Creative Courses: Photography For Elementary Students

Photography for Kids: Discovering the Art of Capturing Moments

Creative Courses/Elementary Classes - By Ms. Mila Vasconcelos

Teaching photography to elementary students is a joy unlike any other. Watching young learners pick up a camera, explore their surroundings, and discover the magic of capturing a moment is both inspiring and rewarding. That’s why I introduced a new elective, Photography for Kids, designed to teach the basics of photography in a fun, hands-on way.

This course focused on the fundamentals—how a camera works, the importance of light, composition techniques, and capturing portraits and landscapes. It was incredible to see how quickly my students thrived, turning their curiosity into creativity and their creativity into meaningful images.

What Students Learned

The course introduced elementary students to the building blocks of photography through engaging activities that combined technical skills with creative exploration:

• Color and Composition: Students learned how to use color and frame their shots to tell a story.

• Portraits: By focusing on colors and expressions, students captured the individuality of their classmates.

• Still Life with Legos: Brightly colored Legos became the perfect subject for understanding textures, patterns, and angles.

• Sports Photography: A school soccer match offered students the chance to experiment with movement, timing, and capturing action shots.

• Nature Walks: Walking around the school grounds, students explored how to document landscapes and find beauty in their environment.

• Photo Sequences: Students played with storytelling through a series of images, learning how to convey action and progression.

  
  

  

  
  
  
  

Why This Course Matters

Photography it’s a way for students to see and connect with the world in a unique closer way, observing details that sometimes we oversee in our daily basis. Through this elective, students developed:

1. Artistic Awareness: They learned to observe details like light, color, and composition in their surroundings.

2. Confidence and Independence: Handling a camera and making creative decisions helped build their confidence.

3. Storytelling Skills: Photography taught them how to convey a message or emotion through images.

4. Collaboration: Whether photographing classmates or sharing ideas during critiques, students learned the value of teamwork and constructive feedback.

   
   

Highlights from the Classroom

One of the most memorable moments was during the soccer match. Students crouched on the sidelines, cameras ready, trying to freeze the perfect moment of action. Their excitement when they reviewed their photos—catching a player mid-kick or celebrating a goal—was contagious.

Another favorite activity was the photo sequence challenge, where students staged a story using a combination of images. Later on, I taught them how to combine those images to generate a GIF (animated version of their portraits).

The Power of Photography - My Favorite Media, Of Course!

Photography teaches us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the world in ways we often overlook. For my elementary students, this course helped my little ones discover their creative voice and gain a new perspective on the beauty around them.

Seeing their enthusiasm and growth has reaffirmed my belief in teaching creative electives like this one. As their teacher, I’m thrilled to have sparked their interest in a skill that can grow with them for years to come.

Let’s keep inspiring young minds to see the world through a creative lens—one snapshot at a time!

Ms. Mila Vasconcelos