Mom Stunned by Daughter’s School Pictures, Says the 10-Year-Old Asked Photographer If She Could ‘Try Her Own Pose’

When Brooke Hamilton sent her daughter, Zuri, and son, West, off for school picture day, she expected the usual collection of polished portraits destined for family photo albums and refrigerator displays — not a scene-stealing pose she’d never forget.

But when the photos came home, the 35-year-old mom couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I instantly started laughing,” Hamilton says. “The photos brought me so much joy!”

Zuri, 10, is known at home for her signature move: one hand on her hip, the other flashing a peace sign, tongue out and a playful wink. Still, Hamilton never imagined that her daughter’s go-to pose would make its way into a formal school picture.

According to Hamilton, the fifth grader even asked the photographer if she could “try one of her own poses,” and he agreed. The result captured Zuri’s personality perfectly.

“She is always posing in photos and in videos at home,” Hamilton says. “This is her go-to — making the photo a perfect representation of her.”

In past years, Zuri and West’s school portraits leaned serious — stiff smiles, awkward expressions and a vibe that didn’t feel like them. This year was a different story.

“Zuri is always full of drama and spunk,” Hamilton says, adding that her 8-year-old son “is always smiling and happy to go with the flow.”

It’s not the first time Hamilton’s kids have surprised her during a professional shoot. A few Christmases ago, West convinced Santa to throw up a “rock on” hand sign for the camera — a family favorite to this day.

The siblings’ 2025 school photos were such a hit with relatives and friends that several actually asked for their own copies.

“We will be giving everyone a print with their Christmas cards this year,” Hamilton says.

Looking at the results, Hamilton believes kids should feel free to express themselves on picture day — whether that means picking a unique outfit or showing off a silly pose.

“I’m all about letting kids be themselves,” she says. “Even if that means doing things a bit differently!”