photography assignment for middle school

10 One-Day Photography Activities to Keep Students “Focused” Until the End of the Year

Note: Be sure to review all resources and preview all artists before determining if they are appropriate to share with your students.

With standardized and portfolio testing over, the countdown to the end of the year has begun! We all know that this last stretch of the school year can be a challenge to keep students engaged, especially in specialized courses like photography.  We’ve come to your rescue with plenty of one-day activities perfect for this time of year and your budding photographers. Better yet, these photography lessons require little prep and minimal supplies. Even if you don’t have a set of cameras in your classroom, these activities are still achievable using cell phones or tablets. 

Keep reading for one-day photography activities to get your students to stay focused until the end of the year!

1. 36 Exposures

Recommended for: High School 

Combine the limitations of 35mm film photography with the convenience of digital photography. The 36 Exposures activity involves not looking at the images until students capture all 36. This exercise mimics shooting a roll of film by waiting to see the results until the end. This practice encourages students to frame their compositions with more intention and thought. If you have access to DSLR cameras, the activity challenges students to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to shoot correct exposures. Direct students to take all 36 exposures in one location or within a specific duration. The best part is seeing how many successful images students shoot from the session!

2. Abstract Forms

Recommended for: Middle and High School 

Focus on the Elements and Principles and get students to creatively look at everyday objects with this activity. Encourage students to play with found objects and lighting. If you have macro lens clips for cell phones, this will prompt students to more closely consider each object’s texture. The work of Liz Deschenes is a beautiful example of abstract forms in photography.

3. Abstract Paper Challenge

Dive into the world of abstract art even further using only paper. The challenge is to make paper not look like paper. This unique activity encourages innovation and experimentation with limited materials such as paper, tape, light, and a camera. Students have the most success when they manipulate the paper’s surface by folding, crumpling, or taping the paper. Use side lighting to enhance textures and add dramatic effect. These tips create visually interesting surfaces and compositions! For additional ways to manipulate paper, check out the 5 Cut Paper Collage Techniques resource  in FLEX Curriculum .

4. One Lens

Recommended for: Elementary, Middle, and High School 

Challenge students to explore photography with a minimalist approach using only a single lens or focal length. By focusing solely on composition and framing, this activity pushes students to get active and walk closer or farther away to zoom in and out of their compositions. Using one lens also prompts students to see the world through a specific viewpoint.

5. From Where I Stand

Explore perspective and composition in photography with this idea. Students will photograph a series of pictures from only one spot. They can turn around and shoot at various angles but not leave their place. This forces students to get creative with unique vantage points as they lean, crouch, and bend. Add a surprise factor by telling the students where they will stand. 

6. Story Roulette

Recommended for: High School

Incorporate writing into your photography lessons with Story Roulette. Have students write one-sentence stories or six-word memoirs . Use these as student-generated final photography prompts that emphasize visual storytelling. Students can create one photograph that captures the essence of their story or shoot a series of photos in a narrative form. To add the element of chance to the activity, students can pick their prompt from a hat. 

7. Famous Artwork Recreation

Who better to find inspiration than the masters? Recreating famous artworks and photographs is a perfect way for students to study fine details such as composition, lighting, and style. Provide students with a collection of famous artworks to choose from. This also challenges students to learn about outfits and objects from certain time periods and cultures and find similar ones to include in their final piece. 

8. One Object Challenge

Find beauty in the mundane with the One Object Challenge. Many of us don’t have the luxury of expensive props or beautiful scenery within the confines of the art room. This activity requires students to find exciting ways to photograph something they see every day. It also helps students understand how photographers can make objects look more interesting than they appear.

9. What’s In My Bag

Use flat-lay photography to create non-traditional self-portraits using items from student’s bags. This activity works well for students who want to explore identity without using their faces. The contents of their bags represent a symbolic view of their personalities and interests. The completed flat-lay photographs become a visual narrative of who the students are. A fun extension is for students to guess whose portrait belongs to whom within the classroom. 

10. ROYGBIV Series

Explore color and composition by creating photographs inspired by the colors of the rainbow : red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Students can find those specific colors to photograph or use color symbolically to convey stories and emotions. For instance, a student can photograph red rose petals or an angry portrait using red lighting for the color red. To extend this lesson, create a color wheel using the final images!

From exploring abstract forms, compositions of the masters, or faceless self-portraits, these activities will energize your students to create art! Having a handful of one-day photography lessons at your fingertips is perfect for your end-of-the-year arsenal. These quick and enjoyable activities keep students excited to create, all while requiring minimal preparation and supplies. Plus, these activities reinforce knowledge and skills with minimal pressure. Capture the freedom and creativity the last few weeks of school will bring! 

Check out the resources below for more ways to incorporate photography into your art room:

• Strategies for Teaching Photography (Ep. 231)  
• Ask the Experts, Episode One: Photography
• 3 Refreshing Ways to Bring Photography Into Any Art Class
• Studio: Photography

What’s your favorite way to bring photography to your students?

How do you keep photography students engaged at the end of the year? 

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Kristina Brown

Kristina Brown, a high school art educator, is a current AOEU Writer. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning, student-centered art education, and creating a welcoming and engaging environment for students.

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10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge Your Skills

Liz Masoner is a professional photographer and she shares her tips and techniques on photo editing and how to photograph nature, portraits, and events with film and digital cameras. Liz has over 30 years of experience and she is the author of three books on photography.

The best way to learn photography is to practice, though sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and not know what to shoot. That is why photographers love assignments; they give us a purpose and an idea of what to photograph. 

Why Are Assignments Important?

Self-assignments are key to any photographer's growth. Even professionals with decades of experience will work on personal assignments that they may never get paid for. The goal of any self-assignment is to spur creativity, solve problems, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself.

As you start out in photography, you're probably filled with excitement and ready to shoot anything you can. That being said, sometimes a little direction and guidance are necessary.

Below, you will find ten photography assignments. Each covers a new topic, skill, or concept and they were chosen to help you learn how to see as a photographer. They are meant to be a personal challenge that you can complete at your own pace and with no outside judgment, simply as a means to practice and improve your photography. Hopefully, you will learn something new with each assignment and be able to use that in every photograph you take in the future.

Remember when composing your images to keep in mind the basics: the rule of thirds,  shutter speed , aperture,  depth of field , and  exposure .

Assignment #1: Up Close

This assignment encourages you to get close and personal with your subject. It is an exercise in viewing a common object in a new way and examining its finer details.

• Choose an object that you see or interact with every day.
• Focus on a small part of it, get as close as your camera will allow you to focus, and shoot away.
• Try to capture different angles and unusual lighting to add to the mystery of this tiny world.

From the whiskers of your cat to a fragile Christmas ornament, and even common soap bubbles, there is an entire world that we often overlook because we don't get close enough.

Assignment #2: Motion

Photography is a static medium which means that it doesn't move. Conveying a sense of motion is often crucial to capturing a scene or emotion and it is an essential skill for photographers to practice.

The goal of this exercise is to understand how shutter speeds can be used to convey motion.

• Choose a subject or series of subjects that will allow you to convey motion in your images.
• It can be slow motions, like that of a turtle, or fast motion, like a speeding train.
• Blur it, stop it, or simply suggest that there is motion in the photograph.

Challenge yourself to capture the same motion in different ways. For instance, you might go to a race track and stop the movement of the cars completely in one image, then leave the shutter open and allow them to blur out of the frame in the next. 

