PHOTOGRAPHER STUDY- MANDY BARKER

Art from ocean trash?

Some of our private students are working on a project inspired by Mandy Barker, who makes incredible photo projects out of collected marine debris. Can’t wait to share some of our process!

3 Easy Ideas to Get your Kids Creating with Cameras at Home!

We have found that allowing kids to have the opportunity to take pictures and experiment is a simple way for them to be creative and to practice their strong observational skills. This seems obvious, but get the kids outside! It’s the best place to start since that’s where the natural light is. Next to a window, or using a big light or lamp are also great tools if needed.

1) Let them use your “big” camera.

If your child is old enough to keep the camera around their neck, trust them! When you go over the rules, remind them that the camera is a very delicate tool and can break if they are not mindful while they are holding it. After the responsibility and trust are mentioned, we find that they are usually very careful with equipment. Even letting them use a phone first is a perfect place to start.

2) Give them one goal at a time.

This might be a timed challenge where they are tasked with photographing as many interesting shapes as possible, or to take sets of photographs showing opposites such as bright vs. dark or soft vs. hard. Find a prompt that makes their eyes light up, and go with it.

3) Talk about their work!

Ask how they felt about what they captured, what their thought process was like, and share with them what you notice and find interesting about their creations. Print out their work and hang them in the house! It’s very rewarding to see your work hanging on a wall and it will help build their confidence as a creator. We use Mpix for printing student and client work and they give new customers 25% off their first order!

CHALLENGES THAT MIGHT COME UP:

One challenge we face when teaching kids about cameras is they can get frustrated when their idea doesn’t come out exactly as they imagined. When you discuss their images ask them if they are happy with how their picture turned out and if there is anything they are frustrated about. This will allow you to problem-solve together, try again, or find more appropriate camera settings, light, or angle, etc.

We’ve heard this one so many times, "…but my camera is so expensive…”

Another challenge can be to fully trust them with your expensive equipment. This can be understandably hard for some parents, but in our classes, the more trust, and responsibility we put on them, the more careful they end up and we’ve never had a kid drop a camera.

WHAT DOES LEARNING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY DO FOR KIDS?

There are a number of benefits that come from young kids learning about photography. Learning to control a camera allows them to practice patience and observation skills while they create something uniquely them. They gain more confidence with themselves as creators, and they are able to practice problem-solving with a very fun way of learning math and science.

Photography also gives them the opportunity to be creative in a unique way, since they are learning to notice what makes their eyes happy as they experiment with their exposures. As they start to create more with color, light, texture, and composition they will only continue to grow as artists.

Art-making should be fun, and even though there are technically a lot of “rules” about what makes a great photo or piece of art, we just want our students to have the drive to create for themselves and to notice and appreciate experiences and aesthetics that make them feel something.

Follow us on INSTAGRAM for lots of fun photo activities and incredible student work!

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THREE ALL-TIME FAVORITE CAMERAS TO HELP CREATIVE KIDS PRACTICE USING THEIR UNIQUE VOICES

“What’s the best camera for kids?” It’s a hard question because we could find a reason to love most cameras, but we get this question ALL the time.

All types of cameras and lenses get used in our classes, but it's so fun to see how the students each have one that they especially like after a few weeks! Here are three of our favorites.

1. The “little” Canon - Canon EOS Rebel T7

We call this one the “little” Canon, but it’s pretty amazing for a starter camera. It’s by far one of our best cameras for kids. I wish we had 100 of them.

FEATURES WE LOVE:

-It’s small and light, making it really easy for small hands to manipulate the shutter speed and aperture settings.

-The focusing system is really easy for kids to use and get things they want in focus, and the manual focus is also super intuitive.

Last Note: While this is not at all a professional camera, it’s PERFECT for families with kids that want to learn.

Student work from the Canon EOS Rebel T7

2. Big Mama - Sony A7ii

This camera is so fun. There’s (of course) a newer version but we still love this one and all the lenses that we’ve been collecting.

FEATURES WE LOVE:

-The flippy screen! Kids enjoy the pop-out screen for perfectly composed low angle shots.

-You can seamlessly start shooting from photos to video without compromising settings, and it’s mirrorless which makes it extra usable for video.

-The EVF (electronic viewfinder) is so accurate, and allows you to clearly see the scene and how your settings will be rendered before you shoot. This can be an adjustment when you’re used to the true-to-scene viewfinder that traditional dslr’s utilize.

Last Note: When the viewfinder (where your eye goes) gets dirty it stops working well, so you have to shoot with the monitor until you give it a good clean.

Student work from the Sony A7ii

3. Shiny Cutie Pie- Nikon D3500

Our students love this camera! It’s been so reliable and easy for them to master.

FEATURES WE LOVE:

-We love its compact, durable and versatile camera body and kit (standard issue zoom) lens.

-The optical viewfinder is good in low light - while still showing you an accurate view of the scene.

-It’s so little and great for travel.

-Easy connectivity with smartphones, to share or send while on the go.

-It looks impressive while also being very intro level- our students love how this camera feels like a “pro camera”

-Shoots full 1080/60p HD video

-Incredibly long (1500 images!?) battery life (we barely charge this one, and it gets used in at least two group classes and three private classes each week.)

Final Note: The focusing system on the kit lens is a little laggy, but if you put a nicer lens on it like this one, it’s not a problem at all.

Student work from the Nikon D3500

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While these are all wonderful cameras, we truly believe that best camera is the one you have with you…so use it!

NOW HIRING: SEATTLE EDUCATORS!

Do you LOVE working with kids???

We are opening up some part-time teaching positions for Spring and Summer! 

Send a resume (or a note about why you’d be a good fit) over to Hello@TheSproutingImage.com!

*We thoroughly train our seasonal educators on all the curriculum they’d be teaching, so photography knowledge is just a bonus!

We are looking for motivated people who love to learn and are incredible with kids.

Focus On Chihuly: New Photo Workshops!

Big News for Fall!

We are so excited to be partnering up with the incredible Chihuly Garden and Glass for an exclusive series of classes centered around the artist’s incredible glass sculptures.

All ages and families are encouraged to join us as we move through this beautiful space and experience the exhibit while learning to create with cameras!

Check out the great classes we are offering in their incredible space, and register for one (or all of them) now!

*Participants who attend three or more Focus on Chihuly programs in a calendar year will receive a complimentary Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition catalog upon completion of the program.