fun photo assignments

10 Photo Assignments to Inspire and Challenge Your Skills

Liz Masoner is a professional photographer and she shares her tips and techniques on photo editing and how to photograph nature, portraits, and events with film and digital cameras. Liz has over 30 years of experience and she is the author of three books on photography.

The best way to learn photography is to practice, though sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and not know what to shoot. That is why photographers love assignments; they give us a purpose and an idea of what to photograph.

Why Are Assignments Important?

Self-assignments are key to any photographer's growth. Even professionals with decades of experience will work on personal assignments that they may never get paid for. The goal of any self-assignment is to spur creativity, solve problems, learn new techniques, and challenge yourself.

As you start out in photography, you're probably filled with excitement and ready to shoot anything you can. That being said, sometimes a little direction and guidance are necessary.

Below, you will find ten photography assignments. Each covers a new topic, skill, or concept and they were chosen to help you learn how to see as a photographer. They are meant to be a personal challenge that you can complete at your own pace and with no outside judgment, simply as a means to practice and improve your photography. Hopefully, you will learn something new with each assignment and be able to use that in every photograph you take in the future.

Remember when composing your images to keep in mind the basics: the rule of thirds, shutter speed , aperture, depth of field , and exposure .

Assignment #1: Up Close

This assignment encourages you to get close and personal with your subject. It is an exercise in viewing a common object in a new way and examining its finer details.

Choose an object that you see or interact with every day.
Focus on a small part of it, get as close as your camera will allow you to focus, and shoot away.
Try to capture different angles and unusual lighting to add to the mystery of this tiny world.

From the whiskers of your cat to a fragile Christmas ornament, and even common soap bubbles, there is an entire world that we often overlook because we don't get close enough.

Assignment #2: Motion

Photography is a static medium which means that it doesn't move. Conveying a sense of motion is often crucial to capturing a scene or emotion and it is an essential skill for photographers to practice.

The goal of this exercise is to understand how shutter speeds can be used to convey motion.

Choose a subject or series of subjects that will allow you to convey motion in your images.
It can be slow motions, like that of a turtle, or fast motion, like a speeding train.
Blur it, stop it, or simply suggest that there is motion in the photograph.

Challenge yourself to capture the same motion in different ways. For instance, you might go to a race track and stop the movement of the cars completely in one image, then leave the shutter open and allow them to blur out of the frame in the next.

Assignment #3: Shadows

Shadows are everywhere and they are vital to photography because this is the art of capturing light. With light comes shadows and when you begin to look at shadows as a photographer, your world will open up.

Take a look around for shadows and record them with your camera.
You could show the shadow as the total focus of the image. Perhaps the shadow is incidental to the subject.
Is the shadow natural or created by flash?

Shadows are integral to creating depth in a two-dimensional medium such as photography. Take some time to seriously explore the "dark side" of the light.

Assignment #4: Water

Water is everywhere in photography and it presents many challenges. There are reflections and movements to work with and in this exercise, you will take a deeper look at water.

Find water anywhere: lakes, streams, puddles, even the glass on your kitchen table.
Pay attention to reflections and use them to your advantage in the photographs. Use this opportunity to get familiar with a polarizing filter (a very useful tool in your camera kit) so you can accentuate or eliminate reflections.
Play with the motion of a stream or the crashing waves. Notice the difference between stopping the flow of water and allowing it to blur to create a real sense of movement.

Be sure to make water the subject and not an accent to the image. Water alone is beautiful and mysterious and your challenge is to explore all of its potential as a subject.

Assignment #5: Leading Lines

A classic assignment in photography schools, 'leading lines ' is a popular and fun subject. The goal of this assignment is to learn how to direct the viewer to your subject using lines.

Choose a subject then look around for lines in the scene that you can use to 'lead' the viewer to the subject.
Find an interesting line then determine what the subject of your photograph is.
Remember that lines can be man-made or natural. For instance, the yellow line down the middle of the road or a tree branch. Even a person's arm can be a leading line of their face.

Use this assignment as an excuse to take an afternoon photo excursion. Walk downtown or in the woods and look around you for interesting lines that lead the eye to a subject. There is an amazing assortment of lines out there in the world and once you begin to see them, you won't be able to stop.

Assignment #6: Perspective

How do you normally stand when you shoot? If your answer is straight up like a 5-foot-something human being then this assignment is for you. The perspective assignment challenges you to view the world from an entirely new perspective, which in turn gives the viewer a new look at the ordinary.

Take another afternoon or evening for a photo excursion wherever you like.
This time, every time you find something to photograph, stop!
Ask yourself: How would a squirrel see that tree? How would a robin view that birdbath? How would a snake view that log?
Take your photographs from very high or very low angles. Get on your belly or stand on a chair, whatever you have to (safely) do to get the 'right' angle on your subject.

If you pay attention to professional photographs, many of the images that have the WOW factor are photographed from extreme angles. People enjoy these photos because they've never seen an object from that viewpoint. It is new and unique, and you can train yourself to shoot with this in mind.

Assignment #7: Texture

You may have captured a few textural details in the 'Up Close' assignment, but this assignment takes that to the next level. The goal in this one is to study textures and forget about the object itself: the texture becomes the subject. You will also begin to realize how light affects the appearance of texture.

Find a few objects that have very detailed textures like trees or rocks, even knit sweaters or woven rugs.
Photograph them as close as your lens will allow.
Use different angles and capture the same texture as the light changes. Notice how the different lighting directions and camera angles can change how much texture appears.

Textures are all around us and many of the best photographs in the world play up the textural element. This assignment should teach you how to recognize and accentuate those elements in your photos.

Assignment #8: Color Harmony

Color is important to photography because the world is full of color. This exercise requires a bit of study in color theory, which you will then put into practice in your photographs.

Do you remember art class in elementary school? You may have learned that yellow and blue make green, but color theory goes beyond that. There are cool and warm colors, complementary and contrasting colors, neutral colors, and bold colors.

It can get quite complicated, and photographers should have a basic understanding of color so you can use that when composing photographs. You don't have to study color like a painter would but can use tricks used by interior designers to influence your color decisions.

Once you have an idea of color theory, take another photo excursion and put what you've learned into practice.
Capture photographs with the primary or tertiary colors.
Look for complementary colors then contrasting colors to photograph.
Try finding a scene to photograph that is filled with neutral colors, then one that uses a bold color to 'pop' from the scene.

This is an advanced lesson, but one that any photographer working with color images will find useful. As you practice working with colors, it will become second nature and you will know how to work with color to change the feel of your images.

Assignment #9: Emotions

Take a photo of a person smiling or scowling, right? Not so. The intent of this assignment is to convey emotion in photographs without a face.

Take photographs that express each of the basic emotions: happy, sad, and mad.
How would you express the feeling of anger with no person? What about happiness? Sadness?

This is a purely conceptual assignment, but it is important to be able to relay emotion in your photographs and you might not always have a person available to do that with. Challenge yourself to think deeper about this one.

Assignment #10: Don't Look!

Are you ready to put your photography skills to the test? In today's world of digital cameras and the ability to see image captures right there on the LCD screen, photographers are losing some of the skills needed to visualize a photograph.

In this assignment, your challenge is to shoot as if you were using a film camera. That means that you will not look at the photographs you've taken until they are downloaded on your computer. Instead of relying on the camera's screen to see if you 'got the shot' you will rely on your instinct and knowledge, just like photographers did before digital photography. Can you do it?

Plan a photo excursion to a particular location and permit yourself to photograph only 36 images (a roll of 35mm film).
Turn off your camera's LCD screen so it does not show you the image after you have taken it.
If you cannot turn off the camera's screen, cut a piece of thick paper and tape it over the screen. Use masking or painter's tape so you don't leave a residue on the back of your camera.
Go out and shoot your 36 frames, thinking carefully about each image because you don't have an endless number of shots. Bonus points if you turn your camera to completely manual settings for focus and exposure.
Don't peek at your photos until you get home and download them.

How did you do? Were you able to get good exposures on your own? How did it feel to be 'blind' and not know how your image turned out right away?

This is similar to what it is like to shoot with film and it does require you to think harder about every image you take. Next time you shoot, slow down and pay attention, pretend that the screen is not there and rely on your own skills to create a great image. You will be a better photographer in the end.

15 Photography Assignments to Challenge and Inspire

By Tata Rossi 23 days ago, Amateur Photography

Photography assignments allow you to experiment with something you have never tried before and play around with different photographic approaches. With such an assignment, you will challenge yourself and develop your skills.

15 Ways to Make Photography Assignments

This list of photo assignments consists of 15 points, so I am sure that you will find the idea to your liking.

1. Self Portraits

The first task is a no-brainer: just take a self-portrait picture each day. Don’t forget to use a tripod and shutter release aside from regular shooting with your arm extended and holding a camera.

Since you will be the model, feel free to unleash your creativity with all sorts of make-up, outfits, poses until you figure out a proper look. Remember to use props as well. Then share your shots with the world via social networks or the dedicated Flickr and Twitter groups.

2. Color Challenge

Here is one of the greatest color photography assignments for the urban environment photos . Bring the camera with you and take pictures for several hours. Pick a color (or ask a friend to choose it for you to complicate the task) and photograph subjects of the chosen color only.

Once you are done, you will find yourself seeing this color everywhere! Then pick the best shots and merge them into a collage or mosaic in Photoshop .

3. After Dark

Practice with night photography and try taking pictures after dark. In case you are outside the city, you may shoot moonlight or star trails. While being in the city, capture light trails of vehicles or buildings with the light-up windows. Regardless of the location, experiment with light-painting by means of long exposure photography and moving a flashlight across areas of the scene.

4. Crop or Rotate All your Photos a Specific Way

One of the best photography practice assignments is to neglect your comfort zone and try something new for a change. For instance, if you have a tendency to snap the same kinds of photos, you should modify their perspective.

Try an approach to cropping or rotating your next 50-100 shots that differs from your regular one. Play around with square photos, 180° rotation or whatever else you can come up with. Once you get out of the familiar artistic routine, you will be able to perceive the world from another angle and get creative.

5. Quit Social Media Temporarily

Social networks can serve as an excellent source of photography inspiration or lead to a complete lack of it. If you use social networks without critical thinking, you may start comparing yourself to other photographers, which will be a total waste of time and effort.

While it may be one of the hardest photography assignments these days, taking a hiatus from social networks is highly important. Log off your Instagram account for some time or uninstall apps that leave you in a bad mood.

In case your job requires staying online on a daily basis, devote some of your time to non-Internet tasks, like taking pictures or gaining knowledge on photography. I suggest taking some online photography courses .

6. Shoot Every Day for a Month

If you wish to become a better photographer , you shouldn’t stop shooting. By taking pictures constantly, you will receive more feedback and will be interacting more actively with the world.

One of the most widespread photography class assignments is to take one picture each day for a month. Do it with the help of the smartphone, DSLR camera or any device that can photograph. But don’t take meaningless pictures just because you have to. The shots you take should resonate with you in one way or another and be valuable to you.

The Zen masters suggest that you have a “daily practice.” When we repeat something, we become closer to recognizing the “truth”. You may read a great number of photo theory books , but you won’t be able to shoot properly. Only through practice, repetition, feedback and constructive criticism, you can grow as a photographer. Remember that this assignment is about forming a habit, not about taking a perfect picture each day.

7. Experiment with a Completely Different Genre

The array of photography genres is truly vast. Underwater photography , glamour, smartphone, landscape photography , portrait photography – that’s only a beginning. If you feel like you are losing interest in photography, switch to another genre.

Try staying away from your primary photography genre for a while. In case you shoot portraits, go outside and capture the area where you live in. If you are involved in photographing pets , play around with self-portraiture. By getting familiar with various photography genres, you are widening your photography horizons and gaining new knowledge that may come in useful one day.

8. Put Together a Photo Album

photography assignments you must practice

We live in a digital world, and even nowadays’ photography comes mostly in a digital form. We constantly find ourselves sharing our photos online. It is a rare thing to print photographs, even touch them, let alone create something physical out of them.

That’s why one of the greatest photography tasks is to compile a photo album. You can buy one at a store or online. Print the desired shots in the small 4×6 size. I suggest collaborating on this task with your friend, child or partner. Think of the main idea, theme or story of the album. Put all the printed shots on a surface and consider how you will lay them out in an album, how you will pair them and in what sequence.

No wonder that our parents and elderly relatives used to create a photo book together. It is a nice way to preserve precious memories in a physical form and bring back the moments that we sometimes tend to forget over time.

9. Take Creative Self-Portraits with a Friend

While you may enjoy your own company while taking self-portraits, you may feel bored or lonely after some time. In this case, you can implement one of the most entertaining photography assignment ideas and take self-portraits with a friend (pets are welcome as well!).

Don’t forget to think through the poses, set up the tripod and find the perfect photography light. As you will be engaged in all these activities, you will be able to get a hang of a photographer’s workflow. Then, when it comes to a real photo shoot with the clients, you will be more skilled at dealing with the camera and lights.

10. Attend a Photography Workshop

Photography workshops is an excellent investment in your education as a photographer and one of the most helpful beginner photography assignments.

Pick a workshop that is dedicated to the topic relevant for you. Thanks to workshops, you will get not only theoretical but also practical information. Also, you will have your questions answered by real professionals.

11. Photograph the Same Person or Object Every Day

In case you aren’t as excited about photography as before, try capturing one and the same person or object each day for a week or month. Similar to the smartphone photography challenge, as a result, you will realize the importance of having the freedom to photograph anything you wish.

While snapping pictures of the same object, you will boost your lighting skills. To make the shots differ from each other, don’t hesitate to play around with various types of lighting and photo editing apps .

12. Go a Month Without Using Social Media

Being the photographer of the 21st century, you may find yourself in the never-ending trap of feeling the need to post photos on social networks each day. It all turns into some sort of addiction – all you crave is likes, comments and new followers. If you don’t receive the online praise you need, your photography stops making sense.

In fact, photography is something you should pursue on your own. What truly matters here is your personal thoughts on your shots, not the opinion of users online. Simply uninstall all the social network applications from the smartphone (you can bring them back once the assignment is over). Posting photos and looking through photos of others is prohibited.

If you manage to stay away from social networks for a month, you will acquire a clearer purpose of your photography work. Besides, you won’t be so obsessed with the imaginary social network competition that everyone seems to be involved in.

13. Shoot with a Limited Amount of Equipment

Regardless of whether you are an experienced, amateur or a beginner photographer , you are likely to be after all sorts of photography gear to enhance your results.

How about photography assignments where you have to use a restricted amount of shooting equipment? You can photograph strictly with one camera body or camera lens . There is no need to do it for an entire month.

For this assignment, I suggest coming up with a plan, and do it, for instance, only once a week. Working with the same gear every day will give you more flexibility in both the creative and physical aspects of the process.

So, in case you deal only with a zoom lens, you will have to experiment whenever you shoot indoors . With a wide-angle lens only, you will need to work on cropping and correcting distortions.

14. Limit Yourself to X Photos a Day

Similar to the previous assignment, limiting yourself to 10, 20, 30 or more shots per day, week or month will help you realize what your true creative needs are. Besides, with a photo limit, you will understand what subjects or scenes you are more inclined to photograph.

Another benefit of a photo limit is that it will bring more patience and creativity into the process. You won’t be able to take numerous pictures of one place, so you will be forced to risk and play around with various perspectives.

15. Take Photos with Your Smartphone Camera Only

Take pictures only with a smartphone camera for a week. For better results, download a top-notch camera app and try to figure out all of its settings. A modern smartphone will help beginning photographers get acquainted with the technical side of the shooting process.

To complicate the task, I suggest recreating some of your portfolio photos with the smartphone camera. With this assignment, you will learn all the intricacies of shooting with a smartphone and may even start taking shots not only with a standard camera but with a smartphone one as well on a regular basis!

Freebies for Photography Assignments

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52 photography projects: a great technique to try every week of the year

Our pick of the perfect weekend photography projects

Home photography projects
Outdoor photography projects
More outdoor photography projects
Long-term photography projects

Looking for photography projects to stimulate your creativity? Whether you’re a beginner who’s just learning the ropes or a seasoned snapper in need of inspiration, trying out a new technique can help you grow as a photographer. That’s why the list below features our pick of the best ideas to try with your camera.

From painting with light trails to capturing twilight landscapes, there are countless creative ways to use your camera and its lens. This round-up of our favorite weekend projects features suggestions to suit every skill level – whether you’re shooting with a smartphone or a ‘proper’ camera like a DSLR.

Some you can do from the comfort of you home, while others will have you heading out in search of specific scenes. Whether it’s a novel technique or an inventive suggestion for finding fresh subjects, every idea below has one thing in common: it should challenge you to try something different and find a fresh perspective.

