February: Teen Photography Scavenger Hunt Contest
Photography is having a comeback with younger audiences, and it’s a really interesting process for teens. Giving teens a chance to take photos that they can’t see immediately and then developing them to pick up later gives them a chance to focus on the aspect of taking pictures rather than the outcome. The goal is to educate teens about film photography and encourage them to look at a place where they have been before (like the library) and see it as a medium for creative expression.
Details
Audience: Teens and Tweens
Popular Topics:
Arts and Crafts
Hands-On
Theme/Subjects:
Photography
Arts
Total Budget: $350
-
Overall, the setting up in advance and developing the film for this project will be most of the work. Once all the prep is set up, the program will essentially run itself.
I bought a camera for a trip that I had taken and I saw a “scavenger hunt” of photography prompts for a vacation that I thought would be a great idea to make my own for a library program. I looked around the library I work at for different things I could use as prompts, and I think that giving them agency to go explore the library is a great way for them to learn about spaces in the library they’re not as well acquainted with. This program will give a brief overview about photography fundamentals, then each participant will be given a disposable camera and a “scavenger hunt” of 27 prompts that they have to take a picture of during the allotted program time. Once the program is finished, the film will be developed, and the participants will be able to pick up their photos. To give more incentive, one participant will be chosen as the winner of the photography contest.
-
SCAVENGER HUNT:
INSTRUCTIONS:
You have just been given a disposable film camera with 27 exposures. Your goal is to follow these prompts to take 27 photos around the library. You have 45 minutes to take all of these photos. When you’re finished, come back to the children’s room to hand in your disposable camera.
THE RULES:
You CANNOT leave the building or go outside.
You CANNOT disrupt other library patrons.
You CANNOT go anywhere patrons aren’t permitted, or do anything that’s against the code of conduct.
PHOTOGRAPHY PROMPTS:
*Photos should be in order of the prompts.
Take a picture of…
One of your favorite books
A Window
A Chair
A Door
A Shelf
A Desk
A Table
Your favorite spot in the library
Somewhere in the library you haven’t been before
Something that makes you feel happy
Something that makes you feel sad
A piece of technology
Something old
Something new
Something you didn’t know was in the library
Something up close
Something far away
Something big
Something little
Something from an odd angle that looks like something else
Something light
Something dark
Something high up
Something down low
Yourself
Freebie #1
Freebie #2
-
The plan is to market it on Instagram using a Canva flyer, and then use the photos that were developed to make further marketing materials about future programs after the program.
BUDGET DETAILS:
Fujifilm Disposable Cameras- $239 for $10 pack
Film Development: $10 per film developed-$100
$10 Gift card for Winner
Total: $349 for materials
-
1 staff member is needed to oversee this program while it’s happening, and then one staff member is needed to go out afterwards and develop the film.
Pre-Activity Steps
Print out a photography prompt sheet for each participant.
Write the name of each participant on a disposable camera in sharpie.
Set the room up by placing a prompt sheet and a camera for each participant.
Program Execution
Introduction to Photography
Short presentation on the fundamentals of photography and explain how to take a photo using the camera
Give participants scavenger hunt and cameras
Give them time frame (about 45 minutes)
Send them off to explore the library!
