3 Easy Ideas to Get your Kids Creating with Cameras at Home!

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We have found that allowing kids to have the opportunity to take pictures and experiment is a simple way for them to be creative and to practice their strong observational skills. This seems obvious, but get the kids outside! It’s the best place to start since that’s where the natural light is. Next to a window, or using a big light or lamp are also great tools if needed.

1) Let them use your “big” camera.

If your child is old enough to keep the camera around their neck, trust them! When you go over the rules, remind them that the camera is a very delicate tool and can break if they are not mindful while they are holding it. After the responsibility and trust are mentioned, we find that they are usually very careful with equipment. Even letting them use a phone first is a perfect place to start.

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2) Give them one goal at a time.

This might be a timed challenge where they are tasked with photographing as many interesting shapes as possible, or to take sets of photographs showing opposites such as bright vs. dark or soft vs. hard. Find a prompt that makes their eyes light up, and go with it.

3) Talk about their work!

Ask how they felt about what they captured, what their thought process was like, and share with them what you notice and find interesting about their creations. Print out their work and hang them in the house! It’s very rewarding to see your work hanging on a wall and it will help build their confidence as a creator. We use Mpix for printing student and client work and they give new customers 25% off their first order!

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CHALLENGES THAT MIGHT COME UP:

One challenge we face when teaching kids about cameras is they can get frustrated when their idea doesn’t come out exactly as they imagined. When you discuss their images ask them if they are happy with how their picture turned out and if there is anything they are frustrated about. This will allow you to problem-solve together, try again, or find more appropriate camera settings, light, or angle, etc.

We’ve heard this one so many times, "…but my camera is so expensive…”

Another challenge can be to fully trust them with your expensive equipment. This can be understandably hard for some parents, but in our classes, the more trust, and responsibility we put on them, the more careful they end up and we’ve never had a kid drop a camera.

 
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WHAT DOES LEARNING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY DO FOR KIDS?

There are a number of benefits that come from young kids learning about photography. Learning to control a camera allows them to practice patience and observation skills while they create something uniquely them. They gain more confidence with themselves as creators, and they are able to practice problem-solving with a very fun way of learning math and science.

Photography also gives them the opportunity to be creative in a unique way, since they are learning to notice what makes their eyes happy as they experiment with their exposures. As they start to create more with color, light, texture, and composition they will only continue to grow as artists.

Art-making should be fun, and even though there are technically a lot of “rules” about what makes a great photo or piece of art, we just want our students to have the drive to create for themselves and to notice and appreciate experiences and aesthetics that make them feel something.

Follow us on INSTAGRAM for lots of fun photo activities and incredible student work!

 
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ART CLASS FOR KIDS! | COLORS AND ME AT BELLDEN CAFE!

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Seattle families- Colors and Me Bellden Cafe is next week! Bring your kids aged 4-6 to make some art with us!

From 10-11am, sip on a tasty coffee and have one of Bellden’s signature toasts while your kids learn and get messy! (Link to register HERE!)

CREATIVE THINKING FOR KIDS!

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All of our classes are focused on getting kids excited to think creatively and critically about not only their work but how they handle life situations as well.  Checkout our current classes, here!

ART AT HOME: HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Celebrate the Earth, get inspired and make some art! Download our instruction sheet for this project (here!)

The first Earth Day took place on March 21, 1970 after John McConnell, a man who worked hard for the world to have peace, proposed that there should be a day to honor the Earth. Every year people from all over the world gather on Earth Day to celebrate nature and find ways to preserve our world—some communities even celebrate Earth Week!

 
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MATERIALS:

  • paint brushes/ paint
  • palette (or place to mix your paints)
  • cup of water to clean brushes
  • newspaper or paper bags to cover surface before you paint
  • camera (or phone!)

SEE:

Observe the world around you—Is the ground wet? Is the sun shining through the leaves? Is moss growing on the trunks of trees? Are there birds singing? What do you see in nature that inspires you?

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THINK:

What do you love most about nature? What is your favorite outdoor memory? Are there any colors that remind you of these thoughts and feelings?

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DO:

Gather some natural objects from the ground such as rocks or pebbles and fallen branches, leaves, or pine cones. Paint these objects in colors that represent how you feel when you spend time in nature.

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INSPIRE:

Take your painted objects back outside and snap a few photos of your painted objects that capture how you feel about the Earth. Share with friends and family, encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors, too! 

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SHOW US YOUR WORK!

Send us your artwork or tag it with #thesproutingimage  - we can't wait to see what you create!

Snip-Its Launch Photos | BELLEVUE, WA

When we moved here last year one of my first local clients asked me to take photos and video for the opening of their wonderful business, Snip-Its! ✂️ 

They provide families with a fun, kid-focused experience that includes super stylish haircuts for kids, educational games to play while the stylists work, and they even have birthday parties where the kids get to dress up! My only complaint is that they don't have adult sized princess dresses! 😂

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