Most of the projects can be attempted using the equipment you already own. Those that do require additional materials should all be achievable with pocket-money purchases – and if there’s any crafting involved, it should be well worth the effort when you see the results.

We’ve shared 52 of our favorite suggestions to do in 2022 below. Try them all and, in a year’s time, there’s a good chance you’ll be a better photographer, with a keener understanding of your camera and what it’s capable of. Plus you’ll be all set to attempt the final project: self-publishing a photo book.

The best home photography projects:

1. water drop art.

The basic idea with this project is to suspend a container of liquid and let drops fall through a small hole, then capture the resulting splash. Timing the shutter as the splash is created is everything. We achieved good results using two flashguns set to their lowest power (1/128th), an aperture of f/22 and water mixed with Xanthan gum to make a more viscous solution. We also used a SplashArt water drop kit from PhotoTrigger , which helped to regulate the size and frequency of the drops.

2. Indoor splash shots

For this project you'll need a flashgun that you can fire remotely, a container with clear sides for your water, a coloured background and a tripod. Set up the container and backdrop, then position the flash over the container. With the camera on a tripod and set to manual focus and exposure - f/8, ISO200 and the fastest shutter speed that will work with your flash - drop the object into the water and fire the shutter as it hits.

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3. Shapes of bokeh

Out-of-focus orbs of light can add magic to any image, but the bokeh effect needn’t be limited to standard circles. From love hearts to stars, a simple cutout filter can transform background sparkles into brilliant shapes.

Using your lens cap as a guide, draw a circle on a piece of card. Cut out the circle, score a small shape in the centre using scissors or a craft knife, then push the card onto the front of your lens (or attach it with an elastic band). When you next shoot a scene, any unfocused light will take the form of your shape.

Use a wide aperture to maximize the effect and remember that, as the filter restricts the amount of light entering your lens, you’ll want to set a longer exposure or higher ISO. Try simple shapes such as triangles to get started, before progressing to stars, hearts, crosses and more.

4. Create smoke art

Smoke trails are a firm favourite among still-life photographers. But how about taking it to the next level and using the shapes in a creative Photoshop project. Once you've taken a few good smoke art photos, make a blank document in Photoshop, then copy and paste one of the smoke images into it. Set the blending mode to Screen and use Warp Transform to reshape it. Continue the process to combine a range of smoke shots into a new image.

5. DIY lightbox

Lightboxes are used to illuminate objects evenly against a plain background, often for the purposes of product or food photography. Luckily, you don’t have to have a pro budget to make one at home. All you need is a cardboard box, some white paper and a table lamp.

Remove the top flaps, stand the box on one end and cut window holes in either side. Line the box with a single, seamless piece of white paper and cover the holes with thin paper or fabric, taped in place. Then it’s as simple as positioning a desk lamp on one or both sides: the paper will diffuse the light, evenly illuminating whatever object you put inside.

Or for an even simpler setup, use a single piece of paper as the backdrop, with one white wall made from card, and position near a window (as pictured). Experiment with aperture and shutter speed to shoot subjects with totally white backgrounds or some shadow for a sense of perspective. Then mix things up with color backgrounds. If the quality is high enough, you could list your images for sale on a stock photography website to earn some lockdown pocket money.

6. Lubricate your lens

Want to give your housebound portraits added glow? If you have a spare lens filter lying around, try an old Hollywood trick: smear a layer of Vaseline on the glass to give your images a soft, dreamy look, keeping aperture wide to emphasize the ethereal effect with a shallow depth of field.

Get experimental by leaving the middle of the filter free from Vaseline to create a halo effect, with the centre in clear focus but the outer elements blurry and soft. Don’t want to sacrifice a filter? Stretch cling-film tight across the lens and keep it in place with an elastic band, before using the Vaseline in the same way. If you’re not into portraits, try the effect when shooting a light source for a unique style of diffusion.

7. Make your own filters

It’s no secret that color is a major element of any image, but you don’t need expensive filters or editing software to experiment with saturation. In fact, you don’t even need to leave your home: all manner of household objects can function as color filters to bring new hues to your photography – and to transform mundane moments into brighter snaps.

Attach tissue paper to your lens with an elastic band for an instant change of scene, or try shooting through thin fabric with a light source placed behind. Too easy? Take a snap through a laundry capsule for a liquid tone adjustment or use a whisky bottle for sepia shades with a hint of distortion. Petals are pretty effective, too, as are translucent sweet wrappers.

8. Try cross-polarization

This fun project exploits the effect that polarised light has on some plastics. You'll need two polarising filters - ideally one of these should be a sheet of polarising film. You can pick up an A4 sheet of Lee 239 polarising film for £50 (try www.robertwhite.co.uk or www.pnta.com ). The sheet of film should be placed on a lightbox or in front of the only light source. An iPad screen and most computer screens have a polarising filter built in, so if you don't have a sheet of polarising film you can always experiment by creating a white document to fill the screen. Simply attach the circular polariser to the camera lens and rotate it to make the colours appear in clear plastic items

9. Food landscapes

Spice up your food photography! All you need is a set of model figures - Hornby 00 gauge figures are perfect, as they're available in a wide range of poses. Preiser has a great range too. The most important aspect is to establish a sense of narrative. Here you can see that there's a conversation between the characters, with the mountaineer on the 'mash face' being helped by his colleagues on the ground.

10. Fine-art food

Try turning your dinner ingredients into photo art using just a lightbox and a very sharp knife. Slice fruit and vegetables as thinly and evenly as possible, then place them on the lightbox. With the camera positioned directly above, use Live View to focus manually on the details. Set an aperture of f/8 to give adequate depth of field, and dial in some exposure compensation of +1 to +3 stops as the bright light can fool the camera's meter into underexposure.

11. Flowers in ice

A relatively inexpensive way of taking 'kitchen sink' close-ups that look great blown up as wall art. Freeze flowers in plastic containers of distilled or de-ionised water (available through your local auto or hardware store). The flowers will float, so try to weigh them down or fasten them in place so that they freeze under the water. Place the block of ice on top of a clear bowl or glass in a white sink or plate, so that the light can bounce through from below. Position a flashgun off to one side, angled down towards it, and shoot from the opposite side.

12. Abstracts in oil

Oil floating on the surface of water is a great way to make striking abstracts. This table-top photo project exploits the refractive quality of oil and bubbles to accentuate and distort colours. All you need to do is place a few drops of cooking oil on the surface of water in a glass dish. Make sure the dish is supported about 25cm about the table top, then place coloured paper under it and use an anglepoise lamp or flashgun to light the paper.

13. Play with fire

It doesn’t take a pyromaniac to see the photographic potential of fire, but it does take patience, skill and plenty of precautionary measures to capture a stunning action shot of a match igniting. If you’d rather not risk singeing your fingertips, try a different type of flame photography.

Shooting by candlelight alone can lead to magical results. As with any single source of light, it allows you to experiment extensively with shadows – especially if you’re capturing a portrait – while the soft, warm tone and flicker of the flame both contribute to an especially ethereal effect.

In a darkened room, try shooting with a medium-high ISO and a relatively slow shutter speed. Start with just a candle and your subject, before introducing additional elements and playing with positioning. A nearby wall, for example, will throw the candlelight back in different ways, while glass will add to the magic with fiery reflections

Tweak shutter speed to affect the strength of shadows or try adding further flames – though you might need to adjust the white balance if things look more yellow than mellow.

14. Repaint the walls with camera obscura

Familiar with pinhole photography? That technique relies on camera obscura – a natural optical effect that occurs when a small hole in an otherwise sealed space (such as a box) projects an inverted image of the world outside onto the opposite wall. You could make a pinhole camera as an at-home project, or you could go even bigger: with the right setup, you can create the camera obscura phenomenon in an entire room.

First, you’ll need to black out a room – for example, by taping opaque sheets over your windows. Then you’ll need to make an aperture through which light can enter; the smaller the hole, the sharper but dimmer the image. Camera obscura works best in small/medium rooms, with an aperture of around 10-15mm diameter. Allow your eyes to adjust and determine whether you need to brighten the image by making a larger hole, then marvel as an inverted version of the outside world appears on the wall.

Capture the entirety of this remarkable natural effect using a wide angle, a relatively long exposure and a tripod, or focus on specific elements of your room to emphasis the effect – such as houses appearing to float upside down on your mantelpiece.

15. Camera tossing

Chucking your precious photographic equipment into the air might sound like something designed to void the warranty, but – provided you’re not too clumsy – camera tossing can deliver some truly spectacular results. Try it in a dark room with a single light source. Set a shutter speed of around one second (roughly the length of time it’ll be in the air) and, as the timer hits zero, launch it upwards. Catching it is the important part, but once you’re comfortable with the technique you can experiment with multiple light sources, different colors and even spinning your camera as you release it.

16. Psychedelic soap film

This is a wonderful project that makes for vibrant desktop wallpaper or abstract wall art. You'll need liquid soap mixed with glycerine for long-lasting soap film, plus a wire loop, a black cloth background and a macro lens of at least 100mm. The colours created by soap film only appear when hit by light from a certain angle, so set up near a north-facing window and shoot from around 45 degrees.

17. Refractive art

Light bends when it passes through water, causing the objects behind to change appearance. This is called refraction, and you'll make use of this phenomenon in this arty photo project. All you need is a few glasses, a flashgun, a tripod and a black-and-white pattern print. Simply place the pattern in the background with the glasses in front. Fill them with different levels of water and move the pattern backwards or forwards to fine-tune the effect.

18. Kitchen close-ups

Your kitchen is an ideal location for shooting a macro project. Its reflective surfaces can be used to create interesting backgrounds for your shots, and a shallow depth of field can transform the most mundane of objects you'll find there. Creating a triptych of images can result in a piece of fantastic wall art for your kitchen too, although it's important to think about how they're going to work together before you start shooting. Here, 3 objects - a fork, a bowl of cereal and coffee granules - were all shot from a similar angle, with the impression of height linking the sequence.

19. Invert the world with a crystal ball

Shoot through a crystal ball and, while you won’t see into the future, you will capture an inverted version of the scene behind the orb. Just as light is refracted when it passes through the glass elements of a lens, the same thing happens with a glass sphere. There are dedicated photography balls on the market, but the effect can often be achieved using a clear marble or even a paperweight. Nothing suitable? A water-filled wine glass can also work.

All sorts of subjects look good through an orb, from sunsets and cityscapes to abstract items and even portraits. Try shooting with a macro lens to fill the frame with the sphere, or with a wider angle to include some of the scene behind. To really play with perspectives, rotate the image with editing software so that the background is inverted but the scene in the orb is the right way up. You can also incorporate elements that support the ball into the image, such as hands, bowls or miscellaneous objects.

20. Still-life bokeh

Something as simple as a crumpled piece of foil can be the basis for a creative photo project. Position a still-life subject on a sheet of glass with a piece of dark material underneath it. Scrunch up the kitchen foil then smooth it back out and place it in the background. Shine a table lamp or torch on the foil and, with a tripod mounted camera, dial in the lens's widest aperture to create some beautiful ' bokeh '. During the exposure, shine a flashlight onto the subject.

21. Play with shadows

Photography is fundamentally about capturing light, which is exactly why shadows can be so powerful. They can create contrast with lighter parts of a composition or add texture to an otherwise plain subject. They can even be manipulated to tell a story. Incorporating shadows into your images will challenge you to think not just about the objects within a scene, but how things outside of the frame can affect the light that falls within it.

To play with shadows, all you need is a light source and a solid object to block it. This could be something natural, such as the shadow of a tree cast by sunlight. Equally, it could be something man-made, such as the outline of a street sign created by a car’s headlights. Or it could be something you create yourself: try playing puppet-master by shining a torch and dancing your hand in front of it.

You can also invert this idea by shooting a subject which is predominantly in shadow and experimenting with how splashes of light fall upon it.

22. Still life light trails

Light trails can be used in all kinds of photography, but they're perfect for a creative still life project. You can use a regular Maglite torch, but try removing the end to reveal the bulb and make the light more direct. Use some electrical tape to attach a coloured sweet wrapper, which you can use as a makeshift 'gel'. Set the canera's shutter speed to around 30 secs with an aperture of around f/8, then start moving the torch within the frame before pressing the shutter. Continue the movement throughout the exposure. Here, we suspended the torch from a piece of string and made a gentle circular movement to create a spiral around the bottle.

23. Light spirals

You'll need to attach a torch, suspended by string, to an open area of ceiling. Fit the widest lens you have on your camera, and mount it on a tripod pointing straight up. With the light turned on, autofocus on the tip of the torch and set the lens to manual focus to lock the setting in. With an aperture of f/11 or f/16 dialled in, use Bulb mode and a remote release to keep the shutter open for a minute or so as you send the torch spinning in the dark…

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Photo Books

Wedding invitations, 65+ photography project ideas you can start today.

Written by Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Dec 8, 2020

Do you want to sharpen your skills, learn fresh techniques or just have fun with your camera? Photography projects help you accomplish all three.

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Through themed projects, you can capture unique images that follow a certain framework or style. Your project can last a week, month or year—depending on how in depth you’d like to go. To offer you inspiration, we’ve compiled 68 creative photography projects that are appropriate for all skill levels.

Once you’ve completed your project, be sure to create a photo book with your images or select your favorite for a canvas print .

1. Self Portrait

By switching the focus from other subjects to yourself as the subject, your photography takes on a whole new perspective. When setting up your shot, choose a landmark item to use as a stand-in until you’re ready to jump in the frame.

Play with auto and manual focus with your stand-in until you get the shot just right. Then, enter the scene using the timer option.

For the wisdom project, the goal is to gather photographs of those who have offered you wisdom or a helpful perspective. You might feature grandparents or mentors—or be inclined to include young ones who have provided you a fresh angle on life.

Aim to capture individuals in their natural state, especially if it’s in a location where they shared a special moment with you.

3. Candid Photo

Photographing someone in their natural state allows for their true personality to shine through. With a candid photography project, incorporate a range of human subjects for a diverse collection, or capture the same subject across different settings and days.

Building a portfolio of several candids allows you to paint a vivid persona of your subjects.

4. Street Style Photography

Authentic street style photography allows you to snag shots of the latest fashion—all without the strut of the runway. Look for colors first (either eye-catching or stunningly neutral), then watch for the cut and structure of the clothes.

Aim for overall beauty within the frame, including the street or walkway, so the focus isn’t solely on the clothes.

5. All About The Details

Create a collection of shots with unique subjects that focus on the details. Whether the photos are for an engagement , graduation or everyday occasion, you can take portraits of smaller details, like wisps of hair, relaxed hands and prominent features. Making your subjects feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera is the first priority. Plan a single shoot for various angles to help capture what looks best on a given day or moment.

6. Natural Element

Plan for your gallery of photos to include candid shots of the subject in their element. Whether they love the beach or like to craft, you can capture your subject in their favorite space or place to go.

If a subject feels awkward in front of the camera, have him or her lean against something vertical, like a fence, wall or car. They’ll feel more anchored and their body angle will offer the photo some character without seeming unnatural.

7. Pet Photography

From cats to dogs to horses, the heart and soul of your pets can be captured with the right technique. Incorporate natural light in your shoot keep watch of your pet’s eyes. Expressions and personality often shine through and it’s a great time to capture these moments.

8. Motherhood

Being a mother is one of life’s greatest gifts. When we’re parents, beautiful moments take place along with messy and chaotic ones. Encapsulate the full spectrum of motherhood with photos from quiet moments like snuggling with your child to lively times like cooking together in the kitchen.

With any photography project, it’s important that your images tell a story.

9. Panoramic Pictures

A popular technique for landscapes, panoramic photography enlarges the viewpoint beyond the normal size of a camera lens. To ensure there are no gaps in your panoramic shot, overlap your image by 15-30%.

You’ll also want to keep your camera as level as possible to ensure the photo is even throughout. Don’t forget that panos work well for vertical shots, too, like waterfalls and deep canyons.

10. Sunsets Photos

Sunsets make for stunning photos—especially when executed well. For maximum beauty, be sure to slightly underexpose the sunset for rich and dramatic colors. Use manual mode and a fast shutter speed for underexposure, or use aperture priority with exposure compensation.

Make your sunset even more magnificent by arranging an object or scene in the foreground of the sunset, like a lake or mountain.

Mist and fog are natural elements that can enhance the beauty of your photography. Check the weather to determine when fog might pop up. Oftentimes the best lighting for fog photos occurs in the wee hours of the morning or late in the evening after sunset. The low lighting causes a slower shutter speed, which means a shakier camera.

Keep your camera as still as possible or use a tripod. The best places for foggy photos? Open bodies of water and other sweeping landscapes like fields and low rolling hills.