Assignment #3: Shadows

Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up.

• Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.
• You could show the shadow as the total focus of the image. Perhaps the shadow is incidental to the subject.
• Is the shadow natural or created by flash?

Shadows are integral to creating depth in a two-dimensional medium such as photography. Take some time to seriously explore the "dark side" of the light.

Assignment #4: Water

Water is everywhere in photography and it presents many challenges. There are reflections and movements to work with and in this exercise, you will take a deeper look at water.

• Find water anywhere: lakes, streams, puddles, even the glass on your kitchen table.
• Pay attention to reflections and use them to your advantage in the photographs. Use this opportunity to get familiar with a polarizing filter (a very useful tool in your camera kit) so you can accentuate or eliminate reflections.
• Play with the motion of a stream or the crashing waves. Notice the difference between stopping the flow of water and allowing it to blur to create a real sense of movement.

Be sure to make water the subject and not an accent to the image. Water alone is beautiful and mysterious and your challenge is to explore all of its potential as a subject.

Assignment #5: Leading Lines

A classic assignment in photography schools, 'leading lines ' is a popular and fun subject. The goal of this assignment is to learn how to direct the viewer to your subject using lines.

• Choose a subject then look around for lines in the scene that you can use to 'lead' the viewer to the subject. 
• Find an interesting line then determine what the subject of your photograph is.
• Remember that lines can be man-made or natural. For instance, the yellow line down the middle of the road or a tree branch. Even a person's arm can be a leading line of their face.

Use this assignment as an excuse to take an afternoon photo excursion. Walk downtown or in the woods and look around you for interesting lines that lead the eye to a subject. There is an amazing assortment of lines out there in the world and once you begin to see them, you won't be able to stop. 

Assignment #6: Perspective

How do you normally stand when you shoot? If your answer is straight up like a 5-foot-something human being then this assignment is for you. The perspective assignment challenges you to view the world from an entirely new perspective, which in turn gives the viewer a new look at the ordinary.

• Take another afternoon or evening for a photo excursion wherever you like.
• This time, every time you find something to photograph, stop!
• Ask yourself: How would a squirrel see that tree? How would a robin view that birdbath? How would a snake view that log?
• Take your photographs from very high or very low angles. Get on your belly or stand on a chair, whatever you have to (safely) do to get the 'right' angle on your subject.

If you pay attention to professional photographs, many of the images that have the WOW factor are photographed from extreme angles. People enjoy these photos because they've never seen an object from that viewpoint. It is new and unique, and you can train yourself to shoot with this in mind.

Assignment #7: Texture

You may have captured a few textural details in the 'Up Close' assignment, but this assignment takes that to the next level. The goal in this one is to study textures and forget about the object itself: the texture becomes the subject. You will also begin to realize how light affects the appearance of texture.

• Find a few objects that have very detailed textures like trees or rocks, even knit sweaters or woven rugs.
• Photograph them as close as your lens will allow.
• Use different angles and capture the same texture as the light changes. Notice how the different lighting directions and camera angles can change how much texture appears.

Textures are all around us and many of the best photographs in the world play up the textural element. This assignment should teach you how to recognize and accentuate those elements in your photos.

Assignment #8: Color Harmony

Color is important to photography because the world is full of color. This exercise requires a bit of study in color theory, which you will then put into practice in your photographs.

Do you remember art class in elementary school? You may have learned that yellow and blue make green, but color theory goes beyond that. There are cool and warm colors, complementary and contrasting colors, neutral colors, and bold colors.

It can get quite complicated, and photographers should have a basic understanding of color so you can use that when composing photographs. You don't have to study color like a painter would but can use tricks used by interior designers to influence your color decisions.

• Once you have an idea of color theory, take another photo excursion and put what you've learned into practice.
• Capture photographs with the primary or tertiary colors.
• Look for complementary colors then contrasting colors to photograph.
• Try finding a scene to photograph that is filled with neutral colors, then one that uses a bold color to 'pop' from the scene.

This is an advanced lesson, but one that any photographer working with color images will find useful. As you practice working with colors, it will become second nature and you will know how to work with color to change the feel of your images.

Assignment #9: Emotions

Take a photo of a person smiling or scowling, right? Not so. The intent of this assignment is to convey emotion in photographs  without  a face.

• Take photographs that express each of the basic emotions: happy, sad, and mad.
• How would you express the feeling of anger with no person? What about happiness? Sadness?

This is a purely conceptual assignment, but it is important to be able to relay emotion in your photographs and you might not always have a person available to do that with. Challenge yourself to think deeper about this one.

Assignment #10: Don't Look!

Are you ready to put your photography skills to the test? In today's world of digital cameras and the ability to see image captures right there on the LCD screen, photographers are losing some of the skills needed to visualize a photograph.

In this assignment, your challenge is to shoot as if you were using a film camera. That means that you will not look at the photographs you've taken until they are downloaded on your computer. Instead of relying on the camera's screen to see if you 'got the shot' you will rely on your instinct and knowledge, just like photographers did before digital photography. Can you do it?

• Plan a photo excursion to a particular location and permit yourself to photograph only 36 images (a roll of 35mm film).
• Turn off your camera's LCD screen so it does not show you the image after you have taken it.
• If you cannot turn off the camera's screen, cut a piece of thick paper and tape it over the screen. Use masking or painter's tape so you don't leave a residue on the back of your camera.
• Go out and shoot your 36 frames, thinking carefully about each image because you don't have an endless number of shots. Bonus points if you turn your camera to completely manual settings for focus and exposure.
• Don't peek at your photos until you get home and download them.

How did you do? Were you able to get good exposures on your own? How did it feel to be 'blind' and not know how your image turned out right away? 

This is similar to what it is like to shoot with film and it does require you to think harder about every image you take. Next time you shoot, slow down and pay attention, pretend that the screen is not there and rely on your own skills to create a great image. You will be a better photographer in the end.

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Photography for Kids: Fun Activities, Latest Lesson Plans & Tips

It's never too early to pick up a camera. Learn how to get your kids or students motivated and excited to start photography with these top tips and lessons.

Learn | By Jeff Collier

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Photography is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, including kids.

It allows children to express themselves, explore their surroundings, and develop their artistic skills.

I’m a photographer and want my grandkids to learn how to take pictures on cameras (as opposed to just my iPhone!) – maybe you’re in the same boat?

In this article, I’ll show you how you can teach your child to take pictures, whatever their age.

You’ll even find some fun photography activities and lesson plans that can be tailored to kids and students.

(You may also be interested in our article on how to photograph children .)

Let’s dive in!

The Kidamento digital camera is cute, easy to use and packed full of fun features. Available as a sloth, cat or a koala.

Table of Contents

Photography for Kids: How Do I Teach My Child to Take Pictures?

Raíssa de Paula

Photography for kids is an exciting topic, especially if you’re a parent and want to pass on your passion for digital photography.

Teaching your child to take pictures is a great way to help them develop their creativity and technical skills.

