10 Tips For Taking Stunning Family Vacation Photos

Finally, you are on vacation. Of course you want to come home with a memory card full of pictures that document the exciting travels you’ve shared as a family.  In the age of digital photography, the reality of coming home with good pictures is so much more attainable.  Here are some helpful hints that will ensure that you get home with an album full of beautiful photos of your family’s adventures.

Related:Trekaroo's Summer Smiles Photo Contest 2009

Tip #1: Take advantage optimal lighting conditions

The best time for pictures is sunrise and sunset because of the optimal lighting conditions.  If you are able to shoot in the shade, this will give you great color and decreases the likelihood that everyone in the shot will be squinting because the sun is in their eyes. 

Tip #2: Focus on your child instead of the landmark behind

Often, people will focus on the monument or landmark behind instead of their child.  I would encourage you to make your child the focus of the picture with the monument or landmark secondary. In fact, if you are able to capture the expression on your child’s face, it will bring the photo alive and tell the story of your child’s experience. Get down to your child’s eye level and experiment with different angles instead of relying only on head on shots 

Tip #4:  Break out of the posed shot

Do not hesitate to shoot your child from behind, running to greet Mickey Mouse for the first time.  You might be surprised at how the picture turns out. Maybe you’ll capture the excitement of the moment that a pose shot couldn’t.  For example, when your kids are taking their first steps into the ocean, try to zoom in on their feet in the sand or in the water.  Experiment! Take a picture, check it out and take another…and another.

Tip #3: Use the right settings

Young kids may not stand still long enough to get a perfectly posed picture so have your camera set to “action” or “sport mode” to photograph a moving child.  This will do two main things: 1) increase your shutter speed to stop fast action and 2) reduce f/stop for shallower depth of field.  If your kids will stand still, have your camera set to “portrait” mode instead. 

Tip #5: Don’t be camera shy yourself

Make sure that the photographer gets into some shots too.  I often forget to do this and come home with no shots of me in any of the pictures.  If you are having someone else take a family picture at various locations ask them to take 3 or 4.  Hopefully you’ll have one in which everyone’s eyes are open and, with any luck, looking at the camera.

Tip #6: Take LOTS of pictures and bring along extra memory cards

All good photographers take many photos.  Don’t let yourself become limited by lack of memory. When photographing moving kids, it not unusual for half of the pictures to come out blurred.  Memory cards are so inexpensive so bring a few and shoot prolifically. I recommend taking multiple pictures of similar shots.  If your camera has a “continuous” mode, try it out.  You are more likely to walk away with at least one awesome photo. 

Tip #7: Set your camera to maximum resolution

Forget about saving space in your memory card.  Make sure you have your camera setting adjusted to take pictures at the highest level of quality.  This will allow you to print your favorite pictures in a larger size while maintaining a crisp sharp image.

Tip #8: Bribe for a pose

The age-old dilemma of ‘How do I get my child to sit still for a picture?’ can be problematic.  I have found that this can be a real challenge especially if you are dealing with toddlers. I tend not to ‘pose’ children too much but when I do want more of a posed shot I find that a little bit of bribery works wonders.  I would try a favorite piece of candy or a promise to do a favorite activity right after.  If your child has trouble holding still for a shot, set up your shot first before you bring your toddler in for a quick pose. To get their attention, a sudden exclamation can often get a quick glance in the right direction, but make sure you have your finger on the trigger.

Tip #9: Fetch a smile with a good giggle

Instead of having your child say ‘CHEESE’ try a silly word or have them sing their favorite song that may fetch some giggles.  Better yet, have someone clown around right next to the photographer. It won’t just be baby who’s smiling in that photo.  If you have someone behind you trying to get your child’s attention or making them smile, make sure they are at the same level as you (i.e. if you are squatting on the ground they should be too) this way you’ll end up with a picture of your child looking into the camera.

Tip #10: Don’t force it

Just remember, you are on vacation and if your child doesn’t want to sit and take the perfect picture do not force it.  What you will end up with is a very unhappy child who’s frowning in all the pictures.  It also places unnecessary stress on what should be a fun vacation.  Just capture those candid in action photos.

Now that you are home, what to do with all your pictures?  I am a big believer in getting your pictures downloaded immediately.  I always upload them to a photo sharing site on one of the various online photo services and back them up on a disc.  I highly recommend downloading some free user-friendly photo editing software (Google’s Picasa is a good free one).  You’ll be able to correct red eye and crop your photos.

Show off your photos!  Share them through Facebook, on Trekaroo, or another photo sharing site.  A quick way to create a memento of your trip using your photos is by creating a photo book on a service like Shutterfly. So often we just keep our pictures on the memory card or computer, but there is something about printing hard copies of your best shots for a photo album that your kids can flip through at their leisure.  Your kids will enjoy reminiscing about their vacation while you help them load the pictures into the album or make a traditional scrapbook of your family’s wonderful adventures.

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Submit your best photos to Trekaroo's Summer Smiles Photo Contest 2009

Submit as photos as you like by Sept 4, 2009

Bridget Stern is a Chicago area photographer specializing in child and family photography with a photojournalistic style.  View her portfolio or follow her blog