Take any kind of portrait - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

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Take any kind of portrait

Take a portrait photograph of a family member or pet using a camera or phone, experimenting with lighting, angles, and expression to learn composition.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to take a portrait photograph of a family member or pet

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Learn how to draw portraits - How to draw a face step-by-step - Easy tutorial for kids

What you need

Camera or phone, plain wall or blanket, small lamp or or use window light, chair or stool, a favorite hat or toy for props, adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick one family member or pet to be your portrait subject and ask them if it’s okay to take their picture.

Step 2

Choose a simple background like a plain wall or a blanket and bring the chair or stool into place.

Step 3

Decide whether you will use window light or a lamp and make sure the light source is ready.

Step 4

Turn on your camera or open the camera app on the phone.

Step 5

Sit or place your subject a few feet away from the background so they stand out.

Step 6

Try different lighting directions by moving the light or the subject for front light side light and backlight and notice how the face looks.

Step 7

Take at least one photo after each lighting change so you can compare how the light changed the portrait.

Step 8

Shoot from different angles by taking one photo at eye level one photo slightly above and one photo slightly below.

Step 9

Ask your subject to show different expressions like a big smile a serious face and a silly face and capture each expression in a photo.

Step 10

Look through your photos on the camera or phone and pick three favorites.

Step 11

Crop or straighten your favorite photo and make small edits like brightness or contrast if you want.

Step 12

Share your finished portrait on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use instead if I don't have a camera, a chair/stool, or a plain background?

Use a phone or tablet camera if you don't have a camera, a sturdy stack of books or a low table instead of a chair or stool, and a plain bedsheet or blanket hung on the wall for your background.

My photos come out dark, blurry, or with harsh shadows—what should I try when testing different lighting directions?

Move the lamp closer or switch to window light for softer illumination, prop the camera or phone on a stable surface to prevent blur, and use a piece of white paper as a reflector to fill shadows after each lighting change so you can compare results.

How can I adapt this portrait activity for younger children or older kids/teens?

For younger children, simplify to picking a subject, using one light source (window), shooting at eye level, and taking three expressions, while older kids can try front/side/backlight, above/below angles, and make small edits like brightness or contrast.

How can we extend or personalize the portrait after we pick favorites and edit?

Personalize by adding props or costumes and swapping the blanket background for a themed fabric, experiment with a reflector or colored lamp for creative light effects, and make a printed frame or collage of your three favorite cropped photos to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to take a portrait photograph of a family member or pet

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

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4 Videos

Facts about photography for kids

📸 Many smartphones have multiple lenses (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) so you can change framing without swapping equipment.

🌅 The "golden hour"—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—gives soft, warm light that makes portraits look magical.

🎯 Placing the subject's eyes near the top third of the frame (rule of thirds) often makes portraits more engaging than perfect centering.

🔦 A simple white sheet, poster board, or foil can act as a reflector to bounce light into shadows and brighten faces.

🐶 Pets often ignore the camera—holding a toy or treat near the lens helps capture cute attention and expressive looks.

How can my child take a great portrait photograph of a family member or pet?

Start by choosing a comfortable subject and bright, soft light (near a window or shaded outdoors). Encourage your child to try different angles—eye level, slightly above, or close-ups. Focus on the eyes and fill the frame with the subject. Use burst mode for moving pets and take several quick shots per pose. Keep backgrounds simple, remove distractions, review images together, and praise creativity while letting them experiment.

What materials do I need to take a portrait photo with a camera or phone?

You only need a camera or smartphone with a charged battery, but extras help: a simple tripod or stable surface, a soft blanket or chair, small props or toys, treats for pets, and a reflector (white card or foil) to bounce light. A remote shutter or timer is handy, and a basic photo-editing app lets you crop and adjust brightness afterward.

What ages is this portrait photography activity suitable for?

This activity works for toddlers through teens with age-appropriate roles: ages 2 to 4 can press the shutter with help and explore expressions; ages 5 to 7 can frame simple shots and learn basic posing; ages 8 to 11 can experiment with angles, lighting, and composition; ages 12 and up can handle settings, editing, and directing subjects. Always supervise young children and pets.

What safety tips should we follow when kids photograph family members or pets?

Supervise sessions and respect the subject’s comfort. For pets, watch body language and stop if stressed; use treats and keep sessions short. Avoid bright flash near eyes, secure cords and tripods to prevent trips, and keep small props safe. Teach kids not to point cameras at strong sunlight. Discuss privacy and get permission before sharing photos online, and handle equipment carefully.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Take any kind of portrait

Take a portrait photograph of a family member or pet using a camera or phone, experimenting with lighting, angles, and expression to learn composition.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to take a portrait photograph of a family member or pet

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Learn how to draw portraits - How to draw a face step-by-step - Easy tutorial for kids

What you need

Camera or phone, plain wall or blanket, small lamp or or use window light, chair or stool, a favorite hat or toy for props, adult supervision required

Step 1

Pick one family member or pet to be your portrait subject and ask them if it’s okay to take their picture.

Step 2

Choose a simple background like a plain wall or a blanket and bring the chair or stool into place.

Step 3

Decide whether you will use window light or a lamp and make sure the light source is ready.

Step 4

Turn on your camera or open the camera app on the phone.

Step 5

Sit or place your subject a few feet away from the background so they stand out.

Step 6

Try different lighting directions by moving the light or the subject for front light side light and backlight and notice how the face looks.

Step 7

Take at least one photo after each lighting change so you can compare how the light changed the portrait.

Step 8

Shoot from different angles by taking one photo at eye level one photo slightly above and one photo slightly below.

Step 9

Ask your subject to show different expressions like a big smile a serious face and a silly face and capture each expression in a photo.

Step 10

Look through your photos on the camera or phone and pick three favorites.

Step 11

Crop or straighten your favorite photo and make small edits like brightness or contrast if you want.

Step 12

Share your finished portrait on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use instead if I don't have a camera, a chair/stool, or a plain background?

Use a phone or tablet camera if you don't have a camera, a sturdy stack of books or a low table instead of a chair or stool, and a plain bedsheet or blanket hung on the wall for your background.

My photos come out dark, blurry, or with harsh shadows—what should I try when testing different lighting directions?

How can I adapt this portrait activity for younger children or older kids/teens?

How can we extend or personalize the portrait after we pick favorites and edit?

Watch videos on how to take a portrait photograph of a family member or pet

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Self Portrait Drawing for 3rd- 5th Grade | How to Draw a Face Step-by-Step Tutorial for Kids

4 Videos

Facts about photography for kids

📸 Many smartphones have multiple lenses (wide, ultra-wide, telephoto) so you can change framing without swapping equipment.

🌅 The "golden hour"—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—gives soft, warm light that makes portraits look magical.

🎯 Placing the subject's eyes near the top third of the frame (rule of thirds) often makes portraits more engaging than perfect centering.

🔦 A simple white sheet, poster board, or foil can act as a reflector to bounce light into shadows and brighten faces.

🐶 Pets often ignore the camera—holding a toy or treat near the lens helps capture cute attention and expressive looks.