Here are a few tips on how teach photography to children:

• Start with a simple camera: Unlike regular photography, kids’ photography should be as simple as pointing and shooting. Children may not have the patience or coordination to use a complicated camera, so it’s best to start with a simple point-and-shoot camera or even a smartphone. You may also want to invest in one of these kids’ cameras which are a fun design.
• Explain the basics : Photography lessons for kids should emphasize fundamentals. Show your child how to turn the camera on and off, how to focus, and how to take a picture. Teaching photography needn’t be dry or boring – keep it simple to start with.
• Encourage creativity: Encourage your child to take pictures of whatever interests them, whether it’s a tree in the park or their favorite toy. Take a step back and forget about all the usual photography tips and any photography skills you’ve picked up along the way – just let them take a few photos of whatever they want, however they want.
• Offer guidance: Offer guidance and suggestions, but also give your child the freedom to experiment and make their own decisions. Remember – these aren’t structured photography lessons, per see – think of it more as playtime with a camera.
• Review and discuss the pictures: After your child has taken some pictures, sit down with them and review the pictures together. Ask them what they like about each picture and what they might do differently next time.

It may be interesting for kids to learn that digital photography is a relatively new ‘invention’, and that back in your day, everything had to be printed.

At What Age Can Kids Start Photography?

There is no specific age at which kids can start photography, as it depends on the child’s maturity and ability to handle a camera.

Some children may be ready to start taking pictures at a young age, while others may need to wait until they are older.

Here are a few factors to consider when teaching photography to younger kids:

• Physical ability: Children should be able to hold and handle the camera securely and press the button to take a picture. Obviously, this will depend on the size and shape of the camera – Kidamento makes this one that’s easy to grip for smaller hands.
• Attention span : If the child able to focus on taking pictures and not get easily distracted?
• Understanding of instructions: The child should be able to understand and follow basic instructions, such as how to turn the camera on and off and how to focus.
• Interest: Is the kid showing an interest in taking pictures, and are they motivated to learn? Do they want to have their own camera? Are they asking for photography lessons?

If your child meets these criteria and is interested in basic photography, they are likely ready to start taking pictures.

Is Photography a Good Hobby for Kids?

Photography can be a great hobby for kids because it allows them to express themselves creatively and develop their artistic skills.

It can also help children learn to see the world in a different way as they start to notice details and compositions that they might have otherwise overlooked.

Remember the saying, “see the world in the way a child sees it”? This applies to photography for kids – they’ll take pictures of things you never even considered before.

Photography can also be a great way for children to document their experiences and memories.

In addition, photography can help children develop important life skills, such as problem-solving and communication.

They may need to think creatively to capture a unique shot or communicate with members of their family or their friends when taking pictures of people.

Overall, photography can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby for kids as long as they are interested and motivated to learn.

14 Photography Activities for Kids and Students in 2023

Ryunosuke Kikuno

Here are seven fun photography activities that kids can try:

• Self-portraits : Here’s an easy photography activity for students. Encourage the child to take self-portraits using your smartphone or a digital camera. They can experiment with different angles, lighting, and expressions to create unique self-portraits. Give them a few basic photography tips (like using a tripod and the self-timer), but then leave them to figure the rest out themselves.
• Nature photography : Take a walk with the child and encourage them to take pictures of plants, flowers, and animals. They can also try taking close-up shots of flowers or other small objects to focus on details. Young photographers will always love getting out in nature with a camera.
• Black and white photography : Try taking pictures in black and white to create a different look and feel. This can also help kids learn about how color affects an image.
• Action shots: Encourage your child to take action shots of people or animals in motion. This can be challenging, but it’s also a great way to practice capturing movement and freezing it in a photograph.
• Still life photography : Set up a still life scene using household objects and encourage your child to take pictures of it. This can be a great way for kids to practice composition and lighting.
• Street photography : Take a walk with your child and encourage them to take pictures of people and scenes from everyday life. This can be a great way for kids to practice candid photography and capture candid moments.
• Night photography : Try taking pictures at night to capture the beauty of the stars or the city lights. This can be a fun and challenging activity that allows kids to experiment with low-light photography.
• Photo editing: Photography for kids needn’t just be about taking photos. Show them how you can change the look of digital photography using a simple editing app like the one found on your smartphone. See what effects the child likes applying to their photos.

If you’re looking for photography activities for students , here’s a list of seven more:

• Landscape photography : Encourage students to go outside and take pictures of landscapes, including mountains, forests, and beaches. This can be a great way for students to practice composition and lighting.
• Portrait photography : Students should practice taking portraits of their classmates or friends. Encourage them to experiment with different angles and lighting to create unique and interesting portraits. Experiment with different lenses to see how they affect the look of their friends’ faces.
• Architecture photography : Encourage students to take pictures of interesting buildings or structures in their community. This can be a great way for students to practice composition and capturing the details of a scene.
• Food photography : Have students practice taking pictures of food. This can be a fun and creative activity that allows students to experiment with lighting and composition. See if they can guess how these food photos were taken.
• Product photography : Encourage students to take pictures of products, such as their own toys or electronics. This can be a great way for students to practice capturing detail and showcasing the features of a product.
• Street photography: Have students take candid pictures of people and scenes from everyday life. This can be a fun way for students to practice candid photography and capture candid moments. You may also need to teach them the local laws about taking photos of strangers.
• Night photography: Encourage students to try taking pictures at night to capture the beauty of the stars or the city lights. This can be a fun and challenging activity that allows students to experiment with low-light photography , and blurring lights with slow shutter speeds.

Teaching photography to students is immensely rewarding.

Just remember to keep your photography lessons light on the technical details initially to ensure that the students’ creativity can flourish – you don’t want to make them bored too early on!

10 Digital Photography Lesson Plans for Elementary Schools

Here are ten photography lesson plans that can be used in an elementary school setting:

• Introduction to Photography: This lesson introduces students to the basic concepts of photography, such as the camera, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Students can learn about the different parts of a camera and how they work together to capture an image.
• Composition Basics : Students can learn about the basic principles of composition, such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry. They can practice applying these principles by taking pictures and analyzing their compositions for discussions with their classmates.
• Portrait Photography: Students should learn how to take portraits and experiment with different angles, lighting, and backgrounds. They can practice taking portraits of their classmates and friends and learn how to capture natural expressions and emotions in their photos.
• Landscape Photography: Teach how to take landscape photos and experiment with different perspectives, angles, and lighting. They can practice taking photos of the natural environment or urban landscapes and learn about the importance of composition in landscape photography.
• Black and White Photography: In this lesson, students learn how to take black and white photos and how to use contrast and lighting to create dramatic and impactful images. They can practice taking photos in black and white and learn about the history and aesthetics of black and white photography.
• Action Photography: In this lesson, students learn how to capture movement and freeze it in a photograph. They can practice taking action photos of sports, dance, or other fast-moving subjects and learn about the techniques and equipment needed for action photography.
• Night Photography: Students will learn how to take photos at night and experiment with different lighting techniques. They can practice taking photos of the stars, the moon, or cityscapes at night and learn about the challenges and rewards of night photography.
• Still-Life Photography: In this lesson, students learn how to set up and photograph a still-life scene. They can practice using lighting, composition, and props to create an interesting and visually appealing still-life photo.
• Street Photography: Teach students how to take candid photos of people and scenes from everyday life. They can practice capturing candid moments like laughing or talking and learn about the ethics and considerations of street photography, including local laws that affect taking photos.
• Food Photography: Teach how to take appetizing and visually appealing photos of food. They can practice using lighting, composition, and props to create a mouth-watering food photo.

You can find the best photography schools here.

The History of Photography for Kids: A Simplified Summary

Martin Bekerman

The history of photography is a fascinating and colorful one that dates back over two thousand years.

If you’d like to talk about how it all originated in your photography lessons, here is a brief overview of the history of photography for kids aged 10+.