12. Cityscapes

Hovering skyscrapers and diverse skylines are part of what makes cityscapes such attractive photography. For a cityscapes project, try different vantage points across the city to see what works best (think: a popular lookout compared with a more secret locale).

Prepare for an after sunset shoot, allowing the city lights to pop against the dark sky. Remember to use a wide angle lens to cover as much ground as possible.

13. Water (Rain, Ocean)

Whether you’re hoping to create scenes of smooth, flowing water or capture dynamic waves crashing against a seawall, it’s critical to have better than average camera equipment. For nearly every water shot, a tripod is also essential to keep the frame still for the length of the exposure (usually two to four seconds).

Pack along a lens-friendly cloth to remove splashes and water marks. Plan to get wet if you’re banking on a stunning water shot.

14. Seasons

Each season offers its own charms—from snowy branches to colored leaves. Select a location for your seasons project where you’ll snap photos throughout all four seasons. Once the year is complete, you’ll have a collection of stunning images that tell the story of your special place over the course of a year.

15. Star Trails

Spectacular from edge to edge, star trails photography is an adventure to shoot. The first step is to find a clear sky full of stars, but free of pollution and other light interference. Anchoring your camera on a tripod, set your camera to shoot on manual mode. The faster the lens you have, the better.

Once you have your shot prepared, select drive mode for consecutive shots rather than a single frame. With your remote, let your camera take photos for thirty minutes up to a few hours, depending on the length of star trails you’re creating.

Capturing still images with a remote-controlled drone opens up the options for angles and perspectives in your photography. Consider sending a drone above a beach, golf course or mountaintop.

Increase the altitude of your drone for a more impressive viewpoint and try GPS mode for a more stable shot.

17. Food Photography

As a still life technique, food photography requires a few main ingredients: good lighting, props and style. Place your items near natural lighting or use a flash to give the photo a balanced look. When it comes to the arrangement, consider adding in table setting details like plates and silverware.

Amplify the photo’s texture with decorative pieces like colorful fruits and sprigs of herbs. For a well-rounded food photography project, shoot a variety of foods and dishes.

18. Black and White Month

Instead of using the full color spectrum, this project idea prompts you to capture images in black and white only. Two-toned photography provides a different perspective or feel to your work, and gives you a chance to highlight people, places and objects in a novel way.

For instance, a close-up of hands be enticing when displayed in color, but in black and white, the image paints the story that all humankind is united.

19. Everyday Moments

Photos that showcase a slice of regular life contain a certain genuine beauty. When preparing for everyday moment shots, make sure subjects are comfortable. People should interact as if you aren’t even present.

The true magic happens when you’re able to capture two people’s true connection.

20. Random Acts of Kindness

The random acts of kindness project prompts you to capture someone doing something thoughtful or helpful for another person. By photographing these moments, you’re telling a larger story of humanity.

To be successful in this project, you’ll need to keep a keen eye out for small acts of generosity, like a young man holding the door or a little girl smiling at a stranger.

21. Shoes For a Week

Narrow your photography focus for a week by capturing different styles of footwear. From boots to sandals to athletic shoes, diversify your image collection. Be sure to utilize a range of angles to create unique stories for each photo (i.e. a guy lounging with shoes on, two people talking while standing, a woman running).

22. Comfort Zone Challenge

Pushing the limits of your creativity often leaves you with impressive and surprising results. With the comfort zone challenge, throw caution to the wind and experiment without expectations.

Maybe that means you’ll shoot a paragliding experience, a fireworks explosion or animals in action. When you’re snapping shots, play around with your shutter speed, aperture, focal length and movement.

23. 30 Strangers

Taking a photo of someone whom you’ve only just met can be thrilling. It can also be personally and professionally rewarding. Through the 30 strangers project, you’ll capture 30 portraits of people you’ve never met before. Find people on the street, in a shopping mall or at a park.

Be sure to ask each person’s consent first before posting publicly. The 30 strangers challenge will certainly stretch you outside of your artistic comfort zone.

24. Duotone

Duotone photography refers to a multitone production of an image, usually imposed through photo editing techniques. The superimposition of a contrasting color halftone (normally black) over another color halftone enhances the middle tones of an image.

Photographs with one main object, like a flower, seashell or tree, are ideal for creating duotone effects.

25. Perspective

Perspective photography can take many forms: those shot from a low angle, ones with strong leading lines and those that look straight up into the sky. Whether your scene is a railroad track or skyscraper, your image should emphasize the angle and the unique perspective you’re hoping to give the viewer.

Train your eye to notice patterns, lines and reflections you can capture from different angles.

Not only is coffee delicious and rejuvenating, it’s also a work of art. Collaborate with a barista on a latte design or the type of mug to use. Choose a simple backdrop so the coffee remains the focal point.

A dark backdrop is best if you’re aiming to capture the steam rolling off of a warm drink.

27. Create a Photo Album

Let your memories last forever by creating a photo album for a recent vacation, an adventurous summer or a year filled with fun. Design your photo album with a theme in mind to build cohesion. Vary your layouts from page to page for texture and personality.

28. Traffic Lights

When photographing traffic lights and other light trails, the best time is during or after twilight on a night when minimal wind is present. Based on your camera angle and objects, you’ll need to adjust and experiment with your settings.

Often times, shutter priority mode is ideal along with a shutter speed of six seconds. Make stability a non-issue with a tripod, and remember you won’t be using a flash.

29. Happy Days

Allow joy to take the center stage of your photos. Whether they’re candid shots of family members interacting or a single subject, make sure the smiles are natural. Enhance the happiness level by highlighting the subject with ample natural lightening.

30. Photo Scavenger Hunt

Challenge yourself and your fellow photographers by setting up a photo scavenger hunt . Rather than choosing objects and locations to capture, create a list of photography styles to achieve. For instance, your list might include building a motion blur or catching a clear action shot. At the end of your hunt, you’ll have a collection of impressive photographs.

31. Night Scenes

Night scenes, also known as low light photography, allow you to make the most of dark scenes that are hard to capture. When less light is present, it means you’ll also have slower shutter speeds, which equals more camera shake. For this reason, landscapes and long exposures at night time require tripods.

Whether you’re shooting special moments around the campfire or gazing up at the stars, utilize a wide aperture or a low f-number to let in as much light as possible.

32. Polaroids

Polaroids offer a timeless feel and give photos a natural frame. When creating a collection of polaroids, be sure to switch up your angles and perspectives. Try a few upclose shots of objects along with macro shots of mountains and lakes.

For polaroids with human subjects, allow for plenty of natural light and aim for candids.

33. Letters/Signs

With any inanimate object, the challenge with photography is to bring it to life. With letters and signs, try to enrich the shot with the surrounding scene whether it’s greenery or a neat light fixture. Angle your lens in a way that makes the lettering most striking.

Build a full photography project with at least five to ten different signs.

34. Action Shots

To nail a clear action shot—for sports, animals or anything else—the most important aspect is to be prepared. Consider pre-focusing your shot, so when the subject enters the frame, you’re ready.

Because it may take several shots to capture even one solid photo, shoot in short bursts for a few seconds at a time. Keep extra space at either edge of your frame to allow for your subject’s movement.

35. Abstract

Fundamental to abstract photography are lines and curves. The shapes you highlight will guide the viewer’s eye to a certain engaging element. To get up close and personal with an object or design, use a macro lens. With the macro, your photo composition will have clearer resolution and sharpness. Complete your project by gathering a collection of abstract photo pieces.

36. New Lens

Your camera equipment plays a large role in your work as a photographer. Your tools, like your lenses, can fundamentally change the structure your art.

To sharpen your skills, try using a single lense for an entire month. Ideally, the lense will be new to you—allowing you to master the new tool and broaden your photography skills.

37. Architecture

Photographing architecture—whether modern or classic—presents unique challenges. Consider capturing an array of building styles for your portfolio and don’t forget to mix up your angles. Vary your shots by choosing a different weather conditions and times of day.

Through your diversity of shots, you’ll have richer story of the buildings’ relationship with the environment.

38. Thankful

To enhance your gratitude and happiness, consider completing a thankful project where you take one photo every day of something you’re grateful for. From flowers to pets to family members, find subjects that have personal meaning to you.

By capturing what you’re thankful for, you connect deeper with the people, places and things that surround you.

39. Sunday Mornings

Whether you’re enjoying a cup of coffee or a good book, snap a photo every Sunday morning for one month or a year. Capturing everyday occurrences through photography is a form of artistic journaling, helping you to document life’s big and small moments.

40. Top View

The angle of your shot makes all the difference in how appealing and engaging it is. Try a series of photos where your perspective comes from the top. Amp up the creativity by getting higher for your shoot and using a wide angle lens.

A busy environment, like a packed street or active household, can become a striking composition when using a top view perspective because it offers necessary distance from the cluttered setting.

41. Guilty Pleasures

We all have foods and activities we love despite feeling that they might not be held in high regard. Perhaps your guilty pleasure is cream-filled donuts or binge watching reruns of your favorite sitcom.

Collecting images of your guilty pleasures will likely bring you humor and levity, knowing that these items are a part of you, but they don’t necessarily define you.

42. Silhouettes

Forming a distinct contrast between light and dark, silhouettes highlight one or multiple subjects. Ensure your subject is backlit with the sun behind them. The best times to shoot silhouettes are in the morning or late evening.

Build a stunning image by setting the scene with open space, like in a field or along the beach. Set up your camera angle facing the sun, then ask your subject to stand between the sun and you. Play around with the exact angle until you have a strong contrast.

Create a collection of photos shot with prism filters on your lens or by placing a prism in front of your lens. The light that dances off of the prism will add creative effects to your photography by dispersing light before it hits the camera. Secure your camera on a tripod so you can have your hands free to play with the prism and lighting.

Prism photography can include large subjects like nature scenes and architecture or smaller objects like books and candles.

44. Symmetry

Finding subjects that offer you symmetry is the foundational step for this photography project idea. Look for symmetry in architecture and nature, but don’t leave out human and animals subjects. Smaller details, like hands or feet, often make for the perfect symmetrical photo.

Bokeh photography is denoted by one unique characteristic: a blur produced in the out-of-focus area of an image. The blur, produced by a lens, helps direct the focus of the photo. A fast lens is necessary to achieve this technique, with at least an f/2.8 aperture.

With a wide open lens, you can create bokeh with subjects like butterflies, humans and fencing around a baseball field. These photos are perfect for framing around your home .

46. Action Figures

Due to their size, action figures are easy to rearrange and shoot from multiple angles. Bring the scene to life by having the figures interact with each other. If you’re looking for an extra challenge, tell a story through your action figures, like one you would find in a comic book. Include action shots against a simple backdrop.

47. Steel Wool

Although it may seem like steel wool photography would require expensive equipment, it is a surprisingly inexpensive technique. For this project, you’ll need the following: a camera, lens, tripod, shutter cable, steel wool, string, stainless steel whisk, lighter and protective gloves. In a dark location—away from combustible items and other people—burn steel wool that’s loosely packed in a whisk.

As the steel wool burns, spin the whisk either vertically or horizontally to create the desired effect. The burning will only last about ten seconds, so you’ll want to set up for at least five seconds of exposure time. Steel wool photography creates wild and interesting images, but be sure to follow safety precautions to avoid hazards.

To enhance your skills and test out a nifty shooting technique, try macro photography on tiny subjects like insects, match-heads and flowers. Keeping your budget in mind, choose a magnification lens that lets you make super small items appear larger than life. For your macro project, vary your subjects.

Consider nature’s smallest members, miniature household items and up close shots of human elements for your portfolio.

49. Double Exposure

Double exposure, also known as multiple exposure, is a technique that combines two images in a single image. By using double exposure, you can create a distinct effect like a mirror image or ghost-like presence. The layering technique can be done with or without photoshop, depending on your equipment and skill set.

50. Escapism

Photography, like any type of art, can be a form of escapism. Through the camera, we can create images that help us step out of reality and into our daydreams. Prepare for your escapism photography project by thinking of your ‘happy places’ or locations you go to get away.

After brainstorming, head to one of those locations and shoot scenes that offer a mystical aura—whether it’s birds fluttering in the forest or the clouds lifting off of the mountains.

51. Shadow Art

Just as light is a critical element to photography, so is darkness. With shadow art, the focus is placed on the subject as it blocks light from reaching a surface, like a sidewalk or table. Experiment with the angle, distance and size of your light source to alter the intensity and scale of your shadows.

Consider humans as your subjects, but inanimate objects, too, like musical instruments, buildings and action figures.

52. Texture

From brick walls to tiled roofs to wooden fences, textures are all around us. Complete a photo challenge where you take one shot of a textured surface every day. Turn on your auto focus to ensure the object is in perfect focus. Adjust your distance from the subject based on how much detail you want in your image. This idea is perfect if you’re also looking for creative Instagram photo ideas .

Aim for a ninety degree angle when you shoot the image so your texture is lined up straight with the camera.

53. 365 Wardrobe

On each day of the year, snap photos of your clothes before you begin the day. Arrange them differently—sometimes orderly, sometimes more carelessly—to gain a sense of how your mood changed from day to day. Remember to include accessories like purses, shoes, belts and headbands.

54. Suspend Time

Photography is a powerful art medium: it can even pause time. Whether you’re suspending an item with a fishing line or taking a shot of someone jumping, you can create the look of time being stopped. Start this photography project by choosing three items or people you’d like to suspend.

55. Balloons

Bursting with color or more neutral tones, balloons make for versatile props. Let helium balloons off into the sky and capture photos as they float up. Surround the birthday girl with balloons in an otherwise empty room. Or tie a balloon to a child’s wrist and photograph them as they wander through a park.

56. Hotel Carpet

If you travel frequently, the hotel carpet project may be the right kind of fun for you. Next time you’re walking through a hotel lobby, glance down at the carpet beneath your feet. All sorts of patterns and colors are used in hotel carpets across the world. Take a snapshot (ideally at a 90-degree angle) of each carpet for a collection that will help you remember all of the places you’ve been.

Across neighborhoods and cities, doors provide insight to each home’s character. For this photography project, set out on an adventure to collect as many styles and sizes of doors as possible. Choose a macro approach, where the whole door makes the shot, or go micro by narrowing the frame to door handles and styles of wood.

58. Juxtaposition

To build juxtaposition in your photographs, place two opposite subjects next to one another. Like a blue ocean and a green forest, the contrast between the two is noticeable yet stunning. Types of juxtaposition might include a person and their shadow or a thin item next to a thicker item. For this photography project, try several contrasting subjects or locations.

Photos full of irony can be humorous or thought-provoking. Maybe you snap an image of a tow truck hauling another tow truck or you notice a descriptive sign in a place that doesn’t quite seem to fit. When it comes to ironic photos, a keen eye is needed along with a quick wit.

60. Fairy Lights

Fairy lights make for beautiful focal points. You can wrap the lights around a tree, weave them between human subjects or fill mason jars with them. Build a larger scene by ensuring no backdrop distractions are present or capture the fairy lights up close.

Regardless of what subjects and scenes you decide to shoot, proper exposure is crucial.

For this photography project, choose smoke as your primary accent. Incense sticks are easy to use and allow you to play with various colors. Your setup should ensure ample ventilation for the smoke to escape the room. Some photographers merge two photographs (one of the smoke and one of the object) to design a special scene, like one of a toy train blowing smoke or a tea kettle steaming.

62. Vintage Cars

From sporty models to classic town cars, vintage vehicles never go out of style. Look for vintage makes at car rallies and exhibitions, although sometimes you’ll come across them in your everyday happenings. The golden hours, right after sunrise or right before sunset, are ideal for shooting cars. Highlight specific parts, like bumpers, trunks and hoods for diverse perspectives.

63. Faces In Things

You’ve probably seen images that double as a face and another object. In this photography project, you’ll create a similar effect. Take a close look at nature, food and furniture to locate hidden human faces. Compile as many faces as you can, and see if your friends can guess what’s in the images.

Alter your perspective by shooting your subject through a picture frame. The frame technique works best outdoors where you can place ample distance between your lens and your subject. Consider creating scenes with a woman standing on the beach, a tree in an open field or a tall building at the end of a street.

65. Reflections

Any body of water—like a lake, river, pond or swimming pool—can act as your reflective tool for this photography project. You’ll want to avoid direct light on the water to eliminate glare. Practice using reflections on waterfront cityscapes or mountains overlooking a lake.

66. Take My Hand

When you can represent human connection in photography, the emotion of the image is strengthened. Head out on a hike or stroll through a garden to practice photographing two hands linked together.

