Several months ago, I (Litsa) came across an article about ways to make kids into photographers. After reading through the tips, I pulled out the photography tips to share. Even from an educator’s viewpoint, they were on target for children learning a new skill. If your child(ren) are interested in photography, you may want to review these tips before handing them a camera—working with the child(ren) will broaden their knowledge of photography.
- Take your time by choosing a single thing to try to communicate on a single day, and allow the knowledge to build over time. If they first day is fun, they’ll be ready for the second photography tip.
- Start with familiar territory and/or people to photograph like family members and their immediate environment.
- Expose them to exposure (or learn together)—introducing shutter speed, aperture, ISO can all aspire promising photographers. Cover each one independently of the others.
- Write it out is an important project piece of photography for young children so that they are thinking about what they took pictures of and how they’d like to broaden the field of photography. Use a journal to help them capture their feelings and snapshots of their work.
- Put down the camera. Sometimes it becomes the distracting element in the work itself (wanting to look at it immediately). Create cardboard frames that help children think about ‘framing’—and what is in the background and/or foreground.
- Create a project for children to take upon. Making multiple photos as part of a single project will do a lot to focus children’s efforts.
- Make an edit by conversing with the child photographer. What did they or did they not like about individual shots. Encourage children to be decisive and share reasons that back up their preferences.
- Teach them with film. Going back to ‘analog’ before ‘digital’ slows down the work but gives a well-rounded knowledge of photography.
- Find a darkroom if time allows—and interest is sparked! You can even use a Sunprint kit to help you achieve added interest to photography knowledge.
- Keep things light. If you are working well together keep capturing the images but if frustration sets in, take a break.
As children’s interests are nurtured the brain cells fill quickly. You’ll need many opportunities to develop photography skills in children—and if they are truly interested in the camera, schedule in learning times together and in between these dates, hand your child(ren) the camera and allow them to capture as many opportunities of you (as you do of them)!
Making memories is as important as capturing the images for your family’s legacy. Who is the photographer in your family and/or who might be the next aspiring photographer?
Thanks to Popular Photography for these Kid Photographer Tips
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