• The earliest known photograph was taken in the early 19th century by a French inventor named Joseph Nicéphore Niépce . He used a camera obscura (a small, dark room with a hole in the wall) to capture an image of the view from his window. This photograph is called the “View from the Window at Le Gras” and is considered the first photograph ever taken.
• In the 1830s, a British scientist named William Henry Fox Talbot developed a process called “calotype” which allowed people to make multiple copies of a photograph. This process used paper coated with silver chloride, which turned black when exposed to light.
• In the 1850s, a French photographer named Louis Daguerre developed the daguerreotype process, which used a polished silver plate to capture an image. The daguerreotype process produced very detailed and high-quality photographs, but it was expensive and time-consuming.
• In the late 19th century, the wet plate collodion process was developed, which allowed people to take photographs more quickly and inexpensively. This process used a glass plate coated with a chemical mixture that became light-sensitive when wet.
• In the early 20th century, the first color photographs were developed. One of the most popular color photography processes was called “autochrome,” which used microscopic grains of starch dyed in three primary colors (red, green, and blue) to create a color image.
• In the 1950s, the first modern digital cameras were developed, which used electronic sensors to capture images. Today, digital cameras are the most widely used type of camera, and people can take and share photos instantly using their smartphones.

Throughout its history, photography has transformed the way we see and understand the world.

It has also allowed us to capture and preserve memories, document important events, and share our experiences with others.

Photography for kids isn’t just about creativity and camera settings – it’s also important to show them how digital photography came to be, and some of the ‘old story’ of the days of the darkroom too.

See also: when were cameras invented?

Tips for Encouraging Children to Take Photos

Kelly Sikkema

How do I encourage my child to turn the camera on?

If you want to encourage your child to turn the camera on, you can try the following strategies:

• Make it easy to use: Consider using a camera that is easy for your child to turn on and off, such as a point-and-shoot camera or a smartphone camera. This one from Kidamento is a great choice.
• Show them how: Demonstrate how to turn the camera on and off, and encourage your child to practice doing it themselves.
• Make it fun: Encourage your child to take pictures of things that interest them, such as their favorite toys, pets, or places. This can make taking pictures more enjoyable and motivating. Give the child a camera in the morning and ask them to take 10 photos before lunchtime, for example.
• Offer guidance and support: Offer guidance and support as needed, but also give your child the freedom to explore and experiment on their own. Review the photos the child has taken at the end of the day.
• Be patient: Children may need more time and practice to learn how to turn the camera on and off, so it’s important to be patient and encouraging.
• Reward their efforts: If your child is making an effort to turn the camera on and take pictures, be sure to praise and reward their efforts. This can help them feel more confident and motivated to continue learning.
• Show them your photos: Show some of the first photos you ever took or more recent example photos.

How can I get my 4-year-old to take pictures?

Here are a few tips for encouraging your 4-year-old to take pictures:

• Start with a simple camera: Children at this age may not have the patience or coordination to use a complicated camera, so it’s best to start with a simple point-and-shoot camera or a smartphone camera.
• Explain the basics: Show your child how to turn the camera on and off, how to focus, and how to take a picture. Use simple language and demonstrate the steps using hands-on examples.
• Encourage creativity: Encourage your child to take pictures of whatever interests them, whether it’s a tree in the park or their favorite toy. This can help them feel more motivated and engaged.
• Offer guidance: Offer guidance and suggestions as needed, but also give your child the freedom to experiment and make their own decisions.
• Be patient: Children at this age may need more time and practice to learn how to take pictures, so it’s important to be patient and encouraging.

By following these tips, you can help your 4-year-old learn to take pictures and have fun with photography.

Download Free Photography Cheat Sheets for Kids

Tons of great free content available to download.

Photzy is a great place to learn photography, with tons of ebooks packed full of photography lessons on everything from basic tips and camera handling skills to taking exhibition-worthy photos.

While much of their content is geared toward students and ‘older’ people, there are also a handful of excellent free photography cheat sheets you can download for kids.

Their e-books are well-designed and informative and provide tons of useful tips to help your photographers improve and get inspired.

You can download three free photography cheat sheets here >>

Final Words on Teaching Photography to Kids

I hope you got some good information about photography for kids from my article.

Most schools offer photography lessons for young students, but I haven’t come across any for younger kids.

That’s why it’s important to encourage younger children to pick up a camera earlier and start experimenting.

A child’s photos are a wonderful thing. Make sure you’re part of the learning process to encourage these new skills.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

Includes limited-time discounts.

Jeff Collier is an experienced film photographer who enjoys experimenting with modern digital photography equipment, software and apps. He’s also an ex-world champion triathlete and avid cyclist, clocking hundreds of km each week in the beautiful Tweed Valley of northern NSW, Australia.

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By: Author Nakia Pullen

Posted on September 19, 2023

I remember letting my son look at my cell phone when he was about three years old, and he immediately found a function on my camera phone that I did not even know existed!

It was amazing to me that he was able to figure out something like that at such a young age.  Since then, his photography skills have continued to improve.  

Now, one of my child’s favorite toys is a camera that he uses often to take pictures; usually of someone making a silly face or of his toys!

While I myself have learned some basic photography skills, I still believe the best way to foster an interest in taking photos for young photographers is to start with creative photography projects and let kids explore first.

If they enjoy themselves with that, then it might be a good time to introduce them to the basic concepts of photography.  One of many fun ways to introduce kids to photography is to have them participate in a photo challenge.

A photo challenge involves taking photos of various subjects in many different and creative ways that helps someone learn more about the art of photography.  

This could be a great summer activity . It is like a preview of what you and your camera can do! 

This not only lets them learn about how to use a camera, but also allows them to tap into their amazing creative side by challenging their minds.  

Photography Activities For Kids

So, you have set up your child with an age-appropriate camera that can accidentally be dropped without breaking, now what?  Start with letting your child lead the way on what they would like to take pictures of.

If they are anything like my son, they will probably start with taking pictures of you, themselves, their pets and toys.  Let them explore and take all the silly pictures they would like to take.

It is great to live in a time where you are able to see pictures right away and be able to take quite a few without worrying about wasting film!  Let them see their pictures and talk about them and what they notice about each image.

If your child is at a loss for what to take pictures of, we have a list below that can start up some creative photography.

Your child might need help with some of these suggestions, but for the most part, he or she should be able to complete most of these photography challenges on their own if they chose. 

Let them choose if they want this to be a solitary activity, or if they would like company.  

It is good to remember that each child has their own personality and while some prefer company, others may appreciate the quiet solitude that can accompany photography.

Ideas For Completing This Photo Challenge:

1. Take a close-up photo of a flower.

2. Take a photo of one of your favorite things.

3. Take a photo of your pet from a unique perspective.

4. Photograph your action figures in various hero poses. 

5.Create a photo scavenger hunt for your child to complete.

6. Take pictures of items that start with the same letter of the alphabet.

7. Take pictures of activities during a vacation and create a photo book with the images taken.

8.Take a picture of each family member.

9.Take a photo walk.

10.Take pictures of animals in nature.

11.Take portrait photos of your family pet.

12.Take your entire family someplace special and have a photo shoot.

13. Take close-ups of everyday objects like pencils, lamps and a Lego policeman from different angles.

14. Take a picture of your favorite stuffed animal.

15. Take a picture of the same item in different types of light.

16.Take pictures of your favorite place that explain why you like it so much.