67. Picception

A relatively new technique, picception images incorporate another camera or photo into the shot. It can be a picture-in-a-picture style or something more subtle like a photograph of someone taking a photograph. While often informal, picception shots can be formal if intentionally designed.

Often eye-catching, neon photos provide a stunning mix of light, shape and color. Whether you’re on the Vegas strip or exploring your hometown at night, take photos of neon signs with your camera’s evaluative meter exposure setting. Choose a low ISO of 200 or 100 to avoid noise. Be sure to place your camera on a tripod for stability.

No matter which photography projects you decide to complete, remember to enjoy the process and save copies of your photos. Design a themed calendar or metal print to showcase your results.

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Fun Photo Challenge Ideas To Try in 2024 (+ Websites)

Photo Challenges are a fun and exciting way to hone your photography skills, learn new techniques, and find inspiration. Here's how to get started.

Learn | By Kay Warner

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Trying a fun photo challenge is a creative way to refresh your techniques, learn new skills, or challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.

As a professional photographer, I participate in photography challenges when I may have a creative block or want to try new skills with others.

It helps me start my season with new energy and fun ideas.

Related: Famous photography project ideas to get you inspired

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Challenge?

Credit: Portuguese Gravity

A photo challenge is presented as a collection of creative prompts to complete, released in various intervals, sometimes with a set deadline to complete each photography challenge.

It asks photographers to pick up their camera and push creativity into each idea presented.

Fun photography challenges are a great way to hone one’s skills in photography and creative thinking.

The prompts can present challenges such as finding specific lighting, creating a self portrait, going out to capture the public in forms of street photography , or structural challenges like using negative space in a frame.

They sometimes even suggest using different camera types, alternate or modified lenses, or coming up with an eccentric idea for portraits.

I love a good photo challenge – to exercise your own portfolio and breath life into your photo routine, or connect and learn new techniques with others.

Participate and share your photo results with friends locally, or even in a challenge within an active community of photographers anywhere in the world.

110 Unique Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas & Challenges

How Does a Photo Challenge Work?

There are a lot of different takes on how a photo challenge can work.

The answer? There is no wrong way – being creative is the ultimate goal no matter what format the photo challenge is designed in.

All photo challenges start with… concepts.

These concepts are presented to the photographer to complete in their own creative way, within different suggested timeframes, with an end goal in mind (usually growth or inspiration).

For example, in a 30 day photo challenge, your photography skills are summoned every day for a month by a new interesting concept to complete. Other challenge intervals follow similar patterns.

Once completed, posting the photo results to others (especially others participating) is a great way to get feedback. I also find a lot of inspiration from viewing others’ results.

And even if you prefer not to post your photo challenge results anywhere, taking pictures and participating for yourself is always an option and can be a fun solo experience.

15 fun photo games to play today

Types of Photo Challenges

Photo challenge lists include everything from using specific light sources to taking self portraits – the main difference are the various intervals in the lists:

365 daily photo challenge – a challenge assigned on each day to complete
30 day photo challenge – 30 ideas are posted to complete, one each day of one month
5 day challenge – a short photo series of ideas posted for 5 days in a row during the week
single challenge – a single proposal of a challenge to complete (a great way to get acquainted with the process as it doesn’t require a long term commitment)
photography challenge lists – these types of photography challenges are not released in a set interval with others, but a list of challenge ideas to work at your own pace.
seasonal photo challenge – lists of photography ideas that are applicable to the activities (and weather) that come with the season
create a photo journal

Why Participate in a Photo Challenge?

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It’s important to continue experimenting and learning in your journey, whether you’re just learning photography or decades into your career.

All these artists (new or experienced) need a jumpstart of inspiration every once in a while – but they don’t know where to find it.

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When I have the equivalent to what writers would call a “block”, I can look to challenges to help open and discover perspectives that I would not have otherwise found using old habits.

While mentoring new photographers I have observed them discover new techniques by creating challenges for them as well.

Participating is meant to inspire photographers to procure new and different images then we normally produce.

The creators of the challenges also design them to broaden skillsets and bring photographers together in a fun activity.

3 Free Photography Challenge Sites

Credit: Sajad Nori

If you search the web, you’ll find a ton of challenge ideas and lists. These might be overwhelming to surf through.

Lucky for you, I’ve done some research and found just a few of the best free resources to get you started. Whether you want to become a better photographer or start thinking outside the box, these will get you started.

Kev MRC Travel

This list is meant for one purpose, and that claim is to make you a better photographer overall while using the provided challenge.

The author of this article gets straight to the point of fundamental skills and more basic daily photo challenges for 52 weeks without any fluff.

Challenges include basic parameters involving exposure, focus, taking a technically correct picture, creating useful images, and getting more comfortable taking all kinds of photos overall.

This is the best photo challenge if you want a no-frills challenge that’s easy to get started.

Anthony Epes Photography

If you prefer a more unique direction, this site is full of eccentric and suggestive language to foster creativity and new ideas.

The challenges listed here are more abstract, and great if you don’t want to feel like you are taking a photography course.

This challenge author has hope that you will have more original photos after completing.

In that website you will find suggestions on seeking light in alternate ways, experimenting in your settings like using a slow shutter speed , and using your camera as a medium of art.

This resource has a well rounded mix of challenge types listed, and covers most bases if you aren’t sure what kind of challenge you want to participate in.

5 Photography Challenges You Can Get Started on Right Away

Credit: Cody Scott Milewski

Challenge 1: Create a 5 photo series showing a change in a variable over a length of time

Photography is telling a story. If you break down the aspects of a story, you have variables that change from beginning to end.

This challenge is meant to help you recognize a variable and show how it changes, in imagery. There is no particular limit to the amount of time passing or which variable to capture in the frame.

Challenge 2: Capture an organic interaction between subjects

Another important skill used often, but forgotten just as often while holding a camera, is observation. To practice this skill, here’s one of the best photography challenge ideas you can try.

This challenge idea asks the artist to passively watch a subject while it/they interact with another subject, and capture the organic interaction without interfering.

I find that letting go of control and letting the scene tell the story helps me to sit back and relax. This in turn shows me new perspectives in my work.

Challenge 3: Use part of the environment to frame a subject

One of the tips I teach other photographers is to use the environment you’re working in to your advantage.

As an event photographer, most everything I’ve created has come from using the environment (or empty space of the environment) around me to frame my subject matter.

Use this challenge to pay attention to where you are and what your subject has around it, and include it in the frame in a creative and purposeful way.

Only including your main subject in your composures can get boring over time.

Challenge 4: Show motion with a fast moving subject

This photography challenge leaves room for artistic interpretation, but adds a challenge of conveying the idea of motion to viewers.

Subject can be people and animals, or objects, as long as you can tell the subject is moving in the image in any way.

Challenge 5: Fill the entire frame with the subject

Forcing myself to get creative with framing is one of my favorite ways to break myself out of my mundane workflow.

While doing event photography , I notice I may use the same photo framing throughout every photo in the series.

You can challenge yourself to get creative and break away from a boring frame by consciously trying new framing outlooks.

Try to photograph a subject, but instead of balancing your frame, fill the whole frame with only your subject and see what you come up with.

How Do You Create a Photo Challenge at Home?

Credit: Annie Sprat

Not every photo you take needs to be a day excursion. You can create a photography challenge at home too.

You have all of the elements of a photograph right there in your living quarters, or a short walk around the outside of your home.

There are subjects, environments, variant light, activity (whether things, people, or pets) and hopefully a camera.

Look around you while you try to think of useful photography skills and how you usually prepare for taking photos.

Then pair one of those ideas with a photo op you see around your home and experiment with light, focus, shutter speed, or movement.

Use the pictures you take to inspire a list of challenges around your home.

Post the list to share with friends, use them for daily Instagram posts, or to share tips to your photography community and get feedback on your photos.

Final Words

We all started this journey because we love photography and taking photos, or at least that’s why I did.

If you are in the beginning of your photography experience, learning can feel overwhelming. I find that practicing and discovering without pressure can help overcome that feeling.

Sometimes we can feel stuck in our learning rut, burnt out after a long season, or things get boring. This happens to everyone, and it’s temporary and fixable by adding a little excitement with new variables.

Sometimes I just need a new perspective. Try a photography challenge to do just that. Jump on the 30 day photo challenge above and just get out there and take pictures.

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

Includes limited-time discounts.

You'll Also Like These:

My name is Kay, and I’ve been documenting other people’s lives professionally for over 12 years. I love a challenge, so most times you’ll find me in the middle of a wedding or event if I’m not chasing around someone’s pet or coordinating some other form of chaos. I’m self taught, but I owe my practical knowledge to studying with my dad who was an engineer (Air Force and Ford Motor) first, and hobbyist photographer second. He taught me everything I know about photography from a technical standpoint, and I adapted it to other genre applications.

Hey https://shotkit.com,Great article I found some useful information from this article. Thank you for your great effort for your community.

We have a similar topic/blog site anyone can check out https://pathfoto.com/ .

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DIGITAL PHOTO MENTOR

Photography tips, tutorials and guides for Beginner and Intermediate Photographers.

10 Creative Photography Assignments to Inspire You Into Action

by Andrew S Gibson | Last Updated: November 8, 2022

Finding interesting things to photograph can be one of the most difficult things for a photographer to do.

You’re surrounded by potentially interesting subjects, but you might not realize it if you’re stuck for inspiration. I have been stuck, so I know what that feels like.

The good news is that the world is full of interesting ideas and subjects. All you have to do is find the good ones and develop them into personal photography projects that work for you.

Of course, wouldn’t be easier if you could find lots of ideas in one place?

That’s why I wrote an ebook called 100 Creative Photography Assignments . It gives you lots of ideas for projects that you can do close to home, without traveling to exotic locations.

The book is structured into 20 broad themes, with five assignments for each theme.

To give you a taste of what’s in the book, and to help you get inspired into action here are 10 of my favorite assignments. (The theme for each is shown in brackets after the assignment number and name)

Assignment 3: Urban trees (trees)

Humans have planted trees in formal gardens for centuries to bring nature into towns and cities. Photographing trees in urban environments gives you something that is different than traditional landscapes.

How can you explore the juxtaposition of man-made and natural items?

In the photo below, the tree, which is obviously well-cared for fits in perfectly with the historic home. The two go together, as intended.

But in other situations, you might find a jarring contrast between the natural and urban environments. That is called juxtaposition and it can make for some really striking images.

Assignment 8: People and the sea (or a lake)

How do people interact with the sea?

The sea has strong links to leisure, sport, and industry, all of which have plenty of potential photographically. Think beyond simple photos of people on summer holidays. How can you explore the relationship between people and water in more depth?

Another approach is to show scale and photograph people in a way that shows the vast size and scope of the ocean. Yet another is to show people battling the weather, perhaps fishermen at sea.

Assignment 20: Framed by color (frames)

Some frames are visual rather than literal. One way to make a visual frame is to look for compositions where the main subject is surrounded by a solid block of color, as in the photo below.

This is another assignment that tests your observational skills. It also has the potential to make an interesting series. What happens when you group a set of photos that use color as a frame together?

Assignment 24: Weathered surfaces (texture)

Old buildings of all descriptions are made of materials with interesting textures. The definition of old is relative, your chosen building might be hundreds of years old or just a few.

The important thing is that it looks old. That means visible signs of weathering, like the metal wall and wooden door frame in the photo below. Some texture surfaces, like rust, also have interesting colors that you can use to your advantage.

Assignment 31: On the outside (buildings)

One approach to photographing buildings is to include as much of the building as possible in the frame. But what happens if you take another approach?

Have you ever stopped to notice the interesting things that people put outside buildings?

In Italy, I found a shrine on the outside of a colorful red building in Venice (below). In the United States window boxes and mailboxes are commonplace. Nearly everywhere you go you’ll see plants in pots outside people’s homes.

All these items make potentially interesting subjects and have the potential to be turned into an interesting series.

This assignment gets more interesting when you do it in different places, and compare the things you find outside buildings in one place with those in another location.

Assignment 39: Urban decay (your local neighborhood)

Some buildings can look good for centuries if they’re well maintained. But others soon fall into decay, especially if they’re not kept up. Look for the beauty in decayed or run-down buildings.

You expect older buildings to be in a state of disrepair, especially if you live in a country that has plenty of ruins. But more modern, urban decay can be just as interesting.

Why do modern buildings fall into disrepair? What stories do they tell about their neighborhoods, towns, and cities?

Another approach to this idea is to photograph urban decay in other countries, and then compare the results with what you capture in your local area.

Assignment 54: Capture the character of a place (b/w)

The absence of color gives you another way of capturing the character of a place. Yes, it’s true that in some areas color is an essential part of the essence of the place. But in others, it’s less important.

Working in black and white gives you a chance to see through the colors and get to the essence of a place. Visually speaking that’s texture, contrast, and tone.

But in another way, black and white images seem to help you see further and deeper. They’re moody, atmospheric, and timeless. Use these characteristics to create a set of photos that capture the character of a place.

It’s also an assignment you can do when you travel. It’s easier because you get to see everything with fresh eyes. But for a real challenge try it in your local neighborhood, where familiarity can prevent you from seeing things that might be obvious to newcomers.

Assignment 62: Embrace hard light (light and shadow)

In this assignment, your brief is to photograph a scene on a sunny day when shadows are falling across the subject in an interesting way.

Look at the way the sun casts shadows across the scene during the day. How do the shadows move as the sun moves across the sky? Do the shadows make interesting shapes?

For example, in the photo below the shadow falling across the building comes from a neighboring house and you can clearly see the chimney.

Assignment 71: Signs (everyday objects)

We’re surrounded by signs – signs that tell us which way to go, what to do, that advertise to us, state the name of a business, or tell us about roadworks.

Signs are designed to be informative, but they can also tell a story. Signs in the American mid-west look different from signs in New York City. Signs here in the UK look different from the ones in rural France. Old signs have character and tell you something about the place.

What interesting photos can you make using signs?

Assignment 94: People in the landscape (landscape)

Some landscapes are empty or void of visitors. But others are closer to large population centers and therefore you’re more likely to see other people there in the scene. The idea of a pristine landscape untouched by man is appealing, but it’s also interesting to see how people interact with the scene.

One way to approach this assignment is to use people for scale. A human figure can anchor a composition and show the width and breadth of the landscape. A small figure in the frame emphasizes the size of the landscape, and the idea of people being small compared to the beauty of nature.

The photo below juxtaposes two elements of human interaction. The stone pillar is part of a Neolithic settlement, and the people on the right are modern visitors who came to see it.

Taking it further – traveling and exploring your archives

You’ll get the most from these assignments if you make new photos for them. They’ll get you thinking about your local neighborhood – and areas a little further afield – in a new way.

The beauty of these assignments is that most of them are repeatable. You can select your favorites and use them as themes to follow when you’re traveling away from home.

You might also find that you can go through your archives and find photos that match a particular assignment. It’s an interesting exercise because you’ll start to see themes and connections that you didn’t realize were there.

For example, I have photos that fit Assignment 39: Urban decay from Alaska, Chile, and my hometown (see above). And I can continue to explore this theme when I travel to new places as well.

These ideas are explored further in Creative Photography Assignments: Themes & Projects, a bonus ebook that comes with 100 Creative Photography Assignments.

100 Creative Photography Assignments

Buy 100 Creative Photography Assignments now for just $14 USD.

Buy it now and get out there taking photos!

Note from Darlene: This is perfect if you want to get out there doing some photography. But maybe due to covid, finances, or other circumstances you can’t currently travel. Look no further than your front door to get started! To really challenge yourself do the 100 assignments one a day for the next 100 days!

About Andrew S Gibson

Andrew S. Gibson is a writer based in England’s southwest. His interest in photography began when his parents bought him a Ricoh KR-10m camera more than 20 years ago. Since then, he’s taken photos in over 60 countries, studied for a degree in photography, and worked as Technical Editor for EOS magazine. Today, he makes a living helping people make better photos through ebooks and photography courses.

Learn Photography Basics

Yes, you can learn to take better photos! It’s my passion to help you learn the photography basics and take better pictures. It’s also the same reason I teach workshops, do photo travel tours, and have online photography courses available.

Enroll in our free photography basics for beginners course, or 12-part portrait photography course , also free.

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Lesson Plan

Five Photography Assignments That Invite You to Look Closely at the World

Students, try one of these exercises inspired by the visual series The Take. What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens?

A close-up of a pair of hands with chipped yellow nail polish holding a twig with a caterpillar crawling across it.

By Natalie Proulx

How often do you look — really look — at the world around you? Below, we offer five photography assignments that challenge students to do just that, all inspired by The New York Times visual series The Take .

In this series, The Times asks photographers to explore different cultural themes through images — for example, to document what they see when they look up, to capture the sounds they hear in New York City or to find dance in everyday movements.

