This article describes a project-based social studies activity that gave young children the autonomy to photograph what they wanted within the classroom environment while interacting with peers. Social studies learning in the early years has great potential to offer active, playful, and meaningful experiences for children and can prepare young children to be curious and engaged community members. The class involved in this study included 13 children. Decisions in the classroom should be driven by what will keep the students curious and engaged. The instantaneous nature of the Polaroid camera is integral to this study in that it eliminates the need for time to print a photo. The children's images and interactions explored culture, empathy, and imagination, representing social awareness of self and their world. The photo activity encouraged discussions of family, environment, and spatial relationships, which are part of early childhood social studies goals.