History Main / PictureDay

* In ''Series/{{That 70s Show}}'', the picture day showed the gang's history. And Eric got a zit.

-->-- Cheerleader, ''[[WebAnimation/TeenGirlSquad Teen Girl Squad]]''

* Done on ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' in the episode "[[Recap/ArthurS1E1ArthursEyesFrancinesBadHairDay Francine's Bad Hair Day]]", based around Muffy's attempts to keep Francine neat and tidy for Picture Day. However, it seems Francine is unable to resist playing kickball. A montage at the beginning also shows other students' embarrassing Picture Days: Buster being photographed mid-[[{{Gasshole}} burp]], Binky being caught mid-[[SneezeOfDoom sneeze]], and Prunella with her hair standing on end due to a shock from the metal chair.

* Done on ''WesternAnimation/{{Arthur}}'' in the episode "Francine's Bad Hair Day," based around Muffy's attempts to keep Francine neat and tidy for Picture Day. However, it seems Francine is unable to resist playing kickball. A montage at the beginning also shows other students' embarrassing Picture Days: Buster being photographed mid-[[{{Gasshole}} burp]], Binky being caught mid-[[SneezeOfDoom sneeze]], and Prunella with her hair standing on end due to a shock from the metal chair.

Oh no! Picture day is coming and, unfortunately for you, you're in a sitcom. You'll probably have to duck through a FoodFight to [[DoomedNewClothes stay clean]], or go to drastic measures to fix the unholy mess your hair has become, or find a way to change out of the lame outfit your mom made you wear. Either that or you are simply faced with the [[RiseOfZitboy pimple]] [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom OF DOOM]].

Many shows about kids or set in school will eventually have a plot based around Picture Day and a character's best efforts to not have an [[UnflatteringIDPhoto embarrassing photo of himself or herself]] taken for publication, because not only will the photographer ''never'' take more than one photo, but the [[AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil Yearbook editor]] is always [[AlphaBitch your nemesis]] who will make sure that your picture will be as humiliatingly noticeable in the book as possible.

* In addition to its title, Film/PictureDay invokes the trope directly: Henry gets his yearbook picture taken the day ''after'' his friend (and former babysitter) Claire dyes his hair blue as part of an edgy makeover.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLifeAndTimesOfJuniperLee'' episode literally called "Picture Day" features the usual problems of the trope (zit on the forehead, etc.) with [[EvilTwin evil clones]] of June and her friends and her younger brother dressed as Abe Lincoln for his photo. neither of which was unusual for the UrbanFantasy it takes place in.

[[AnnoyingYoungerSibling Ray-Ray]] apparently has a history of acting up on picture day, [[{{Keet}} like most days.]]
* Seen on ''[[WesternAnimation/PBAndJOtter PB&J Otter]]'' - Peanut and Jelly try to keep their sister Baby Butter from getting CoveredInMud. "We need to find some good clean fun!"

* In ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', a flashback in "Weirdmaggedon: Part 2" shows a seven year old Mabel getting a piece of gum in her hair on picture day thanks to a mean girl, causing her to dissolve into tears. Dipper cheers her up by finding a razor and convincing her to just shave a chunk of it right off - using his ''own'' hair to demonstrate. In the end, Mabel is comforted by the fact that they get to have a horrible school picture together.
* The ''WesternAnimation/MiloMurphysLaw'' episode of the same name. Due to various MurphysLaw related mishaps, Milo has never had a good school picture, and he, Zack, and Melissa set out to change that.

* The ''WesternAnimation/FancyNancy'' episode "Nancy's Looth Tooth" has Nancy lose one of her baby teeth, specifically her front tooth, the day before picture day at ballet class. She then tries to hide the fact that her tooth is gone. The ending also shows Grace doing the same since she lost her tooth, and Bree loses hers as well.