What can you learn about the world by looking at it through a particular lens? Choose one (or more) of the five assignments below to try out. For each, we’ll guide you through a warm-up activity, a reading of the Take article that inspired the exercise and your own photo shoot. When you’re done, you can create your own visual article by putting together a gallery of your images and writing a short commentary on what they mean to you.

These exercises are meant to be accessible to anyone with a camera or smartphone, whether you’re an experienced photographer or you’re just looking for a fun visual challenge. If you’d like to experiment with some composition and editing techniques, see our related photography lesson plan .

And if none of these projects inspires you, look through The Take’s archives for more ideas.

Assignment No. 1

Most of us spend our days looking down: at our phones, computers, homework, meals. What would you see if you looked up instead? For this assignment, we invite you to photograph what you see when you turn your gaze to the sky.

Warm-up: Wherever you are right now, look up. What do you see?

Spend some time studying the images, shapes, patterns, colors, lines, light, shadows, angles or movements above you. What catches your attention? What have you never noticed before? How is this angle different from looking at something straight on, straight down or from the side? Is there anything you see that strikes you as artistic, that might make for an interesting photograph?

How often do you look up? What does this quick exercise tell you about what might happen when you do?

Read “ When 4 Photographers Looked Up, This Is What They Saw .”

For this assignment, The Take simply asked photographers to look up. View the photos they made and their commentary on them. Then choose one that stands out to you. What did the photographer want to capture in it? Was the photo successful in your opinion? What does the image say to you? What does it show us about looking up?

Your turn: Photograph what you see when you look up.

You might approach this assignment in two ways: 1) You can carry your camera around with you for a day or several days and photograph anything interesting you see when you look up, as the photographer Ali Cherkis did venturing around New York City. 2) Or you might start with a specific place and idea in mind that you want to photograph, as Stella Blackmon did when she wanted to capture the “sense of wonder” she felt from seeing children climbing in the trees at her great-aunt’s home in Ozark, Mo.

Assignment No. 2

Capture the Sounds of a Place

Photography might seem like it’s all about sight, but it can evoke other senses, too. The Take challenged four photographers to try to capture the sounds of New York City in images. How can you show what the place you live sounds like?

Warm-up: What sounds can you hear in this photograph?

Study the photograph above closely. What might you hear if you were in the scene? Which elements of the image help convey those sounds? What senses or emotions does the photograph evoke in you? What story does it tell about New York City?

Read “ Sounds of the City .”

For this assignment, The Take sent four photographers to capture New York’s soundscape in images. Spend some time with the photos and the photographers’ commentary on them. Which images most strongly and clearly imply sound to you? Which ones surprise you or perhaps challenge an assumption you have about life in New York City? Choose one of these photos and repeat the exercise you did in the warm-up.

Your turn: Photograph the sounds of a place.

For this assignment, you might travel around your city or town and photograph the sounds you find. Or you might focus on a more contained space, such as your school, the skate park, your neighborhood or any other place where you spend time. You might try to capture many disparate sounds — quiet ones, loud ones, harsh ones, pleasant ones — as Daniel Arnold did in his photos of various corners of New York City. Or you can try to capture a particular type of sound, as Ike Edeani did in his photos of the subway stations’ “mini concerts.”

Assignment No. 3

Find Art Wherever You Go

Four photographers went in search of candid moments and images that struck them — impressionistically, conceptually or naturally — as art. Where can you spot art in the world around you?

Warm-up: What does art look like?

How do you know when you see something that is art? What elements make it so? What does it do to you, the viewer?

Look around the space you are in right now. Is there anything that strikes you as art? Perhaps it’s the way your jacket is draped over a chair, how light is coming in through a window, the interesting pattens created by a shadow on your desk or the shape someone’s face makes when they smile or frown. What about this thing makes it seem artistic to you?

Read “ Art Is Everywhere. Just Look to the Streets. ”

The Take invited four photographers to look for art in the streets of New York. Spend some time looking at all of the photographs and reading the commentary. Then, focus on one photographer’s images. How does this photographer conceptualize art? How does that idea come through in one of his or her photos? What do you think makes this photo artistic — impressionistically, conceptually or naturally?

Your turn: Photograph candid moments and images that look like art to you.

Where can you find art in the world around you? You might take your camera out for a day and start shooting anything that strikes you as art. Or you might shoot with a particular vision in mind, such as Sabrina Santiago who was “interested in what people are saying from the back,” or Trevor Wisecup who looked for “abnormalities in our day-to-day life, glitches in the matrix if you will.” Challenge yourself to capture candid moments, rather than trying to stage images.

Assignment No. 4

Explore the Ways We Move

The Take asked four photographers to find dance in our everyday gestures, whether reaching for a jug of milk, hugging a loved one or scaling a rock wall. How can you find beauty in how we physically navigate the world?

Warm-up: Can you see beauty in the ways that people move, even when there is no music?

Can you find dance in people’s everyday rituals and routines? To answer this question you might go somewhere crowded — your school’s hallway, a park, a basketball game — and spend a few minutes just observing people. Do any gestures look like dance to you? What is it about these movements that resemble those that dancers might make?

Read “ There’s Dance All Over, No Matter Where You Look .”

During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, The Take asked photographers to show how people were physically navigating a world in which awareness of our bodies — how much space we took up, whether we were six feet from our neighbor — had become the norm. What they found was a kind of dance in these everyday movements.

Spend some time with the images and photographers’ commentary. Then choose one photograph to look at more closely. Why does this image speak to you? How does it represent dance? What emotion, experience or idea do you think the photographer wanted to capture in it?

Your turn: Photograph how people move through the world.

For this assignment, you can take your camera around with you for a day or two and snap a photo anytime you see a movement, posture or gesture that looks like dance to you. Or, you can go to a specific place. For example, the photographer Camilo Fuentealba went to Costco to document “the daily rituals we must partake in just to survive,” while Noah Sahady went to the San Bernardino National Forest to capture “the harmony of rock climbers and nature.” You might play with taking both candid and staged shots, or, like Jillian Freyer, shooting the “fragments in between.”

Assignment No. 5

Show Us What Fun Looks Like

Three artists photographed the many forms fun can take. An end-of-day ice cream ritual. Caring for rescued chickens. A bubble bath for an inanimate friend. What does a good time look like to you?

Warm-up: What do you do for fun?

Brainstorm a big list of everything you’re doing for fun these days. Do you play video games? Hang out with friends? Play sports? Make things? Write down everything you can think of, whether it’s an everyday ritual or a special event.

Then go through your list. Which of these activities feels most compelling or unique to you and your friends? Which might make interesting photographs?

Read “ Making Your Own Fun .”

The Take asked three photographers to document how they were having fun during the lockdown period of the coronavirus pandemic. Spend a few minutes looking at the photos and reading the commentary. Then choose one photographer’s images to focus on. What do you notice about their artistic choices — about their composition, the photographic style, how they were made? What do you wonder? What can we learn about fun from these photos?

Your turn: Photograph your fun.

Return to the list you made in the warm-up and choose one or several things from it to photograph. You might consider how you can get creative with your photographic style and composition, as the photographers in the article did. You can stage photos, as Sheida Soleimani did, or you can try to capture more candid moments.

Going Further

Make a Visual Article

Put together your photos with a written reflection to create your own The Take-inspired piece.

Once you have completed one of the exercises above, choose three to six photos from your shoot and create a gallery of images that speaks to the theme of the assignment. Then, write a short commentary reflecting on the assignment and what you learned from it, just as the photographers and Times editors do in The Take.

Here are some questions that can help guide your reflection:

Who or what inspired you? Did you stage your photos or seek out candid moments? What composition and editing techniques did you use, and why?

Is there a thread — some theme, emotion or experience — that connects your images? Was it something you set out to capture? Or something you discovered during the shoot or after seeing your finished photos? Taken together, what do your photos reveal about the subject of the assignment?

What is something new you discovered or learned through this exercise? How, if at all, did it make you look at the world or the people around you differently?

How challenging did you find this assignment? Why?

You can put your images and commentary together using a digital program like Google Slides or Canva . Teachers might invite students to share their work via a gallery walk , whether in the classroom or online.

Find more lesson plans and teaching ideas here.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

20 Exciting Photo Prompts To Inspire You

Confusion and lack of motivation are inevitable. If you're in the middle of a creative block, don't worry. You might need a few simple exercises to refresh your mind and discover a whole new world of photography ideas.

Prompts for photography can be anything interesting that you love photographing or exploring new themes and ideas. The motive here is to get your camera out every day or whenever possible and photograph something new. This will help one get inspiration for photography and work on their creativity, for example, look at things differently and capture them from different perspectives, look at the beautiful little things around you and improve your confidence in photography.

1. Take Photos Of Everything Through Mirrors

We're used to seeing the world from a specific angle. To spice things up, change the way you look at the world by photographing reflections only. Use unusual mirrors and pieces of glass to keep your photos unique.

2. Take Only One Photo A Day

In the age of digital photography, it's easy to take photos for granted. Limit yourself to one photo a day only.

This might make you more aware of how you approach your ideas and help you figure out what you love photographing the most. Sometimes, less is more!

3. Use A Wide-Angle Lens To Take Vertical Photos

Wide-angle lenses are often used to take horizontal pictures and mostly landscapes and architecture. If you use them vertically, you'll get unusually distorted portraits.

This is a fun way to change your perspective and play around with different shooting styles.

4. Capture Your Favorite Places With A Polaroid Camera

Use any analogue camera to take photos of your favorite places. If you love instant gratification, use an instant camera.

This activity will ground you and force you to look at your favourite locations from a creative point of view.

(The locations don't have to be extravagant. In fact, keep them as simple as possible to improve your creative thinking skills!)

5. Photograph Every Member Of Your Family

There can never be enough photos of your loved ones . Take photos of every member of your family, from oldest to youngest.

You can accompany each photo with stories about their lives or simply use the images in a special photo album that posterity can cherish in the future. Think of it as an opportunity to freeze special moments in time.

6. Create A Fake Analogue Effect

If you don't have an analogue camera, why not re-create a visually aesthetic vintage effect in Photoshop? You can use free online resources to create light leaks, dust, scratches, etc. There are some interesting plugins for photoshop that let you do it in a click and a few slider adjustments to get the look you are going for.

This will improve your editing skills and teach you how to enhance simple photos.

7. Make Simple Subjects Look Unique

Many photographers (including myself) like to look for unique subjects in their work. Sometimes, the best way to inspire yourself is to do the opposite of that: find unique ways to photograph simplicity . Try to take unusual photos of everyday objects like plants, cups, and books.

8. Photograph Different Shadows

Instead of taking photos of a person or thing, focus on its shadow . Shadows may be simple, but they can also be emotional if you photograph them correctly. They're a great opportunity to learn how to see potential in things that other people overlook.

9. Purposely Take Out-Of-Focus Photos

Sharp, clear photos are often a priority in every photographer's life. If you're feeling uninspired, maybe you need to loosen up and break a few rules. If you're photographing a person, take blurred photos of them or focus on their background instead.

10. Use The Square Format

There are many photographers who stick to a specific format in their work. Some like panoramas, while others focus exclusively on the square format.

For this exercise, simply crop your images so that they're square. The limited space will force you to think about symmetry, boundaries, and composition in an entirely new way.

11. Take Photos Behind People

Murad Osmann is a famous photographer who takes photos of his wife during their travels. The images are unique because they rarely feature his wife's face.

You can follow Murad's lead and take photos behind people as they work on their hobbies, travel, or simply enjoy everyday life.

12. Re-Create Old Family Pictures

Look through old family photos and find images that you'd like to re-create using modern equipment. You don't have to be in the pictures, although it would be cool if you re-created your own childhood photos!

13. Document The Various Stages Of Life

Pregnancy , childhood , marriage , etc., are all very special parts of life. If you're looking for a long-term project, find a person whose journey you'd like to document.

You could photograph the stages of pregnancy, a teenager's experience in high school, or your own personal journey during a specific period of your life.

14. Use Simple Backgrounds For All Of Your Pictures (Or Not)

If you spend a lot of time thinking about backgrounds , switch to very simple ones. If you already like using simple backgrounds, try to pay more attention to them. Do the opposite of what you're used to.

15. Re-Create A Metaphor

There are many clever metaphors and similes out there. Make a list of your favourite ones and try to re-create them using simple objects.

16. Shoot In Black & White Mode Only

Shoot in black and white mode to remove colourful distractions and see the world from a fresh perspective. Then, take photos of everything you usually photograph for a week.

17. Re-Create Your Photos With A Smartphone Camera

Look through your portfolio. Do you have any photos that stand out to you the most? Try to re-create them using your smartphone camera . You can use an advanced camera app. The simpler it is, the better.

18. Use Long Exposure Photography Techniques In Your Backyard

Long exposure photographers often go to extravagant places to take pictures. Do the opposite of that. Take photos at home, in your backyard, or in the simplest place you can imagine. Look for potential in insignificant places.

19. Shoot Everything from A Very Low Angle

Like many of these challenges, this is meant to force you to see the world from a new perspective. Shoot everything from a very, very low angle. The world will look completely different, which might inspire you in unexpected ways.

20. Take 100 Candid Street Photos

And finally, if you're a fan of street photography , go out there and take 100 unique photos of people and places. Make sure the photos are candid but visually appealing. This is a fun way to introduce yourself to the genre without having to approach strangers directly.

Some Points To Focus On:

Make sure you take your camera wherever you go so you are ready to get the shot if you see something that inspires you or interests you.
Learn from your mistakes and find out ways to improve the image next time you get a chance to shoot.
Do not put much pressure on yourself, but take your time and work on your creative journey at your own pace. Pushing yourself to take a photo for the sake for a daily challenge at times when you are busy can make it a task rather than an inspiration. So missing days when you are not up to it is ok.
Make a list of more ideas and prompts as they pop up in your mind at times and use them creatively.
Look through photography books that interest you or visit galleries to get inspired and to learn how photographers have created their photographs.
Learn new post processing techniques like a film edit or a black and white edit, etc.
Most importantly, learn to have fun while photographing, rather than taking it as a task. There are ideas and opportunities everywhere. So look around, sit somewhere and observe and then photograph.

Further Learning:

We hope you've enjoyed these 20 photography prompts and that you find some inspiration from some or all of them. If you're looking for even more practical ways to improve your photography without getting bogged down in theoretical tomes and technical manuals, then take a look at Photzy's Action Cards .

Photzy's Action Cards are 65 Action Cards that give you over 200 practical assignments for you to hone and cement your photography knowledge and skills.

Simply put, these will help improve your photography in a practical and methodical way as you work your way through all of the cards – or just complete the topics you are interested in!

Get your Action Cards here today

About Author

Taissia is a professional photographer and educator.

It’s an extremely informative article and I loved it. Thanks

excellent, very informative article. tnx for sharing.

Great article, always good to have different ideas that help tend our range of photography, thanks!

I like it !!!!!!

Informative and inspiring! Thank you!

Good idea to open up the mind tks vm.

Good to know I’m not alone when seeking inspirational ideas. And these ideas certainly have inspired me. Thank you!

April Photo Contest Winners: Whispers

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Unseen Inhabitants, Sarus Cranes, and Natural Resilience! (Community Update)

Use This Giant List of Photography Prompts to Capture Natural Photos

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The title says it all! Use this giant list of creative photography prompts to capture natural photos of all of your clients. Add photo prompts to using posing for portraits. From kids to seniors and singles to families and groups, start using this list of photo prompts, and you will see a significant shift in the natural look of your portrait sessions.

If you’re looking for some creative photography ideas for your next photography project, then look no further!

Photography Prompts for Beginners

What are photography prompts.

Most people don’t care to pose awkwardly and stiffly when having their portraits captured. Enter photography prompts! Rather than following a bunch of rules about how to line people up and place them into calculated positions, use these photo prompts to encourage genuine interactions between the people you’re photographing.

Photo prompts are so simple. You can give the people you’re photographing some basic instructions, then watch them come alive. You can throw out a prompt or two and watch them interact. Be ready with your camera because the magic will happen naturally!

If you are looking for other creative photography project ideas, check out Six of the Most Creative In-The-Box Photography Ideas or 18 Creative Photography Ideas for Beginners to Improve Their Skills

I Still Don’t Get It

Using creative photo prompts is simple. Here’s an example of how to use prompts for family photos. Instead of lining up a family in the perfect position and trying to get children looking in your direction, try this. Lay a blanket down on the grass and ask the family to climb on with kids sitting on mom and dad’s laps.

Now throw out a prompt, such as “everyone give mama a cuddle!” and watch as everyone’s faces light up. Kids will snuggle into mom, and dad may even give her a smooch on the cheek. Be ready with your camera because the action will happen fast in this kind of real-life photography.

