Children have often been the subjects of photographs. The earliest images of children, captured in daguerreotypes, children were photographed sitting stiffly on a chair, usually unsmiling showing no movement due to the nature of the photograph being taken. Children when photographed would wear clothes showing their social class and detail in the image, which is clear and precise. As the photographic process advanced, children were photographed to persuade public opinion or expose injustice, giving a voice to such a silent group. Children were also photographed artistic subjects.
Throughout the evolution of photography, there is no doubt that children are an important and necessary subject to study. Children are active and interesting, especially to other children. Pictures of other children can spark discussion and interest with a group of students that may be reluctant to talk.
Even if we come from a different country, state, city or culture, we all have one thing in common: we were all once children. We all needed to learn to stop and notice our surroundings and see how it affects us. We all had to make our way, test our limits and find our place within our world. All children must do the same. What better way to do this than to closely examine children from different times in history, different countries and different photographic techniques?