17. Turn a plant away from the sun, take a picture of it and then take a picture of it the next day to show how it moved to find sunlight.

18. Take pictures of different objects that fall into the same subject matter such as things that a blue, for example.

19. Take several pictures of the same item, changing the angle a little bit each time until you have taken pictures all around it.

20. Take a series of photos of people’s eyes.

21. Take photos of people’s hands.

22.Take photos of people in profile.

23. Practice portrait photography on yourself and then take portraits of the rest of the family.

24.Document a fun day out like a photo adventure.

25.Create a time capsule of images and set a date to open them when you are an adult.

26.Take pictures of your favorite people, places, things.

27.Take pictures of cloud formations.

28.Plant a seed and take pictures of the changes you see each day.

29.Take pictures of the same place at different times of the year.

30.Take pictures of rainbows.

31.Take pictures of reflections in puddles, rivers and lakes.

32. Take pictures of your family and friends participating in different activities.

33.Take a picture of holiday lights.

34.Take close-up photos of ornaments on a tree.

35.Take photos of your friends.

36. Take photos of produce in the grocery store.

37.Take photos of Halloween decorations.

38. Take photos of store displays.

39. Take photos of snow people.

40. Take photos of people dancing.

41.Take photos of people jumping into a pool.

42. Take a photo of grass from the point of view of a bug.

43. Take photos of monuments.

44. Take photos of a parade.

45. Take photos of the same view out of a window in different types of weather.

46. Take photos of interesting buildings.

47. Take photos of animals in a zoo.

48. Take photos of someone jumping on a trampoline.

49. Take pictures of your pet playing with his or her favorite toys.

50.Take photos of babies.  Make sure to get the ok from their parents first!

51.Keep an item in the same place outside all day and take pictures of it during different times of the day.

52.Take pictures of items with interesting patterns.

53. Take pictures of shadows.

54. Take pictures of different types of fruits and vegetables.

55.Take pictures of items with a rough texture.

56. Take pictures of items with a smooth texture.

57.Take pictures of something tall.

58. Take pictures of something short.

59. Take pictures of opposites like indoors and outdoors, hot and cold.

60.Take a picture of someone riding a bike.

61.Take a picture of someone rolling on roller skates. 

62.Take a picture of someone ice skating.

63.Take pictures of people sledding.

64.Take a picture of shapes you can find in nature and in your house.

65.Take close up photos of musical instruments.

66.Take pictures of nature after a rainstorm.

67. Blow bubbles and take pictures of them floating around.

68. Take pictures of water coming from a sprinkler.

69. Take photos of a sunset.

70. Take photos of a sunrise.

Whether this is a solitary activity for your child or something you do as an activity together, this photo challenge will most certainly encourage a nice mix of fun and learning! 

 It is always amazing to me how much kids learn when they are playing and relaxed.  Allow your child to use their imagination to come up with interesting and creative ways to take pictures.  

Something like this photography challenge that starts out as a fun activity may eventually turn into a lifetime hobby or even an occupation later on.

Any new experience that helps your child learn about something new in a safe way is worth trying and encouraging.   The most important thing is that kids have fun with this activity.  And, as always, you’ve got this!

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Lesson Plan

Five Photography Assignments That Invite You to Look Closely at the World

Students, try one of these exercises inspired by the visual series The Take. What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens?

By Natalie Proulx

How often do you look — really look — at the world around you? Below, we offer five photography assignments that challenge students to do just that, all inspired by The New York Times visual series The Take .

In this series, The Times asks photographers to explore different cultural themes through images — for example, to document what they see when they look up, to capture the sounds they hear in New York City or to find dance in everyday movements.

What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens? Choose one (or more) of the five assignments below to try out. For each, we’ll guide you through a warm-up activity, a reading of the Take article that inspired the exercise and your own photo shoot. When you’re done, you can create your own visual article by putting together a gallery of your images and writing a short commentary on what they mean to you.

These exercises are meant to be accessible to anyone with a camera or smartphone, whether you’re an experienced photographer or you’re just looking for a fun visual challenge. If you’d like to experiment with some composition and editing techniques, see our related photography lesson plan .

And if none of these projects inspires you, look through The Take’s archives for more ideas.

Assignment No. 1

Most of us spend our days looking down: at our phones, computers, homework, meals. What would you see if you looked up instead? For this assignment, we invite you to photograph what you see when you turn your gaze to the sky.

Warm-up: Wherever you are right now, look up. What do you see?

Spend some time studying the images, shapes, patterns, colors, lines, light, shadows, angles or movements above you. What catches your attention? What have you never noticed before? How is this angle different from looking at something straight on, straight down or from the side? Is there anything you see that strikes you as artistic, that might make for an interesting photograph?

How often do you look up? What does this quick exercise tell you about what might happen when you do?

Read “ When 4 Photographers Looked Up, This Is What They Saw .”

For this assignment, The Take simply asked photographers to look up. View the photos they made and their commentary on them. Then choose one that stands out to you. What did the photographer want to capture in it? Was the photo successful in your opinion? What does the image say to you? What does it show us about looking up?

Your turn: Photograph what you see when you look up.

You might approach this assignment in two ways: 1) You can carry your camera around with you for a day or several days and photograph anything interesting you see when you look up, as the photographer Ali Cherkis did venturing around New York City. 2) Or you might start with a specific place and idea in mind that you want to photograph, as Stella Blackmon did when she wanted to capture the “sense of wonder” she felt from seeing children climbing in the trees at her great-aunt’s home in Ozark, Mo.

Assignment No. 2

Capture the Sounds of a Place

Photography might seem like it’s all about sight, but it can evoke other senses, too. The Take challenged four photographers to try to capture the sounds of New York City in images. How can you show what the place you live sounds like?

Warm-up: What sounds can you hear in this photograph?

Study the photograph above closely. What might you hear if you were in the scene? Which elements of the image help convey those sounds? What senses or emotions does the photograph evoke in you? What story does it tell about New York City?

Read “ Sounds of the City .”

For this assignment, The Take sent four photographers to capture New York’s soundscape in images. Spend some time with the photos and the photographers’ commentary on them. Which images most strongly and clearly imply sound to you? Which ones surprise you or perhaps challenge an assumption you have about life in New York City? Choose one of these photos and repeat the exercise you did in the warm-up.

Your turn: Photograph the sounds of a place.

For this assignment, you might travel around your city or town and photograph the sounds you find. Or you might focus on a more contained space, such as your school, the skate park, your neighborhood or any other place where you spend time. You might try to capture many disparate sounds — quiet ones, loud ones, harsh ones, pleasant ones — as Daniel Arnold did in his photos of various corners of New York City. Or you can try to capture a particular type of sound, as Ike Edeani did in his photos of the subway stations’ “mini concerts.”

Assignment No. 3

Find Art Wherever You Go

Four photographers went in search of candid moments and images that struck them — impressionistically, conceptually or naturally — as art. Where can you spot art in the world around you?

Warm-up: What does art look like?

How do you know when you see something that is art? What elements make it so? What does it do to you, the viewer?

Look around the space you are in right now. Is there anything that strikes you as art? Perhaps it’s the way your jacket is draped over a chair, how light is coming in through a window, the interesting pattens created by a shadow on your desk or the shape someone’s face makes when they smile or frown. What about this thing makes it seem artistic to you?

