Great for Ages 7 - 13

12 DAYS OF
HOLIDAY STORIES

12 Days of Holiday Stories is a series of twelve photography challenges designed for kids using a phone, tablet, or camera to tell the holidays their way!

Each challenge introduces a new creative skill while encouraging them to see the season through fresh, thoughtful eyes — and they get access to all twelve challenges at once. It’s a fun, confidence-building way to use their devices in meaningful ways and explore storytelling through photography this holiday season.
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Frequently asked questions

What devices can my child use?

Your child can use a phone, tablet, or camera — whatever they feel most comfortable with.   These challenges focus on storytelling first, so the device is just a tool to help them capture and share their holiday stories.

What ages are best suited for this course?

The 12 Days of Holiday Stories is designed for kids ages 7–13.
Younger kids may enjoy the challenges too, but might need a little extra guidance from a parent. Older kids can dive in independently, experiment with techniques, and really develop their own storytelling style.

What does each Story Challenge include?

Each challenge comes with a short, fun video (5–8 minutes) that shows examples and guides kids through:

    -- Where Your Story Begins – introducing the theme and story

    -- Start to Imagine – sparking ideas for their own photos

    -- Story Power-Up – teaching a photography skill or technique

    -- Lights, Action, Story – putting it all together to tell their story

After the video, kids can take as long as they like to set up, explore, and complete their challenge at their own pace!

Does my child need any special photography skills?

No prior experience is needed. The course is designed for beginners and young photographers to learn while having fun.

Will my child learn photography skills in this course?

Absolutely! Each of the 12 challenges is designed to teach practical, top-level photography skills in a fun, hands-on way.. Kids will explore framing, perspective, lighting, exposure, close-ups, composition, and storytelling — all using a phone, tablet, or camera. By the end, they’ll have built confidence in capturing the holidays their way while learning techniques they can use again and again.

For more in-depth instruction and a deeper dive into photography skills, kids can continue their journey in The Young Photographer’s Adventure program, where many compositional, technical and storytelling concepts are explored thoroughly with hands-on projects and challenges.

Can challenges be done all at once?  How long do we have access to the course?

Absolutely! Kids can access all 12 challenges at once and complete them at their own pace.   Or kids can save them to do one per day!

You'll have access to the challenges until January 30, 2026.

Can parents join in?

Yes! It’s a lot of fun to do the challenges together. You’ll discover new things about each other as you see how differently everyone interprets the same challenge — and they make great conversation starters for the holidays! Parents can cheer, offer ideas, and even take their own photos, but let your child lead — their perspective is what makes each story truly unique.

Is this course only for families who celebrate Christmas?

Not at all! The challenges are designed to celebrate the holidays in all forms — from festive traditions to cozy winter moments.
Meet the instructor

Janet Pliszka

Janet is the founder of Kids Photography Academy and a professional photographer with nearly 20 years of experience. She loves teaching young photographers how to explore their creativity, build confidence, and tell stories through a camera, tablet, or phone.

In 12 Days of Holiday Stories, Janet guides kids to see the magic in everyday moments, experiment with light, perspective, motion, and details, and capture the holidays their way. Her teaching encourages curiosity, storytelling, and fun — helping kids create lasting memories through photography.
Patrick Jones - Course author