A Homeschooler’s Guide to Nature Photography with Kids

As homeschooling parents, we are always seeking creative and educational activities to engage our children in the wonders of the natural world. Nature photography provides a fantastic opportunity to combine art, science, and exploration into one captivating experience. Today I’ll share with you the wonderful world of nature photography and provide tips and ideas specifically tailored for homeschoolers. Whether it’s capturing the mesmerizing night sky or discovering the intricate details of the miniature world through macro photography, let’s embark on a journey of visual storytelling and deepen our connection with nature.

Nature Photography in Your Homeschool

Photography and nature photography is such a powerful tool for nature study. It cultivates a keen sense of observation and attention to detail as children explore the natural world through the lens. They have to slow down to notice the beauty of the world around them, leading them to develop a real appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Nature photography serves as a means of artistic expression, letting children capture and communicate their perspectives and experiences in the natural world. Where children may not want to put pencil to paper to draw what they see as they may not think their drawings are good enough a photograph provides a way for them to easily document their discoveries and know what they are when printed out. It also fosters a deep connection to the environment and the natural world, encouraging environmental stewardship within your kids.

Whereas once we were limited by the cost of producing the photographs and limitations of the number of photos we can take with modern equipment it’s much easier to hand over to little ones that maybe shutter happy.

We’ve included Nature Photography in our home education nature study and with the kids for a long time. In fact, both were recognised in a kids’ photography competition with pictures of nature with our travels in Mexico. Of course, our normal nature photography isn’t as wild as these ones but by practising and making it a regular part of our nature study they were able to capture some amazing shots.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Before I start delving into the “right equipment” I will say that you can start nature photography with your smartphone and a printer that connects to it. That’s all you really need. Most modern smartphones have fantastic cameras and a lot have pro features so you can start to introduce your children to some real photography terms.

If you wish to do more or your kids become fascinated with photography then here’s our simple list of things that will help them capture the best pictures and videos.

• Camera – ranging from your smartphone camera to a digital point-and-shoot all the way to a DSLR there are lots of options. Do look at second-hand cameras as you move up the scale to find what you want at an affordable cost. A smartphone or point-and-shoot is fantastic for younger children but your tweens and teens may have a real interest and a second-hand DSLR is a great value but with lots of more complex features. I got my first SLR (no digital back in the dark ages!) when I was 16 however, I had been using my parents’ ones for a year or 2 buying the films myself. It gave me an understanding of the features and what it could do before getting my own.
• Tripod or GorillaPod – A lightweight tripod or a flexible GorillaPod can provide stability and eliminate camera shake, particularly when photographing macro subjects or capturing long-exposure shots of landscapes or the night sky. Opt for models that are easy for children to set up and adjust. My current travel tripod is so small yet sturdy and will hold either my phone or camera. Ideal for taking on nature walks with the kids.
• Macro Lens Attachment – For children interested in capturing the intricate details of flowers, insects, and other small subjects, consider a macro lens attachment compatible with their smartphone or camera. These affordable accessories allow for close-up photography, revealing the hidden beauty of the natural world. The smartphone ones are so cheap but fantastic for capturing the macro world.
• Lens Cleaning Kit – One of the worse things is to take pictures and then look back at them and find dust and debris on them. Keeping the camera lens clean is essential for clear and sharp photographs. Invest in a lens cleaning kit that includes a blower, microfiber cloth, and lens cleaning solution. Teach children the importance of proper lens maintenance to ensure optimal image quality. Yes even for your smartphone this will help.
• Spare Batteries, Phone Charger and Memory Cards – To avoid missing out on precious photo opportunities, have spare batteries or a phone charger pack and memory cards on hand. This ensures uninterrupted shooting sessions and allows children to capture as many images as they desire without worrying about running out of power or storage.

To give you an idea as a family we have:

• Samsung Galaxy Phones – the cameras on them are fantastic
• A Canon DSLR – this is mine but the children use it with supervision
• Tripod – I have a number of tripods and use them for different activities. Some are quite heavy and sturdy and great for holding not only the camera but a telescope for Night Sky Nature Study.

I have 3 lenses for the DSLR – a macro, standard and then a zoom lens I’ve bought second-hand from a reliable vendor.

We also have an underwater camera – this was a birthday present for myself a number of years ago but it has been a wonderful addition and makes nature photography below the waves possible.

Exploring Natural Settings

But where do you start – well actually your backyard provides a great starting point for capturing the natural world. Start experimenting right there look at the different functions of the camera you have, change exposure, aperture and looking at composition.

Read more about backyard nature study and some ideas you can do at home right on your doorstep.

But don’t limit it to there, take the camera out wherever your nature study may take you. From forests to dunes, wildflower meadows and ponds there is so much that your kids can capture.

Night Sky Photography

In our month-long Night Sky nature study I share one of the ideas to do some night sky photography. It’s even easier than ever to get great pictures of the night sky. You can buy (very cheaply) attachments for smartphones that go on telescopes and binoculars making capturing those distant objects even easier.

But don’t limit it to that take the opportunity to learn about long exposures, capturing star trails, and photographing the moon in it’s different phases throughout the month. Experiment with different camera settings and techniques to capture the breathtaking wonders of the world above you.

Macro Photography

Step into the enchanting world of the small and the intricate with macro photography. Explore the fascinating details of flowers, insects, and other tiny subjects that often go unnoticed. Again a macro lens for your smartphone is relatively cheap and your kids can start to get closer to nature. Looking at a butterfly’s wing through the lens is a whole new world.

The same attachment for the telescope actually fits on our microscope which has allowed our kids to get even closer and take microscopic pictures of nature. Have you ever wondered what the foot of a bumble bee looks like?

Embracing Nature Conservation

As a conservationist – yes my Master’s Degree is actually in Wildlife Management: Conservation and Control and I worked in conservation for many years, Nature Conservation has always formed a big part of our nature study because of this. The huge advantage of utilising nature photography and nature journals is that you have no need to disturb the natural world. Leaving only a footprint and taking only photographs and memories away with you.

But, and there is a but there are some ethical considerations to nature photography, such as respecting wildlife and habitats, and how to practice responsible photography that supports conservation efforts. Take time to discuss this and research this with your kids so that they take this knowledge forward.

Connecting Photography with Science and Art

I love anything cross curricular – it’s why I had a leaning towards unit studies when we started our home education journey and nature photography like many areas isn’t just about nature study. You can incorporate scientific and artistic elements into it as well.

Explore the scientific aspects of nature, such as species identification and ecological interactions. As your kids develop a deeper understanding of photography waves, lenses and more can be investigated and learnt about through hands-on, real-life experiences.

You can encourage creativity through photo editing apps – crop, adjust exposure, balance etc… start with the basics in your smartphone photo editor and then you can move on to more advanced apps and software. Create portfolios to showcase their progress and nature study, perhaps take a specific area or focus like a tree throughout the year or macro photography and create a mini portfolio. You could even organise a homeschool photography exhibition for your kids and their friends.

Grab your camera, venture into the great outdoors, and let your homeschooling journey be illuminated by the captivating beauty of nature through photography. Remember, the most important aspect of nature photography is the child’s curiosity and passion for the natural world. Encourage them to experiment, explore, and embrace their creativity.