Read “ Art Is Everywhere. Just Look to the Streets. ”

The Take invited four photographers to look for art in the streets of New York. Spend some time looking at all of the photographs and reading the commentary. Then, focus on one photographer’s images. How does this photographer conceptualize art? How does that idea come through in one of his or her photos? What do you think makes this photo artistic — impressionistically, conceptually or naturally?

Your turn: Photograph candid moments and images that look like art to you.

Where can you find art in the world around you? You might take your camera out for a day and start shooting anything that strikes you as art. Or you might shoot with a particular vision in mind, such as Sabrina Santiago who was “interested in what people are saying from the back,” or Trevor Wisecup who looked for “abnormalities in our day-to-day life, glitches in the matrix if you will.” Challenge yourself to capture candid moments, rather than trying to stage images.

Assignment No. 4

Explore the Ways We Move

The Take asked four photographers to find dance in our everyday gestures, whether reaching for a jug of milk, hugging a loved one or scaling a rock wall. How can you find beauty in how we physically navigate the world?

Warm-up: Can you see beauty in the ways that people move, even when there is no music?

Can you find dance in people’s everyday rituals and routines? To answer this question you might go somewhere crowded — your school’s hallway, a park, a basketball game — and spend a few minutes just observing people. Do any gestures look like dance to you? What is it about these movements that resemble those that dancers might make?

Read “ There’s Dance All Over, No Matter Where You Look .”

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, The Take asked photographers to show how people were physically navigating a world in which awareness of our bodies — how much space we took up, whether we were six feet from our neighbor — had become the norm. What they found was a kind of dance in these everyday movements.

Spend some time with the images and photographers’ commentary. Then choose one photograph to look at more closely. Why does this image speak to you? How does it represent dance? What emotion, experience or idea do you think the photographer wanted to capture in it?

Your turn: Photograph how people move through the world.

For this assignment, you can take your camera around with you for a day or two and snap a photo anytime you see a movement, posture or gesture that looks like dance to you. Or, you can go to a specific place. For example, the photographer Camilo Fuentealba went to Costco to document “the daily rituals we must partake in just to survive,” while Noah Sahady went to the San Bernardino National Forest to capture “the harmony of rock climbers and nature.” You might play with taking both candid and staged shots, or, like Jillian Freyer, shooting the “fragments in between.”

Assignment No. 5

Show Us What Fun Looks Like

Three artists photographed the many forms fun can take. An end-of-day ice cream ritual. Caring for rescued chickens. A bubble bath for an inanimate friend. What does a good time look like to you?

Warm-up: What do you do for fun?

Brainstorm a big list of everything you’re doing for fun these days. Do you play video games? Hang out with friends? Play sports? Make things? Write down everything you can think of, whether it’s an everyday ritual or a special event.

Then go through your list. Which of these activities feels most compelling or unique to you and your friends? Which might make interesting photographs?

Read “ Making Your Own Fun .”

The Take asked three photographers to document how they were having fun during the lockdown period of the coronavirus pandemic. Spend a few minutes looking at the photos and reading the commentary. Then choose one photographer’s images to focus on. What do you notice about their artistic choices — about their composition, the photographic style, how they were made? What do you wonder? What can we learn about fun from these photos?

Your turn: Photograph your fun.

Return to the list you made in the warm-up and choose one or several things from it to photograph. You might consider how you can get creative with your photographic style and composition, as the photographers in the article did. You can stage photos, as Sheida Soleimani did, or you can try to capture more candid moments.

Going Further

Make a Visual Article

Put together your photos with a written reflection to create your own The Take-inspired piece.

Related Article

Once you have completed one of the exercises above, choose three to six photos from your shoot and create a gallery of images that speaks to the theme of the assignment. Then, write a short commentary reflecting on the assignment and what you learned from it, just as the photographers and Times editors do in The Take.

Here are some questions that can help guide your reflection:

Who or what inspired you? Did you stage your photos or seek out candid moments? What composition and editing techniques did you use, and why?

Is there a thread — some theme, emotion or experience — that connects your images? Was it something you set out to capture? Or something you discovered during the shoot or after seeing your finished photos? Taken together, what do your photos reveal about the subject of the assignment?

What is something new you discovered or learned through this exercise? How, if at all, did it make you look at the world or the people around you differently?

How challenging did you find this assignment? Why?

You can put your images and commentary together using a digital program like Google Slides or Canva . Teachers might invite students to share their work via a gallery walk , whether in the classroom or online.

Find more lesson plans and teaching ideas here.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

A Photography Project That Develops Interpersonal Skills

Photography can help students work on communication, empathy, and teamwork—and see their communities through a new lens.

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Our middle school’s mission is to shape and support a diverse community where students create high-quality work, care for the well-being of themselves and others, and engage in meaningful service. Last year, I began teaching a new course on leadership and service learning in which student-led project teams work with career mentors to address needs in the community. To equip students for success, I begin by teaching a series of lessons to promote the development of basic interpersonal skills: effective communication, empathy, and teamwork.

Focusing on Empathy

For a lesson on empathy, I partnered with a local photographer—and a parent at the school—to create a photography project called “Finding Your Joy.” I believe other educators can adapt this lesson to build classroom community while helping students identify others’ feelings, which fosters positive relationships. Lessons like this teach students how to read people, and how to understand situational context and anticipate reactions.

In the first lesson, which lasted 55 minutes, the photographer covered four sections: in photograph analysis, students learned how to identify emotions and find the story behind the image; in brainstorming, they considered what joy looks like at school; in introduction to photography basics, they learned about the rule of thirds, composition, and lighting and exposure; and in the practice section, they visited art, chorus, and drama classes to take photographs.

This assignment required students to take the focus off of themselves and watch—and anticipate—the actions of their peers and teachers. We sent a letter to staff describing the project guidelines, which covered rules like getting consent from potential subjects and not taking selfies or other posed pictures.

Helping Students View the World Through a New Lens

After the first lesson, students practiced taking pictures for one week, during which the environments expanded from the school to family and community settings. Students created a folder on Google Drive and shared their work with the photographer and myself. During that week, the students and I used the last 10 minutes of each class to revisit the guidelines, answer questions, discuss challenges, and analyze entries. For peer feedback, we followed the “two stars and a wish” format: Students identified the two strongest attributes of a photograph and shared one idea for improving the picture.

In the beginning, students struggled to give their peers meaningful feedback. Comments tended to be too general—e.g., “I like it. It’s good.” I modeled ways to provide specific feedback, which generated higher-level reflection. I asked questions like, “Why did you choose to photograph this girl?,” “Do you think the student to the left detracts from your photo?,” and “How can you crop the picture to create a stronger message?” Students took multiple pictures, so they were able to select their best work for submission. Feedback even led a few students to realize that they had missed the mark and needed to try again.

A week later, the photographer returned to teach the next lesson, which focused on analyzing student work, digital editing, and learning from one’s own work. She walked the students through a think-aloud, asking more questions about their photographs. Then, working in pairs and small groups, the class practiced editing with the tools already available on their phones and Chromebooks. For the majority of the class period, the photographer walked around the classroom and provided feedback.

From Looking to Seeing

Students submitted their three favorite photographs for the project. The photographer and I met once more to select the pictures that students believed best represented joy. We received media releases from students’ families and then posted the photographs on our school’s social media pages. We printed the winning photographs on canvas and displayed them at a local resource center for caregivers and their families. Today, the pictures are hanging in the front hallway of our school.

Students’ takeaways from this project were profound. Looking is a simple physical act;  seeing represents observing and understanding. Many middle school students do not easily recognize the feelings of others, but student leaders learn that everyone has a story.

