The other day I was having some early morning snuggles with our toddler. It was commonplace. Typical. Routine. And completely full of JOY, as many “typical” or “routine” things in our life are. In an instant it hit me that I really didn’t have any pictures of this interaction. But how could I? Who would take the picture? (David’s usually gone for work well before the kids wake up.)
So I asked Porter to grab the camera, hold it steady and just snap away as I continued to tickle and snuggle with Crew. This is what he got.
Later when I uploaded Porter’s pictures, I found magic. He did it. He captured a moment and he did it beautifully. He was able to record a slice of my role as a mama. Even his composition was impressive. The result? I now have a couple pictures that have become favorites of Crew and me together.
So this got me thinking.
Of course it got me thinking.
I am so caught up in my own role as a family historian and documenter of life, that I have not really focused on instilling this in our kids yet. Granted our oldest is only 8, but still. Now is a good time. Right?
Porter writes in his journal occasionally. Love that. The kids create art on a daily basis. Love that. Now I want them to learn how to take pictures. I want them to learn that through taking pictures, they are not only documenting life but they will be more tuned into their blessings. They know about Mom’s love for taking pictures. They know the term “picture of the day”. They suggest ideas for what should be the POTD sometimes. They love looking at our Project Life books.
Now it’s their turn. I am so getting them on-board this Summer. They’re young. I’ll keep it basic. But I’m definitely excited to mentor them in photography, teaching them a little about light and composition and for sure editing. They’ll probably love that part the most.
We’re always trying to teach our children how to cultivate a good life. Now they’re going to learn how to record it. Now that is magic.
What great pictures Becky. I love that you put porter’s name and age on them-so amazing. I think it is great to teach your kids about preserving memories. Keep it up!
We gave our old point a shoot to my 3 year old. Some of my favorite photos are ones he has taken, and they are some of the only ones on me.
LOVE IT! My son (4) loves to take photos. I need to do more to cultivate that in him.
That’s awesome. Can’t wait for our son to start using the big camera. My 7 year old nephew took the best snapshot of us at our wedding reception. (better than the pro too) Kids make awesome photographers if they want to do it.
My nine year old has been taking pictures for almost two years now. He has an old point and shoot and takes it on field trips, visits to grandma and grandpa’s, and is constantly taking pictures around the house. The pictures I love the most are the ones that he uses the timer for, usually he and his brother at breakfast, making silly faces. I’ll definitely have to work on teaching him about the editing…of course, I need to learn a bit more myself because he’ll catch up to me pretty quick!
It’s not too early for any of your little ones! I took my 3 year old daughter on a photo “walkabout” and she loved it! She took the term “walkabout” quite literally and took several shots of her feet walking, but they are some of the pictures I so enjoy. The pictures are not the best “quality” but they sure do capture the world through her eyes. I took the “big, expensive camera” on the walkabout and she was excited to carry her own point-and-shoot little digital camera. I’ll have to save the lessons on light and composition for later, but love that she is showing an interest in capturing life/objects of interest around her. Go Porter! Love your photos.
I totally agree! I’ve had my kids taking pictures with my old cameras as soon as they could (around 5 or 6) We get them printed so they can make their own small albums. And of course I make them do their own journaling! I love seeing their perspective of things. My middle daughter is now 10 and she’s a regular shutterbug. She even volunteered to be the photographer of her school newspaper this year!
I don’t really do a traditional POTD but the other night my son was getting ready for bed and “had to” take a quick picture of his bottle of bubble bath with his Iron Man camera. I ran as fast as I could for MY camera and now have this priceless picture of him lying naked (apart from socks of course) on the floor getting the perfect shot of his toy story bubble bath! : )
My five yo granddaughter was out taking photos of the roofing supply company delivering shingles to the roof this morning!
My 11-year-old is my guest photographer for POD. She loves to take pictures and sees things I would totally have missed for POD. They are great fillers for days that I don’t get a photo. We have so many creatures living in our yard that are documented beautifully by her – geckos, dragonflies, snails not to mention some beautiful flowers. She has also created some great scenes with items around the house that show her wonderful eye for color and balance!! I hope your kiddos enjoy photography as much as my daughter. She was asked this weekend what she wanted to be when she grows up and I was thrilled to hear one of her options was photographer!!
