This post is our honest review of a product that we received for free. All opinions expressed are solely mine.

A little earlier this month I told you all about a fun class for kids called Summer Photography Camp. Both of our girls have been working their way through the lessons in the first session over the past few weeks and are having a BLAST practicing the different techniques they are learning.

And the fact that they can use MOMMY’S camera doesn’t hurt either. {grins}

They are going back and forth using my camera and the small point and shoot that we also have, seeing if they can capture the same images and better their picture-taking skills. In short, they are having a blast.

About the Summer Photography Camp for Kids

The Summer Photography Camp is a 3 week long photography camps for kids {ages 8-13} that teaches basic photography skills and camera techniques. You don’t need a fancy camera to join ~ any point-and-shoot or even a cell phone camera will do. We’ve actually been using two different cameras so the girls can learn techniques with both, including how to properly hold a camera and position the cameras based on their size.

The class is taught by Candice Stringham, an editorial photographer turned scrapbooker. Candice works at JessicaSprague.com, has a BFA in Photography and has even taught classes at the collegiate level.

The first session is already in progress, but Jessica Sprague is offering a second session from July 9 – 27 {Click here to register for the July Session}. The session fee is $36 and if you have multiple children, you only need to add $10 for each additional sibling taking the class {instead of the entire $36}.

Each day of the class we receive an email that includes a new photography technique {that is also a printable} along with a daily assignment. We’ve been printing off the lessons, hole-punching them, and putting them into a 3-ring binder to refer to during the day. The class also includes videos, a class gallery and a place where they can ask questions and get help. On Fridays, the kids get an email with a fun weekend scavenger hunt.

Some Hands-on Examples from the Girls

The girls have been learning some FABULOUS things in the past few weeks. Laurianna recently took a day trip with a friend and I was excited when I downloaded the pictures from the point-and-shoot and saw that she had implemented one of the techniques covered in the class {framing a picture}.

Here are just a few key things {with picture examples} of what the girls have  covered in the class. Unfortunately a little boy got his hands on the camera and deleted some of the shots before I had a chance to put them onto the laptop.

Watching vertical/horizontal lines in the background and frame…

Framing a shot….

Close vs. Far shots…

The rule of thirds…

The importance of how light hits a subject…

and just plain silliness…

So What Do We Think?

In all honesty, I know a lot of adults that could benefit from this class. While this isn’t a ‘live’ class, I am SO beyond impressed with the quality of the lessons, videos and all that is included in the 3 week class. At $36 for the class {and $10 for each additional child}, it is a great way to introduce your child to photography and have him learn skills that many adults haven’t yet mastered!

The classes are also available in your account at JessicaSprague.com for life ~ meaning you can go back into your files later if you need to reprint a lesson, watch a video clip or review anything. A few years ago I had registered for a class and completely forgotten about it ~ and all of the lessons are still there for me to review {LOVE THAT!!!}.

We haven’t participated in the online forums, although they are available, mainly because we have been traveling sporadically and also had a few other things keeping us busy. I do appreciate that the forums are monitored {making a momma’s heart happy}.

This has also been a great ‘boredom buster’ this summer. Having the lessons printed off and in our binder is handy since the girls can grab it and head outside to practice the lessons. The weekly scavenger hunts have been a lot of fun as well.

Be sure to check out the classes that JessicaSprague.com offers for moms as well ~ there are some great ones coming up in the next few months!!