Adapting for New Formats

The project was completed last fall in a traditional classroom setting. This year, I will adapt it to my virtual teaching assignment. A photographer will now mentor my students using a service like Google Meet. Photographs will still be posted on the shared drive, but now feedback and discussion will occur during online breakout groups. The pandemic may prevent students from working closely in the classroom, but the project goals remain the same.

And there was one last lesson, which may be among the most valuable of all. A photography project allows you to see through students’ lenses. It leads to meaningful conversation. Students were highly engaged in this project from the start because they were allowed to use their cell phones and Chromebooks. Ultimately, this project served as a springboard for students to focus on others. Without vision, we have no direction. Help your students go beyond looking to seeing.

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Middle School Photography 1a: Introduction

Photographs are all around us, and each helps to tell a story. Now it’s time for you to create your story through photos you learn how to take in this course. Learn the basics of using a camera, lighting, and how to choose great subjects to create magazine-worthy photos and amaze your friends and family with your skills.

Units at a Glance

Unit 1: Introduction to Photography

Do you like to take photos? Have you ever thought that it might be fun to take photos for a living? There are professional photographers all over the world who have made successful careers out of taking photos. Of course, they didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be a famous photographer. There’s more to it than that! Digital photography is an art, but it is one that you can master. To learn how, we must begin our exploration of digital photography by considering some of the early history of the visual arts and photography. Then we will dive into some basics about our main tool: cameras, as well some other basic equipment that every budding photographer needs in their camera bag. Finally, we will talk about how to get digital images from a camera to a computer. Ready? Let’s go!

What will you learn in this unit?

• Define photography
• Discuss the early history of photography
• Explore how cameras work
• Explain how to transfer images from a camera to a computer

Unit 2: Meeting Your Camera

Emmert Wolf once said, “A man is only as good as his tools.” What did he mean? Well, in order to do a job well, knowing how to use the tools is important. This is important to photographers as well. A photographer can plan in their minds what they want their photo to look like, but they need to know how to work their cameras in a way that will allow them to get that photo! Let’s learn more about point-and-shoot cameras, the tools of the trade that we will be using.

• Explore the basic functions of point-and-shoot cameras
• Examine some of the basic features of point-and-shoot cameras
• Discuss some of the common risks to digital cameras
• Learn how to care for your camera so that it will continue to work effectively

Unit 3: Photography as Art

Even if you know how to use your camera to take photos, it’s not just a matter of “point and shoot.” Part of being a strong photographer is understanding how to apply techniques from art and design to your photos. This enables you to create stronger, more striking images that communicate your message to your audience. We will be learning about the elements of art and principles of design as well as how to critique pieces of visual art just like art critics. By understanding the questions art critics ask themselves when judging a piece of artwork, you can ask yourself the same questions about your own work!

• Discuss and identify the elements of art
• Review the principles of design
• Apply aesthetic scanning to evaluate a piece of art
• Use the four-step method of art criticism to evaluate a piece of art

Unit 4: Choosing a Subject

What are you going to photograph? Well, what kind of photos do you like to look at? What kind of feelings do you have when you look at certain photos? The subject of a photo can catch people’s interest and make them feel happy, sad, excited, or something else. But how do you choose a subject? What makes a good subject for a photograph? Well, all that depends on the reason you’re picking up the camera in the first place!

• Explain some of the differences between good photographs and great photographs
• Identify the purpose of photographs
• List the subjects that can be captured by photographers
• Discuss how the rule of thirds helps photographers take appealing photographs

Unit 5: Elements of Composition

Do great photos just “happen”? Well, maybe sometimes an image will be caught by mistake that ends up begin really interesting. But for the most part, great photos take a lot of thought to put together. Let’s learn about the process of composing good photographs. Along the way, we’ll unpack some tricks that seasoned photographers use to compose their photographs, including leading lines, filling the frame, and framing. While we’re at it, we’ll check out some work from the “masters”—famous photographers who we stand to learn a lot from!

• Discuss different ways to focus photographs
• Define and apply the photography techniques of leading lines and filling the frame
• Identify and use the technique of framing in photographs
• Describe the differences between portrait and landscape orientation in photographs
• Examine how the work of others can help improve our own photographs

Unit 6: Backgrounds and Foregrounds

One of the challenges photographers face is how to turn a three-dimensional scene or object into a two-dimensional image. This is not easy to do! It takes a special eye to see opportunities to capture three dimensions in two. Let’s look at how photographers can prevent images from looking flat and can, instead, give the photo depth and greater dimension.

• Define foreground, middleground, and background
• Discuss how framing can be used in the foreground of an image
• Describe some of the problems that can occur in foregrounds and backgrounds and explain how these problems can affect the quality of a photograph
• List some of the techniques and methods that can be used to draw attention to the subject of the photograph and apply them to your own work
• Explain how the use of foreground, middleground, and background can add depth to a photograph

Required Materials

*A Smartphone may be used for most required tasks; however, appropriate applications will need to be installed to allow the student to make the necessary adjustments to the camera mode, shutter speed, and aperture.

• Digital camera: “point and shoot” or above
• USB cable, as needed to transfer photos
• Audio recording device
• Video recording device
• An everyday household object (like a TV, refrigerator, etc.)
• Assorted food items
• Backdrop (blanket, construction paper, sheet, etc.)
• Word processing software
• Slide presentation software
• Online timeline creator

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7 Simple (And Fun) Photography Projects for Kids

Doing a few simple photography projects together can benefit you and your child. Our article gives you seven photography explorations you can do with your child to build a closer relationship and improve your images!

Your children can gain self-confidence, improve their creativity, and build better communication skills through photography. We live in a visual world, and photography is a universal language anyone can understand.

7 Simple and Fun Photography Projects for Kids

The most important thing is to make it fun for you and your child. A positive and encouraging approach instills a desire to continue with photography for a long time.

Here are seven photography projects with two example photos each. We also have suggestions and ideas on how to explore each topic further. You can explore several projects simultaneously or pick one that interests your young budding photographer the most.

1. Create or Look for Shadows and Reflections

You can treat these two subjects as separate themes to have fun with. But I combined light and shadow because they both involve photography, in which the main subject may not be the center of interest.

You can photograph shadows the sun naturally makes or create your own using artificial light, like a flashlight. In the forks photo below, I set up two pieces of scrap cardboard in my dark basement and moved a small flashlight around until I liked the effect.

You can find reflections everywhere . Smooth, shiny surfaces work best. Glass surfaces, shiny metal, and water are popular surfaces to have fun with this one.

2. Bring Cameras Closer

Close-ups and true macro photographs often reveal a world we ordinarily ignore.

The vast majority of macro photos photographers take are of flowers and insects. The variety of species and locations you can find makes these photography projects easy to delve into.

If you want to challenge your child’s (and your) creativity, try looking for other macro subjects. You can find very interesting subjects right in your kitchen.

3. Experiment With Different Textures

One of the best ways to improve your visual recognition skills is to focus on one element of photography—color, contrast, shape, or texture. Perhaps less exciting to many, photos of textures are often very simple and don’t get much fanfare.

Still, the point of these photography projects is to exercise the ability to recognize an image’s different qualities so you can capture it in an image. When light comes in from an angle, textures are usually most visible and enhanced.

Try to find textures that challenge you and your child to examine different surfaces. Look for the complex patterns found on the material you’re examining.