Maybe you can share your tips with us as well? I’m so overwhelmed at the thought of learning how to improve my photo-taking and editing, that maybe learning a little bit at a time would be the perfect pace. Thanks for sharing so much with us.
We gave our 7yo a disposable camera to take on a camping trip this past weekend. He told me “Mommy…..I want to take pictures of life.” This got my Project Life brain a ticking. I asked him what he meant “bus, trees, the sunshine…..” LOL. I think our versions of “life” were a little different. He was next to me almost everytime I took a picture. I am excited to see his “pictures” of life” when I pick them up this afternoon.
Love this!! We let our kids use the camera all the time and I love what they capture! We did lose our fave 50mm lense to a small camera accident, but that’s how it goes! I love it that they are excited to capture things and love seeing things how they see it!
I really want to get a camera for my 8 year-old twins, but cameras made for kids take terrible pictures! Does anyone have a suggestion for a durable/indestructible digital camera that is easy to use and takes a good picture?
My daughter uses a Kodak camera. It cost about $100 and takes great photos. In fact, when my mom wanted a new camera, she bought the same one.
NOW YOU WON’T FIND THAT ON ANYONE ELSE’S BLOG, WILL YOU? FABULOUS INSPIRATION!
Becky!! The timing of your post is so cool…my oldest daughter (12) just documented their day while I was away. She called herself “mini-mommy” and went around snapping pictures of their day. When she called me later in the evening, I was so touched that this is what my kids are observing about me…that documenting life is important…and fun!! I was spending the day with a DF at Archiver’s scrapbooking. Thank you for reminding me to get these pictures uploaded and developed, so she can tell the story of that day.
I did that back in January with my daughter. She was assigned to take a picture a day for the month of January. It was interesting to see what she got. A good slice of life for her to remember this age from her perspective.
love those pics – how precious
Me again…I’ve gone and posted about this on my blog…thanks for helping me make it a priority to do today!! My daughter will be so impressed and it will help her see how much I value what she did.
http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/2011/05/thought-i-had-nothing-to-say-today.html
Becky, I just found out about Project Life a few months ago (I know, I must have been living under a rock). I loved the idea, but just thought it wasn’t for me b/c I blog almost every day and I take WAY more than just one picture. Also, I have my blog printed out into a book every year and thought that was enough. However, I kept thinking about it and mulling it over in my mind and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy a kit and try it.
HOLY COW! I am HOOKED! I got my kit in the mail after work last week and stayed up until 2:00 am getting it ready. I printed off my pictures, bought a cheap corner rounder from WalMart and have had the best time getting caught up with 2011. I will DEFINITELY be doing Project Life every year b/c even though I print my blog off into a book, the pictures are so small. There is just something magical about seeing those 4×6 prints in a book. This might sound weird, but I LOVE the sound of the plastic when I turn the pages.
And on the days where I can’t narrow it down to just one picture, I use Flip Flaps to allow me 3 pictures for one day, or on really jam packed days like Easter or birthdays where I can’t narrow it down to 3 pics a day, I do an 8×10 collage in Picasa. The greatest thing happened last night when I got a wedding invitation in the mail for a friend’s wedding in June. I took the 4×6 picture, rounded the corners, and put it right into my Project Life book on the date their wedding will be in June! Now I don’t have to worry about where I put the picture come June…it’s already where it belongs. LOVE IT!
Also, I am a single divorced Mom and know that if I don’t document my daughter’s life that no one else will. I cherish the thought that I am able to preserve our memories. Thank you so much for creating such an incredible product.
I enjoyed your post today. I do Project Life the usual way (I think) a photo a day, my journal card, fill the blanks with extra photos, etc. But next year I was I was thinking I might have each of my kids take a week as their own, take the photos and fill out the cards. I have a wide range of ages…13, 5 and 3 so some of my kids will need a hand. And my oldest might even get his own camera out of the deal (still thinking that one over). I am certainly not an expert photographer nor do I really have a love for taking the photos but I do love having a finished product and the kids love looking through it so it might be fun for them (and Dad too) to participate.
