Tips for Photographing Your Vacation

Last Updated: May 10, 2020

Tips for Photographing Your Vacation

Photographs are as much of a family vacation tradition as postcards and souvenir T-shirts. Whether you're using your cellphone, a user-friendly point-and-shoot or a professional camera with all the bells and whistles, these photography tips can help you take memorable family pictures that capture all the magic of your upcoming vacation.  Spring break and summer vacation is just a few weeks and months away.  Are you ready to capture those great memories?

How to Take the Best Photos When the Unexpected Occurs

The best photos are often the candid ones that are hurriedly taken when the unexpected occurs--such as the exact time when that pack of buffalo starts running along the highway near Genesee, Colorado. If you're in an area where the unexpected can occur--perhaps a Rocky Mountain pass teeming with wildlife--keep a camera next to you and out of its case so you can point and shoot quickly. In fact, if you typically use a fancier camera, it's a good idea to have an extra point-and-shoot or a great cellphone camera close at hand so you can take these impromptu shots.

Shooting Great Landscape Views

The No. 1 rule for landscape photography is to take a step back before you shoot. If you're too close to the view, you'll cut off too much of it, and your photo won't have that sweeping, panoramic look that every good landscape photo should have.

Family Trip to Puerto Rico

Taking Good Close-Up Shots

If you're taking pictures of wildlife, bring your biggest zoom lens--something along the lines of 200mm to 300mm. If you have a quality point-and-shoot, be sure to experiment with the zoom lens before you leave home, so you know how to get the optimum shot. 

Crop Out Distractions

Photographically speaking, there's nothing worse than taking a picture of someone and then finding that there's a lamppost in the background that seems to be emerging from the top of your subject's head. Pose your family members in the best area for a good, clean shot, and if distractions do end up in the photo, learn how to crop them out.

Have Fun

Be sure to take plenty of candid photos of your family having fun--these are often the photos that bring back the best memories. Also, experiment with crazy angles--such as shooting a famous monument so that it appears to be tipping on its side. Don't forget to take some fun food photos, as well as shots of entertaining street characters and animals, along the way. Zoom in on interesting items, such as colorful market stalls or local costumes. Add photos of signage so you can remember where you were when you took particular shots.

Taken with a point and shoot camera

Getting the Family Together

If you have a tradition of taking fall or Christmas family pictures, you know how hard it is to get everyone together for the perfect shot--not to mention deciding what everyone should wear for the shoot. Fortunately, on vacation, outfits for family pictures aren't a big deal--but if you're at a theme park or resort area where there's a family costume rental emporium, you can have a fun-filled afternoon taking photos of the whole family dressed up as Wild West personalities or as characters in their favorite movies.

Our Family Vacation Portrait - 2016

When we vacation, we hire a professional photographer to capture our family (as our souvenir).  This portrait was taken in Santa Monica, California by Katee Grace Photography.

Best Local Photography Services

When vacation time is over and you're looking for a Los Angeles photographer who produces high-quality work,  I would love to opportunity to speak with you.  I'm a professional Los Angeles Photographer in Torrance specializing in creating superlative family portraits in addition to capturing the beautiful glow of expectant mothers. 

I am a professional photographer specializing in military event and family photography.  You may contact me by telephone at (571) 250-5073 or by sending me a message via the Contact page. 

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