Shooting textures might be best if you like to find details that the casual observer may not notice. The photo below shows the ceiling of an abandoned factory, taken less than a year after a fire ravaged it.

Shooting textures in black and white can also be good practice. The absence of color calls greater attention to textures and forms.

Photographers often use buildings, walls, and other artificial flat surfaces as subject matter for texture photos. But nature also has an abundance of texture subjects. Textures are everywhere!

The photo of the birch tree bark below, titled “Birch Brothers,” was taken in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The photo has no real center point of interest other than the unique subtle colors and patterns the bark reveals.

4. Shoot in Different Natural Light

Photography starts with lighting , and any list of photography projects should have at least one outing based on lighting. For this project, look for situations where something partially or fully obscures the sun.

The direct sun hitting the lens may be too harsh and tricky regarding exposure and flare. The slightest movement of your camera or the sun can make a big difference in the final photograph.

You can get interesting results with silhouettes where all the light comes from behind your subject. Little or no light hits your subject on the side, viewable from the camera’s perspective.

5. Find Frames in the Environment

Framing is a way of drawing attention to the subject of an image by blocking other parts of the image with something in the scene. It’s good to teach some of the standard rules of composition , even if you don’t want your kids to mindlessly follow them.

Framing your subject within your photos is a composition technique. It gives your photo a sense of depth and leads your eye toward the main subject.

6. Take Unconventional Selfies

The informal self-portrait (or “selfie,” as it’s lovingly known) has become commonplace. It’s a fun idea for you and your kids to experiment with.

There are several photography projects you can come up with around this idea. One suggestion is to limit the type of selfies . Have your kids take pictures of their shadows rather than shooting the typical teen selfie in the bathroom mirror.

Yes, in the first example of a selfie, we’re back to a shadow photo. But this time, we want to focus on the shape of our shadows. In the shadow selfie photo below, I was strolling around with my camera and tripod draped across my shoulder.

7. Experiment With Motion Blur

Out of all these photography projects, this one might appeal most to kids who enjoy expressing themselves by moving around.

You may have to shoot several variations of intentionally blurred photos to find an appealing one, but that’s a big part of the fun. Each version you try is unique, so experimenting is part of the game.

Conclusion: Photography Projects With Your Child

These fun photography projects for kids are perfect for keeping them engaged and fostering artistic expression. With little guidance and encouragement, kids can develop a lifelong passion for photography.

These are my three general tips when doing a photography project with your child:

• Keep a childlike curiosity when exploring each topic.
• Critique your photos and your child’s with a positive, supportive attitude.
• Searching for keywords on photo gallery sites like Flickr, 500px, and Pinterest can give you more interesting ideas for new photos.

Are you interested in finding some more great photography project ideas? Check out our article about 21 photography projects to try at home !

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21 Ways to Use Photos in the Classroom

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From a wall of photos to celebrate your students to using photos as an organizational tool (for example, a photo of art supplies on the canisters where they’re stored), photos can be incredible classroom tools. Here are 21 ideas for using photos in the classroom, from the first day of school to the last.

Picture-Perfect Introductions At the beginning of the year, take photos of your new students holding a sign that tells you something about them. For example, have them complete the sentence: When I grow up I want to be… or, All you need to know about me is that I am…. Post these photos around your classroom, or use them as writing prompts for personal essays. Source: http://flamingofabulous.blogspot.com/2012/09/im-still-kicking.html

The Selfie Project A great project for middle- or high-school students. Have them create digital self-portraits that incorporate layers of images that describe and express students’ individuality. Next step? Have students write essays about their portraits. Source: http://www.schoolartsdigital.com/i/271882/40

High Flyers Have students write important goals on a balloon cutout. Take pictures of students in motion, then cut out their figures and attach them to their written goals. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/19844054580021472/

Photo Scavenger Hunt and Collage Here’s a fun photo project for young kids or older students. Assign individual or pairs of students a shape, a letter, a color or even a less tangible theme (optimism, friendship) and send them around the school grounds to find photo evidence. Students can then create a collage or photo book to share! Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/211176670003265217/

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Nameplate Here’s one for the little guys! As students are learning how to spell their names, a custom name puzzle makes for great practice, and they couldn’t be easier to make. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/69383650485935406/

Create a Face Book (Seriously!) For students who are learning about social cues or emotions, create a literal book of faces, expressions, emotions and scenarios they’ll see throughout their day. These photos can be great prompts for talking about feelings and emotions. Source: http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/05/facebook.html

Inferential Images Use photos to teach students about how we make inferences. Have students work in small groups to make observations, list schema (background knowledge) and then make inferences. Then invite students to bring in or find photos to use in your next inference session. Source: http://mrshallfabulousinfourth.blogspot.com/2013/11/using-photos-for-inferencing.html

Meme Class Rules Give your class rules and procedures a touch of humor by taking photos and turning them into memes to use in a presentation or post on a bulletin board. Middle school students could do this as a class assignment. Have them make memes about book characters or science lab procedures, for example. Source: http://www.traceeorman.com/2014/03/five-ways-to-use-memes-to-connect-with.html

Explain This Photo Photos make fantastic writing prompts. Find photos online and give each student a photo. Have them write a descriptive, narrative or persuasive essay based on their image. Source: http://photoprompts.tumblr.com/

Sight Word Class Book Take photos of students holding sight words (or number facts), then put them into a class book for whole-class or individual practice. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/287597126180040411/

Personalized Mother’s Day Card All you need to create a structured photo shoot for Mother’s Day cards, the 100th day of school or another occasion is a decorated strip of butcher paper and a stool at just the right height! Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/340584790541122282/

Instagram Bulletin Board Celebrate your class with an Instagram bulletin board filled with student snapshots of daily life in your classroom. Change the photos every few weeks and have a new group of students write the captions. Source: https://dborck.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/student-life-on-display-with-instagram-board/

Catch a Character Use props and a sheet as background to turn students into popular book characters, like this Cat in the Hat. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/21040323234349481/

Our Plant Diary As a class, create a plant photo diary, documenting the growth of a vegetable. Have each child plant a seed (green beans, corn or peas work best) in a plastic cup, wrapped with a wet paper towel. As the plant grows, have students take photos of it and add them to their plant books made from recycled paper bags! Source: http://eisforexplore.blogspot.com/2012/02/garden-reflections.html

Label It Rather than names, use photos to label the things that students use every day, like book boxes or cubbies. This notably raises the chances students will put things back in the right place! Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/233694668138854329

Math Shots Have students use a camera to take pictures of shapes, elements of geometry, measurements or another math concept that they see in the school and at home. Source: http://buggyandbuddy.com/math-kids-finding-shapes-playground/

Center Image Put student photos on Popsicle sticks and use the sticks to assign students to centers or other group work. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/26880928997960370/

Word Watch Assign students the task of representing their vocabulary, in this case, prepositions, through photos. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/394135404865381287/

Document It! Take photos during a field trip or science experiment, then have students put them in order and add captions to create a record and help students retell the event. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/235805730463608690/

Create Photo Timelines Have students use a free timeline-maker tool to create a biographical or historical timeline. Source: http://www.dipity.com/jamesblackburn/World_War_II/

Class Spirit Books Collect your own and students’ photos throughout the year, and at the end of the year they’ll have enough to create a Remember Me photo yearbook that they can sign and keep. Assign each student a page, or work together to bring your picture-perfect year to a brilliant finish. Source: https://www.remembermeyearbooks.com/

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