Maybe it’s because I’ve seen the photo so many times, but I remember my first day of kindergarten with perfect clarity. I was terrified, and it showed in my face. Thanks, Mom.

There are certain landmark days in a child’s life that Mom somehow just knows to capture in a photo. And the first day of school is one of those days. Taking a photo is one of those back to school ideas she never forgets.

There is the requisite bus-stop photo, of course, but planning ahead and adding a few props can take your photos from run-of-the-mill to photo-card-worthy. Here are a few back to school photo ideas that you and your kids will treasure for years to come.