Every September and February, I get the same question: "School pictures are next week—when should I bring my kid in for a haircut?"
After 65 years of cutting kids' hair in Ottawa, most of them right before school picture day, I can tell you exactly when to book that appointment. And more importantly, I can tell you which styles actually photograph well versus which ones look great in person but weird in photos.
Because here's the thing—school pictures are permanent. You're going to have that photo in your house for years. Your kid's going to see it in yearbooks. Grandparents are getting wallet copies. You want to get this right.
Let me share what actually works, based on decades of preparing Ottawa kids for picture day at schools across the city—OCDSB, OCSB, private schools, French immersion, all of them.
When Ottawa Schools Actually Do Picture Day
First, let's talk timing because it varies across the city.
Fall Pictures (The Main Event)
Most Ottawa schools schedule fall pictures in late September through mid-October. This is the "official" school photo that goes in the yearbook, gets sent to family, and ends up framed on your wall.
OCDSB schools (Ottawa-Carleton District School Board) typically do pictures in the last two weeks of September and first two weeks of October. Elementary schools tend to go earlier in that window, high schools a bit later.
OCSB schools (Ottawa Catholic School Board) follow a similar timeline—late September through early October. Catholic schools often coordinate around liturgical calendar events, so timing can vary slightly by school.
Private schools set their own schedules but usually align with September/October to match the yearbook production timeline.
French schools (CECCE, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est) also typically schedule for late September/early October.
Spring Retakes and Makeup Photos
February/March is retake season. This is for kids who were absent in the fall, families who weren't happy with the fall photos, or kids who want an updated photo for the yearbook.
Some schools also do a separate spring photo day, though this is less common and usually not the "main" yearbook photo.
How to Find Your School's Exact Date
Check the school newsletter that comes home in the first week of September. Picture day is always announced there.
School websites usually post the calendar in late August with picture day marked.
Photography company notices come home a week or two before picture day with order forms—that's your final warning.
Ottawa tip: If your kids are in different schools, odds are their picture days won't align. Plan accordingly—I'll talk about coordinating multiple kids later.
The Perfect Timing: When to Actually Get the Haircut
This is the most common mistake I see parents make. Let me save you from regret.
The 3-5 Day Sweet Spot
Book the haircut 3 to 5 days before picture day. Not the day before. Not two weeks before. Three to five days.
Here's why:
Day-of or day-before haircuts look too fresh. The hair hasn't settled yet. It's almost too neat, too sharp, doesn't look natural. Plus if anything went slightly wrong or it's shorter than expected, you're stuck with it.
One week or more before pictures, and it's already grown out. Kids' hair grows fast. A week-old fade isn't sharp anymore. A week-old trim is getting shaggy. You've lost that clean, picture-ready look.
The 3-5 day window is perfect because:
- Hair has settled into its natural pattern
- The cut still looks intentional and fresh
- If there's any minor adjustment needed, you have time
- It looks like the kid is well-groomed, not like they just got a haircut an hour ago
- Any redness or irritation from clipper work has faded
Real Example Timeline
Let's say picture day is Thursday, September 26th.
Ideal haircut appointment: Monday, September 23rd or Tuesday, September 24th
Also fine: Saturday, September 21st or Sunday, September 22nd (4-5 days out)
Too early: Getting it cut on September 18th (8 days before—it'll already look grown out)
Too late: Wednesday, September 25th or Thursday morning (too fresh, no time to adjust if needed)
Booking Strategy for Ottawa Families
Book your September haircut appointments in late August. Seriously. The week before picture day, we're slammed with parents who forgot or waited too long. Appointment slots fill up fast.
We're open Tuesday through Saturday. Online booking at professionalbarbershop.setmore.com lets you grab spots early.
Ottawa school rhythm: Back-to-school haircuts happen late August/early September. Picture day haircuts happen mid-to-late September. Space them out—don't do both at once unless picture day is very early.
What Styles Actually Photograph Well
Not all haircuts translate well to photos. Some styles that look fantastic in person can photograph oddly. Let me break this down by what I see work year after year.
For Boys: Classic Beats Trendy in Photos
What photographs exceptionally well:
1. Clean, classic short cuts. Even length all around, or slightly longer on top with shorter (but not shaved) sides. Timeless, neat, always looks good in photos.
2. Low to mid fades with moderate length on top. The contrast isn't too dramatic, proportions look balanced in a photo, grows out evenly if retakes are needed.
