Introducing Your Child To The Wonders Of Photography

Give a child a camera and you have given them a time machine which will create wonders and may, at some time in the future, be considered family treasures. Expect that, at first, film will just be used quickly in order to see the pictures, but be patient, this will soon be over and selectivity will begin to be shown.

Every member of the family and all the neighbors will be given a chance to be photographed. Some may be hard to recognize as faces may be missing from the pictures. As your child learns how to use his or her camera, the art of framing a shot will develop. As you look at the pictures, you will begin to see how your child sees the world around him.

Expect to see more pictures of the family pet than you will see of any other member of the family. Hey, don’t let it get to you! The kid really doesn’t love the family dog more than he or she loves you, I’m sure of it.

Buy the young photographer an album and fill it with these pictures. Don’t forget to put the date on the back. You might also want to keep a written journal of your own to include with these picture when special occasions are observed and are photographically recorded for all posterity.

Go to the store and buy a book for your kid so that they can learn more about photography. Choose one specifically for children if you can. Most bookstores or libraries will have at least one. Explain the book if it is written for older people.

One of the first things that you can teach your child is how to set up a scene for their photos. Let them practice becoming a photo director by using toys, dolls, or other items for background props. Let them explore their creativity.

Is there a younger sibling in the family? Read up on taking pictures of babies and small children, then share the tips that you have learned with your young photographer. Such things as putting a piece of scotch tape on a little one’s finger for example can lead to some fantastic facial expressions, as he or she tries to figure out what has happened and how to get rid of that thing. Armed with a camera, encouragement and a little bit of knowledge, your young photographer may be the one to get THAT picture, making it doubly a family treasure.

Getting a child interested in photography, is giving them a gift that may well last them a lifetime.

To see some examples of professional portraits visit Photography St. Louis and his blog at Photographer St. Louis blog .