[2023] Photography Projects for Kids

Little kids are at the peak of their curiosity, so they’ll be more welcome to new things that you introduce to them. There’s plenty of entertaining stuff you can teach them about, including photography.

At this stage, the prefrontal cortex of the brain is developing quickly, which helps with the learning process. Here are some fun photography projects for kids that will motivate them to be better photographers.

10 Photography Projects for Kids

1. Take fun selfies

The first photography project to take on with your child is taking fun selfies. There are many ways to approach that, like tilting the camera so that they get a slightly angled photo instead of a vertical or horizontal one. Or ask your kid to tilt their head instead, which creates a similar effect.

Another way to be creative with portraiture is by using a selfie stick to snap pics. Our arm’s reach is very limited, making it difficult to fit many subjects in the frame. The good news is that selfie sticks can come to the rescue. These tools offer lenience since they’re extendable up to more than 1 meter. It significantly increases the reach, so you can get everyone in the picture.

And then, you can challenge your kid to bring the background forward. While the background is meant to be complimentary, it can make a greater contribution when you give it more attention.

2. Multiplicity photography

Cloning photography is also terrific for developing their creative intelligence. Have you ever seen a picture in which the subject appears multiple times? That’s what cloning essentially constitutes. You’d need a tripod to place the camera in a specific location. The key to the success of this project is to keep the camera in the same exact spot and use it to capture several shots.

To avoid jitters, using a remote control to fire up the shutter is a good idea. It’s also advised to switch to a smaller aperture to get as much in focus as possible. Additionally, experts also suggest the use of manual focus throughout the entire process. If you don’t follow the rules, chances are the pictures won’t mix well together. Try a program like Picmonkey to merge the shots. Superimpose them on top of each other and extract the subject only. Repeat the same steps to include more clones in the photo.

Read also: Why Do Kids Need to Learn Photography?

3. Capture the perfect shadow

Shadows can grab the viewer’s attention, especially when they take up a large proportion of the arrangement. You can put them front and center by giving them more space in the picture. However, smooth blending with the subject is also paramount so that it doesn’t become a visual distraction.

Since there are no set rules to go by regarding presentation, you can be imaginative with it. For instance, you can line up shadows from various objects to create a spectacular fusion of art. Or you can use repetitions of patterns to reinforce the visual interest. In photography, shadows aren’t always desired, but they showcase power when used in the right context.

4. Photograph at high magnifications

This is another project to enhance your kid’s understanding of photography principles. Macro photography is a specific genre that focuses on close-up images, but it’s not to be mistaken for close-up photography.

The main point of differentiation is that macro shots are captured using special lenses instead of standard ones. This results in a big gap in the level of magnification. When a photo is captured using a macro lens, it’s not only enlarged but also shows all the fine details that are not invisible to the naked eye. Or at least, if you want to observe the texture or pattern of an object, you must see the object close enough.

Does your child use a DSLR? That’s the right tool to delve deeper into macro photography. It enhances the charm of ordinary things around us. Combining it with the bokeh effect is the right move to highlight the subject. Extra illumination with a reflector also helps achieve optimum exposure.

5. Make a photo journal

We believe your kid will find happiness in creating a photo journal. It’s not different from a regular journal except it includes relevant photos to describe what they’ve been through in their daily life. The entries can signify special moments or routine stuff they do every day. A journal may also include personal notes.

If your kid isn’t good at writing, please provide assistance with the written entries or focus more on the photographs and other media elements. By the way, pictures can be edited before you stick them on the journal. There are many programs that allow you to enhance photos with filters, frames, stickers, text, and effects. But if it’s for a kid, consider a program that doesn’t have a steep learning curve, so that they can finish the editing in no time.

6. Play around with photo collages

In this age of digital technology, transforming collages into digital forms is a lot easier. Collages are a form of visual art which puts together graphic design and photography. Traditionally, the making process involves assembling different pieces and making them into a new, intact artwork.

There are various materials people use to make the craft, but since it’s digital, you don’t need any of them. The whole thing is done digitally by means of a computer or another device. This project pushes the boundaries of artistic possibilities because nothing is too farfetched when it comes to software manipulation. But first, please choose the theme. Do you want a collage that gives off retro vibes or one that embraces the modern style? Whatever you choose, it will set the direction you’re heading with the art project.

Read Also: What to teach in a photography class?

7. Expand the color palette

The world is awash with a myriad of hues, and they can evoke different emotions. That’s why you need to be thoughtful when composing an image, especially when it has a wide range of colors. They help set the mood for an image. In photography, colors are also used to convey a message. A picture can have multiple color variants, but one or two has to stand out to lead its artistic vision.

To find colors that go well together, you can pick one from the color wheel. After that, look across the round disk for its complement. Incorporate both shades to create a visually stunning picture. And then, consider combining warm and cool colors to attain a harmonious composition. Yellow, orange, and red are some examples of warm tones that reflect a joyful mood. Meanwhile, cool colors like blue and green are effective at calming our senses.

8. Leverage natural light

Nature provides us with abundant natural light, so why not use it to capture gorgeous portraits and landscapes? In the context of photography, natural light perfectly fits the name because we have no control over its intensity and color. Photographers should adapt to the color temperature to get the shot that they desire.

For the record, the color of sunlight changes all the time. As the sun rises, the light penetrates through a thicker layer of air, which leads to some wavelengths being scattered away. This then affects our visual perception of color to a yellowish tone. Meanwhile, on overcast days, natural light tends to pick up a grayish hue because it’s filtered by the sea of clouds hung overhead. While teaching your kid about natural light, you can ask them to incorporate a stylistic technique called bokeh to soften out the background and make the subject pop more.

Read Also: How to Teach Kids Photography?

9. A day in the life

You could also challenge your child to photograph everything they do in a single day. in case they need assistance with the camera, you could be the operator who records the footage. Follow them around throughout the day and capture ordinary and special moments. Since every child has different activities, the final outcome will be unique to them.

You can also plan ahead to figure out what will be photographed. There have to be tons of fun things your kid does daily. Proper planning allows you to take the best shots in terms of lighting, background, etc. because you carefully prepare for them instead of having them happen spontaneously. Grooming pets, breakfast, playtime, and dressing up are some of the activities you can immortalize through the camera lens.

10. Make DIY picture frames

Picture frames are everywhere on the marketplace, but for a kid’s photography project, making them from scratch sounds more appealing. They can put their own spin on the designs.

Before it commences, please buy all the necessary supplies, like flowers, twigs, seashells, dried leaves, etc. Additionally, prepare the tools you’ll use to put together all these pieces. You’ll probably need glue, a tape measure, and a drill, among other things.

Read Also: Best Photography Apps for Kids and Teens

Wrap up

Kids need to be taught about photography early on if you want to advance their skills. They should know what a good image composition looks like and how to materialize it. Fortunately, they get the brain power to pick up new skills more easily.

Your job is to provide them with things and exercises to promote their brain development. Engaging them in photography projects for kids is one good example. Hopefully, all the projects we’ve mentioned here can boost your child’s creative aptitude.