As a professional portrait photographer, I have the pleasure of capturing some of the most beautiful and fleeting moments of life. One thing I have observed over the years that I’ve been a professional photographer is the curiosity of children; their wide-eyed wonder at the world around them is simply magical. It’s one of the reasons I love working with families.

With summer around the corner, I thought I would share some ideas for creative, family-friendly photography-themed activities to entertain your little ones, help them nurture their creative flair and perhaps, even spark an early interest in photography.

DIY Camera Craft:
Kickstart your summer with a hands-on DIY project. Kids love crafting and what could be better than creating their own camera! With just a few items from around the house like a small box, a bottle cap for a lens, and a string to hang around their neck, your child can make a cute, pretend camera. This fun craft project can also teach them about the basic structure of a camera.

Nature Photography Hike:
Make the most of the warm weather and the school holidays and take your kids on a nature walk or hike. Equip them with a disposable camera or a child-friendly digital camera and let them explore. Your children can learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and also understand different elements of a photograph, like subject, background, light, and angles.

Picture Story Telling:
Allow your children to narrate a story through a series of photographs. They could create a storyboard first and then set out to capture those shots. This exercise not only stimulates creativity but also helps in developing their storytelling skills.

Self-Portrait Sessions:
Teach your children about self-portraits. Show them different examples and encourage them to take their own using a smartphone or a camera. You’d be surprised at their unique perspectives about themselves.

Macro Magic:
Introduce them to the world of macro photography. Show them how to take close-up shots of flowers, insects, or everyday objects. If your phone camera has a macro mode, let them play around with it. This can be a magical experience for them.

Shadow Play:
Summers are great for outdoor play and a perfect time to experiment with shadows. Teach your children about the concept of light and shadow in photography. They can create interesting shapes and patterns using different objects and capture their shadows.

Editing Fun:
After your children have taken their photographs, introduce them to simple photo editing software. They can learn to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and maybe add some fun filters. This adds another layer to their photography skills.

Photo Scavenger Hunt:
This can be as fun and challenging as you make it. Create a list of items or themes for your kids to photograph. It could be anything from “something red” to “a happy moment”.

Download my FREE Ready-to-Print Photography Scavenger Hunt below!

The goal of these activities is to have fun and spark creativity. Your child doesn’t need to take ‘perfect’ pictures. Encourage them to experiment and explore their unique perspective. The most valuable takeaway from these activities will be the memories you create together and the joy of discovering a potential lifelong hobby. So, this summer, let’s make memories, one click at a time! Happy photographing!

And remember, if you’d like professional family portraits this summer, drop me a line and we can plan your portraits together!