Think fast: What color is your refrigerator? If you have mini-Picasso’s living in your home you may have to think about that question for a while. If your frig looks anything like mine you may not even know what color the handle is. My daughter’s artwork covers every millimeter of our refrigerator. And believe me, she knows if even one of her drawings or paintings has been removed. To keep her mosaic masterpiece under control I’ve been forced to get creative. In doing so I have learned that photography is a perfect way to tame the Crayola beast. Here’s how:
Take Individual Photos Your Child’s Artwork
Our refrigerator is wallpapered with my daughter’s masterpieces, but they only represent a sampling of her work. Many of her greatest pieces have been shipped off to Hawaii so they can decorate grandma and grandpa’s frig. However, before we pack them up and send them off I photograph each creation. This is something you can do even if you aren’t sending them 5,000 miles away from your home. Photographs of your child’s colorings will last longer than the originals. I would suggest gathering a dozen or so and placing them on a neutral background. Then, make sure you are in a place void of glare lighting. Try to shoot as tight as possible. Each piece should fill the entire frame. People shouldn’t think the focus of your picture was your dining room table that happened to have some of your child’s artwork on it.
Photograph Your Children With Their Masterpieces
This tip is especially helpful if you have more than one child. It’s very simple–take a picture of each child with his or her artwork. Not only will it help you remember who drew what, it will also help you remember their age when they created it. And nothing beats a shot of a kid with smile full of pride on her face and a colorful creation in her hand.
Document The Process
This is something I have done since my daughter picked up her first crayon. I did so because I wanted my parents to see what they were missing. As I look back I’m so glad I took the time to do so. I have pictures of my daughter painting for the first time, gluing for the first time, and my personal favorite, her first encounter with glitter. Capturing your little artist at work is something you won’t regret doing. Candid shots of pint-sized Van Gogh’s at work often yield unforgettable shots. For example, my daughter chews on her bottom lip when she is focused on a specific project and the smiles I have with her and her finished projects are some of the most genuine I have ever captured on film.
Other Tips
I keep the photos I take of my daughter’s artwork in a separate photo album. The book contains both the individual pictures of her creations and the ones where she’s posing with them. If you have the space you could also create an album with the original pieces.
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