* Stacey Stickler of ''WesternAnimation/StickinAround'' has repeated nightmares of the upcoming Picture Day in "Photo Oops". Tired of letting the nightmares take advantage of her, she decides to have some fun with it. Unfortunately for her, [[NotADream she was awake this time]].
* The ''WesternAnimation/HeroElementary'' episode "Picture Perfect" is about Sparks Crew getting ready for Picture Day. They have to stay clean, but run into a problem when they have to get Mr. Whithers out of a mud puddle.
* ''WesternAnimation/JacobTwoTwo'': In "The Unlickable Cowlick", it's picture day at Jacob's school. Unfortunately for Jacob, he is suffering from a massive bad hair day due to getting hit by the infamous Cowlick, that apparently runs in his family and is known to resist any attempt to style it. This puts him at risk of being cut from the school photo for not looking proper enough; something that is considered a great shame among the students. Eventually, Renée is able to get rid of the cowlick just in time for picture day.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'': In "Hostile Makeover", Jenny breaks out in [[RiseOfZitboy pimple-like bolts]] on school picture day, as a side effect of what turns out to be [[TheVirus a Cluster device trying to take over her body]].
* The ''WesternAnimation/OhYeahCartoons'' short "A Kid's Life: Picture Perfect" has Billy Butter determined to ensure that his class picture turns out better than last year, so he trains himself to keep smiling the entire day no matter what happens (even as he is threatened by bullies and is pleaded by a sobbing girl to provide donations for the victims of a recent tragedy). Unfortunately, he finds out after the photo is taken that he had broccoli in his teeth from today's school lunch.
* ''WesternAnimation/BobsBurgers'': ''Every year'' without fail, Tina gets sick with the flu on Picture Day. The closest she’s ever gotten to a picture is her throwing up right before it was her turn. This makes her insecure about not leaving a mark on Wagstaff.

[[folder:Comics]]

* ComicStrip/BigNate dreads the designated school photographer, who tells jokes and takes unflattering pictures when the kids react.

[[folder:Film]]

* The picture book ''Crazy Hair Day'' by Barney Saltzberg is about a boy named Stanley who styles his hair blue and orange and spikes it up because he thinks it's crazy hair day, only to arrive and find out that it's picture day and crazy hair day his ''next'' Friday. He tries to hide in the bathroom for the rest of the day and avoid picture day, but eventually is talked out of it by a fellow student named Larry, who had initially teased him, but has ended up embracing the role his teacher suggested of being a peacemaker. He finds that in a gesture of friendship, all of his friends have donned crazy hairstyles as well for the class picture.

* ''Series/LeaveItToBeaver'': An episode, aptly titled "The School Picture", was based around Picture Day, and 10-year-old Beaver and his buddy, Gilbert, conspiring to make funny faces as the photographer snaps the photo. When it comes time to actually take the picture, Gilbert has second thoughts and wisely decides not to pull the immature trick. Beaver follows through, and the resulting proof is one that makes Mrs. Rayburn -- and Ward, when he sees it -- very angry. Ward sternly tells Beaver that such a picture reflects badly on the whole school, not just him, and shows disrespect. Fortunately, the photography studio comes to the rescue, as the photographer has stock clip art on hand, placing a hair ribbon on the head of a little girl that was standing in front of Beaver. (Remember, this episode was produced in an era more than 30 years before digital photography became commonplace, and camera film was a rather expensive commodity in the early 1960s, precluding the photographer from taking another photo).

* ''Series/LizzieMcGuire'' also had an episode based around Picture Day. Lizzie wanted to find a way out of being forced to wear the [[HomemadeSweaterFromHell hideous green unicorn sweater]] her grandmother gave her for Christmas, and [[AlphaBitch Kate]] had a classmate throw paint at Miranda because she didn't want her to be photographed wearing the same trendy outfit she was. [[spoiler: Lizzie [[TakingTheBullet Took The Bullet]], metaphorically speaking, and ended up posing in the paint-splattered blouse she had borrowed while holding up the sweater. Her parents reluctantly admitted that she ''did'' have the sweater in the photo, and at least they'll be able to save money on buying prints this year.]]
* An episode of ''Series/NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide'' dealt with Picture Day, Cookie's attempts to have a decent pic for once, and Moze attempting ''not'' to be photographed. Among other items, Ned points out that it's unnecessary to dress up from the waist down.
* ''Series/{{Unfabulous}}'' also had an episode based on Picture Day, where the main character messed up her hair while trying to dye it.
* ''Series/DegrassiJuniorHigh'' had one.
* ''Series/ClarissaExplainsItAll'' had an episode like this where Clarissa wanted to wear her trademark cool clothes instead of the conservative navy cardigan, pleated skirt and knee socks all the girls were required to wear.

