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#PhotoFestival21 - Day 2 : Happiness

#PhotoFestival21 - Day 2 : Happiness
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Create a mini photo story about happiness by taking five photos of joyful moments, arranging them, and writing short captions to explain each image.

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Step-by-step guide to #PhotoFestival21 - Day 2 : Happiness

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What you need
Adult supervision recommended, camera or smartphone, coloring materials like crayons or markers, paper or notebook, pencil, scissors, tape or glue

Step 1

Choose a happiness theme for your mini photo story.

Step 2

Make a short list of five joyful moments you want to photograph.

Step 3

Ask an adult for permission to take photos and for any help you might need.

Step 4

Decide safe times and places where you will take each photo.

Step 5

Get your camera or smartphone ready by opening the camera app and checking the battery.

Step 6

Take five photos, one for each joyful moment on your list.

Step 7

Review the photos and pick the best five that tell your story.

Step 8

Print the five photos or move them into a folder or slideshow for arranging.

Step 9

Arrange the photos in an order that makes a happy story.

Step 10

Write a short caption for each photo explaining the joyful moment.

Step 11

Add a title and your name to the photo story.

Step 12

Decorate the layout with coloring materials and tape or glue to make it cheerful.

Step 13

Take a final photo or export a single file of your finished photo story.

Step 14

Share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of a printer or a fancy camera if we don't have them?

If you don't have a printer or a fancy camera, move the photos into a folder or slideshow (Step 8) and export a single file or take a screenshot from your smartphone or tablet instead of printing.

My photos are blurry or my phone dies while I'm taking the five photos—what should I do?

Before taking each joyful moment photo, follow Step 5 by charging the device, cleaning the camera lens, and choosing a well-lit, steady spot so you avoid blur or battery problems during Steps 6 and 7.

How can I change this activity to suit a 4-year-old versus a 12-year-old?

For a 4-year-old, shorten the plan from Step 2 to three moments and have an adult help with camera use and printing in Steps 3 and 8, while a 12-year-old can write longer captions in Step 10 and create a digital slideshow in Step 8.

How can we make the finished photo story more creative or special before sharing on DIY.org?

To personalize the story, add small thematic props when taking photos, write imaginative captions in Step 10, decorate with coloring materials, stickers, and tape or glue in Step 12, and include background music or a voice narration when you export the final file in Step 13.

Watch videos on how to #PhotoFestival21 - Day 2 : Happiness

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Photosynthesis

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Facts about photography and storytelling for kids

✍️ A single short caption can change how you understand a picture — words + images make stories stronger.

📸 Cameras can freeze moments faster than your blink — some shutters work at 1/8000 of a second!

🎞️ Photo stories usually use 3–7 images to show a beginning, middle, and end—five photos are perfect for a mini story!

😊 Smiles are contagious: seeing someone smile activates your brain's mirror neurons and often makes you smile back.

🧭 The "rule of thirds" (imagine a tic-tac-toe grid) helps make photos feel balanced and more interesting.

How do I create a mini photo story about happiness for #PhotoFestival21 Day 2?

Start by brainstorming five small, joyful moments you want to capture (smiles, playing, a sunny snack). Plan a simple sequence: beginning, middle, and end. Take clear photos—try different angles and natural light. Choose the best five images, arrange them in order and write short captions (one or two sentences) explaining each frame. Add a title, date, and creator name. Print or make a digital slideshow, then share and talk about the story together.

What materials do I need to make a mini photo story about happiness?

You’ll need a camera or smartphone, plus basic editing or collage apps (optional). If making a physical book, gather printer paper or photo paper, scissors, glue or tape, markers, and a stapler or binder. A notebook or template helps plan captions. Optional extras: stickers, colored paper, and a simple photo album. Don’t forget consent: ask permission before photographing friends or family and store images securely.

What ages is the #PhotoFestival21 Day 2 photo story activity suitable for?

This activity suits many ages: toddlers (2–4) can pose and point to pictures with adult help; preschoolers (4–6) can take simple photos and say captions while an adult writes; elementary kids (7–10) can plan shots, take photos, and write captions with some guidance; tweens and teens (11+) can work independently, edit images, and design layouts. Adapt complexity and supervision to each child’s attention and photo experience.

What are the benefits of creating a mini photo story about happiness?

Making a happiness photo story boosts observation skills, storytelling, and emotional awareness as children notice joyful moments and name feelings. It builds language and sequencing abilities through captions, encourages creativity and tech literacy with simple editing, and improves fine motor skills when crafting a physical book. Sharing the story strengthens family bonds, fosters gratitude, and can increase a child’s confidence when their work is celebrated.
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