3. Traditional side parts. Never goes out of style. Looks sharp, photographs cleanly, works for any face shape.
4. Simple, neat trims on longer hair. If your kid has longer hair, a clean trim that removes split ends and shapes it neatly photographs fine. Just make sure it's intentional, not shaggy.
What can photograph weirdly:
High skin fades with dramatic contrast. In person, they look sharp. In photos, especially school photo lighting, the extreme contrast between skin-short sides and longer top can photograph harshly. The proportions can look off.
Very trendy, styled cuts that require specific product placement. School photo day is hectic. Your kid's not going to have perfect styling by the time photos happen. Choose a cut that looks good naturally, not one that requires 10 minutes of styling to look right.
Extreme asymmetry or creative patterns. That cool design shaved into the side? It might photograph as just a dark patch or weird shadow. Save the artistic stuff for times that aren't permanent yearbook photos.
Super long bangs that cover the face. Photographers will push them aside, but it looks awkward. If your kid has longer hair in front, trim it so their eyes are clearly visible.
For Girls: Natural and Neat Wins
I cut girls' hair too, though it's less common at a traditional barbershop. But I see thousands of girls in school photos when their parents show me pictures. Here's what works:
What photographs well:
1. Clean, even trims. Healthy ends, even length, natural texture. Photos capture shine and condition, so healthy hair looks great.
2. Face-framing layers. Adds dimension in photos without being too complex or high-maintenance.
3. Neat, even bangs. If they have bangs, make sure they're trimmed to a consistent length and not in their eyes.
4. Natural length. Whatever length your daughter's comfortable with, just make sure it's trimmed and shaped intentionally.
What can photograph weirdly:
Drastic changes right before pictures. If she's always had long hair and suddenly goes short, the shock might show on her face in the photo. Big changes are fine—just don't do them days before permanent photos.
Heavy, blunt cuts without texture. Can photograph as one solid block of hair. A little bit of layering or shaping adds dimension.
Overgrown bangs covering eyes. Photographers will pin them back, and it looks awkward.
Universal Advice: Match Their Actual Style
The best school picture haircut is one that looks like your kid on a good day. Not a dramatic transformation, not a special occasion style they'll never wear again. Just them, looking neat and well-groomed.
Avoid picture-day-only styles. Don't give your kid a haircut they'd never normally have just because it's picture day. They should look like themselves, just tidied up.
Consider their personality. An outgoing, trendy kid can pull off a more modern style in photos. A quiet, classic kid looks more natural with a traditional cut. Match the haircut to who they are.
Common Mistakes Ottawa Parents Make
I've seen these regrets play out hundreds of times. Learn from other parents' mistakes:
Mistake #1: Waiting Until the Last Minute
Every September, parents rush in the day before or morning of picture day in a panic. By then, my schedule is packed. You're stressed, the kid picks up on that stress, and the whole thing is chaotic.
Solution: Book in late August for a late September appointment. Mark it on your calendar when the school newsletter announces picture day.
Mistake #2: Trying Something Brand New
Picture day is not the time to experiment with a totally new style your kid's never had before.
I've had parents bring in photos of trendy cuts they saw on Instagram, get it done two days before pictures, and then the kid hates it. Or it requires styling expertise they don't have. Or it's just too different and the kid feels self-conscious.
Solution: Stick with refined versions of what they already wear. A cleaner version of their normal haircut. Not a whole new look.
Mistake #3: Going Too Short Out of Convenience
Some parents think, "Let's just buzz it really short so we don't have to deal with haircuts for a while, and pictures will be out of the way."
Problem: Really short haircuts can photograph very stark. And if it's shorter than the kid usually wears, they might look uncomfortable in the photo because they feel weird about it.
Solution: Choose a length that's actually appropriate for your kid's normal style, even if it means they'll need another cut in a few weeks.
Mistake #4: Skipping the Haircut Entirely
Some parents figure their kid's hair looks "fine" and skip the pre-picture haircut. Then the photo comes back and they realize it was shaggier than they thought, the bangs were too long, the neckline was messy.
Solution: Even if it seems okay, a little cleanup trim makes a noticeable difference in photos. A clean neckline, even bangs, trimmed sideburns—small details that matter in pictures.
Mistake #5: Not Coordinating for Multiple Kids
You've got three kids in three different schools with three different picture days, and you're trying to bring them all in at once "for efficiency."
Then one kid's pictures are in 4 days, perfect timing, but the other kid's pictures are in 3 weeks and their hair is already grown out by picture day.
