Most kids are fascinated with gadgets much less cell phones, cellphones with cameras, or the idea of taking pictures, period. They also like digital cameras and the idea of capturing a friend or family member in a candid mood or still shot is a lot of fun and, as photographers know, taking pictures can help you view your world in different ways.

Taking pictures brings out the creativity in most all of us and what better way to express this than with a camera? This guide is designed to help you choose the best type of digital camera for your child. It is broken down into three sections, or stages, that describe what type of photography experience a child is looking for. The age guidelines are simply there as a starting point. Kids progress in their own timeframes, and some will be more interested in “serious photography” than others.

Stage 1 – Toddler through Early Elementary – what do they like about photography?
• Turning the camera on and off on their own

•The cause and effect of pushing a button and having something happen

•Seeing someone or something through an LCD display

•Seeing themselves on the display or in a picture

Doing things like Mom and Dad

So what type of pictures do you expect to see at this level? Pictures of the floor, the ceiling or partial shots of people and objects and also multiple pictures of the same person or object. My Keoni loved taking pictures of holes in walls, designs on the carpet and grooves on wooden finishings when he was 3.

Since Stage 1 usually applies to younger kids, you’ll want a sturdy camera designed for small hands, one with completely automated features, including flash and focus with a picture resolution/storage space combination that can hold a lot of photos and controls that are easy to use and understand.

Stage 2 – Early Elementary through Middle School - at this level they like:

• Capturing favorite things, people and places

• Capturing memories, such as vacations, field trips, birthday parties

• Being trusted with a digital camera of their own

• Printing pictures or using them for cards, journals and scrapbooks

And the type of pics to expect? Posed and candid shots of friends, pets and family members (be prepared for a lot of pictures of you!), a lot of pictures from each life event, including field trips, vacations and parties and some “glamour shots” of themselves posing with friends or doing silly things.

At this level their cameras must be easy to use and understand, sturdy and inexpensive, in case it is dropped, lost or stolen, mostly automated features, but some control over things like the flash and zoom, something with good resolution (clear photos), but not so high that the pictures eat up storage space with special effects, such as captions, clip art, etc. and a customizable camera cases and straps for the fashion-conscious.

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