Kids Using Cameras

by Lauri Griffin | More from this Blogger

Sometimes I wish I could see the world through my childrens' eyes. And mainly for that reason, I encourage them all to take pictures with our cameras.

About ten years ago my oldest son wanted a camera that took four shots per frame. This is a neat invention. For a 24 exposure roll of film, you get 96 shots. I loved that camera because I didn't feel like I had to limit him so much. I didn't have to tell him, "don't take a picture of that", or "save your film for something important".

Consequently, he took a lot of shots of things I never would have approved, and I got to see what the world looked like to a four year old. We got lots of shots of relatives, but not the usual "face on" shots. Instead, we got shots from 2 and ½ feet off the ground, looking upward toward these very tall grownups. We got close-ups of many tree ornaments and rocks in the yard that he considered special.

That camera is no longer on the market, but it was much like this one. And of course, now you can buy digital cameras that aren't too expensive. Some are even made for children. The great thing about digitals is that all those extra shots don't cost you anything. You don't have to limit the shots at all!

Although I mainly turn the kids lose with the cameras, I do give them some instruction. No one, including the dog, likes to have a flash go off inches from their face. I show them how to put the camera around their neck or wrist to lessen the chance of dropped cameras. I also show them how to hold the camera steady, so the shots aren't blurred. But other than that, I love to sit back and see what they consider photo worthy.

They love to see their pictures on the computer. And I love to see their world.

Capture the Moment Fun With Photography

Learn more about Lauri Griffin

Lauri lives in Colorado with her husband and three sons. Amidst all the laundry and packing of lunches, she tries to keep parenting fun.

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