Solution: Book separate appointments timed appropriately for each kid's actual picture day. Yes, it's more trips. Yes, it's worth it.
Ottawa-Specific Picture Day Tips
Living in Ottawa adds some unique considerations:
Weather Considerations
September can be hot or cold. Some years it's still summer. Some years you need a jacket. Don't choose a haircut based on weather that might change by the time picture day arrives.
Static in winter retakes. If your kid has February retakes, dry Ottawa winter air creates static. A little leave-in conditioner or anti-static spray helps. For boys with short hair, lightly damp hands smoothed over the hair right before photos helps tame flyaways.
School Culture Varies by Neighbourhood
Downtown/Centretown schools tend to be more diverse in style—everything from traditional to very modern cuts shows up in pictures.
Suburban schools (Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans) often lean more conservative. Classic cuts are the norm.
Private schools sometimes have specific grooming guidelines. Check your school's dress code or photo day info sheet—some have rules about hair length or styles.
French schools don't have different style norms, but communication about picture day might come home in French. Make sure you catch the date.
Multiple Schools, Multiple Picture Days
If you have kids at different schools, create a master calendar. Most smartphones let you set reminders for "5 days before" an event. Set one for each kid's picture day, marking their ideal haircut appointment window.
Ottawa Catholic vs Public schools sometimes schedule pictures in different weeks, which actually helps—you can stagger haircut appointments appropriately.
Transportation and Logistics
We're at 617 Somerset St W in Centretown. Accessible by OC Transpo routes 14 and 85. Street parking available.
After-school appointments (we're open until 6 PM Tuesday-Thursday, 6 PM Friday) work well for getting kids in during that 3-5 day window without pulling them out of school.
Saturday appointments (9 AM - 5 PM) book up fast in September. Reserve early.
Practical Styling Advice for Picture Day
The haircut is half the equation. Here's what to do day-of:
Morning of Picture Day
Wash hair the night before, not morning-of. Hair that's been washed, dried, and slept on looks more natural than freshly washed hair.
For boys with short hair: A tiny amount of light product if needed. Matte finish, not shiny gel. Just enough to control any cowlicks or flyaways. Less is more.
For boys with longer hair: Brush or comb it the way they normally wear it. If they usually have a part, make sure it's in the right place.
For girls: Brush out tangles, check that barrettes or clips are secure if they're wearing any. Keep styling simple and natural.
What not to do: Don't try a complicated new hairstyle that morning. Don't overload with product. Don't slick it down until they look like they're going to a 1950s prom.
What to Tell Your Kid
"Your hair looks great. Just finger-comb it before photos if it gets messy at recess."
That's it. Don't make them self-conscious by obsessing over every strand. They'll just stress and look uncomfortable in the photo.
If Something Goes Wrong
Hair sticking up? Lightly wet hands, smooth it down.
Forgot product? Teachers usually have emergency supplies or photographers have seen it all and can work with it.
Kid got marker/paint in hair at school right before photos? Do your best. This is why retakes exist.
Budget Planning for Ottawa Families
Let's talk money because school picture timing coincides with back-to-school expenses.
Haircut Costs
At Professional Barbershop:
- Kids' cut (under 12): $24
- Regular cut: $26
- Skin fade: $28
For one child: One picture-day haircut in September = $24-28. If you also did a back-to-school cut in late August, that's $48-56 for both.
For multiple children: Three kids getting picture-day haircuts = $72-84 if they all need cuts around the same time.
Budget hack: If your kids have picture days spread out over several weeks, it actually helps—you're not paying for all haircuts at once.
Photo Package Costs
This is outside my expertise, but I hear from parents what photography companies charge. Packages typically range from $20-$100+ depending on what you order.
Planning ahead helps: If you know haircuts are $24-28 per kid and photo packages are $30-50 per kid, you can budget $60-80 per child for the whole picture day situation.
When Money's Tight
Prioritize the haircut for the kid who needs it most. If one kid's hair is significantly shaggy and another's is still okay from a recent cut, allocate your budget accordingly.
A simple trim is cheaper than a full cut at many places, but we charge by service type, not complexity. A clean-up trim to tidy things for pictures is still $24-26 here.
Retakes are free if you were absent or photos had an error. You don't pay twice for pictures themselves. So if the haircut didn't turn out how you wanted and you're doing retakes anyway, at least the photo company isn't charging you again.
Coordinating Multiple Kids
This is the real challenge for Ottawa families with 2+ kids.
