Kids & Nature Connections | Kids can connect with outdoors through nature photography

Sometimes technology can take over kids’ lives to the point where they don’t get enough healthy nature connection.

Through nature photography, we can harness that obsession with gadgets and pair it with a natural fascination with the more-than-human world.

And while having a quality camera can definitely give a leg up, any old camera phone or point and shoot camera can create interesting photos. Just use whatever you have on hand.

The best way to get kids excited about nature photography is simply to get outside and do it. Stationary or slow-moving subjects work best for young photographers at first. Trees, plants, flowers and landscapes are all great subjects to start with. After making sure the camera lens is clean, take lots of photos — you can always delete them later!

Insects are a great next step. They are everywhere, and if they fly or hop away, there is always another around the corner. Look closely at flower heads, on the bark of trees, and under leaves. Butterflies are a special favorite.

If children are interested in wildlife photography, knowing and understanding the subject can lead to much better photos. Understanding behavior means knowing when and where to find a certain animal, creating more opportunities for a good shot. Resources like iNaturalist.org, bugguide.net and birds.cornell.edu can help children study more about the animals they want to photograph.

Photography can help kids develop patience and slow, steady movement too.

Read the entire article here in the Wenatchee World