Photography for kids is a great idea
Photography for kids can be so rewarding for everyone. Parents will get a kick out of the images their children produce, and the photography the kids produce will help build their own self-esteem and confidence too.
It’s very easy nowadays, for kids to get sucked in to a world filled with computer screens and pre-designed worlds.
Here, we want to help kids break free of these ‘technology handcuffs’, while still giving them their electronic fix.
There are so many benefits that photography for kids will produce.
Here’s just a few of the benefits
- Boosts creativity: Photography lets children to express their creativity and use their imagination when capturing images. It encourages them to explore the world around them and see it from a different perspective.
- Develops observation skills: Photography requires that children pay attention to details and notice things that they might otherwise miss. This skill can translate to other areas of their life, such as paying attention in school, or being more aware of their surroundings.
- Builds confidence: When children take photos that they’re proud of, it boosts their self-esteem and confidence. They learn to trust their own abilities and feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Encourages exploration: Photography can be a great way for children to explore the world around them. They can take their camera and go on an adventure, seeking out interesting subjects to photograph.
- Enhances technical skills: Learning photography involves understanding technical concepts such as lighting, composition, and exposure. Children can develop these skills and apply them to other areas of their life, such as science or maths, etc.
Photography for kids is good for everyone
Overall, learning photography can be a fun and rewarding experience for children, providing them with a range of skills and benefits that can benefit them in many areas of their life.
One of the best things for parents, is that most children over 12 (83%), have a mobile phone of their own. And, the cameras inside mobiles these days, are perfectly adequate for most types of photography.
In fact, some of my most acclaimed photos were shot on an old Samsung S2 from 2011. And I still use an Olympus E-PL1 (from 2010) camera today for my photography, alongside my iPhone 14 Pro.
So, there’s no immediate need to fork out on expensive camera equipment. In fact, any old point-and-shoot camera, or smartphone will do a great job.
How to go about it
Have fun!
Photography for kids should be about having fun!
Sure, it should be fun for us adults as well, but for kids it’s even more important.
And, as long as they’re using an old camera, or smartphone, who cares how good the images are? The main priority should be about them enjoying the experience.
Get out into nature
Use the time to get out into nature and away from the technological distractions that usually fills all their spare time. And remember, even your garden can be a great place to start!
Let them be in charge
This isn’t the time to be trying to teach photography to them. Simply show them how to point the camera at a subject, and press the shutter. Let them decide what the subject should be.
You should also take photos of the same subject they are. Showing them you’re interested in what they’re doing, will definitely encourage them.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for some simple things to teach your child, when they first get involved in photography, this earlier post is a good start.
If you’d like some photography for kids projects, this article from ClickItUpANotch.com is a great place to start.
So, go on! Get your kids involved in photography too.
If you have any questions, or comments, I’d love to read them below 🙂
Steve