How to capture great vacation photographs

January 22, 2017

We’ve all been on vacation, and we’ve all taken vacation photos! The problem is that we usually miss out on some great opportunities. Not because we don’t care, but rather because we weren’t prepared! Shooting great vacation photos, even with a brand new, state of the art digital camera, takes some thought and know-how. To help you take terrific photos on your next vacation and to add fun into taking them, I’ve put together this list of common sense approaches. Bad vacation photos can be disappointing, for both you and your family and friends, but great shots can be the life of the party.

  1. Charge your batteries…or take along extras!!!
  2. Take care of your camera!!! (No dust or water)
  3. Ensure you have an adequate number of memory cards with you!!!
  4. It’s your camera (right?)!!! (Know it before you blow it…..read the manual)
  5. Always have your camera at the ready!
  6. Take along a sturdy lightweight tripod! (For low light and evening shots)
  7. Think about composition!!!
  8. Include people in your photos!!! (Try to shoot candids as well as posed shots)
  9. Include yourself in your photos!!! (Prove you were there)
  10. Try different angles! (Don’t be a typical tourist!)
  11. Include a variety of image types!!! (Portrait/ landscape….)
  12. Capture the mood of the trip!!! (Don’t let the weather affect your shots)
  13. Watch for distracting objects in the background of your images and position yourself accordingly!!!
  14. Tell a story with your images!!!
  15. Edit your photos carefully when you get back home!!! (Try some new effects, black and white, filters,etc…but, do it with your software!)
  16. Pick the “BEST” shots, organize them and then share with family and friends!
  17. Most importantly…Have fun, enjoy the trip, and take plenty of pictures to capture the memories!

Vacation photos are often some of the most boring collections known to man. Who hasn’t had to suffer through a slide show gone wrong or envelope after envelope of prints when a friend or family member returns from a vacation? Hopefully, these few tips will keep your photos fresh and your friends from suffering through this fate.

Happy shooting!

And if you have any other great tips you would like to see added to the list, please email me at scott.howard@originalimages.ca