My Son’s Journey with Photography: Learning, Exploring, and Growing Together

A New Camera, New Challenges

Recently, I decided to upgrade his camera, not with something expensive, but with a Vivitar InstaPrint digital camerathat gives him the instant gratification of a printed photo. It’s kind of like a modern Polaroid, but with the added challenge that it only prints in black and white, on thermal paper. The quality isn’t perfect—it’s the kind of print you’d get from a receipt printer—but I love that it makes him think before he snaps the photo. He’s starting to learn that not every shot will come out exactly as he envisioned, and that’s part of the process.

When he first got the new camera, he was thrilled. But there was a moment of impatience, too—waiting for me to set it up and show him how to use it tested his resolve a bit. Once I handed it over, though, the real fun began. Now, he’s not only capturing moments, but he’s also learning how to work with the camera’s different modes and the limitations of the paper. I’m hoping that this will encourage him to be more selective with his shots, and maybe even spark some deeper creativity along the way.

Building Skills, One Shot at a Time

Every time we go out on an adventure—whether it’s sailing to a new destination or visiting a place like Cape Lookout National Seashore—he’s eager to bring his camera along. I’ve noticed that he’s becoming more aware of things like distance, light, and composition. It’s all trial and error for him at this stage, and there are moments where the photo doesn’t quite come out the way he hoped. But that’s part of the learning process, and it’s something I can relate to from my own early days as a photographer.

I think what I’m most excited about is how photography is helping him slow down. He’s starting to realize that photography requires patience—waiting for the right light, framing the shot just right, and thinking about what will appear in the print. It’s teaching him to focus on the present moment and pay attention to the details that he might otherwise overlook.

A Shared Passion

There’s something special about sharing this passion with him. Whenever he captures a photo he’s proud of, he’ll rush over to show me and his mother, beaming with excitement. It’s become a bonding experience for us. The fact that his new camera prints photos instantly only adds to his enthusiasm—he can physically hold what he’s created and share it with others. I think this tangible result helps boost his confidence, and I’ve no doubt it’s something he’ll carry with him as he continues to learn and grow.

Looking Forward

At this point, his cameras are still mostly toys. But that doesn’t diminish the value of the lessons he’s learning—about patience, creativity, and the joy of creating something from nothing. I don’t know if photography will become a lifelong passion for him, but I’m glad he’s getting this experience. And for now, I’m just enjoying watching him discover the world one photo at a time.