Using prompts creates a genuine family moment. You won’t need to worry about getting everyone looking politely into the camera and smiling because the smiles will happen naturally here. These photographs almost always make mom, dad, and grandma happy! Portrait photography will never be the same!

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I have put together a giant list of prompts for you to use in your next session. I’ve divided the list by session type, but know that you can use any of these prompts for any subject. Mix it up, and don’t be afraid to add your own!

If you’re nervous to try photo prompts instead of posing for portraits, go ahead and practice on someone you know or ask around for a model or two that will help you out. Finding a model is the perfect opportunity to give back by offering a photo session to someone who wouldn’t typically be able to afford a photo session.

You get some great practice, they get some fantastic photos, and you never know what their future holds or who they know who might be interested in hiring you for some of their own unique and gorgeous portraits.

Photography Prompts for Couples

Couples are so much fun, aren’t they? Using photo prompts instead of portrait poses is a beautiful way to show the connection between two people. It may be hard to imagine how these prompts can come together to create an entire session. Don’t worry – I’ve put together a sample couples photoshoot using some of the prompts below.

Check out Unposed Photography Prompts Instead of Poses for Natural Photos to see some of these prompts at work!

Softly snuggle your noses
Gaze into each others’ eyes like it’s been 100 years since you have seen each other
Try to kiss upside down
Use your nose to draw on your partner’s cheek. Now guess what they drew.
Sniff her hair
Walk toward me as if you’re drunk
Walk toward me while bumping hips
Wrap this blanket around yourselves and cuddle to stay warm
Find your partner’s most ticklish spot
Hold each other’s hand and run
Dance like it’s your first date (or your wedding dance)
Dip her and plant a kiss on her
Give a hug from behind
Hug while sitting on the ground
Give Eskimo kisses (or rub noses)
Kiss with only your teeth and not your lips
Kiss as if it’s your last
Whisper your favorite cereal in her ear in your sexiest voice
Pick her up and twirl her around
Twirl her as if dancing
Have her piggyback on him – spin around
Dance like no one is watching
Tickle her or tickle him
Take turns sharing with your partner the qualities you most admire in the other
Whisper in your partner’s ear what you thought the first time you met him
Touch foreheads, sync your breathing, and connect to this moment
Imagine you were stuck in the freezing snow, cuddle up to keep warm

A husband and wife laughing with a lake in the background demonstrating the sexy cereal photo prompt

How a Prompting and Posing Photoshoot Will Capture Natural Photo Poses of Anyone

Family Photo Prompts

I love using unposed prompts for families. Kids are so natural at this, too! They love to play, and when after the session, they will remember this day with joy and laughter. I’ve put together some examples of using prompts with families in 10 Super Simple Unposed Photography Prompts for Families .

Also, be sure and take a look at How To Capture Family Photos the Easy Way to see some ideas for capturing important details during your shoot.

Tell me your favorite dad joke
You’re on the cover of a music album, give me your best musician pose
Piggyback child with mom and dad holding hands and walking
Run for the hills
Make a kid sandwich
Play Ring Around the Rosie
Have the kids run toward you while mom and dad look on from behind
Everyone kiss the youngest child
Play tag, mom is it
Who has the stinkiest feet
Group hug! Smush even closer! Closer! Get as close as you can! Now nobody fart, okay?”
Everyone tickle dad
Everyone look at the person that snores the loudest
Now everyone look at the person that burps the loudest

Photography Prompts for Children

You simply must try photo prompts for your next child session. It’s so simple to get the kiddos having fun. If the child is super young, as in toddler age or below, I always keep mom and dad close. If they are old enough, I like to walk them just a bit away from their parents. Tell mom and dad they get to have a break and take the kids a wee bit down the trail. I like to keep parents in visual view, so everyone feels comfortable.

But once kids are out of earshot of parents, they will often light up in a whole different way. My kids would often feel so self-conscious with me watching on that all they would do was give cheesy smiles with teeth clamped together. Some of the best shots I had of my children when they were young were the ones where my photographer got them a little bit away from me.

10 Cute Poses for Girls for the Hobby Photographer

Pink background with "Hip Grandma Merch" available on front

Safety Note

Now is the perfect time to say that you should never force this. If mom and dad are uncomfortable with you walking away with their child, even a little bit, then don’t do it. It’s just that simple. Everyone must feel comfortable at your session.

Find your child’s most ticklish spot
Twirl yourself in a circle
Who’s your favorite actor or actress? Smile for them
The swing (swing child from mom and dad’s hands)
Show me your best princess face
Show me your best monster face
Now show me your surprised face
Tell a knock-knock joke, then ask them to tell you one
Would you rather eat a worm or a peanut butter and pickle sandwich
Spin around twice and then sit down as fast as you can.
Show me your best dance move
Try not to smile
Tell me about the funniest thing that happened today
Sing me your favorite song
Toss the child gently while looking up at them
Let me hear your best airplane noises (or fart noises, or animal noises)
Give mommy a snuggle
Kiss daddy’s cheek
Play peek-a-boo together
Bring a bubble machine and set it off nearby. Chase the bubbles and pop them.

a mom and daughter rub noses in front of a fall tree showing how a photo prompt works

Photography Prompts for Tweens or Teens

Tweens and teens can be tricky. Adolescence is a very emotionally sensitive time for most kids. Don’t be surprised if you have a tough time getting your tween subject to make eye contact or give you genuine smiles. Prompting is a fantastic tool to combat some of that natural self-consciousness during a teen/tween photo shoot.

Instead of worrying about getting the perfect pose, work with what this subject will give you. One of the best ways to do this is to talk to your subject. You can ask questions and get them talking about themselves. Ask about their hobbies and their genuine likes and dislikes. If you can connect with them, they will be much more comfortable around you and more receptive to your suggestions.

Tell me about your favorite video game
Pose like your favorite musician
Pose like your favorite actor/actress
Strike a pose! Every time I say BOOM, you pose differently
Tell me about your secret crush
Show me the latest TikTok dance
Try to look bored, then happy, then sad. Rapid-fire call out emotions
Laugh like Santa Clause
Tell me a really corny joke
Ask if they think mom or dad or grandma loves them
Tell me about the last thing your mom did to embarrass you
What’s the last TV show that made you laugh out loud
Tell me about the last TV show that made you cry
Pose like you’re in your favorite place doing your favorite thing
Tell me something you’re really proud of
The Great Big List of Christmas Prompts for Your Christmas Photo Shoots

Photography Prompts for Siblings

I love photographing siblings. They have a unique way about them, don’t they? Kids raised in the same household just have an understanding of how it is. I love to celebrate that with them.

Give each other the biggest bear hug you can
Tell me a secret about your mom or dad
Hold hands and look at each other. Now, look at me
Blow kisses at mom (have mom stand behind you)
Can you whisper a secret in your sister’s ear

Photography Prompts for Groups

Photography prompts are a great way to get a group of people having a great time in photos. Of course, you may have to begin by getting your group of people corralled and lined up a bit, but once they are in general position, let the photo prompts begin!

I’ve done some work for you by showing you how a group photo session comes together using prompts in Use these 11 Photography Prompts for Groups to Achieve Amazing Group Poses . While you’re thinking about groups, now is a great time to check out my Ultimate Guide to Photographing Big Groups of People , which will help you hone in on some excellent group photo portrait poses and photo prompts.

Everyone put an arm around one another
On the count of 3, everyone jump
Walk away from the camera while holding hands
Walk like you’re drunk with arms around your neighbor’s shoulder
Someone tell a funny story about someone else here
Walk toward the camera while bumping hips
Everyone get their phone out and take a selfie
Giant group hug
Piggyback rides
Genuinely compliment your neighbor
Have the couples in the group smooch while others eye-roll or gag
Group telephone game from one end to the other
Everyone look at the person who sneezes the loudest
When I say “go,” everyone trade places with someone else
Everyone strike their favorite pose
Everyone look at the person who took the longest to get ready
Everyone look at the tallest (or shortest) person

Photography Prompts for Individuals

Individual photo requests come in all shapes and sizes. Maybe your client needs some business headshots? Perhaps she is looking for some new photos for her singles profile. You might have a student who needs a series of shots for his college admittance letter or school bio.

No matter what the photo challenge, these photo prompts are great for single subjects; Think of senior portraits or some amazing headshots after you’ve taken the stiff pro photographs. Here’s a peek at one of my favorite senior photoshoots, all taken in one location: How to Get the Most of a Location for Private Senior Portraits .

Think about your most embarrassing moment as you were growing up
Pretend to be the person who inspires you the most
Take three steps forward and three steps back
Look at the nearest sign and give it your best smile
Walk toward the camera
Walk away from the camera
Take out your phone and take a selfie
Hold your collar up around your ears
Run your fingers through your hair
Imagine you have just gotten to your first vacation destination after you graduated

a Teen giving a subtle smile demonstrating a photo prompt

Photography Prompts for Men

Here are some great ideas to use with the manliest men clients! I know we’ve talked about teens and tweens, but don’t be afraid to add these prompts to a session with a younger client. These poses are great on little guys and manly men and everything in between!

Pretend to adjust your shirt
Adjust your watch or cufflinks
Tip Your sunglasses down and look at me over the top
Show me your muscless
Tip your chin down, look at me out of the top of your eyes, and smolder

Photography Prompts for Women

And now, some very feminine photo prompts for the loveliest ladies! Again, be sure and use some of these with little girls and big girls. Femininity is timeless, right?

Touch your collarbone and give me your flirtiest smile
Pretend you’re a queen relaxing back on her throne
Reach out to me like you’re going to take me on an adventure
Play with your hair
Your crush walks past you – give me your flirtiest half-smile

A Word About Curvy Women

Do you have a client concerned about looking slim in her photos? A photographer’s first job is to reassure her how beautiful she is, from the inside to the outside.

Your next job is to assure her that you will show her inner beauty through her personality that will shine through in her images. And finally, reassure her that you know a few tricks to help make her look and feel beautiful physically.

What tips!? Don’t panic. I’ve put together this fantastic guide with 5 Insanely Simple Ways to Make Your Subject Look Thinner . These simple tips make a huge difference in your photos! I promise! After all, I’m a curvy girl and I posed for all the before and after examples. You don’t want to miss that post!

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14

A few final notes

Before you arrive at your session, make sure you’ve written down a few prompts to use. You will know what might work best after you’ve had a couple of conversations before meeting.

You can make yourself a few photography prompt cards to reference during the shoot. Or, if you’d like to avoid dealing with a sheet of paper during the shoot, go ahead and make your list on your phone or your smartwatch so you can have easy access without fumbling for a paper list.

Wow! That was an excellent list. And long! I bet you’re feeling excited to get out there and try some prompting for yourself! I don’t blame you. Just writing it all out makes me want to get out shooting so I can see all those genuine expressions!

Still nervous? At the end of the day challenge yourself to try something new. Keeping your sessions fresh and fun will keep you inspired. When you are inspired, it will show in your images. When your images are inspired, people are inspired to hire you!

I would love to hear from you! Do you have any prompts that are tried and true and work in your photoshoots? I would love to hear about them in the comments below!

I would love to know how I can improve this blog for my readers. Would you mind taking this short anonymous survey to share your thoughts?

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Use These 11 Fun Group Poses for the Best Prompted Group Photos
Unposed Photography Prompts Instead of Poses for Natural Photos

a mom and child touching noses PIN image for a photo prompt list

2 thoughts on “Use This Giant List of Photography Prompts to Capture Natural Photos”

What a great work you did! So nice you listed your promps for others to use! thanx

You are so welcome, Tinne! Thank you for reading! I’m glad you find these prompts so helpful!

The Creative Photographer

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The book is structured into twenty broad themes, with five assignments for each theme. There’s enough ideas here to keep you busy for a long time to come!

100 Creative Photography Assignments is written for you:

The assignments encourage you to explore the world and find interesting subjects in ordinary places.
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The story behind the book

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100 Creative Photography Assignments ebook

Title: 100 Creative Photography Assignments

Length: 126 double page spreads (plus 18 page bonus ebook)

Words: approx 16,600 (plus bonus ebook)

Format: PDF, Epub and Kindle Mobi 8. You can view the PDF of 100 Creative Photography Assignments using the free Adobe reader software on any PC or tablet. You can also read it on the iPad using iBooks – it has been optimized for iPad viewing. You can read the epub or mobi versions on tablets and smart phones.

Introduction How to use this book

Trees Ruins Seasonal color Urban trees In the forest Lone tree in the landscape

Sea (or lake) Sunset Architecture and the sea People and the sea Landscapes and the sea Blue hour

Color Color contrast Single dominant color Subtle color Man-made color Cram color in

Frames Bowls and plates Frames and people Windows and doors Hands Framed by color

Texture Antiques & vintage items Portraits Explore your neighborhood Weathered surfaces Metal

Flowers Keep it simple Flowers in context Botanical gardens Fading beauty Indoor flowers

Buildings On the outside Interiors Street art People Reflections

Your local neighborhood In the area Ruins and abandoned buildings Historic buildings Urban decay Sheds, greenhouses, garages and home offices

Sky Cloud patterns Active skies Stormy skies Moon Silhouette

Vintage Markets, museums and stores Chance finds Vintage cars At home Modern vintage

Black & White Tonal contrast In the street Unusual subjects Capture character (place) Capture character (portrait)

Urban skylines Shoot at night The big city Small towns and cities A famous view People

Light and shadow Last light Embrace hard light Indoor shadows Bright subject, dark background Shadow as a frame

Gardens Wide view Pots and planters Details Greenhouses People and gardens

Everyday objects Signs Abandoned furniture Through the window Laying around Numbers

Composition Minimal composition Pairs Groups of three Selective focus Limited color palettes

Mood A sense of place (twilight) Warm light Cool colors Bad weather A sense of place (gritty reality)

Portraits Hobbies Color driven Colorful characters Low light portraits At work

Landscape Road signs The intimate landscape The nondescript landscape People in the landscape Fading horizons

Cultural life Relationships and connection Cultural celebrations or activities The magic of childhood Local life Subcultures

Are you a busy photographer who wants to easily take natural, emotion-filled photos of your clients?

Then welcome to the Promptographer Guide: free photo prompt ideas for photographers. You’ve come to the right spot: get free photo prompts for photographing couples, families, weddings, and individuals.

It’s my mission to help you feel confident and capable, easily direct the flow of your session with clients, help them show their true selves, and capture authentic photos filled with real emotion and real moments.

Come get inspired, fill up your idea bucket, and get ready to create new art.

Latest prompt

Check the details: take more professional photos by paying attention

Individuals and couples essentials , Love prompts

Once you’ve got the basics of posing and prompting under your belt, it’s time to up your...

Browse the rest of the prompts

The Promptographer Guide is organised into two curated Guides: Love Prompts and Family Prompts. Each of these contains five sets of free photo prompts, photo pose ideas and more.

Love prompts

Click one of the following to be taken to just the prompts in that set.

See all the Love prompts
Set 1: Individuals and couples essentials
Set 2: Creative essentials
Set 3: Intimate moments
Set 4: Energy moments
Set 5: Wedding moments

Family prompts

See all the Family prompts
Set 6: Family essentials
Set 7: New baby moments
Set 8: Childhood moments
Set 9: Teenage moments
Set 10: Whole family moments

You can also browse by tags.

Active 26 App 1 Children 25 Classic posing 9 Couples 29 Creative 8 DIY 1 Documentary 29 Engagement 18 Flash 7 Gear 1 High school senior 9 Love 32 Maternity 17 Movement 20 Newborn 6 Photo prompt 47 Playful 25 Posing groups 15 Posing hands 4 Posing tips 14 Teenagers 11 Toddlers 9 Tween 14 Wedding 29

All the free photo prompts

Act like: funny couple photo ideas for weddings and engagements

Energy moments , Love prompts

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Hug it out: hugging photo ideas for families and couples

Family prompts , Whole family moments

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Newborn baby details: photo ideas for baby sessions

Family prompts , New baby moments

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Sit stylish: how to pose people for relaxed seated photos

When you get someone in front of your camera who isn’t a model, targeted suggestions on how to sit...

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Childhood moments , Family prompts

When photographing toddlers, I find that parents are often worried that their child will misbehave...

Up and down: change your angle for an easy creative photo

Creative essentials , Love prompts

99% of the time we shoot photos from the same place: standing height. Break out of the standard...

Celebrate the couple at your next pregnancy photoshoot

At a pregnancy photoshoot, the baby bump is always going to feature heavily. But don’t let it...

Intimate ideas for wedding photos to show romance and love

Intimate moments , Love prompts

Capturing romantic moments is wedding photography 101. Most couples are as loved-up as they’re...