Different Schools, Different Picture Days
Map it out in early September:
- Kid 1 (École Élementaire): Pictures September 23
- Kid 2 (Centretown Public): Pictures September 30
- Kid 3 (St. Anthony's): Pictures October 7
Haircut schedule:
- Kid 1: Book for September 19-20 (4-5 days before)
- Kid 2: Book for September 26-27 (3-4 days before)
- Kid 3: Book for October 3-4 (3-4 days before)
Yes, it's three separate trips. But each kid gets optimal timing. If budget is tight, you could bring them together on September 26-27, which works perfectly for Kid 2, is slightly early for Kid 3 (10 days, not ideal but workable), and is late for Kid 1 (their pictures already happened).
Compromise option: Bring kids in pairs when their picture days are within a week of each other.
Same School, Multiple Kids
Lucky you—one trip. Book them for the same appointment window, 3-5 days before their shared picture day.
Efficiency tip: Book appointments back-to-back or overlapping. If cuts take 20-25 minutes each and you have two kids, book them 20 minutes apart. Second kid gets settled in the chair as I'm finishing the first.
Age Considerations
Teenagers will have opinions. Include them in scheduling. They'll want input on timing and style.
Young kids (under 6) do better earlier in the week. If picture day is Friday, bring them Tuesday or Wednesday. They won't remember to keep their hair neat all week, so shorter window is better.
Middle elementary (7-10 years) are most flexible. They can follow instructions to keep hair neat, but they also bounce back if the cut is slightly fresher than ideal.
Special Situations
Your Kid Hates Having Their Picture Taken
The haircut won't fix this, but it can help. A haircut they feel confident in makes picture day less stressful. Let them have input on the style. Feeling good about how they look helps with the camera anxiety.
They Just Had a Haircut Last Week
It happens—you forgot picture day was coming, or schedules didn't align. The haircut is still fresh, so you're fine. Maybe just a quick cleanup of the neckline if needed, but you don't need another full cut.
Growth Spurts and Hair Growth
Some kids' hair grows incredibly fast. If your kid is one of those rapid-growth types, err on the side of 3 days before pictures instead of 5. You know your kid's hair better than anyone.
Retakes Because They Were Absent
February retakes are common for kids who missed fall picture day due to illness or schedule conflicts. Same timing rules apply—book the haircut 3-5 days before the retake date.
Consider whether they need another cut. If their hair still looks decent from September and it's only October retakes, they might not need a new cut. But February retakes? Yeah, they'll need a refresh.
What Photographers Actually Notice
I've talked to school photographers over the years. Here's what they say makes their job easier and makes kids look better in photos:
Clean necklines. Especially for boys with short hair. A neat neckline photographs cleanly. Shaggy, uneven necklines look messy in photos.
Hair out of the face. They will ask kids to push hair out of their eyes, but it's better if the haircut already keeps hair off the face naturally.
Consistent grooming. Neat sideburns, even bangs, trimmed around the ears. Small details that show the kid is well cared for.
Natural texture. They'd rather work with clean, healthy hair that has some natural texture than hair loaded with gel or product.
Confidence. Kids who feel good about their appearance photograph better. They smile more genuinely, hold their head up, look at the camera properly. A haircut they're happy with contributes to that confidence.
The Professional Barbershop Picture Day Approach
So why bring your kid here before school pictures?
65+ years of experience means I've prepared thousands of Ottawa kids for picture day. I know what works. I know what photographs well. I know what styles families end up happy with when they see the photos.
Consistent quality. Your kid gets the same skilled cut whether they're here for pictures or a random Tuesday in March. But September is when it matters most, and I take that seriously.
Efficient timing. Kids' cuts take 20 minutes. You're not here for an hour. Get in, get a quality cut, get them to school or activities.
Honest advice. If you're considering a style that won't photograph well, I'll tell you. If your kid needs just a trim instead of a full cut, I'll tell you that too. No upselling, just honest assessment.
Classic cuts done right. We specialize in traditional barbering. If you want a timeless, classic cut that'll look good in pictures and still look good when your kid is showing their yearbook to their own kids someday, that's our strength.
Ottawa convenience. 617 Somerset St W, accessible from anywhere in the city. Online booking so you can grab September appointments in August. Open Tuesday-Saturday to fit your schedule.
