What Lila Sees: Photography From A Five-Year-Old

Months ago, I had the idea to post Lila' photography. I put up one gallery and there the idea sat. Children's photography as a window into the mind of a child? It's a great idea. I've had nothing but positive feedback on this section and even heard from a few people who said the section inspired them to hand a camera to their own children.

I finally uploaded new photos last night.

Taken by Lila at the Atlanta Chili Festival, Autumn 2008

The timing of this, though, isn't simply just so. I uploaded them for a reason. I'm applying for a grant to expand the What Lila Sees section. Over the past few weeks, I've been writing and research art, perception, psychology, education and child development in an attempt to narrow down my proposal to a clear, well defined and compelling project. I believe I am almost there.

You'll also notice a new section entitled What Lila Draws. This showcases a small selection of her artwork over the past couple years. This section, also serves in relation to the proposal.

The following is the short description of my project:

I am designing an online gallery space featuring primarily, although not exclusively, children’s art in an effort to explore works that shift the perceptive experience, turning the familiar into something new. The project will use social media to locate artists internationally in order to develop new exhibitions for the gallery while facilitating collaboration, community and an open dialogue on “seeing for the first time."

The final proposal is due Monday, June 8. That also happens to be Noah's birthday and the day I leave for Buenos Aires to catch a flight home to be with my parents while my dad has an operation. Needless to say, this is a hectic time.

Whether or not I actually get this grant, writing the proposal has been quite the learning experience, and whether or not I win the money for my project, What Lila Sees will move ahead.

In the meantime, enjoy these new photos. I'd love to hear your feedback on them, the proposal or any thoughts you have for the expansion of this area of my site. Oh, and feel free to wish me luck on finishing the proposal.

Comments

[Laura]

I love Lila's photography. She has a wonderful eye and I think those self portraits are purposeful, you should see some of my daughter's shots. I love that you gave her a camera and the freedom to learn her own style, I cannot wait to see more.

[rowena]

That is awesome. I first gave my point and shoot camera to my son when he was about 2 years old (almost 2 years ago). He loves to take pictures and I love to see what he sees, the things that he thinks are worth paying attention to. Some of his pictures are really wonderful.

I usually let him take the camera off for a photoshoot and then I come back and edit. But I don't really post his pictures. Maybe I should start doing that.

I like your grant proposal. As someone who is an artist, a mom and a sometimes art teacher, it sounds fascinating.

[Leigh Shulman]

I would love to see some of your daughter's shots. Do you have any online?

[Leigh Shulman]

I'd love to see some of his photos too! Perhaps the two of you would like to do some sort of piece for this upcoming gallery space of mine?

Let me know if that appeals, and we can talk more about it.

[Carolina]

I think the proposal is an awesome idea. I have seen many teachers give kids cameras and let them go at it, and they come up with very interesting pictures. My son loves to take pictures, I'm going to hand off my point-and-shoot to him this summer so he could have his first camera. And I really like Lila's pictures, she really picks interesting subjects and frames them like a pro.

[Charles Conlan]

Leigh,Good Evening,
I wish you luck on finishing the proposal.
Have a safe and pleasant trip to the USA.
Hope all is well with your father.
Charles

[Sher]

Hi Leigh,
This is a wonderful project. Your daughter has a great "eye"...and I'm looking forward to more pictures!!

WBSD is almost here! Please visit http://sheroffthebeatenpath.blogspot.com for updates and the link list.

This should be a fun one with the theme of food! Can’t wait to see what the posts will be like on Saturday!

Have a great day,
Sher :0)

[Lilly]

Hey Leigh,

Lila's pictures are wonderful! It's great that she has a camera and is allowed to explore the world. You are allowing her to discover her artistic side and develop a love for photos and hopefully the world, however she may see it.

I believe all parents should do this or something similar. Now-a-days parents forget about letting their children explore and discover themselves. They are too worried about them obtaining a college degree and a professional job that they forget that children need to be free and be allowed to explore. Not everyone’s future is in the corporate world, some of us are meant to be artists or musicians.

By giving Lila her very own camera you are opening up future paths that she may have never discovered. I’m sure Lila will grow up being well aware of her talents and will always follow her dreams wherever they may take her.