Dancing ideas to add movement to wedding photos

If there’s anything that lends itself to big, showy movements, it’s a wedding dress. This prompt...

Walking together: easy ways to add movement to family photos

Family essentials , Family prompts

Movement is great to loosen tension and add dynamism. Simply walking together as a group makes for...

Let them play: capturing photos of kids being kids

Capture kids easily at your next in-home photo session with this prompt: it’s a great low pressure...

Bridal preparation photo ideas for capturing the bride before the wedding

Love prompts , Wedding moments

Before the wedding begins, there are a heap of opportunities for photos that better illustrate the...

Have fun with your bridal party photos with these whole group prompts

One of my favorite parts of the wedding day is just after the ceremony. The bride and groom are...

Use hands to show love and connection between family members

Touch is one of my favorite ways to capture the affection and love between family members. This...

Maternity photo prompts to give parents a moment of reflection

Becoming a family, or adding to your family, is an emotional time for parents-to-be. This prompt...

Capture restless kids with these easy photo props

Photo prompts for active kids are easy with a few props in hand. A bubble machine is one of my...

Help your couples laugh and have fun with these comedic prompts

I love working with couples who are just bouncing off each other with humour and laughter. But...

Capture invisible moments to give your clients something new

With Christmas just around the corner (already!) it’s a perfect time to add fresh ideas to your...

Ice breakers to help people relax at a family photoshoot

Helping your clients relax into the process is a first step in any prompted photoshoot, and this...

Help teens and tweens relax by photographing what they love to do

Family prompts , Teenage moments

It’s a fact: some young people love being in front of the camera, and others don’t. If you’ve got...

Embrace the chaos in your family shoots with small kids

Ever been to a photoshoot where the kids are just going nuts? Where the parents are freaking out,...

Essential photos for your lifestyle newborn photoshoot

The newborn days at home are a magical mix of exhaustion and incredible love, as a new family...

Toddler tactics for getting great photos of young kids

Capturing photos—good photos—of toddlers is challenging. They move fast, they don’t follow...

Direct your photographs like movie scenes

This is an underlying skill that you can use as a foundation to working with prompts. It’s a good...

Shoot in the dark (and don’t use a flash)

Low key photography is hugely popular and successful at the moment (a lot of competitions are...

Find the unexpected for a fast variety boost

Setting yourself apart from other photographers and booking clients who are attracted to your...

Get imaginative for your next couple photoshoot

When planning a prompted shoot with a couple, it’s important to consider the sequencing of...

Intimate photo prompts for genuine emotion between couples

This week’s prompt is designed to give couples a quiet moment of reflection during a shoot, and to...

Essential photo opportunities for the wedding ceremony

The ceremony is the most meaningful part of the wedding day. After all, that’s why your couple is...

Posing individuals: fundamental posing tips for flattering photos

Prompted photography is somewhere in the middle of the posed-documentary spectrum, taking the best...

Capture the details of family resemblances in multi-generational portraits

There’s something so special about getting all the family together for a multi-generational photo...

Prompts for getting laughs from high school seniors and teens in family shoots

In Australia, where I live, it’s only a few short months until Year 12 students wrap up the year...

Newborn photography safety: protecting the tiny ones

If you’ve haven’t been around newborns much, your first photoshoots with a brand new human might...

Capturing the emotion of becoming parents

Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, there’s nothing like the emotion of welcoming a new...

Take a tip from the stage in your next photoshoot

Stage left, stage right, break a leg. Stage actors have their own lexicon, and they’re very good...

Pump up the energy in your couple photography

Whether you have a couple of bubbly, fun-loving extroverts in front of your camera, or a quiet,...

Using flash in your photography, on and off-camera

We’re continuing our adventures in flash this week, perhaps a little reversedly (that’s a word,...

How to take creative light painting photos for less than $15

If you’ve ever shot a wedding, you know that things can, and do, run over. Often it’s the romantic...

Use your senses so you don’t miss the moment

This technique was inspired by a story a photographer I met in passing years ago shared with me....

Create intimate photos of couples walking hand-in-hand

This is one of my go-to prompts for weddings and engagement photoshoots. I am particularly fond of...

Photo prompts for photographing family events and milestones

Birthday party photography, wedding anniversary celebrations, and Christmas photos all have one...

Document family life with a photojournalistic photoshoot

The magic of photojournalistic family photography comes from the realness of the moments you...

Easy photo prompts for beautiful bridal portraits

Bridal portraits are a beautiful memento of a wedding day. These are the solo portraits of the...

Make your maternity clients feel beautiful with these maternity photoshoot basics

It’s one of the most exciting times we go through as women: expecting a new baby. I don’t think...

Hugs and kisses: how to pump up the old-fashioned romance in your next couple shoot

OXOX: some couples are so crazy in love that it leaps into the lens with no effort on your behalf....

Look at the camera! Adults, we’re talking to you

Some adults find this week’s prompt completely impossible to do. No matter how you try to stop...

Ready, set, get wet! Ideas for using water in family photos

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7 Simple (And Fun) Photography Projects for Kids

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Doing a few simple photography projects together can benefit you and your child. Our article gives you seven photography explorations you can do with your child to build a closer relationship and improve your images!

Your children can gain self-confidence, improve their creativity, and build better communication skills through photography. We live in a visual world, and photography is a universal language anyone can understand.

7 Simple and Fun Photography Projects for Kids

The most important thing is to make it fun for you and your child. A positive and encouraging approach instills a desire to continue with photography for a long time.

Here are seven photography projects with two example photos each. We also have suggestions and ideas on how to explore each topic further. You can explore several projects simultaneously or pick one that interests your young budding photographer the most.

1. Create or Look for Shadows and Reflections

You can treat these two subjects as separate themes to have fun with. But I combined light and shadow because they both involve photography, in which the main subject may not be the center of interest.

You can photograph shadows the sun naturally makes or create your own using artificial light, like a flashlight. In the forks photo below, I set up two pieces of scrap cardboard in my dark basement and moved a small flashlight around until I liked the effect.

You can find reflections everywhere . Smooth, shiny surfaces work best. Glass surfaces, shiny metal, and water are popular surfaces to have fun with this one.

An image of a woman walking down a road where shadows are prevalent - Photography Projects to Do with Children

2. Bring Cameras Closer

Close-ups and true macro photographs often reveal a world we ordinarily ignore.

The vast majority of macro photos photographers take are of flowers and insects. The variety of species and locations you can find makes these photography projects easy to delve into.

If you want to challenge your child’s (and your) creativity, try looking for other macro subjects. You can find very interesting subjects right in your kitchen.

3. Experiment With Different Textures

One of the best ways to improve your visual recognition skills is to focus on one element of photography—color, contrast, shape, or texture. Perhaps less exciting to many, photos of textures are often very simple and don’t get much fanfare.

Still, the point of these photography projects is to exercise the ability to recognize an image’s different qualities so you can capture it in an image. When light comes in from an angle, textures are usually most visible and enhanced.

Try to find textures that challenge you and your child to examine different surfaces. Look for the complex patterns found on the material you’re examining.

Shooting textures might be best if you like to find details that the casual observer may not notice. The photo below shows the ceiling of an abandoned factory, taken less than a year after a fire ravaged it.

An image showing damaged paint - Photography Projects to Do with Children

Shooting textures in black and white can also be good practice. The absence of color calls greater attention to textures and forms.

Photographers often use buildings, walls, and other artificial flat surfaces as subject matter for texture photos. But nature also has an abundance of texture subjects. Textures are everywhere!

The photo of the birch tree bark below, titled “Birch Brothers,” was taken in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The photo has no real center point of interest other than the unique subtle colors and patterns the bark reveals.

4. Shoot in Different Natural Light

Photography starts with lighting , and any list of photography projects should have at least one outing based on lighting. For this project, look for situations where something partially or fully obscures the sun.

The direct sun hitting the lens may be too harsh and tricky regarding exposure and flare. The slightest movement of your camera or the sun can make a big difference in the final photograph.

A shot of the sun piercing the trees in an outdoor environment - Photography Projects to Do with Children

You can get interesting results with silhouettes where all the light comes from behind your subject. Little or no light hits your subject on the side, viewable from the camera’s perspective.

5. Find Frames in the Environment

Framing is a way of drawing attention to the subject of an image by blocking other parts of the image with something in the scene. It’s good to teach some of the standard rules of composition , even if you don’t want your kids to mindlessly follow them.

Framing your subject within your photos is a composition technique. It gives your photo a sense of depth and leads your eye toward the main subject.

Using leaves to frame a scene of two cabins

6. Take Unconventional Selfies

The informal self-portrait (or “selfie,” as it’s lovingly known) has become commonplace. It’s a fun idea for you and your kids to experiment with.

There are several photography projects you can come up with around this idea. One suggestion is to limit the type of selfies . Have your kids take pictures of their shadows rather than shooting the typical teen selfie in the bathroom mirror.

Yes, in the first example of a selfie, we’re back to a shadow photo. But this time, we want to focus on the shape of our shadows. In the shadow selfie photo below, I was strolling around with my camera and tripod draped across my shoulder.

An image showing a silhouette as a selfie

7. Experiment With Motion Blur

Out of all these photography projects, this one might appeal most to kids who enjoy expressing themselves by moving around.

You may have to shoot several variations of intentionally blurred photos to find an appealing one, but that’s a big part of the fun. Each version you try is unique, so experimenting is part of the game.

photography projects: motion blur with subject in center of frame

Conclusion: Photography Projects With Your Child

These fun photography projects for kids are perfect for keeping them engaged and fostering artistic expression. With little guidance and encouragement, kids can develop a lifelong passion for photography.

These are my three general tips when doing a photography project with your child:

Keep a childlike curiosity when exploring each topic.
Critique your photos and your child’s with a positive, supportive attitude.
Searching for keywords on photo gallery sites like Flickr, 500px, and Pinterest can give you more interesting ideas for new photos.

Are you interested in finding some more great photography project ideas? Check out our article about 21 photography projects to try at home !

Prompt and Pose Ideas for Capturing Beautiful Family Photos

Capturing beautiful and fun family photos can be tough, especially if you’re stuck in a rut! If you are a family photographer looking for some inspiration, I’ve got you covered with this blog post of prompt and pose ideas for your next family photo session.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Family Photography Sessions

When I first started out in photography, I would just place families in a spot I thought was pretty, and tell them to get close and smile at the camera. I didn’t really know what to say to get them to laugh genuinely. I didn’t realize that there was so much value in the in-between moments, or in the photos where everyone was interacting with each other and not looking at the camera.

It took a few years before I learned about lifestyle family photography.

Once I tried it out, I couldn’t go back to stiff and boring posed photography. My heart was in those connections between family members.

Over the years, I have had to think of a ton of different ideas to get people having fun, interacting, getting cuddly, etc. I’d love to share some of those ideas with you! So read on for a few of my favorite prompts and poses for family photography.

Fun Family Photography Prompt Ideas

family walking and swinging their child between them - fun family photo prompt idea

I love to bring the fun during family sessions! One of my favorite prompt or pose ideas is to have the family hold hands in a line and walk toward the camera. But I tell them that they should look at each other or the ground, but not at me. I feel like it’s awkward to have an entire family walking toward the camera and looking at it… just me? Lol. I’d much rather they look like they are having a good time as a family and connecting with each other! You can add another element to this walk by asking them to bump hips, or play red light, green light with them. Or maybe dad can twirl the little girl on the end a few times, or have the parents hold one kid’s hands in the middle and swing them. You can add different things into this to really make it fun. Don’t be afraid to shout out random directions as they walk! And if they are getting too close to you, tell them to walk backward!

Cuddly and Sweet Family Photo Poses

CUddly and sweet family photo prompt and pose ideas

Something I try and do is make things into a game. So if I’m looking for a cuddly and sweet pose, I’ll ask the kids to stand by me and have the parents embracing each other in the spot I’d like the photo taken. And when I say embracing, I don’t just mean limply putting their arms around each other, I want them really holding each other tight facing each other. Or if there is a baby, they can hold the baby between them. Then I’ll ask the kids to run and give their parents a huge hug! Sometimes this works better to have the kids a bit to the sides rather than right by me, so they will hug onto the sides of the parents rather than in front. Or you can have the kids run around the parents first, then tell them to hug the parents after a minute. Once they are hugging, I might need to ask a kid to turn their head towards the camera because sometimes all I can see is the back of their heads. Which is fine for a shot or two, but then I like to fix it. Get everyone cuddly. Sometimes I might tell the family to close their eyes and pretend to sleep, then I will yell, “wake up!” and see what happens. Obviously, all of this is a nice mix of playful and also sweet. But sometimes with kids, that’s what you need to do to get those sweet moments, make it a game.

Family Photography Prompts to Promote Adventure

fsmilies exploring and jumping off logs and rocks

I love to choose locations that have some spots to explore, and once the family is feeling a bit more comfortable in front of the camera, I’ll just ask them to explore together. I ask the parents to hold a kid’s hand if they can and help them walk across logs or jump off of rocks. See if they can find a pretty shell or rock, or look for bugs. Anything that their kids might enjoy. I tell the parents to really engage with their kids during this time and not worry about what I am doing. And then I get lots of different shots of this. Pullbacks of the entire family in the scene, closeup details of the things they find, etc. And don’t be afraid to tell them to adjust specific things if you need to. Like, “Mom, put your hair over the other shoulder,” or “Dad, do that again but this time from this direction.” Yes, you are trying to capture them genuinely playing and exploring, but you can direct it a bit if needed!

50 Prompts and Poses for Family Photography

Do you have trouble capturing family photos full of connection? My Family Photography Prompts and Poses Digital Cards can help! They include 50 prompts and poses to help you bring out emotion with your families during your next photo session. I will show you photo examples along with the prompt or pose instructions. I even give you tips to really make it your own. These cards are delivered in digital form and are meant to be kept on your phone for easy viewing before or during your session.

“When I saw the prompts and poses digital cards, I was a bit skeptical. I had tried other ideas in the past, but they never seemed to work. I felt like I was always doing the same things during my sessions, and the photos never turned out the way I envisioned them in my head.

But I decided to give the cards a try anyway. I was surprised to find that they were really helpful! The prompts and poses were easy to follow, and they helped me connect with my subjects and get them to relax . As a result, my sessions are so much more fun and full of emotion and connection!” -Jen H.

Grab the Family Photography Prompts and Poses Digital Cards !

How to Create Amazing Images Using a Circular Prism – Photography Tutorial

Your Guide to Using a Circular Prism – Photography Tutorial Using a circular prism is an awesome way to add some flair and fun to your photography so I created this tutorial to show you how to do it! If you know me, you know that I’m all about finding new and creative photography techniques…

Complete Guide to Starting a Client Closet for Photographers

Should you start a client closet + all my tips for starting one You may be asking yourself if you should start a client closet and what the best way to go about it is. As a family photographer myself, I have gone through the process of creating a client wardrobe and have definitely made…

Business Advice – Family Photographers Zoom Chat Replay

I decided to host a virtual chat over Zoom for family photographers to talk about anything and everything photography business related and we had such a fun time! It’s about an hour and we talk about all kinds of things from blogging and SEO to booking clients and styling. Either watch the parts you’re interested…

How to Organize Your Digital Photos for Savvy Family Photographers

As a family photographer, you probably have thousands of photos stored on your hard drive, but keeping them organized is not easy when you don’t have a clear plan. So I’m going to share some tips with you so that you can easily find and access the digital images you need! I know it’s not…

Best Canon Camera for Family Photography | Advice From a Family Photographer

I’ve been in the family photography business for over 10 years and I’ve learned a lot about what Canon camera works best for different levels of photography from beginner to advanced. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting the right camera for your business: price, performance, photo quality, etc. so I’m going…

How to “Wow” your photography clients by writing excellent emails

I’ve got some great tips for you today that will help with your email communication when you are writing to your photography clients and potential clients. Tip #1: Write Fun Email Subjects I’ll start this tip with an example. I used to send out emails to my clients with boring subject lines. And it’s fine,…

These are such great tips for posing family photos! I’ll have to implement them my next session…thank you!

this is full of great tips! ill have to try some during my next family session 🙂

Excellent article with great tips!

Gorgeous imagery (and ideas) Becca ????

I was looking for ideas on what to wear for our own family photos in the Myrtle beach area. Your photos are beautiful

Thank you so much for the awesome advice! Sometimes I struggle with how to prompt my families so that the results come across as genuine ~ your suggestions make it so much easier!

Family Fun in the Sun event offers free fun & family-friendly activities in Holdrege

by NTV News

Holdrege Family Fun in the Sun event (Photo Credit: The Holdrege Lions 05/31/2024)

KEARNEY, Neb. — A Family friendly event is set to take place in Holdrege on Saturday with a bulk of free activities meant to bring families closer.

