School Portrait Costume

In need of an easy, quick, and funny costume? Get old-school and make yourself into a school portrait. In just an afternoon, and with the help of a thrift shop / clothes hidden in the back of your closet, you get a second chance at elementary school. 

Plus, you'll gain respect on the playground this year after your mom springs the extra $4 for a laser background....

Step 1: Print background

I've saved you the hard work with photoshop, and have attached the pre-sliced images of this rad laser background. I used a 24x32 sheet of corrugated plastic, so this is sized to fit with a little bit of wiggle room. Cardboard would also work fine as a backing. 

Simply print out these 12 images and lay them out to find where they go. Be sure to print each 100% to scale (see my screenshot for reference), without letting your printer re-size to fit the page. Chop and glue each piece to each other first. Then, once satisfied with your paper sheet, carefully use spray adhesive to attach to your backing. 

**note: there's a little bit of overlap with these images, but not much. Be sure to work meticulously so your pieces all line up. 

Comments

[HollyMann]

You look so cute! Miss those 80s..fun time growing up in...

[poofrabbit]

This is the funniest costume!! It made me think of Glamor Shots, lol...well done!

[pokiespout]

This is great! Oh, but Mr. Devoid, I have to say that there was ONE OTHER OPTION for school portrait backgrounds... and that was pitch black, with a spooky profile of your own face gazing heavenward.

[silverkatt]

My family started School Pictures, Inc. in the 40's and it was the first and largest school picture company. The shot you are describing is called a "reflection" and I took thousands of them! Twice the work and it was really awful when the person blinked on the second shot. Got to start all over. I remember the laser background well. This is great!

[pokiespout]

That's fantastic! I never had one of that style myself, and I recall being quite jealous of those who did in the early eighties. It seemed so classy then!

[demxod8]

yeah, that's a pretty awesome idea.

[funkypam]

YES!!! I am SO doing it but with the profile silhouette background!!! Bahahahahahaaaa

[sempei13]

Wow, I dated her in college. Maybe not, but a girl who wore her hair just like that; I never saw the laser background, though.

Great costume; reminds me of the late 80s and early 90s.

[SQLGuru]

I love the idea, but a simpler way to do the background would have been to use wrapping paper.......the size should minimize cutting, too.

[Julianne fights Dragons!]

Did you by any chance post a photo up on Jezebel or Gawker? I'm pretty sure I saw a photo there haha

[amandaggogo]

Such a funny costume! I love this idea!!

[ATTILAtheHUNgry]

This is AMAZING. One of the best costume ideas I've seen in a long time.

[jennadillon84]

Love this!

[Beergnome]

Is it strange that I know how to do that background effect with an actual Airbrush?

[Treknology]

I think this is clever and cheeky.

[evilangelgirl]

That is awesome! In fact, my parents have a picture of my from my junior year with that exact background! And that was from '90. Oh, memories...

[dimdiode]

not being negative, as such (at least I hope you don't think I'm being mean,) but - wouldn't this be easier with green screen & do the laser background in the computer?

Just askin'

[johnrnyquist]

She didn't make a school portrait, she made herself into a walking school portrait, which is why you couldn't green screen it. I missed that at first glance, too (I think I was distracted by the old glasses that looked all too familiar).

[billytkid]

I'm thinking you've missed the point that this is a costume to wear, rather than a setup to take the photo :)

[imboox2]

You're missing the point. This is the costume, she is a walking and talking school picture. She didn't do this to take a picture of herself.

[applesaucemodifier]

First thing that came to my mind was the new music video "Let's Go" by Matt and Kim. Love the Costume!

[kderevan]

P.S. Excellent pose--you have to pause and do that hand-to-chin shot every few steps.

[kderevan]

Oh my! I am way too old to have had the laser background option, but I love it anyway. Our backgrounds were mottled blue cheesy fabric--and not Photoshopped in, since Photoshop hadn't been invented yet.

I hate dressing in costumes, but this one actually appeals to me!

[kmpres]

I must have played hooky that day.  I never heard of the neon laser school picture background, but then, when I was in high school, the PDP8/i was the King of the Hill.  

[kintekobo]

PDP8/i .... Wow I used to own one of them. It was the old Japan Airlines bookings computer which I bought for a couple of hundred pounds. Used to keep it in the bedroom even though it was in a 6ft rack as I had a VERY understanding GF at the time.

Sorry about the detour here .... Just a stroll down memory lane.

[Nick70587]

Oh that brings back memories. My senior pictures had the same neon laser background or neon star burst....and that was in 98!!! Awesome costume.

[mikeasaurus]

This is my favourite costume this year!

[depotdevoid]

That is amazing and brilliant! I was just telling my daughter that back in my day we only had two options for school picture backgrounds: regular and NEON LASER!

[canida]

Oh no, i remember having my school portrait taken on that background!
Brilliant idea.

[wold630]

Love it! My son just got his school pictures back and I can attest that the cheesiness hasn't gone away since I was in school. Great costume!

[senriquez-bell]

LOL takes me right back to my school years!

[jessyratfink]

Oh my lord, so much more awesome than I ever imagined. :O