Every now and then during a family photo session, one sibling catches my eye—the curious one, brimming with questions about my camera. They’re the first to lean in, eager to sneak a peek at the view screen or gaze through the lens, completely captivated. It’s such a joy to see that spark of creativity igniting, and it always melts my heart. If you’ve got a budding photographer in your family, you’re in luck! Here are some top tips for choosing the Best Cameras for Kids and Teens ready to dive into the art of photography.
Over the years, I have purchased so many cameras for my two kids. A mixture of polaroids, vintage, toy cameras and even beginner professional cameras including DSLRs. Some have been destroyed pretty fast, others have given us years of fun. Here’s a list of the ones that work the best!
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Gifting a Camera for Kids 5 and Under
Toy cameras that actually take pictures have been available for several years now, with little ones it’s important to find cameras for kids under 5 that comes with a hearty case around it for all the time it will be dropped or spilled on.
The Kidamento kids camera is durable and adorable. It’s also perfect for small hands. It comes with a usb cable and memory card to upload those works of art to your computer. I also suggest in getting the small sticker printer which takes a little work to set up but kids love seeing their pictures printed!
Great Cameras for Kids ages 6 through Tweens
This age is all about the Polaroid! Instead gratification is a must, and a great teaching tool about what a camera is capable of creating for these new photographers and a perfect camera for tweens. There are two polaroid cameras we love using in our home. The Fujifilm Instax Mini and the Classic Polaroid.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini comes in several pastel colors, is easy to hold and instantly spits out a small 2×3 print. They have great accessories including little albums and a camera bag and fun filters for the lens. The built-in-flash isn’t very powerful, but this is a great camera for outside daytime pictures. The film can get a little expensive as your child photographer will want to take lots of pictures!
The Classic Polaroid Camera Now +. This is the camera that’s still going strong and for a very good reason. It takes great pictures, has a strong built-in-flash and delivers a 4×3 print with the classic polaroid frame. Photographer’s tip, buy the film in bulk!
Camera for Teenagers
If you have a creative teenager in your house, this is the perfect way to channel that energy into a hobby that can grow for years to come. The technical world of photography can be overwhelming, so let’s keep it simple as beginners. You don’t need to invest in the top gear as a beginner, nor do you want to boggle a young photographer down with complicated settings that will hinder their final picture. These are cameras that will start them on a journey to learn more and allow them to express who they are with photography.
Staying with the need for instant gratification; the pro-grade instant camera of the Polaroid I-2 Series allows a little more flexibility on controlling your depth of field and focus control. And you get to see the results in seconds which is a great teaching tool for young photographers.
Film or analogue cameras are making a coming back with these trendy teens. My personal favorite is the Holga. These cheap and plastic “toy” camera require 120 medium format film (square format instead of the traditional 35mm film). Your final roll of film will need to be sent out to be processed to one of the few labs that still process film. I recommend using Mpix.com. You can get prints made of your negative at the same time.
Each Holga is unique, some have light leaks that will lead to random results that most artist embrace. With no dials or controls, the photographer is truly taking a leap of faith that the results will be beautiful. Which makes it perfect for young photographers.
Is your young photographer ready for something a little more challenging? Perhaps it’s time for their first DSLR (Digital Single-lens Reflex). These digital camera with a removable lens are pro-grade and can provide the tools to truly learn the technical and artistic side of photography. Because they are digital cameras, your young photographer can practice again and again to learn how to compose, use light and wait for the perfect moment for a great photograph. My personal favorite camera for teens (and adults who want to learn) is the Canon EOS Rebel. The kit comes with a good starter lens and you can always upgrade to more lenses as they learn. Make sure to get a good memory card with lots of room for video and images. This is a good starting memory card.
There are so many online tutorials on how to use the settings on a digital camera, but if you can find a photography class in person I would recommend it. The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts has an Intro to Photography class for beginners as does local photographer Zach Smith who has workshops.
Why a Camera Makes a Great Gift for Kids
Learning photography can benefit your child in so many ways. It fosters creativity, requires a technical skill and allows for self-expression. With a camera in hand, a kid is inspired to take a deeper look at the world around them in an interactive way. Social skills are fine tuned, details of colors and patterns are noticed and they begin to tell the story of their life.
Photography can also be a therapeutic outlet, helping kids process emotions and express themselves in ways that connect them to the world (I’m looking at you teenager). By capturing moments and telling stories visually, children develop communication skills and the confidence in their ability to share their point of view. It’s also a chance to start a life-long love of photography which can be an enriching hobby and career.
Now go take pictures!
If you are interested in professional family photography of your young photographer, make sure to reach out and learn more. And they are welcome to bring their camera for a few tips.
If you enjoyed this blog post about the Best Cameras for Kids and Teens make sure to check out more tips and news on my blog. You might also enjoy:
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