Stop right there. If this thought has entered your mind, we need to address where it's coming from.
It's simply not true.
A "bad" photo does not mean an individual isn't photogenic. Media convincing us we're not good enough does not mean an individual isn't photogenic.
To touch on a "bad" photo - shopping around for a photographer is key. School pictures are quick in-and-out with high volume and little opportunity for close attention to detail. Photographers have different personalities and photographic styles. If you don't mesh with your photographer (it happens!) or their photographic style isn't quite what you like, you may not be able to create images you will love.
We're living in a time of toxic messaging around size, diet, and beauty. Unfortunately, our culture has done a thorough job of telling us we're not worthy or can't be happy unless we fit a small, unattainable standard of beauty. We've been told we have to earn our food despite food and calories being necessary for our survival. Rather than being a gift and a privilege, we're told aging is undesirable, and we must prevent it at all costs.
We are gifted with one body to carry us through our lives and experience the world. Instead of punishing it because companies want to profit from our lowered self-esteem and desperation, we should celebrate it for what it does for us. Bodies are meant to change as we experience life.
You are beautiful. You are worthy. You deserve love and joy.
Don't miss out on documenting those wonderful moments because you've been convinced you're not good enough or you're not photogenic. When you look back on all the photos of your loved ones over the years, you'll want to see that you were there. Your family will want to see you.
Here's a secret for you:
I was not happy with my body at a size 2. I've had three kids, a few health conditions, and medications that contribute to weight gain. I'm soft and squishy. My kids love me. My husband loves me. Being a different size has not changed me fundamentally - I'm still me. Instead of making myself ill and causing disordered eating by dieting and exercising relentlessly to shrink myself back down to a size I'm not sure my skeleton will even allow anymore, I'm leaning into loving myself as I am. Some days are extremely hard; I'm not going to lie. But I have more good days than bad days now. My kids aren't self-conscious about their bodies like I was at their age.
You are absolutely photogenic. It's time you embraced that and love yourself.