Career Day, What to present?

[kayumangi]

Hi Guys,

Today I got invited at a local elementary school to talk about my career as a Photographer, which I thought was ironic because I'm not a full time photog.

The coordinator told me that it will be three 30 min pep talks. The audience will be elementary schools kids from grades 1 to 5 I think.

Now before I get flamed, the original photog slated to talk, had a death in the family, so she had to cancel. I was referred by one of the school councilors because I shot her sons senior pictures last year.

Anyhow, to be honest, I'm quite clueless on what to present. Maybe some of you guys had experience with this and would like to share some ideas and tips?

On the other hand if you think I should decline the offer, please tell me so, because I'm quite conflicted being a weekend-warrior and all.

Hope I made sense.

[DoublyDan]

I say go for it!

Show them some colorful images to keep their attention. The Senior images might be helpful to encourage them to stay in school. Animals would work too.

Maybe some pull back shots to show how the lights were set up?
Touch on persistence with some stories about failures and getting jobs; by talking about how it is a part time thing for now you can show what hard work will do for your career, ambitions, as well as for your pocket book.

Most of all show how following your dreams really pays off, so many people are unhappy with their jobs because they have no passion.
Good luck

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

Hi Guys,

Today I got invited at a local elementary school to talk about my career as a Photographer, which I thought was ironic because I'm not a full time photog.

The coordinator told me that it will be three 30 min pep talks. The audience will be elementary schools kids from grades 1 to 5 I think.

Now before I get flamed, the original photog slated to talk, had a death in the family, so she had to cancel. I was referred by one of the school councilors because I shot her sons senior pictures last year.

Anyhow, to be honest, I'm quite clueless on what to present. Maybe some of you guys had experience with this and would like to share some ideas and tips?

On the other hand if you think I should decline the offer, please tell me so, because I'm quite conflicted being a weekend-warrior and all.

Hope I made sense.

Funny -- I just did a career day yesterday for 8th graders -- I was reluctant to do it at first as well, but mainly because I had no idea what I would say, and not because I doubt myself. But I talked to the newpaper editor about being asked and he basicallly told me that I should do it. Said basically you say a few things about the industry and what we do, and then show them some fancy equipment and answer questions.


It was cool though -- cause most of the kids knew me, and had seen the shots that I had done of the Jr High sports.

My audience was a bit different than yours is, but basically, I explained to them how I go about approaching a shoot, or a game, and talked about imagining the shots that I wanted to get before I got there, and then talked about a few of the technical aspects that go into getting those shots that I wanted.

That took about 5 minutes or so, and then I opened up for questions for everyone. It was a bit non-responsive on occasion, but for the most part the kids wanted to know about what type of shoots that I did, and how I got started in photography. Some had seen a few lightning shots that I did and wanted to know how I did that.

I took my equipment with me, and one by one, I would let them hold it (all while holding the strap for security) and let them shoot a few shots if they wanted.

Showing the kids some awesome photos would be a great thing for younger kids. If you have any old manual cameras laying around that you can let them hold and pass around, that might be helpful as well.

I would say absolutely do it, and open it up for questions! It will challenge you to understand it better yourself if you can explain it to a third grader.

[kayumangi]

Thanks, I just called the coordinator and accepted the offer.

@Daniel: I like your suggestion but I probably need to word it right, I don't want to sound negative in front of the kids =)

@Kent: Thanks for the tips, I will probably have a couple kids touch my gear but not hold them completely. Too bad, I sold my old pentax Ks.

It will definitely be a challenge to sell photography to kids but I'm up for it =)

[CaptainTom]

It will definitely be a challenge to sell photography to kids but I'm up for it =)

Take the same approach that you'd take when talking to a bride or senior.
You aren't selling photography as much as you are selling yourself.

If you are fun, engaging, knowledgable, honest they'll take to you right away.
If your try to sell them something else, they'll see right through you and roll the windows up.

nobody's going home and say " i think i want to be a Nikon shooter ".
Let them go home and say " that photographer person was pretty cool ".

[kayumangi]

Good point Tom, most kids specially the very young ones can perceive BS a mile a way =)

[Doubletakes]

Open with a joke.

Maybe some PS with original sources for them to compare.

Maybe surprise them with an off-the-wall edit.

Maybe take a pic right there.

[woodstockflys]

YouTube - Camera Obscura!

[kneemeaux]

I did a scuba presentation years ago for some fourth graders. Figuring that they were about 5 years older that thier grade (i.e. 9 years old, like I was) I started off saying "Fourth grade huh...that means y'all are all about 7 years old, right?"

They were instantly involved. It was a good ice breaker and the rest of the presentation went very well since they weren't "afraid" of speaking out about anything.

[kayumangi]

Thanks for the tips guys. I just finished the Career Day thngie and like what David and Kent alluded too, it was definitely an eye opener.

Trying to explain what we do for a living to a younger audience within 30 mins is tough, tougher than selling prints to adults I say.

And out of the three sessions I did, only the last one opened up to me. I mean, they really opened up; they were raising their hands almost all at the same time, the proctor had to intervene and remind to ask questions one at a time.

As for the 1st two batches, I wasn't sure, maybe I was just boring to them.

The last batch just enjoyed the pics

@Woodstock: camera obscura would have been awesome but I only had 30 mins per session

@David: I tried a similar trick but only the younger crowd appreciated it, the rest remained silent =(

@Tracy: I did take pictures of the kids and they had a blast

[Doubletakes]

That's great, thanks for including us, I love new experiences!!