Glasses Trainsiton Lenses or Not?

My son had transitions for a while but kept getting in trouble in school because they never really go back to clear and they have rules against sun glasses. Anyway when he got his next pain he said no thanks and declared they were for old people. :p

If she really only needs the glasses for seeing things up close does she really need them to be sunglasses? At least as far as I can think of I don't think you ever need to look at things up close when you are wearing sunglasses. You are usually outside taking in the wide world.

Another idea is if you are getting two pairs get one straight up normal and the other straight up sunglasses.

My nephews have transitions lenses -- it's actually a requirement for them (long story, many health complications and a rare genetic disease) and they seem to love them. The kid in my sons K class last year that had glasses also had transitions lenses and he seemed to like them too. I don't get what you are saying about them looking like sunglasses in pictures though, because their lenses are clear within a few minutes of coming inside.
As for the spongebob vs. not spongebob -- She's 5, of course that's what she wants. That doesn't make it right or ok for her to get them. Be the mom, say no. If she's set on having something spongebob AND you are ok with that, then get her a t-shirt or purse or shoes or something else that's not going to be an everyday for 2 or so years commitment.

I have had transitions for about 3 years and very happy with them. They do take a few minutes to return to clear, but it has not been a problem for M.. If I didn't have transitions, another option would be to purchase separate prescription sunglasses and switch back and forth, which does not sound appealling to M.. It winds up more expensive and you have more chances of losing either pair. I would definitely recommend transitions.

I... have transition lens glasses.

I got mine from Costco.
Mine... DOES switch back to CLEAR, when I am indoors.
It is not "always" tinted indoors.

Per your questions:
Your daughter can simply take OFF her glasses, when or if, she is taking photos or someone is taking a photo of her.

With transition lenses... the tint is lighter than actual Sunglasses. So, if she wore sunglasses, you would not be able to see her eyes... more so.
With my transition lenses... my eyes CAN be seen. The glass is J. tinted. But my prescription Sunglasses... are DARKER.

Sure, transition lenses takes a bit of time to turn back to clear. But that is how it is. People buy it and use it, knowing that. And no... being in Kindergarten does not mean, that they are constantly going indoors and outdoors constantly and always. The MAJORITY of the time, they are IN class. In the classroom.
My son is in Kindergarten. They are in class mostly. Not outdoors.

I have transition lenses. I like it VERY much. It protects my eyes in the sun AND it is my prescription lenses.
If I did NOT have my transition lenses... then... I would have to ALWAYS, also be keeping my prescription Sunglasses on M.... and then, change from my prescription regular glasses to my prescription Sunglasses, ALL the time... when I go from home to outdoors to the car, in and out of the car for driving, out to the store, errands, etc. It is a BIG PAIN in the rear. That is why... I got my Transition Lenses.
Now, I don't have to constantly switch out, between prescription Sunglasses and regular prescription glasses, all the darn time.
And... I HATED having to carry TWO glasses on M., all.the.time.
And... Sunglasses, are DARKER than Transition lenses. Keep that in mind.

Also keep in mind that when a Transition lens becomes tinted because the person is outdoors in FULL sunlight... the lens is also not as dark as Sunglasses would be. AND the person still can see, out of the tinted lenses, very well, but the glare is cut out.
With my prescription Sunglasses... those lenses were MUCH darker.

My 6 year old J. got his first pair of glasses. I did not get him the transitions. Even though he wears his all the time, I didn't think it was necessary. His doctor actually suggested that he didn't need them unless he spent a lot of time outside (like playing sports). We will probably J. get him a pair of prescription sunglasses next time around. Good luck :)

My transitions are only tinted in the sun. I don't get why they're tinted all the time and you can't see her eyes unless the lenses were tinted AND transitions.

I like the fact that I don't have to always make sure I have my prescription sunglasses with M. the few times I'm wearing my glasses (typically wear contacts), but I don't ever feel like mine get dark enough in the sun - I still squint because of the brightness (I could J. have light-sensitive eyes after wearing contacts so long).

And to fix the photo thing (which I've never heard of - I'm unclear on how they turn dark quickly enough for a photo, but not quickly enough to reassure you about her going back and forth inside), when you're taking her photo, have her take her glasses off.

It really sounds like you got tinted lenses and transitions on top of them, because my transitions are 100% clear 90% of the time.

I have them, and I won't do it again. As time has worn on they have taken longer and longer to go back - my husband says he thinks maybe the cold has something to do with it. But anyway, I find myself having to remove them for about 5 minutes for them to go back to mostly non-tinted. Also, they don't work as well as normal sunglasses, so I still end up squinting against the glare. there are supposedly better ones out there now, but mine are fairly new and very annoying.