7 Reasons Why Photography is a Great Hobby for Kids & Teens

December 9, 2020 Janet Pliszka

Talking about why photography can be a fabulous hobby for kids and teens seems like an ideal way to kick off our new KPA blog! I've written and talked about this before but hey, can I really say this too many times? I don't think so. From the deepest part of my core, I believe photography can contribute significantly to a youth's well-being. Here's why:

1. Photography Moves Kids' Bodies and Minds

Taking pictures gets kids moving their bodies. They will move up & down and run here & there to get the best angles and perspectives. They’ll set off on their bikes to a new location to see what images they can capture. They will get outdoors discovering light, texture and colour. They can more around indoors and see how light changes in their home throughout the day.

It’s not just their bodies that will be on the go. Their minds will also be swirling with ideas of what to take a picture of next...or how they can capture exactly what they are envisioning....or how to make their picture better. This means they start to rack up screen time on their camera displays or phones rather than doing video games. For many kids starting another round of lockdown during the pandemic, moving their minds and bodies is essential.

2. Photography Reveals Unique Perspectives and Ways of Seeing

Photography consistently challenges kids to seek out unique perspectives. Photographers are always looking for ways to see ordinary things in a new light. This translates not only with the creative process of taking a picture but into other aspects of living as well. Kids don’t just start to see different ways to click the shutter, but different ways of seeing the world.

3. Photography Encourages Self Expression

Photography is all about self expression. It can be a medium to share their voice, their opinion and views on the world. Photographers are storytellers. And we all know what amazing stories our kids have to share!

Another bonus? Photography is not a hobby on it’s own. It can go wherever they go… on a hike, to their favourite sport activity, on a trip with their friends, throughout the community, to a fundraiser. Whatever it is, it’s showing how they are unique and how they are special, leading to a higher sense of self-confidence. Whether it’s shared to a broader audience or kept to themselves, pictures are a creative way for kids to see a piece of who they are and what they stand for right in front of them.

4. Photography Strengthens Children's Decision Making Skills

With every picture taken, your child will make choices: what angle to use, what perspective to take, what colours to include, what message to send. They instantly see the impact of each decision they make. And with each of those decisions, the image becomes more and more their own.

As they start to dive into the technical aspects of photography, they will also solve problems. How do I make this image brighter? How do I get the light to look softer on their face? How do I draw more attention to my subject? How do I change this exposure without getting camera shake? These are just some of the decisions they'll start making in the KPA's Rock Your Camera course. All those decisions and problem solving increase their photo-taking skills and their confidence.

5. Images Create a Tool for Family Conversation

Parents are always looking for a way to have conversations with their kids. The images kids take and the ideas kids have can be a starting point for many quality conversations. Questions like
"what’s this about?"
"Why did you take this picture?"
and "What feeling were you trying to evoke here?" can lead to other discussions. This is the perfect opportunity to let art be a tool to increase communication in your family.

6. Images Help Remember

How many times has a Facebook memory come up and you ooooh and ahhhhh and bring someone over to ask "Remember this"? Photographs bring memories back to life and stir up the emotions associated with them.

Have you ever flipped through photo albums or digital slideshows with your kids? They love seeing themselves and those they care about. It brings up so many “Remember when”s. Now that they are part of creating the images, there is another source for connection and remembering their lives.

7. Photography Grows with Them

There are so many aspects of photography to discover and try. How to take photographs, how to tell stories, how to edit photographs, how to display photographs. The learning and experimenting is never done. As kids' interests change, so will the subjects for their photography work. So will the techniques they use to tell their stories. It’s a skill and mode of self-expression that can stay with them forever, yet evolve and change with them at the same time.

Can you share any other ways how photography has been a positive influence in your kids', or your, life?

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7 Reasons Why Photography is a Great Hobby for Kids & Teens

1. Photography Moves Kids' Bodies and Minds

3. Photography Encourages Self Expression

4. Photography Strengthens Children's Decision Making Skills

5. Images Create a Tool for Family Conversation

6. Images Help Remember

7. Photography Grows with Them

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Subscribe to our Newsletter for latest news.

7 Reasons Why Photography is a Great Hobby for Kids & Teens

1. Photography Moves Kids' Bodies and Minds

3. Photography Encourages Self Expression

4. Photography Strengthens Children's Decision Making Skills

5. Images Create a Tool for Family Conversation

6. Images Help Remember

7. Photography Grows with Them

Click "Edit Contents" and start uploading your learning material.

Select a course first to display its contents.

No available contents for

Registro y Pago

Registro

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There are no free, paid or coming soon courses in your school yet.Why don't you create one?

The school owner is working hard preparing the courses for you.

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