You have kids you love probably just as much as you love photography. You are wondering how to get them interested in photography without scaring them off or boring them. Hopefully, these tips will help you get them engaged and start them on a path where you can both share the same passion.
Photo: Fotolia.com/Max Topchilthan
Make it fun
This is my number one piece of advice. I’m sure you know this, but sometimes the obvious needs to be reinforced as it can often be ignored or overlooked even though it is supposedly obvious. Most kids do not want to take on a tedious learning experience. If you find ways to make it fun for them they will stay engaged and may even ask questions. If they do ask questions definitely answer them, just don’t launch into a 50-minute lecture on the rule of thirds, color theory, and the ISO, exposure, aperture triangle. This should come in short bursts over time.
The right way to approach a kid is going to vary from kid to kid and is very dependent on age. One way to get them interested is to challenge them to a photo competition. Have a stated goal, such as to capture an interesting picture with great colors. Set a time limit and at the end have an outside judge, maybe Mom, Dad, or a sibling, judge the best photo from the day.
Have Patience!
Kids are fickle beings. They may totally be interested one minute and then completely uninterested the next. If you keep it fun, after a few sessions you can then start to introduce a bit of instruction. Maybe start out with a very basic and short lesson about shutter speed. This is probably the most easily understood part of the exposure triangle and can be explained visually with examples.
Don’t push too hard
I will refer you back to the first point, make it fun. If you try too hard to get a child interested in photography or push them too much you may have the exact opposite effect of what you intended.
Photo Projects to get them focused
Today it is easier than ever to take pictures. This often leads to a lack of focus and a capturing of mostly mundane shots. Get your kid to think more creatively by shooting a series of pictures with a theme. Perhaps they could photograph interesting flowers. Or maybe they can focus on a specific color. Getting them to look at the world around them and notice details that might have gone unnoticed will not only help them, it will likely help you with your photography as well! Children have their own unique way of seeing the world and trying to see through their eyes is an amazing experience.
Get them talking about their pictures
Help them edit their pictures from a large batch into a smaller number of selects. Ask them why they prefer one picture over another. If you have the software and the ability, show them what can be done with post processing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop. Have them describe to you what they want to do to the photos once they know the basics. Just be careful, some kids may find this part boring. Tread lightly and always keep it fun!
The satisfaction of a job well done
The end result of a great picture shouldn’t live as just a digital file somewhere. Get a bunch of frames and let them choose which photos they think are best and then put them up on their wall. They’ll have a collection that they can be proud of and something to help keep them motivated to keep going. Another idea might be to have them write the story of their picture on the back of each picture. This will be something that they will truly cherish when they become the next Ansel Adams.