The Holdrege Lions' Family Fun in the Sun event will take place on Saturday, June 1st.

According to Patricia Christen with The Holdrege Lions, it is designed to bring families and the community together for a day of memory-making and enjoyment.

Kicking off at 8 AM, Christen says the event will begin with a fishing contest for teams of children and adults.

They say there would also be kayak races, with prizes awarded to the winners of both events.

Christen says attractions include bounce houses, a water slide, a dunk tank, outdoor laser tag, and various other games.

She says lunch, beverages, and snacks will be available for purchase.

According to Christen, there is no fee to participate but freewill donations will be greatly appreciated.

She says the event is open to all ages—children and those who are young at heart.

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Hands up if you’re ready to be dazzled! From a ceremony structure designed to float on water to a jaw-dropping reception room with flowers blooming from every service, we’re swooning over every bit of this wedding. If you can believe it, that’s just the beginning. Julia Kaptelova artfully shot every detail, like the ballet performance guests were treated to and snow falling from the ceiling for the first dance! Prepare to be amazed and take a visit to the full gallery .

From About You Decor … Our design is a symbol of dawn and a distant endless horizon. Ahead is a long, happy life without any borders. An international couple, Pavel and Cherry, met in London and have been walking together for many years.

From the Bride, Cherry… My husband and I we decided to have our summer wedding in Moscow because the city is where his roots are. As we knew we were going to have the other wedding ceremony in China, we wanted our Moscow one to be very personal and intimate. We’ve known each other since we were fourteen, together with many of our friends whom we’ve also known for a decade.

I didn’t want to walk down the aisle twice so the plausibility of my request quickly came into discussion. The open pontoon stage was constructed in order to facilitate the bridal entrance on water, although there were concerns about safety as the last thing we wanted was probably a drowned bride before she could get on stage, picture that! I have to say on that day it wasn’t easy to get on the pontoon stage from the boat, in my long gown and high heels. Luckily my bridesmaids still noticed even though they stood the furthest from me on the stage, and helped me out without prior rehearsal. My girls could just tell whenever I needed a hand or maybe they were just so used to my clumsiness. Who knows 😂

We all love our photographer Julia! She’s so talented and her style is so unique. Our beloved host Alex is exceptional who made everyone laugh and cry. It was truly a blessing to have so many kind and beautiful souls on our big day. Thank you all!

[iframe https://player.vimeo.com/video/384992271 600 338]

More Princess-Worthy Ballgowns

I’m still not convinced this Moscow wedding, captured to perfection by Sonya Khegay , isn’t actually an inspiration session—it’s just that breathtaking. From the beautiful Bride’s gorgeous lace wedding dress and flawless hair and makeup to the pretty pastel color palette and stunning ceremony and reception spaces, this wedding is almost too good to be true. Do yourself a favor and see it all in The Vault now!

From Sonya Khegay … It was the last day of April and still very cold in the morning. The weather forecast wasn’t pleasing and no one expected that the sun would come out, but miracles happen and light rain gave way to the warm rays.

I love how all the details went together, you could feel the harmony in everything throughout the entire wedding day from the morning until the fireworks.

A gentle look of the bride, elegant but so airy and unique decor, the fresh and light atmosphere of early spring and, of course, true happiness in the eyes. My heart becomes so warm from these memories, it is always a pleasure to see the birth of a new family of two loving hearts.

by Elizabeth Greene

You really can’t go wrong with simple: a beautiful Bride , perfectly pretty petals , loved ones all around. But add in an amazing firework show to cap off the night and simple just became downright extraordinary. Captured by Lena Elisseva , with assistance by Katya Butenko , this rustic Russian celebration is simply fantastic. See it all in the Vault right here !

From Lena Eliseeva Photo … This cozy and warm summer wedding of gorgeous Natalia and Anton was in the middle of June. The young couple decided to organize their wedding themselves, and the day was very personal and touching. I am absolutely in love with rustic outdoor weddings, and this one is my favourite because of the free and easy atmosphere.

All the decor excluding the bride’s bouquet was made by a team of ten friends of the bride and groom. And it was charming – a light and beautiful arch, eco-style polygraphy and succulents, candy-bar with caramel apples and berries – sweet joys of summer.

At the end of ceremony the guests tossed up white handkerchiefs embroidered by Natalia’s own hands.

The most touching moment was the happy eyes of the groom’s grandmother, the most estimable person on the wedding. And the fireworks were a bright end to that beautiful day.

Photography: LENA ELISEEVA PHOTO | Floral Design: Katerina Kazakova | Hair And Makeup: Svetlana Fischeva | Photography - Assistance: Katya Butenko

These photos from Lena Kozhina are so stunningly beautiful – as in you can’t help but stop and stare – it’s hard to believe it’s real life. But these pics are proof of this gorgeous Bride and her handsome Groom’s celebration at Moscow’s Fox Lodge , surrounded by vibrant colors and breathtaking blooms . Oh, and the idea of prepping for your Big Day outside in the sun ? Brilliant. See more bright ideas right here !

From Lena Kozhina … When we met with the couple for the first time, we immediately paid attention to Dima’s behavior towards Julia. There was a feeling of tenderness and awe, and we immediately wanted to recreate this atmosphere of love, care and warmth on their Big Day.

Later, when we had chosen a green meadow and an uncovered pavilion overlooking a lake as the project site, it only highlighted a light summer mood with colorful florals and a great number of natural woods. The name of the site is Fox Lodge and peach-orange color, as one of the Bride’s favorites, set the tone for the whole design – from the invitations, in which we used images of fox cubs to elements of serving guest tables and other decorative elements with the corresponding bright accents.

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By Anna Chapman May 30, 2024

The 46th annual Staff Fest featuring food and fun is happening Friday, June 14, to recognize university staff. It is just one of many events happening at Emory during June.

Campus may be quieter thanks to the arrival of summer, but there are still plenty of fun events and activities to get involved in, from the rocking Staff Fest on June 14 to a peaceful walk along the still waters of Lullwater Preserve.

1. Taste a new plant-powered menu.

All Emory employees are invited to join the Emory University Hospital Asbury Café team for a presentation about the rollout of the new Plant-Powered Menu on Tuesday, June 4, at 4 p.m., in the Emory University Hospital Tower Conference Room (T239). Attendees will get a taste of the planning and implementation efforts of the new menu — and a chance to sample the food. A virtual option is available via Zoom. This event is free to attend, but registration is required .

2. Prepare yourself for time in the sun.

As you spend more time in the summer sun, it’s a good idea to learn about how to prevent potential UV damage. Join the Emory Sun Safety webinar on Wednesday, June 5, at 2 p.m. to learn about ultraviolet rays and how to avoid sun damage. Attendees will also learn how to identify signs of heat-related illness. This webinar is open to all Emory employees, but registration is required.

3. Learn how pediatric research combines with clinical practice.

The 13th annual Southeastern Pediatric Research Conference is coming to the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center on Friday, June 7, at 8 a.m. The conference highlights important pediatric research from across the southeastern United States, emphasizing research from Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia Tech and Morehouse School of Medicine. This conference is ticketed and open to the public.

4. Stock up on local produce and more.

The Emory Farmers Market continues through the summer, so stop by on Tuesday, June 11, and June 25 at 11 a.m. Head to McDonough Plaza to purchase locally grown produce, fresh bread, a meal and other items. Admission is free and the farmers market is open to the public.

5. Get inspiration from organizations around Atlanta.

Head to Science Gallery Atlanta on Saturday, June 15, at 11 a.m. to celebrate the start of Resilient Earth season . The kickoff will feature organizations from around Atlanta that support climate change awareness and action showcasing their work and inspiring the community to get involved. The event will also feature an artist’s market, food and local vendors. This fair is free and open to the public. Science Gallery Atlanta is located at 225 Rogers Street, NE, Building 12, in Atlanta.

6. Celebrate with your colleagues at the 46th annual Staff Fest.

Emory University staff, faculty and retirees are invited to join the annual recognition event on Friday, June 14, as thanks for their hard work throughout the academic year. This year’s theme is “Rock the Quad,” featuring live music from Atlanta’s own Band X. The Fun Run/Walk and volleyball tournament begin at 10:30 a.m., with lunch from La Parilla Mexican Restaurant and other activities from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration is required.

7. Hear from experts about brain health.

Join a webinar presented by the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Emory to learn about ongoing studies and hear from faculty clinicians who are experts in their field on how to manage, preserve and improve brain health. The presenters will offer practical insights and tips that attendees can apply to daily life. These free webinars , which take place each Tuesday at 2 p.m., are open to the public at every level of experience.

8. Join a docent-led tour of the Carlos Museum.

There are thousands of pieces on view at the Michael C. Carlos Museum — but that doesn’t mean it has to be an overwhelming experience. Attendees are invited to join a docent-led tour and explore the museum every Sunday at 2 p.m. These public tours are free with museum admission and no prior registration is required. To join, simply meet the docent in the rotunda on level one of the museum.

9. Access popular books online.

Spend some leisure time reading this summer with the help of the Woodruff Library. Emory faculty, staff and students can use the Overdrive program to download ebooks and audiobooks for free, giving you access to the most popular titles and bestsellers.

10. Take a peaceful stroll at Lullwater.

Lullwater Preserve offers a place of solace in the middle of a busy city and campus. Visitors can find plenty of paved and unpaved trails, 154 acres full of natural beauty, Candler Lake and much more. Check out the Lullwater map for information about trails around Candler Lake. Lullwater Preserve is open during daylight hours.

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Share means to provide material to the public by any means or process that requires permission under the Licensed Rights, such as reproduction, public display, public performance, distribution, dissemination, communication, or importation, and to make material available to the public including in ways that members of the public may access the material from a place and at a time individually chosen by them.
Sui Generis Database Rights means rights other than copyright resulting from Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases, as amended and/or succeeded, as well as other essentially equivalent rights anywhere in the world.
You means the individual or entity exercising the Licensed Rights under this Public License. Your has a corresponding meaning.

Section 2 – Scope.

reproduce and Share the Licensed Material, in whole or in part; and
produce and reproduce, but not Share, Adapted Material.
Exceptions and Limitations . For the avoidance of doubt, where Exceptions and Limitations apply to Your use, this Public License does not apply, and You do not need to comply with its terms and conditions.
Term . The term of this Public License is specified in Section 6(a) .
Media and formats; technical modifications allowed . The Licensor authorizes You to exercise the Licensed Rights in all media and formats whether now known or hereafter created, and to make technical modifications necessary to do so. The Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any right or authority to forbid You from making technical modifications necessary to exercise the Licensed Rights, including technical modifications necessary to circumvent Effective Technological Measures. For purposes of this Public License, simply making modifications authorized by this Section 2(a)(4) never produces Adapted Material.
Offer from the Licensor – Licensed Material . Every recipient of the Licensed Material automatically receives an offer from the Licensor to exercise the Licensed Rights under the terms and conditions of this Public License.
No downstream restrictions . You may not offer or impose any additional or different terms or conditions on, or apply any Effective Technological Measures to, the Licensed Material if doing so restricts exercise of the Licensed Rights by any recipient of the Licensed Material.
No endorsement . Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be construed as permission to assert or imply that You are, or that Your use of the Licensed Material is, connected with, or sponsored, endorsed, or granted official status by, the Licensor or others designated to receive attribution as provided in Section 3(a)(1)(A)(i) .

Other rights .

Moral rights, such as the right of integrity, are not licensed under this Public License, nor are publicity, privacy, and/or other similar personality rights; however, to the extent possible, the Licensor waives and/or agrees not to assert any such rights held by the Licensor to the limited extent necessary to allow You to exercise the Licensed Rights, but not otherwise.
Patent and trademark rights are not licensed under this Public License.
To the extent possible, the Licensor waives any right to collect royalties from You for the exercise of the Licensed Rights, whether directly or through a collecting society under any voluntary or waivable statutory or compulsory licensing scheme. In all other cases the Licensor expressly reserves any right to collect such royalties.

Section 3 – License Conditions.

Your exercise of the Licensed Rights is expressly made subject to the following conditions.

Attribution .

If You Share the Licensed Material, You must:

identification of the creator(s) of the Licensed Material and any others designated to receive attribution, in any reasonable manner requested by the Licensor (including by pseudonym if designated);
a copyright notice;
a notice that refers to this Public License;
a notice that refers to the disclaimer of warranties;
a URI or hyperlink to the Licensed Material to the extent reasonably practicable;
indicate if You modified the Licensed Material and retain an indication of any previous modifications; and
indicate the Licensed Material is licensed under this Public License, and include the text of, or the URI or hyperlink to, this Public License.
You may satisfy the conditions in Section 3(a)(1) in any reasonable manner based on the medium, means, and context in which You Share the Licensed Material. For example, it may be reasonable to satisfy the conditions by providing a URI or hyperlink to a resource that includes the required information.
If requested by the Licensor, You must remove any of the information required by Section 3(a)(1)(A) to the extent reasonably practicable.

Section 4 – Sui Generis Database Rights.

Where the Licensed Rights include Sui Generis Database Rights that apply to Your use of the Licensed Material:

for the avoidance of doubt, Section 2(a)(1) grants You the right to extract, reuse, reproduce, and Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database, provided You do not Share Adapted Material;
if You include all or a substantial portion of the database contents in a database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights, then the database in which You have Sui Generis Database Rights (but not its individual contents) is Adapted Material; and
You must comply with the conditions in Section 3(a) if You Share all or a substantial portion of the contents of the database.

Section 5 – Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability.

Unless otherwise separately undertaken by the Licensor, to the extent possible, the Licensor offers the Licensed Material as-is and as-available, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the Licensed Material, whether express, implied, statutory, or other. This includes, without limitation, warranties of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, absence of latent or other defects, accuracy, or the presence or absence of errors, whether or not known or discoverable. Where disclaimers of warranties are not allowed in full or in part, this disclaimer may not apply to You.
To the extent possible, in no event will the Licensor be liable to You on any legal theory (including, without limitation, negligence) or otherwise for any direct, special, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, exemplary, or other losses, costs, expenses, or damages arising out of this Public License or use of the Licensed Material, even if the Licensor has been advised of the possibility of such losses, costs, expenses, or damages. Where a limitation of liability is not allowed in full or in part, this limitation may not apply to You.
The disclaimer of warranties and limitation of liability provided above shall be interpreted in a manner that, to the extent possible, most closely approximates an absolute disclaimer and waiver of all liability.

Section 6 – Term and Termination.

This Public License applies for the term of the Copyright and Similar Rights licensed here. However, if You fail to comply with this Public License, then Your rights under this Public License terminate automatically.

Where Your right to use the Licensed Material has terminated under Section 6(a) , it reinstates:

automatically as of the date the violation is cured, provided it is cured within 30 days of Your discovery of the violation; or
upon express reinstatement by the Licensor.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensor may also offer the Licensed Material under separate terms or conditions or stop distributing the Licensed Material at any time; however, doing so will not terminate this Public License.
Sections 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 survive termination of this Public License.

Section 7 – Other Terms and Conditions.

The Licensor shall not be bound by any additional or different terms or conditions communicated by You unless expressly agreed.
Any arrangements, understandings, or agreements regarding the Licensed Material not stated herein are separate from and independent of the terms and conditions of this Public License.

Section 8 – Interpretation.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Public License does not, and shall not be interpreted to, reduce, limit, restrict, or impose conditions on any use of the Licensed Material that could lawfully be made without permission under this Public License.
To the extent possible, if any provision of this Public License is deemed unenforceable, it shall be automatically reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable. If the provision cannot be reformed, it shall be severed from this Public License without affecting the enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions.
No term or condition of this Public License will be waived and no failure to comply consented to unless expressly agreed to by the Licensor.
Nothing in this Public License constitutes or may be interpreted as a limitation upon, or waiver of, any privileges and immunities that apply to the Licensor or You, including from the legal processes of any jurisdiction or authority.

Creative Commons is not a party to its public licenses. Notwithstanding, Creative Commons may elect to apply one of its public licenses to material it publishes and in those instances will be considered the “Licensor.” The text of the Creative Commons public licenses is dedicated to the public domain under the CC0 Public Domain Dedication . Except for the limited purpose of indicating that material is shared under a Creative Commons public license or as otherwise permitted by the Creative Commons policies published at creativecommons.org/policies , Creative Commons does not authorize the use of the trademark “Creative Commons” or any other trademark or logo of Creative Commons without its prior written consent including, without limitation, in connection with any unauthorized modifications to any of its public licenses or any other arrangements, understandings, or agreements concerning use of licensed material. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph does not form part of the public licenses.

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