I’m so on board with this idea of teaching our children to capture their lives. Our then 9-year-old daughter received her first camera for Christmas. Although I try to teach her the little I know about photography she doesn’t really listen since it’s coming from Mom. Any chance you’ll post the photography lessons you’re teaching your kids? I bet my daughter would love to see what your children are learning about taking photos and would really follow what you say/write about composing a good photo. Thanks for all your inspiration.
we routinely purchase disposable cameras for our kids for vacations and trips. I love to see what they think is important to photograph. My oldest is 9 and she likes to scrap next to me. She’ll say, “Mom, my vacation album is almost full, I need another one.”
She loves it.
For Christmas this past year, Santa brought her a “real” point and shoot” and she has been documenting everything. I love to see her compose a shot, pose people and otherwise imitate me
I plan on doing a POTD over summer with the kids. I’m curious to see what they see as important over summer break
Sounds like you may need to make a product for kids!!
My 7-year-old LOVES taking pictures. His favorite thing is to be sent on a picture scavenger hunt, where I give him a list of things to take pictures of (something purple, something fast, something fuzzy, etc.). And he loves taking pictures of the family, too. That’s my boy! He has a super basic digital camera, but he loves it so much I’m thinking of upgrading him soon!
What a great idea. I have given our 8-year-old a point and shoot. I love to take her to the zoo and see through her eyes. She’ll use the big camera on occasion. This summer, I ordered Smash books for her and I for our vacation. I’m going to teach her to save and document as we go. We’re both really excited about it! (and she loves the name.)
WOW! 2 Kendra’s replied! We are a rare breed.
When we purchase a new camera, the older digital cameras get passed on down to the three boys. Poor Mase has the 2.1MB Sony, but he’s only 22 months. Most of his photos are blury feet or cars, so I don’t know that he’s missing out on anything yet. The other two (11 & 8) love that they have the freedom to shoot whatever they want, and I love that nobody’s nagging me for the Nikon. Win, win!
sorry, that was supposed to be ELEVEN and EIGHT! Don’t know what happenned there!
Becky…… Love that you enlisted Porter’s help…
My son is almost 10 and he loves to be behind the camera when I let him… It’s been a good way to document ME… he takes pictures with my Nikon and camera phone! Digital is great because he can just shoot away and I don’t worry about how many photos he is taking and then I have lots to choose from and can edit them how I like them! He’s a great resource and he’s learning a life long skill and maybe even a hobby like mom!
We have point and shoot that sits on our hutch. Anyone can pick it up and snap photos. If it goes outside, they must let me know. I have “found” the coolest photos on that photo card. We also encourage them to photo while on vacation. Very cool looking at what is “new” to them. My eight year old was getting restles on the return trip of boating in Hawaii. He took over the camera. WOW! very nice photos of the boat ropes/ladders and such as well as the crew. Excellent memorys of the actual boat – not just snorking and whale watching (which was neet also).
BECKY!! Great idea! My 8 year old LOVES being behind the camera, but I never thought about really starting to teach her the basics! I too would love it if you’d share a couple notes of your photog lessons with Porter. Knowing me, I’d overwhelm mine with too much info at one time.
Thanks again for the inspiration! 
I love this! I have a few of these pictures myself- that the kids too, not necessarily sharp, not necessarily with a head that’s not cut off- and I love them. I love having children old enough that I can hand over my camera. (It’s especially helpful to have a child that can take pictures of me and DH, as well, because we really haven’t had a lot of them over the past 14 years!)
Yeay for kiddos!!
When my son was 3 (he’s 7 now) I let him loose with the Fisher-Price kids camera. A friend made him a 6X6 album for his birthday. I printed out the pictures of his favorites and created layouts of “my favorite” or “my first.” He LOVED taking pictures of his own feet!
My girls are 10 & 8 and I’ve been handing them the camera for a few years now. It’s quicker to give them the camera than set up a tripod or find something to balance it on and set the timer. I give them the DSLR and make sure it’s around their neck, put it it AV mode or auto. Check the screen and if they missed the shot entirely then make them try again.
