The Best Photography Resources for Kids
Photography is a fun skill and it is perfect to learn while kids are young. If you are homeschooling or looking for a fun new hobby to enjoy together with your kids, photography is a great option. These quick photography resources for kids will help you get started right away.
My daughter loves to take pictures using my phone but she wanted to take her skills to the next level so we’ve been diving deeper into photography with these kid-friendly photography resources.
Photography is such a great outlet for kids. It gives them the chance to get creative and explore something new.
If you aren’t sure where to start, I HIGHLY recommend Outschool classes. My daughter has taken some really fun photography classes there (she LOVED one about taking photos of toys). Check out the classes Outschool has to offer here.
These resources help you get started teaching your kids about photography right away. Don’t worry if you don’t know much about photography yourself. You can learn right along with your child.
Best Cameras for Kids
First, you need to decide what kind of equipment you want to use. You have a few choices when it comes to cameras for kids.
- Cell phone camera – This is simple and most kids already have access to their parents phone so you can use what you have. The downside is … you have to let your kid use your phone unless you have a spare one sitting around.
- Instant camera – This is a great choice to teach kids about photography. We went with the FujiFilm Instax Mini 9. The great thing about these cameras is kids get some instant gratification so they can stay excited about photography. I really love that it forces kids to really think about the composition and lighting of their photos because they are using film. Most kids and teens haven’t had the experiencing of rationing their photos since they’ve grown up with digital cameras so this is a great skill to learn.
- Point and Shoot camera – If you are looking for a great starter camera for kids, a point and shoot is the way to go. These are affordable and many of them offer some great control over manual settings so kids can start to learn some basics about photography.
- Older DSLR – For kids who want to take their photography to the next level, an older DSLR may be a great choice. This will allow them to start learning about shooting in manual mode and they can often get much higher quality photos. This option is best for kids who already have some photography experience or for older tweens/young teens.
Photography Books for Kids
Photography books can be a great way for kids to learn photography. Not all of these are geared toward kids, however, they offer great tips for parents to help teach kids about photography. I never like to discount material that is not kid-focused because you can find such great information in there.
Photography Books for Kids
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
This book was written for adults but it is one of the best resources I've found to help kids and adults understand the way that exposure works. Teens would do very well with this book on their own. Younger kids may need a parent to read it with them or read it and then teach the concepts. Either way it is a fantastic resource.
National Geographic Kids Guide to Photography: Tips & Tricks on How to Be a Great Photographer From the Pros & Your Pals at My Shot
If there was ever a company that knew about photography it's National Geographic. My kids LOVE watching National Geographic documentaries so this is a great next step into our journey with photography.
The Beginner's Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera
DK has a way of simplifying things for young learners. This book is a great way for kids to start learning about photography in a way that is clear, and easy to understand.
Digital Photography Complete Course: Learn Everything You Need to Know in 20 Weeks
I JUST bought this for my daughter to use as part of her homeschool photography class this year so I'll have to reserve judgement but the reviews are fantastic and it looks like it's going to be a great option to help us cover the basics.
YouTube Photography Videos for Kids
YouTube is a FANTASTIC resource to help kids learn about photography. I would recommend watching with your child because you never know what’s going to pop up and those darn “related videos” always send my kids off on weird tangents but there really are some great videos to help kids learn.
Rule of Thirds
Light and Shadow
How to Hold Your Camera
These photography resources have been such a great starting point for my daughter. We’ve had so much fun getting out and exploring new places while she takes photos. Learning about photography together has been so much fun. I hope these tips help you to branch out with your kids and learn something new too.
