Not only is photography a fun hobby for your kids but it’s a way to capture special moments forever and it has health and developmental benefits. According to the Adobe State of Create 2016 report, only four out of ten participants identified themselves as creators. This number is growing with each generation but nurturing creativity is an important process. Several studies have explained why visual arts is an important skill to learn as a child and we have compiled this blog post to show you why!
- The growth of visual communications
Over 1.2 trillion pictures were taken in 2017, which works out to about 160 photos per person per year (Statista). The amount of photos taken in 2018 is only set to grow as apps such as Instagram and Snapchat continue to dominate social media. Another giant, YouTube has over 1 billion users which is one third of all internet users.
With such a dependency on social media, being able to take captivating visuals is an important part of our society. But the rise in pictures is not only related to newsfeeds. Marketing is shifting into the digital realm and pictures and videos play a huge role in that. 84 per cent of marketing communications is expected be visual based by this year (Techsmith). This shift in communications comes from the responses that pictures and videos receive online. Content with photos get 94 per cent more views than content without (Betahaus). 46 per cent of marketers now say that photography is critical to their marketing strategy. Several studies have been conducted that explain how as people, we register a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second, which requires less processing time than reading this sentence (Betahaus).
This new found dependence on images and videos means that the industry calls for more creators now and in the future. Photography is becoming an even more important skill and produces more job possibilities.
2. Photography offers transferable skills
Photography is so much more than clicking a button and taking a picture. Many of the skills you learn as a photographer can be transferred into real life. As a visual art, photography teaches kids how to analyze and observe situations (Parents.com). When taking a picture, you need to be aware of the environment around you and what would look good in a shot and what wouldn’t. This ability to analyze allows for a photographer to become observant. Being able to decide what goes in frame and out of frame teaches quick decision making skills as well (pbs.org).
Hobbies such as photography help children develop their fine motor and visual spatial skills. Being involved with the arts has also been scientifically proven to obtaining more academic achievements than a student who is not involved. This has shown to be the case because the arts instills an ability to focus in the participants with an attention to detail (Peprich). Artistic activities have also led to an increase in self confidence and high self esteem which can lead to higher academic achievements.
Overall, the arts and even photography specifically provides life long transferable skills that will be helpful in the job force but also life in general. Every job needs someone who is a skilled problem solver or a creative thinker. Art just encourages those qualities to come through.
3. Expressing Creativity
Photography like every other visual art is a great outlet to express creativity. Creativity is a key component to entrepreneurial ventures and the creation of new ideas. By being creative on the regular, new ideas are easier to formulate and allow for you to think of the box with ease. The Boston Consulting Group found that creativity is the number one imperative that hiring managers look for.
Art also teaches children that making mistakes can often lead to something better or at least how to resolve problems in a variety of different ways. Art is often the perfect outlet for communicating ideas and feelings that you would ordinarily struggle with (childdevelopment.com). Photography allows you to tell a story through a picture and what you take a picture of can sometimes be just as telling as what you don’t take pictures of. Though creativity also inspires imagination, it encourages resiliency and is a great way to establish a work ethic. Most importantly, creating art allows you to work on things you love and be creative without consequences.
Works Cited
“Adobe State of Create 2016” Adobe, 3 Oct. 2016, PDF.
“Arts Education and Academic Achievement.” PERPICH, 2017, perpich.mn.gov/index.php?section=arts-ed-academic-achievement. Accessed 14 Feb. 2018.
Bernstein, Paula. “Why Art and Creativity Are Important.” Parents.com, 6 Dec. 2017, www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/intellectual/why-art-and-creativity-are-important/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2018.
“The Importance of Creative Arts for Children and Teens” Child Development Institute, 2012, https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/multiple_intelligences/the-importance-of-the-creative-arts-for-children-and-teens/#.WoSSD6jwbIU. Accessed 14 Feb. 2018.
Lynch, Grace Hwang. “The Importance of Art in Child Development.” PBS, 25 May 2012, www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2018.
O’Neill, Meaghan. “Here’s Why You Should Send Your Kid to an Arts Camp This Summer.”Boston Globe, 24 Feb. 2017, https://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2017/02/24/here-why-you-should-send-your-kid-arts-camp-this-summer/XaNEEo6lFxYkMlE8wu79tM/story.html. Accessed 14 Feb. 2018.
“Why Is Creativity so Crucial for Entrepreneurs?” Cleverism, 26 Sept. 2015, www.cleverism.com/why-creativity-is-so-crucial-for-entrepreneurs/. Accessed 14 Feb. 2018.
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