Smile and say cheese! Snapping photos is a wonderful way to capture family moments and cherished memories. It’s also one of the best tools to inspire imagination and creativity! Read on to find out more.
1. Accessibility. Perhaps the largest “barrier” with creative pursuits is the large investment that is often required to move forward. For example, learning to play a musical instrument is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also an uphill battle. A student who wants to learn the trumpet would need to first a) acquire a costly brass instrument, b) find a teacher or classes for lessons, c) spend months practicing before sounding decent. Photography, on the other hand, is the polar opposite of this! In today’s day and age, snapping photos is more accessible than ever – and we’re sure this doesn’t come as a surprise to most people! With mobile phones being so common, most students are walking around with a high-resolution camera in their pocket at all times. This makes photography a very accessible hobby, as students can start right away and receive immediate results.
2. There’s a lot of room to grow. Although photography is extremely accessible in our modern world, the journey certainly doesn’t stop there! Amateur photographers will quickly discover that, much like the world of musical instruments, there’s a wealth of tools and information to explore. High-quality digital cameras are more affordable than ever, and interchangeable lenses allow photographers to gain a whole new perspective when capturing a scene. Many photographers also enjoy the traditional route of using film cameras, which we highly recommend as well. If you held onto your old 35mm film camera from back in the day, you may even be able to give your child some pointers!
3. Positivity. Photography, especially self-portraits, can inspire positivity and provide a boost to self-esteem. However, it’s important that we make a disclaimer here – as many families are aware, “Photoshop” and social media filters are a growing concern. We certainly understand that filters can be fun, and image editing tools are an essential part of the digital media industry. That said, we believe photography truly bolsters positivity when it’s real – there’s an uncomfortable disconnect when your final self-portrait looks nothing like what you see in the mirror. Because modified images have the potential to create unrealistic physical standards, relying on digital trickery can cause large amounts of anxiety (especially for teens and young adults). Photography is all about learning to recognize beauty in the world, in others, and in ourselves – this is what truly fosters a positive self-image!
4. Photography encourages exploration. Imagination and discovery go hand in hand, and photography is one of the best motivators to get out there and explore! One of the great things about snapping pictures is that photographers will often be encouraged to seek out destinations, landmarks, events, and other interesting subject matter they want to capture. With summer vacation in full swing, it’s an excellent time to plan some “photo trips” – sporting events, national parks, beaches, and tourist attractions are all great opportunities to snap some epic photos!
