Summer

Photography for Junior Artists

10 – 13*

Get a hands-on introduction to the technical and creative foundations of black-and-white photography. Using a pinhole camera, 35mm camera, and large-format 4×5 camera, you’ll learn how to control exposure through aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. You’ll shoot on black-and-white film, process it by hand using traditional chemical methods, and produce gelatin silver prints in the darkroom. Along the way, you’ll develop a working knowledge of light metering, depth of field, and contrast control.

*This is a Junior Artists program and will follow those guidelines outlined in our FAQ section.

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Overview

In this fast-paced, hands-on week of photography, you’ll go beyond just pointing and shooting and learn to truly understand how a camera sees. From vintage viewing systems to modern digital sensors, we’ll explore how camera types, lenses, and settings all shape your final image.

You’ll dive into the mechanics of shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and focal length, unpacking how each element affects light, motion, depth, and clarity. We’ll experiment with tilt-shift lenses, explore depth of field, and learn how tools like light meters and the Sunny 16 rule can help you nail exposure, even without a screen.

But photography isn’t just science—it’s vision. Alongside the technical training, we’ll study the art of image-making: composition, color, space, and the subtle impact of light. Whether you’re capturing a fleeting moment or building a precise frame, this workshop will give you the skills to create with both intention and imagination.

No prior experience is necessary, just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to slow down, experiment, and learn through process.

*The final culmination is Friday afternoon, with Saturday being a move-out day for residential students.

Additional Information

Our Visual Arts classes do not require any type of assessment or portfolio to get into the program. Instructors will work with your child at their level. Your child will improve and learn new skills whether they are a beginner or have been an artist for years.

-A refillable water bottle
-Comfortable clothes that can get messy
-Sturdy closed-toed shoes
-If you have a 35mm film camera, please bring it with you. We have a limited number of cameras available to loan to students who need one.

Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed during class time in Children’s Center. Day students should not bring a personal device. Residential students should leave devices in their dorm room, or will turn in their device to the teacher during instructional time.

Each weekday, students begin with a photography demonstration and a short lecture to introduce the day’s techniques and creative goals. Following the morning discussion, students head out into nature or work in the studio for a daily photoshoot. The day concludes with editing and traditional darkroom printing.

Your student will be following this basic schedule each weekday:

Day students should be dropped off at Children’s Center between 8:15 – 8:25 am
(breakfast is not included for day students)

Residential Students will be walked to breakfast as a group and then to Children’s Center

8:30 am: Morning Sing/Greeting
9:00 am – 11:20 am: Morning Classes (snack provided)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall (provided for residential and day students)
12:30 pm – 3:45 pm: Afternoon Classes (snack provided)

Day students should be picked up from Children’s Center at 4:00 pm.

Residential students will be walked as a group to afternoon activities with the RA’s.

Day students will be allowed to use the pool on Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 – 5:45 pm with the supervision of a parent or guardian. (Enrolled children only, please. No siblings or friends.) Lifeguards will be present.

Born and raised in Idyllwild, California, Shaunna Lehr earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Portrait Photography from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara in 2009. During her time at Brooks, she had the opportunity to study under and assist several renowned photographers, including Nick Decker, Joyce Wilson, Ralph Clevenger, and Christopher Broughton.While living in Santa Barbara, Shaunna worked as a journal photographer for Seasons Magazine, where her photography was regularly featured. Her work has also been exhibited in galleries, including Gallery 27 in Santa BarbaraShaunna’s training spans traditional black-and-white film and digital photography, with extensive experience using 35mm, medium format, and large format film. In addition to her analog expertise, she is well versed in digital photography and post-processing using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Check out our Kids & Teens FAQ’s to learn more about our summer programs

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