My oldest has our old point and shoot. My youngest is allowed to use my point and shoot on holidays. Just get them their own clear memory card. They save their money to print their own pics and make scrapbooks, cards and crafts with them
I wanted to add something I’m being cautious about is getting the kids started on an overwhelming path. They can take pictures, make scrapbooks, journals etc. But I don’t believe that all of these need to be kept forever and ever. Just as every picture they colour doesn’t need to be kept. I think some of the photo related projects can be created for the joy of creating. I don’t want my kids to move from home with volumes they’ve made themselves and volumes they will make in the future and volumes they will inherit from me.
That last picture – priceless!
Your Porter is just a little bit older than my son and I’ve been letting my son grab my camera since he was about 3. He dropped the first one and I had to replace it… but well worth it. He takes *excellent* pictures and LOVES it too.
I actually had this ingenious idea a couple of summers ago. I scored this totally awesome deal at Target…an open box digital camera for (gasp) $20!!! I bought it and handed it straight over to my then 4yr old. I had this super fantastic idea to make a book titled “A year in pictures, by Hunter”. I unfortunately let “life” get in the way and never did it…I think I may try again! And the upside to doing it now? Now he’s 6, imagine the shots?!
Love it!
Of course! I’ve been thinking about this lately because my 3 year old daughter is very interested in our Project Life project.
I’ve been thinking about trying this kind of camera for my daughter, but not sure how the quality would be. http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Digital-Photo-Video-Camera/dp/B004A0Z3I0
Thanks for the idea!
All I can say is LOVE IT and I have done this too..it really is priceless….My Mother in Law always asks the kids to take pictures of the adults at any function we are at.
Last summer, I took my youngest (then 10) with me on Scott Kelby;s worldwide photo walk. It was a great day. You can’t ever get them started too early.
Nothing perfect… Porter did was perfect!
I love this idea!! My 8 year old nephew loves to take video of everything and they are fun to watch and hear him tell about what’s going on.
Awesome!! My 7 year old, when we were at a Natural Science museum the other week, grabs my ipod touch and asks me how to take a picture with it, because he just had to have a picture of this giant bug…ewwww….but he did it and was soooo proud! My budding little scrapbooker/family historian.
Great shots Becky! I agree w/ your thoughts about training the next generation. My son, who is now five, has grown up with his Mom being a photog. buff, always snapping away with my DSLR. I taught him how to use my old point and shoot, and nearly always have it in my purse. When we go somewhere I know I’ll be taking pics w/ my big camera, I always bring along the little one for him to use b/c he delights in the independence of it. He’s still learning to keep it steady, but honestly, he has taken some really amazing and creative pictures. I always love uploading the pics he has taken. It’s so fun (and sometimes makes us chuckle) to see what he finds interesting and photo-worthy, the art of photography through the eyes of a child-totally inspirational.
I don’t even know what to say…You are awesome. Always thinking, always creating, always inspiring. Thank you for that…and thank you for the wonderful heartfelt yummy cuddly pics. It brought back some beautiful thoughts when my kiddo’s were young.
Our oldest who is 4 1/2 started taking photos when he was 3. He loved his dad’s camera so we shortened the straps and let hm have a go. He is amazing! My husband even created a photography folder just for his pics.It’s so fun to see the world through his eyes.
My son is as excited as I am about taking photos, and he got his own camera for Christmas, complete with video. It’s never too young to help them with photos, as long as the camera is appropriate. With the cheap digitals available today…there’s no reason not to let them share in the fun of it all!
Fabulous Idea!! I love seeing what lies behind the eyes of a child photographer. SHould be fun to see the outcome.
an 8 year old can do more than you think!!!
great photos porter! now hand that camera off to him
daily!!!!
http://ava-lanie.blogspot.com/?zx=12472c0251826cde
my daughter started this blog when she was just 9 and has taken all the photos herself!
she has gotten better than me in a short time!!!
tara
My daugher, who is 12, takes fabulous photos. I first gave her an instant camera for vacation when she was 7. I gave her her own digital camera for her 10th birthday. She now also uses my advanced point and shoot (a bridge camera-almost a DSLR but without the interchangeable lens) and the photos she takes are amazing. She loves to take pictures of the squirrels, birds and lizards in our yard. She will take 40 pictures at a time and several of them will be the most amazing photos ever. I have learned from her to not just take a photo or two but to keep snapping away. That’s how you get amazing shots.
