The Big Picture for Little People

- The Big Picture for Little People -

Children have the ability to see things in an uncomplicated and uncontaminated way using their unhindered imagination to interpret the world around them with a magical innocence. Using photography to hone in on those skills is a wonderful way to allow their
imagination to come to life.

I offer introductory photography lessons to children in a fun, exciting and uncomplicated style that will encourage them to see the little things around them in a whole new light and pique an interest in the craft that they might want to continue with for years to come.

I do not concentrate on the technical aspects of photography but rather the creative and fun side of it. I will not be drilling your children with theory and mountains of technical information or homework that is too complicated for children who just really want a creative outlet in which to express themselves. It is not my intention to turn your kiddies into competitive monsters either as I will not run photographic competitions. I will be assisting them with the very basics and the rest will be pure fun, experimentation and learning to connect with their environment. Should your child express an invested interest in the world of photography thereafter, they can then be enrolled at a certified photography school that I can refer you to.

- Who am I? -

My name is Lezzet Abbott, a wife and a mother of three beautifully individual children, a qualified Life Coach with a strong affinity for macro and contemplative photography; captivated by all things little and this is what I wish to bring to the attention of little people. My journey in photography started in 2012 with a sunflower and I have not been able to stop since. I started with a pocket digital camera and became recognised in photography circles as an up-and-coming photographer with a natural ability to take a good photograph with very little technical knowledge or equipment as my camera at the time was a point and shoot bridge camera. Since then I have been invited to speak at the Photo & Film Expo 2015 about Macro Photography, sold a number of my prints to invested clients, had one of my images sold at a Fine Arts Photo Exhibition in Pretoria and another of my images was sold at a Gallery in Cape Town where my images were on display for a month. My work has been published in an international online photographic magazine and 12 of my images were also aired on 50/50. Photography is in my soul, it is who I am and it is the platform from which I express myself. I would like to see our future generation express themselves in this way too because I do believe that photography gives you an appreciation and respect for life – in all forms and it encourages compassion and connection to something much greater than ourselves.

You are welcome to visit my website www.merakiimagery.com to explore my work.

WHAT YOU AS THE PARENT / GUARDIAN NEED TO KNOW

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THOROUGHLY

WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS
A camera and themselves - that's it!
It is not necessary to buy your child an expensive DSLR camera which is heavy and cumbersome for little hands.
A simple and basic point and shoot or digital pocket or cellphone camera is more than sufficient.

FEES
R 1600 per child for the eight week course OR R 250 per child per lesson paid strictly in advance

AGE
I take children from the age of 6 to 12 with a maximum number of 8 children per session

LESSONS
Sessions take place from my home in Farmall, North of Johannesburg on a Saturday morning from 08h00 – 09h00
Please ensure that your child arrives between 07h30 and 07h45
Lessons begin promptly at 08h00 and to hold back the rest of the children due to poor punctuality is unfair and disruptive
Please ensure that you are fully committed before signing your child up

The lessons will be conducted over a period of eight weeks, the last session being held at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens where a graduation ceremony will also be held.

WHAT THEY WILL LEARN

Lesson 1
- About the camera - what knobs do what
- Holding the camera
- Basics of Framing; with a cereal box!
- Go play!

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 2
- Learning about the Magic of Light and how it affects your photograph
- Go play!

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 3
- Choosing a point of interest
- Go Play!

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 4
- Creative Play; finding something interesting that catches the imagination and attention
- Capturing it in an interesting and creative way

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 5
- Rule of Thirds; Introduction and Experimentation
- Practice Practice Practice

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 6
- Simplify; find something exciting and fill the frame, get rid of distraction
- Go Play!

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 7
- Introduction to Macro Photography; Finding the Beauty in the Ugly
- Learning to appreciate the Little Things

- Reviewing images and feedback

Lesson 8

- Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens Graduation Ceremony