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A photo scavenger hunt makes for a creative activity centered upon interacting with the world and people around you. In group settings or even during time spent at home alone, this pictorial take on a classic pastime prompts active engagement. It's all about noticing and appreciating the little things you might normally pass right on by. Here, we highlight some of the everyday sights you may want to capture around the neighborhood or maintaining a safe distance in the city. (But really, there's no limit to your list of photo scavenger hunt ideas.) So grab your camera and slip on some shoes for a photo-based adventure — even if it's just outside your front door. Fun fact: Almost all of the photos in these lists were taken by members of our team!
Creating the shot list itself can require just as much creativity as searching for the photos! For a child-friendly activity, keep the subject matter simple and commuting to a minimum. Adults can be given more abstract or challenging concepts to capture, resulting in a variety of clever and artistic interpretations. Ready to get started?
Put the focus on the flower-filled foreground with a shallow depth of field using Portrait Mode.
Go out on a drive or hike to find other not-so-little creatures!
Bonus points for sun rays or lens flares giving your photo an extra glimmer.
Look for the calm, still water of a pond, lake, or even a bird bath.
Your best bet for spotting creative shapes in the sky is on a day with cumulus clouds (the big fluffy ones!).
Just before or after the sun is visible on the horizon is the time you'll enjoy the most vivid colors.
You don't have to be in the wild to find wildflowers — they might be growing just on your block!
Look for a shot showing contrast between the tree's shadow and the iluminated ground that surrounds it.
Don't forget, the lower the sun, the more exaggerated your shadow will be.
If you have company, take a moment to document the people you're spending this time with — and have fun with the pose!
Overhead shots are the perfect way to picture the full spread of food and drink you brought along to enjoy.
Think cars zooming, kids cartwheeling, the dog running — the more blur, the better.
If you'd rather take a video to hear the music again later, that works too!
Houses, buildings, and bridges can exude so much character in the little details, like symmetry and angles.
Take a first bite or sip before you snap your photo for a more naturally derived moment.
Whether it's sidewalk chalk, graffiti, or a full-blown mural, it counts!
While you're at it, get to know a little history when you stop by the state capitol or an iconic monument.
Maybe it's vivid colors or an interesting shape that sets one apart in your neighborhood.
If you aren't as familiar with your state flag, this could be an opportunity to learn more about what it represents!
Bonus points for spotting foods ready to harvest.
While adults will enjoy plenty of the ideas above, we're including a handful of more abstract ideas that can add a layer of complexity and creativity to your scavenger hunt.
Go for an action shot of your subject(s) moving to create blur or a dynamic composition.
Capture feelings experienced by people or a sense created by a scene (e.g., calm).
This can be from a natural or artificial source, creating interesting shadows or effects.
Look for combinations of warm and cool, setting a mood or sparking a creative palette.
Play with negative or positive space to make a statement. (Hint: the rule of thirds can be helpful here!)
Light, shadows, and depth of field help illustrate or highlight three-dimensional figures through photography.
What might be a representation of society around you or at large? It could include social habits, beliefs, arts, music, language, or cuisine.
Identify a repeating or decorative design that catches the eye.
This activity is handy in many cases, ranging from an afternoon wandering solo to a full team-bonding challenge. To make it more personalized to any instance, you can cater your shot list to your location, age of participants, nature of the group or event, and more. Note: We understand that a photo scavenger hunt may not be possible for all of the occasions below in these times. However, we're including them because we know they'll come in handy in the future.
Entertain the family and enjoy sunny weather while you safely explore locally.
Team up colleagues to compete cross-departmentally.
Take in the culture and landmarks of a new city.
Engage the extended family with a challenge that's fun for everyone.
Help new employees become attuned to the office space.
Familiarize freshmen and new students to their home away from home.
Acquaint fellow group members with each other through collaboration.
Get attendees up and out of their seats while reinforcing new knowledge.
Introduce new concepts to learning children with a photo-driven field trip.
When thinking of a location, you have a world of choice. Depending on the type of picture scavenger hunt you're hosting, the setting may come naturally — say, a foreign neighborhood, the college campus, or even your own backyard.
There are a handful of ways you can set up your activity. If it's for an individual person or family, make a day of it with no time limit to attempt capturing them all collaboratively! For groups, encourage interaction by breaking into teams, and make it a competition to see who can finish first or snap the most in a certain period.
For added challenge and accountability, try not to use the same photo for any two prompts, and we recommend that all photos are taken on the same device for ease of tallying.
No matter the intention with which you set out on your photography adventure, you're sure to have come back with a few that surprise or delight you. The joy doesn't have to stop as soon as you stop clicking the shutter — printing your favorite photos will bring back the memory and even remind yourself of that artistic eye, just when you need it most.
Choose the ten photos you love most, and gift a set of Everyday Prints to anyone who was there with you.
Have a surprisingly striking photo from the mix? Hang it in your home with a Modern Metal Frame.
Too many too choose? Make a quick Color Series Photo Book to flip through the collection..