Booking for Picture Day
When to book: Late August or very early September for late September picture day appointments
Best appointment times:
- Tuesday-Thursday, 9-11 AM (quietest)
- After school, 4-6 PM (convenient, but busier)
- Saturdays (book early, they fill up fast in September)
Online booking: professionalbarbershop.setmore.com
Walk-ins: Accepted, but appointments guarantee you get the specific timing you need
Phone: (613) 235-0322 if you have questions about timing or styles
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly are picture days at Ottawa schools?
Most OCDSB, OCSB, and private schools schedule fall picture day in late September through early October. Your specific school will announce the date in the first-week-of-school newsletter, usually in early September. Spring retakes typically happen in February or March.
How far in advance should I book the haircut appointment?
Book the actual appointment as soon as you know the picture day date—often that means booking in late August or early September for a late September haircut. But schedule the haircut itself for 3-5 days before picture day, not weeks in advance.
What if I can't get an appointment in the 3-5 day window?
If we're booked up, 6-7 days before is your next best option. Or 2 days before is better than 2 weeks before. The closer to picture day (within reason), the better, because the haircut is still fresh.
Should my teenager get a haircut before school pictures?
If their hair looks tidy and they're happy with it, they might not need a cut. If it's getting shaggy or they want to look sharp for yearbook photos, then yes. Teenagers should have input in this decision—it's their yearbook photo.
What if my kid's school does both fall and spring pictures?
Fall pictures are typically the "official" yearbook photo. If spring pictures are offered, they're usually optional or for kids who were absent in fall. You don't need to do haircuts for both unless you want to or their hair needs it anyway.
Do girls need haircuts before school pictures?
If their hair is healthy, even, and the length they want, they might just need a trim to clean up the ends. If they have bangs, those should definitely be trimmed so they're not covering their eyes. But girls don't need dramatic cuts—just neat and intentional.
My kid has ADHD and sitting for a haircut is hard. Should I still do this right before pictures?
Book the appointment early in the day when they're freshest. Tell me when you book that sitting still is challenging—I'll work efficiently. The haircut still makes a difference in how they look in photos, and we can make it work. I've cut hundreds of ADHD kids over the years.
What if the haircut doesn't turn out how we wanted?
If you're genuinely unhappy and it's a mistake on my part, come back and I'll fix it. If it's just shorter than expected or styled differently than you imagined, give it a day to settle—often it looks better once it's been washed and styled at home. Worst case, retakes exist for a reason.
Can I bring multiple kids at once?
Absolutely. Book appointments back-to-back (20 minutes apart). I can move efficiently through siblings while keeping each cut quality.
Should we do anything special with hair the morning of picture day?
Wash it the night before, not morning-of. Use minimal product if needed. Keep styling simple and natural. Don't try anything new or complicated that morning.
The Bottom Line on Picture Day Haircuts
After 65 years of seeing school pictures come and go, here's what I know: The families who get pictures they're proud of are the ones who planned ahead and kept it simple.
The formula is straightforward:
- Know your school's picture day date (check newsletters in early September)
- Book the haircut for 3-5 days before that date
- Choose a classic style that suits your kid's personality
- Keep expectations realistic—aim for neat and natural, not magazine-perfect
- Don't stress—it's just a picture, and retakes exist if needed
The haircut doesn't have to be expensive or trendy or dramatic. It just has to be clean, intentional, and timed right.
I've prepared thousands of Ottawa kids for their school pictures—from kids at Glashan Public to kids at Elmwood, from Ashbury to École Montfort, from Longfields-Davidson to Rockcliffe Park Public. The kids who look best in their pictures are the ones whose parents planned ahead and chose timeless over trendy.
Bring your kid in 3-5 days before picture day. We'll give them a clean, classic cut that'll photograph well and look like themselves on a good day. That's all you need.
Book Your Picture Day Haircut
Professional Barbershop 617 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6C7
Online booking: professionalbarbershop.setmore.com Phone: (613) 235-0322
Kids' Cut: $24 | 20 minutes Regular Cut: $26 | 25 minutes
Hours:
- Tuesday-Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM
- Sunday-Monday: Closed
September Picture Season: Book early—appointments in the late September window fill up fast.
Master Barber Shameem has 65+ years of experience creating clean, classic cuts that photograph beautifully. We've prepared thousands of Ottawa kids for school picture day.
Walk-ins welcome, but appointments guarantee you get the timing you need.
Every November, parents show me their kids' school pictures and say "these turned out great!" That's because you timed it right, chose a classic style, and trusted someone who's been doing this since before yearbooks were in color. I'll see your kids in September.
— Shameem