* ''Series/{{Malcolm in the Middle}}'' did this.
* In ''Series/{{That 70s Show}}'', the picture day showed the gang's history. And Eric got a zit.
* ''Series/{{Buffy the Vampire Slayer}}'': all regular characters are shown striking characteristic poses for the photographer... except for the heroine herself, who is busy Slaying and ends up left out of the yearbook altogether.
** Cordelia was supposed to tell her it was picture day but didn't, which lead to Buffy competing against her for the Homecoming Queen crown.
* ''Series/{{Freaks and Geeks}}'': The opening credits, although the effect comes from the characters' facial expressions rather than their actual appearance.
* ''Series/RaisingDad'' had an episode set on Picture Day but instead of being the main setting, it led into a plot about Sarah being uncomfortable about her appearance and considering getting a nose job.
* On ''Series/SisterSister'', Tamera suffered an allergic reaction to a new moisturizer and asked Tia to stand in for her. "Tamera" was voted Class Beauty, while "Tia's" picture was a close-up view of her forehead as she bent to tie her shoe.

* The second episode of ''Series/Teachers2016'' is called "Picture Day." Some of the things that go wrong include Ms. Snap's self tanner setting horribly, Ms. Feldman losing her eyebrows, the photographer harassing Ms. Cannon, and the school mascot dying.
* The ''Series/HankZipzer'' episode "Camera Calamity". Every year Hank's school photo matches his school report perfectly - they're both terrible. But this year Hank's making sure his photo is picture perfect - until [=McKelty=] ruins it with a fountain of fizzy drink. Can Hank get clean and tidy and back in front of the camera before the photographer leaves?

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Sarah was stuck as a catgirl during picture week. This was never seen, merely referred to as the {{Noodle Incident}}, and only much later explained.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'' has the episode "One Stayed Clean," where Gus tries to remain clean long enough to take his first class picture, only to fail. But his father is proud of him anyway, because he gets dirty protecting T.J.'s cleanliness. The episode becomes a grand send-up to bodyguard films as his friends try valiantly to protect him through the day.
* ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory'' had a humorous variant where Dexter gave himself a waxen "handsome" face to look good. He grew so vain with the lighting in his picture that the face melted off under the heat of the lamps.
-->'''Dexter's Mom:''' Dexter! You closed your eyes!

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Braceface}}'', the heroine's braces broke the camera.

* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'', "Smile for the Ed": Eddy tries to get a good school picture, so his mom will let him move into his big brother's old bedroom. Unfortunately, an ill-timed (or rather "perfectly timed since it was done on purpose") cry of "Dork!" from [[JerkJock Kevin]] puts a crimp in his plans. Furthermore, by the next day, the school is literally flooded by copies of Eddy's photo.
* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/OzzyAndDrix'' involves the titular characters to kill the acne causing germ in order to prevent the human host Hector from getting an embarrassing school photo with a pimple on his forehead.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Doug}}'': In one episode, Doug was afraid to get his picture taken, thanks to an outburst from Skeeter's kid brother making him self-conscious about his nose.
* ''WesternAnimation/AsToldByGinger'' has Ginger and her friends wanting to look more mature for their school photos, but their parents won't let them wear makeup. They try to get around this by blending berries and spices together to create "fakeup" and apply it in the school bathrooms just before picture time. The results are... [[CosmeticCatastrophe not pretty.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLifeAndTimesOfJuniperLee'' episode literally called "Picture Day" features the usual problems of the trope (zit on the forehead, etc.) with [[EvilTwin evil clones]] of June and her friends and her younger brother dressed as Abe Lincoln for his photo. neither of which was unusual for the UrbanFantasy it takes place in. [[AnnoyingYoungerSibling Ray-Ray]] apparently has a history of acting up on picture day, [[{{Keet}} like most days.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', a flashback in "Weirdmaggedon: Part 2" shows a younger Mabel getting a piece of gum in her hair on picture day, causing her to dissolve into tears. Dipper cheers her up by finding a razor and convincing her to just shave a chunk of it right off - using his ''own'' hair to demonstrate. In the end, Mabel is comforted by the fact that they get to have a horrible school picture together.

* The ''WesternAnimation/OhYeahCartoons'' short "A Kid's Life: Picture Perfect" has Billy Butter determined to ensure that his class picture turns out great, so he trains himself to keep smiling the entire day no matter what happens (even as he is threatened by bullies and is pleaded by a sobbing girl to provide donations for the victims of a recent tragedy). Unfortunately, he finds out after the photo is taken that he had broccoli in his teeth.

* Used in a chapter of the ''Literature/HorribleHarry'' series of books.