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How to Make a Play Photo Shoot

Inspire a budding photographer by spending an afternoon playing photo shoot. You don't have to head to a swanky studio for this activity; simply create a make-believe scenario at home. Set the scene in your living room by draping or mounting a sheet as your background, enlist a volunteer model like a child, pet, stuffed animal or doll, and arm the faux photographer with a toy camera or test his skills by giving him access to the family digital camera. You could also spice up the game by taking it on the road for an on-location shoot in a local park.

Things You'll Need

White bed sheet
White poster board
Lamps with lampshades removed
Volunteer model
Camera
Computer (optional)

Instructions

Indoor Shoot
- 1
  Create a backdrop for the photo shoot using a plain white bed sheet. Use tacks or nails to attach the sheet to a wall or simply drape it over a tall piece of furniture like a bookshelf or wardrobe.
- 2
  Set up the lighting for the pretend photo shoot by removing the lampshades from several household lamps. Arrange these around the space you plan to use for the shoot, making sure they are near enough to outlets to be plugged in during play. Turn these on when you begin shooting.
- 3
  Give the white poster board to one of the children who will be a helper participating in the activity, or take on the role yourself while your child is shooting; this piece will represent light reflectors used in real photo shoots.
- 4
  Give your child a camera, whether it's a toy camera, a camera-shaped piece of cardboard or an actual digital or film camera. Bring out your volunteer model and have the pretend photographer give directions for positions to explore. Help your child work with a pet or inanimate object by guiding or moving it around against the backdrop.
- 5
  Help your child review digital photos on the computer after the pretend shoot wraps or simply finish the game upon completion and begin cleanup.
Outdoor Shoot
- 6
  Have your child choose an outdoor location to explore during the pretend shoot, whether it's just outside in the backyard,or at a local park or playground. Pack up the camera, the model and the poster board and head to the location of the pretend shoot.
- 7
  Spend a few moments assessing the area so your child can decide which areas he wants to explore. Have him consider elements like the lighting of the spot to determine if it would make for a good photo.
- 8
  Get the model set up in front of the place your child wants to shoot and then let him have at it. Have the helper hold the white poster board and follow the photographer around, or do this job yourself to increase the reality of the shoot.

Kids Games