Last summer she took a digital photography class through a local kids art program. She had a lot of fun with that. This summer I’ve enrolled her in a week long photography class at the zoo. This merges her love of animals with a hobby she enjoys-photography.
I think kids just take the photo and don’t worry about camera settings, angles, etc. And they often end up with magical photos.
Our son; he’s 8, asked for a camera this past christmas. We found an enexpensive digital point and shoot and it was the best gift ever. I love that he has captured “me” as life happens! I love what you said about passing this love on to the next generation.
My three boys love to take photos. A few years ago I started creating a treasure hunt list of items that they had to seek and take a photo. Some items were very vague so they could use their imagination and then some specific like a letter or a number. Some of their photos are amazing and it keeps them occupied for a very LONG time! In particular my 10 year old has developed an amazing eye for the totally abstract stunning photo. Now all three own their own camera and use them often and without reminders. They are 14,12 and 10. Often I will find a powerpoint presentation they make with their photos. One time my oldest made a powerpoint of a family member who had passed. He dug through our online photos and made the most beautiful and memorable piece that we cherish. Kids are truly creative and amazing photographers!
My kids love to take pictures! We actually got them a small video camera for Christmas, and it is so funny to see the kins of videos they make. My son (8) makde a video of my daughter (6) brushing her teeth! It was hillarious.
My girls have cameras and now my 9 yrold son wants one. Thinking of getting him one for summertime and we will all carry our cameras around this summer and I will have the kids make journal books with their pictures. IT will be fun for them to have the pictures and then write about their memories at the same time. I want my kids to have a passion for photography too. Thanks Becky.
My 8 year old loves taking photos. He started taking photos with my old SLR (film) when I first bought my DSLR, but we often give him the DSLR or our point and shoot. I love looking back through his photos. Often it is just great to see some things through his eyes and the things that he find interesting. Recently while we were having fun in one of our city gardens my hubby was taking photos of the two of us throwing the leaves up in the air then DS says I’ll take some of you and dad….had the biggest laugh when i looked back…he took photos of us bending over collecting the leaves. Not the most flattering but hey thats what he sees…had a great laugh and proud to say I didn’t delete….
I have two shutterbugs. Both have taken photography classes – my daughter took two at a local college while in high school and my son is just finishing his elective class in high school. So, only one child isn’t bitten yet. There’s time; the boys are only 18.
The bitten son took 1806 photos during an 18 day trip overseas. One thousand, eight hundred and six. We plugged the memory card into the TV and set the speed at 3 seconds. Ninety minutes later… When his People to People group got together a few weeks later, my suspicion was confirmed.
One set of parents kept talking about how many photos their daughter took – lots and lots! Plenty! Many! Wow! More than anyone else! And she uploaded them while traveling! Umm, yup; her 1100+ photos were the most taken… (We didn’t bother saying anything.)
The same kid took 800+ during a 3.5 day Senior Class trip to Walt Disney World.
My bank account loves digital cameras. Seriously.
Becky – When my husband upgraded my point & shoot camera, my old Nikon SD300 point & shoot went to my 3 yr old. He’s been taking pictures ever since and admittedly, he’s good. In fact, some of his pictures were so good I had to put some up on my blog! If you care to see, the link is: http://txsizehull.blogspot.com/2010/03/photography-by-nathan-t.html
Signed,
proud mommy!
Becky, I so agree! I have an almost 13 and 16 year old so they have grown up during the scrapbooking boom. They both are showing a love of photography which of course I LOVE! What I am LOVE LOVE LOVE the most and what I think is truly remarkable is that I have already taught them to “see” the world around them. The other day we were walking downtown Salisbury and my daughter started grabbing my shoulder and was so excited and she was like take the picture of the door! Take the picture of the door! I was so confused! I had not even “seen” it yet…. it was an old door that leading into one of the old buildings that has not been renovated yet in uptown. People walk by that door everyday and never see it. I was so thrilled that she “saw” I and demanded I take the photo. Then she grabbed my phone and took a photo also… it was proud mommy moment…
Becky, THose are beautiful priceless moments he captured. After of years of watching mommy scrapbook and take pictures I am happy to say my daughter has caught the bug and has become an amazing photographer at 15. I just wish I was as good as her. She has the eye and creativity that I don’t. Are actions are setting examples to our Children.
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