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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

Grumpy child with arms crossed in school photo, showcasing a humorous kid photo fail.

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varwenea
Community Member
4 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?

    Kid laughing while holding a funny school photo with an awkward smile, showcasing a hilarious school photo fail.

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    #3

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

    Child making a funny face in a school photo, wearing a bright green shirt.

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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

    Kid in a red shirt making a funny face for a school photo, exemplifying a hilarious photo fail moment.

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    Full of Giggles
    Community Member
    4 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

    Kid's humorous school photo fail with a garden background overlap, creating a funny effect.

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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

    A child smiles in a school photo, wearing a white turtleneck and dark blazer, representing kid school photo fails.

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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.”

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    #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

    Young boy in a checkered shirt with a funny expression during a school photo session.

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    #9

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

    Grumpy child in a red shirt and plaid shorts sitting on a chair, embodying a school photo fail.

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    #10

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

    Kid in a striped shirt making a funny face during a school photo shoot, capturing a hilarious school photo fail.

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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

    Kid smiling awkwardly in school photo wearing a red plaid shirt, outdoors. School photo fail causing parents to cry-laugh.

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    #12

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

    Kid with a funny expression in a vintage school photo, wearing a pink top and patterned vest. School photo fails.

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    ML
    Community Member
    4 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

    Child posing awkwardly in a school photo, holding a CD, wearing a purple shirt against a backdrop with large numbers.

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    #15

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

    Child with a humorous expression in a school photo, wearing a striped shirt, representing a school photo fail.

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    #16

    How’s Your 2020 Going?

    Toddler in a pink dress making a funny expression during a school photo, outdoors with playground in background.

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    Mishte Tine
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you don’t know what a camera is and you’re supposed to do something with your face and it’s all a bit confusing... sweetie.

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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

    Child's school photo fail with a funny expression, wearing a floral dress against a blue backdrop.

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    ML
    Community Member
    4 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

    Kid posing in a funny school photo with a toy, wearing a patterned shirt and a vest.

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    ravn
    Community Member
    4 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"

    Child in a white outfit and hat sitting on a chair with a red abstract background, embodying hilarious school photo fails.

    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?!?!

    Child in glasses with a comical expression, exemplifying a humorous school photo fail.

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    4 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

    Child in a school photo wearing a humorous "SASSHOLE" shirt, showcasing a hilarious kid photo fail.

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    Rissie
    Community Member
    4 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

    Child with a mullet haircut in school photo, showcasing a hilarious kid school photo fail.

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    #23

    This Was The Retake Of My Second Grade School Photo

    Kid with a funny expression in a school photo fail, wearing a teal turtleneck against a green background.

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    #24

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

    Child in cowboy outfit playing guitar on a pony, capturing a hilarious school photo moment.

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    #25

    My Mom Found My Old Elementary School Photo The Other Day

    A child in a plaid shirt making a funny expression, exemplifying school photo fails.

    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

    Kid in a graduation outfit with American flag theme, holding a diploma, smiling for school photo fail.

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    #27

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

    Young boy posing awkwardly by a tree in a school photo fail, wearing a plaid shirt, with a humorous expression.

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    #28

    Why Yes!! My Vest Was Homemade!

    A child in glasses with a funny expression wearing a pink top and animal-patterned vest, creating a school photo fail.

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    Dilly Millandry
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thankfully not what we call a vest in the UK. That would be more worrying.

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    #29

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

    Child making a funny face in a school photo with a festive red background and snowflakes.

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    DC
    Community Member
    4 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?

    A young child in a plaid shirt poses with a small pumpkin, capturing a funny school photo fail moment.

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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

    Two kids with bowl haircuts in funny school photo fails, wearing dark shirts against a studio backdrop.

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    #32

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

    Smiling child in a red shirt and plaid shorts in a funny school photo fail.

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    4 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

    Kid's humorous school photo fail with a forest background blending oddly with portrait.

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    #34

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

    Blonde girl in school photo with a humorous expression, wearing a T-shirt that says, "Give Up On."

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    #35

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

    A kid in a plaid shirt making a hilarious face for a school photo fail.

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    #36

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

    Kid with a unique hairstyle and colorful striped shirt in a funny school photo.

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    #37

    Beau And The Photographer Had Great Chemistry

    Child in school photo fails with various poses, including wearing sunglasses and posing with a sibling in formal attire.

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    #38

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

    Boy in a floral shirt making a funny face in a school photo fail.

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    Kim
    Community Member
    4 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!..

    Boy in a school photo with a humorous background blend, standing in a wheat field.

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    #41

    This School Photo Is What Finally Convinced My Mom To Stop Cutting My Hair At Home

    This School Photo Is What Finally Convinced My Mom To Stop Cutting My Hair At Home

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    #42

    I Was Too Impatient For My Mom To Cut My Hair, So I Did It My Self

    I Was Too Impatient For My Mom To Cut My Hair, So I Did It My Self

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    #44

    Cheese... I Think

    Cheese... I Think

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    #46

    I Paid For This...

    I Paid For This...

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    Dilly Millandry
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some children genuinely don't know how how to smile naturally when instructed. I learned this when doing a photoshoot with some blind children who, bless them, had no idea. They had clearly had the mechanics of a smile explained to them but it resulted in grimaces. They smiled when we joked around and got them to laugh though.

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    #48

    My Husband Was Clearly Not Feeling Picture Day In 3rd Grade

    My Husband Was Clearly Not Feeling Picture Day In 3rd Grade

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    #49

    I'm Just Going To Leave This Little Gem Here For Your Viewing Pleasure. It Is Too Bad Cameras Don't Show The Photographer What The Picture Will Look Like

    I'm Just Going To Leave This Little Gem Here For Your Viewing Pleasure. It Is Too Bad Cameras Don't Show The Photographer What The Picture Will Look Like

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    #50

    The One Year I Didn't Buy His School Picture. What In The World Is That Look All About!?

    The One Year I Didn't Buy His School Picture. What In The World Is That Look All About!?

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    #51

    Can Anyone Offer An Explanation Of How I Sent Jack To School At 9am Looking Like The Picture On The Left, And When He Took His School Pictures At 9:30am They Look Like The Picture On The Right?!?!

    Can Anyone Offer An Explanation Of How I Sent Jack To School At 9am Looking Like The Picture On The Left, And When He Took His School Pictures At 9:30am They Look Like The Picture On The Right?!?!

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    #52

    7 Year Old Me On Picture Day After Throwing A Huge Tantrum For No Reason

    7 Year Old Me On Picture Day After Throwing A Huge Tantrum For No Reason

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    JessG
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “Don’t take the picture, I’m in the middle of telling you off!”