Maybe your kid was sick on picture day or maybe they had their eyes closed. Maybe they had the wrong day or maybe your league doesn't even do team pictures. Things happen, and because they do, I am writing this blog on how YOU can take the perfect team photo.

Here are my tried and tested tips to help you take the perfect team photo:

• Plan ahead. Pick a date and time and notify your team. I usually schedule ours for practice days, but pre-game can work as well. Just avoid scheduling it post-game... sweaty faces, dirty uniforms, and possible post-loss frowns aren’t what you want in a memorable photo. It's also a good idea to have some extra jerseys on hand in case someone forgets theirs.

• Location, location, location. Location is everything! It will help tell your team's story. If you're photographing a football team, take it outside on the field. For basketball teams, take it right on the court. You can even incorporate props such as a ball, helmet or field goals.

• Uniformity. There's no I in team! Be sure that everyone is uniformed – and I'm not just talking jerseys. Will the team smile or not? What about hand placement? It may seem like something small, but one person standing out can draw the eye in a uniformed team photo.

• Strike a pose. Will they sit, stand, kneel? Whatever you decide, be sure that the entire team will fit in the shot. You also want to be able to see each individual player's face. If you're going for that traditional pose, you'll want align players by height. Want a more modern pose? Check out team shots of your favorite professional teams for some inspiration!

• Keep clicking. Chances are that at least one player will have their eyes closed or be looking in the opposite direction. I suggest shooting in continuous mode and taking several photos, just to get a larger variety. The more you take, the greater your chance that you get that perfect shot!

• Have fun! I always like to finish the photo shoot with a "funny face" pic, and so do the players! These honestly always end up being my favorite.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Don't forget to share your photos with the entire team. Your fellow sports parents will be grateful that you did!

Vanessa Mejia is the mother of three football-playing boys, ages 15, 14 and 11, and lives in northern Virginia. Her boys also play basketball, soccer and track and field. Her husband coaches football in the Fairfax County Youth Football League. She shares Team Mom ideas, tips and tricks along with other facets of her family’s life away from the football field. Read more of her work at https://confessionsofasportsmama.blogspot.com and also be sure to join her and hundreds of other football loving moms in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group!