Written by Yvonne Misando
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera,” Dorothea Lange once said. While photography is usually seen as something adults do, it is becoming an important way for children to explore and share their own world (Sontag, 1977).
When a child takes a photo, they are doing more than just capturing an image, they are telling a story. These photos give us a look into a world adults often miss.
By moving from being people who just look while others are using the cameras to active creators, children can show their joy, strength and everyday life. Researchers call this a way for children to offer a “different view” from adult perspectives (Kervick & Kassan, 2018).
At Mtoto News, we help children learn basic photography and video editing through a five-day program called Sauti Zetu, held during school holidays. Photography can be especially helpful for children who find it hard to express themselves with words or who live in difficult situations.
A photo can act as a “visual testimony,” showing feelings or memories that words cannot express. Studies on using photos to help people talk about their feelings or experiences show that these images help adults see the world from a child’s point of view and understand their experiences better (Harper, 2002).
Giving a camera to a child is like giving th0em a voice. Their photos remind us that simple things can be extraordinary and that anyone, no matter their age, can be a storyteller.
References:
- Sontag, S. (1977). On Photography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- Kervick, L. N., & Kassan, A. L. (2018). Childhood, Youth, and Photography. Routledge.
- Harper, D. (2002). Talking about pictures: A case for photo elicitation. Visual Studies, 17(1), 13-26.