for the holidays. While they talk, I keep shooting. Kids look most like themselves when they’re mid-story, not posing for a fake smile.

Let hyper kids move

Some kids can’t stand still, and that’s fine. I’ll ask them to jump as high as they can or reach for the sky. The energy in these shots often makes for the most memorable photos, especially when I let the child invent their own poses.

Play familiar music

I keep a custom Spotify playlist just for preschool sessions — think Baby Shark, Wheels on the Bus, and B-I-N-G-O. Familiar songs help kids relax and cooperate.

Above all, the goal is connection. When a child sees you as a friend, they relax, and relaxed kids photograph naturally. Parents are often surprised at how confidently their child poses once they see the online proof gallery.

Why Editing Matters for Preschool Photos

Preschool photos matter to parents, so I never treat retouching as an afterthought. With adult portrait clients, I’m often asked to smooth wrinkles or soften a double chin. With 3- and 4-year-olds, the fixes look different: a smudge under the nose, a stray bruise, or a stain on a favourite outfit.

No matter how carefully a parent dresses and styles their child that morning, things change by photo time. Cheerios in the hair, playdough on a nose, a folded collar — it happens. (Honestly, a playdough-covered face makes for a hilarious photo, but I know most parents want the clean version!)

Before I even start shooting, I check each child over and fix what I can on the spot. Even so, professional cameras pick up details the eye misses — dry skin, a bit of nose mucus, or goobers in the corner of an eye. At Alpina Photography, I handle all of that in detailed retouching, the same care I give to business headshots. Parents take home clean, frame-worthy portraits they’re proud to hang on the wall.

Sibling Photos on Preschool Photo Day

Preschool photo day is also a great chance to grab sibling photos. At Alpina Photography, I offer sibling sessions for any preschool kids with a brother or sister on-site. It’s a quick, easy way for parents to get a portrait to send to grandma. Watching siblings hug, laugh, or play together often makes for the most heartwarming shots of the day.

Families simply bring their other children to the preschool on photo day, and I prioritize sibling sessions so everyone can head out quickly afterward. You can learn more on our preschool portraits page.

Capturing Candid Preschool Photos

Every parent knows kids don’t love standing still and posing. The best preschool photos usually happen when I let moments unfold naturally instead of forcing a pose.

A few things help with this:

• Interact with the child and join whatever activity they’re enjoying.
• Use continuous or burst mode to catch a series of shots in quick succession.
• If a child is shy, switch to a zoom lens to capture candid moments from a comfortable distance.

If you’d like to capture some real, natural memories with your own kids, take a look at our kids sessions or family sessions.

For Calgary families curious about Akidemy itself, you can visit the Akidemy Preschool website to learn more.