When you go to take a photo of your kid are they the one who always yells “Let me do it!” and grabs your phone away? You may have a budding photographer on your hands.
So what do you do to help nurture this creative side of them? A camera seems like a big and easily breakable investment for a younger child. But perhaps you have an older, but still functional, camera phone lying in a drawer unused. Or, though they seem antiquated now, disposable film cameras do still exist and can be sent off to be developed via a few different websites. A film camera is definitely a great lesson in patience!
Now that you’ve given them the tools of photography how do you keep kids engaged in their new activity? Sure you could let them run free, snapping shots of whatever pleases them. But beware, you could definitely end up with some unflattering photos of yourself. I find photography is a great way to teach or continue teaching, kids about consent. Many people don’t like to have their photo taken and there are many moments in our lives that you really don’t need a photographic reminder of. This is a good opportunity for kids to learn to ask and engage with someone before snapping a photo.
My favorite activity to do with new photographers is a photo scavenger hunt. It’s an easily created and customizable activity for many ages and will keep your child focused on capturing specific things instead of snapping twenty shots up their nose or close-ups of the cat. For younger ages groups you can keep this simple. Stick to items or people in the house or the backyard. As your child ages, you can make the list more challenging by being more specific with your items and asking for shots to be from a specific point of view which will force them to think more creatively to complete their scavenger hunt. If you have more time to create the list try adding riddles or clues instead of just a list of items so kids have to think more critically about what they’re looking for. The possibilities are endless for what you can put on their lists! I have included a few examples below for less challenging and more challenging options.
Finally, when the adventure is over consider having some of their favorite images printed off and framed. It’s a great reward for them to show off all their hard work!
Example Photo Scavenger Hunt Lists
Easy
Take 1 photo of each thing or person on the list! Remember to ask people if you can take their photo first!
- Mom
- Dad
- An animal
- A bug
- A flower
- A house
- A toy
- A friend
- Something red
- Something green
- Something really small
- Something really big
Challenging
Take 1 photo of each thing or person on the list! Remember to ask people if you can take their photo first!
- A person wearing red
- A dog with spots
- A person at work
- A close-up photo of a plant
- A close-up photo of a cat’s nose
- A faraway photo of water
- A faraway photo of a bird
- A photo of a tree from lying on the ground
- A photo of anything taken through a window
- What has a face, two hands but no arms or legs?
The answer is what you should photograph. - What has to be broken before you can use it?
The answer is what you should photograph. - What asks no questions but requires many answers?
The answer is what you should photograph.
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Contributor
Emily Jewer is a Halifax based photographer. Her company MJ Photographics specializes in portraiture, occasionally working with families and couples, but mainly focussing on headshots for performers of all kinds including many kid and teen actors in the region. Emily is also a theatre artist, working as an actor, stage manager and director on many Halifax productions. She works with kids at Neptune Theatre School and as a child supervisor for kids onstage in professional theatre productions.
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