Encouraging a new interest…

If your child has recently started showing an interest in photography and you are thinking about buying them their first camera, there are a few things you need to consider. As a parent you probably know that a kid’s interests can change tomorrow, next week or even next year but the good news is that you can still support their new hobby without breaking the bank.    

Here are some tips for choosing a camera for your budding photographer: 

• Choose a camera that will enable your child to learn the basics quite quickly. Make sure that the controls and buttons are manageable and that the size of the camera is suited to the size of their hands. The menus should also be logical, easy to read and have intuitive icons that are easy to understand. 

• Children love to experiment and tend to learn faster when they can do so. An entry-level DSLR camera will allow them to adjust exposure settings such as ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Interchangeable lenses are also a great learning tool but definitely not essential as a beginner. 

• When deciding on a camera for your child, take a look at the screen. It should be large, bright and have great color reproduction. It should also be easy to use both indoors and outdoors as there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to see your images clearly on the screen due to bright sunlight. 

• Ensure that the sensor resolution is good enough and meets your specific requirements, especially if you want to print larger size images. In most cases a 10-14 mega pixel camera is a sufficient for an entry level photographer. 

• As a first time photographer, your child will want to keep practicing so it’s important that you are able to extend the camera’s memory using a SD/SDHC memory card. 

• Next come the accessories. Your child will want to download their images from the camera onto a computer for editing so a USB cable/memory card reader will be an essential accessory. Down the road if their interest keeps growing, consider purchasing a tripod, alternative lenses and eventually, a camera with more capabilities.

If you aren’t sure that a brand new camera is the best route to go as your child pursues their interest in photography you can also look at buying a secondhand camera instead (or ask family members if they have an old camera they don’t want anymore!). Ask around because many photographers may be willing to sell an older backup camera. Be sure to find out about all the camera’s features and any extras that it might come with before making the purchase to ensure that it meets your specific requirements. Additionally, camera stores (like my favourite one, Saneal Camera!) are a terrific resource. Even if you don’t plan to buy new, they have a ton of information that can help you make the right decision.

Happy Camera Hunting!

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Amy Cheng Photography offers Red Deer and Calgary families the very best in portrait photography! I pride myself on delivering a fun, relaxing experience where you feel valued and beautiful! I specialize in family photography but also offer newborn sessions, maternity sessions, wedding photography, pet sessions, senior grad sessions and event photography.

I service the Red Deer and surrounding areas, including but not limited to, Calgary, Olds, Ponoka, Rocky Mountain House, Sylvan Lake, Lacombe and Blackfalds.

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Images by Red Deer Family Photography – Amy Cheng Photography © 2019

Contact me today to book your session! Amy Amy Cheng Photography ~ amychengphotography@gmail.com