When you’re on vacation, you want to make sure you capture moments of you “living your best life,” and enjoying all the events of your trip. Vacation pictures are the way to do so.
However, you also want to make sure you’re enjoying your actual time spent on vacation, and not just getting lost in the camera. Aside from the option of hiring a professional vacation photographer, another great option is to learn how to take amazing photos yourself or with whomever, you’re traveling with.
We’ve got insight from some of our pro local photographers on how to pose, angle, and shoot better photos to make your vacation pictures social media-worthy.
List of Tips on How to Take Better Vacation Pictures
Focus on the Sights
Wherever you end up, your vacation location will have unique sites and scenic views that make it stand out. Every city and country is different, so make sure you snap a photo of what makes your vacation so special.
Nature and animals are great examples of what can come from your trip organically and unexpectedly. Say you are in the Bahamas and you happen to see the famous swimming pigs. You never know what those cute creates may end up doing, so have fun and enjoy snapping some vacation pictures of them. Or, after a rainstorm you end up seeing a rainbow with illuminating colors, you’re going to want to remember that!
Shoot Your Shots
Don’t assume one photo will be your best photo. What if it comes out blurry and you miss the opportunity or don’t get a second chance? It’s okay to have a photo burst when snapping some vacation pictures. Sometimes the coolest things happen within a blink of an eye, and others unexpectedly. Although the memory of it happening is still incredible, if you had the chance to capture it, wouldn’t you? There’s nothing wrong with hitting the shutter-release button a few extra times “just in case.”
Learn to Shoot in the Dark
Night-time photos or photos taken in dimly-lit places can be difficult. The lighting with the flash ends up too bright and washed, no light at all can take out the details, and the photos can turn out unclear.
Play around with the noise and shutter speed. ISO settings are also important. It’s important to know your gear and the equipment you have, because not every setting is the same. You don’t want to obtain color noise, splotches, or unusual color. That will create a major loss of detail.
Don’t Shoot the Cliché
Along with the beautiful, unique views of each place, there also comes the not-so-unique, or the “touristy” parts. Although we totally approve of taking photos next to the “I LOVE *insert city name here*” sign, that’s not going to get you the social media popular reinforcement you’re looking for. Find spots the locals love and that are off the beaten path. Really get into the angles and find the crevices. Beauty is not always surface level, and the non-cliché pictures can help prove that.
Find the Right Lighting
Lighting is key. As we mentioned for shooting in the dark, lighting can be difficult. However, you shouldn’t give in to the bad lighting.
For starters, face the camera away from the sun. A sun glare directly into the lens will cause either blotchy light spots and overly-bright photos. Shooting away from the sun will give your focal point stellar lighting.
Golden hour is also a great time to shoot. The sun is setting and there’s no glare. On a clear day, you can get beautiful orange, yellow colors from the sunset radiating on your skin.
Follow the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds means to off-center your focal point. It’s described as taking an image and splitting it into nine segments by using three vertical and three horizontal lines. The rule indicates that you should place the main element at one or more of these areas in a photo. This creates a stand-out vacation photo that will seem like it was taken from a professional.
Picture the People
Even if you’re traveling solo, this is the perfect way to tell a story of what your vacation was truly like. You can snap pictures of locals working in town, or travelers similar to you hiking in front of you or swimming in the water. Snap photos of what makes life so great. If you’re traveling with others, have your picture taken by looking off into the distance. Look toward the view. This creates a sense of serenity and happiness, taking the views all in.
Use the Colors
Look out for the bright colors that stand out and differ from their surroundings. For example, bright red and yellow paint on buildings collide perfectly with the blue sky. Copenhagen, Denmark, is known for its bright buildings, always making for a picturesque shot. Or, a floral meadow with green gas and multi-colored flowers would be sure to pop. Keep an eye out for contrasting and complementary colors that you can incorporate in your shots.
Stop Worrying About Vacation Pictures and Hire a Professional Vacation Photographer
Vacation is about taking a break, right? So sit back, relax, and let the burden of taking your vacation pictures on someone else – ideally a professional who knows how it’s done.
Why You Should Book a Local Vacation Photographer?
Hiring a professional photographer for your vacation pictures helps you focus on your vacation while you’re in it and not on the pictures that will be saved as memories for later. A lot of the time, travelers are focused and getting great pictures for their social media or for their memory albums, but they forget to enjoy their time while actually at the spot they’re visiting. A vacation photographer will capture those memories for you while you spend quality time with your family or getting to enjoy your time alone.
Plus, a professional vacation photographer knows the ins and outs of where you’re visiting. They’ll know where to take you, what the best times to visit are, and many more little details that’ll give you the perfect vacation photo. And of course, if you’re going on a trip for a special occasion, such as a surprise engagement or a birthday, you’re going to want your professional photographer to capture all the details you might’ve missed. This can include surprise facial expressions, body language, and even the details in the background you may not have seen at first glance.
Overall, your professional vacation photographer will be there to make sure your memories are perfect, all while you get to enjoy your time there. Their professional equipment will guarantee the crispest and clearest photos for your keepsake.
Photo: Captured by Localgrapher Anna, Dubai
When Is the Right Time to Book a Vacation Photo Shoot?
You’re going to want to snag your private vacation photographer sooner rather than later. First, you need to make sure your vacation is booked. Make sure you’ve got the timing booked, such as dates of stay. Once you know this, you can start looking into your photographer.
Depending on where you’re going, we have hundreds of available local photographers whose portfolios you can look into. We recommend booking quickly because the photographer you want may not be available closer to your vacation date.
After you’ve booked your photographer you can start planning outfits for your vacation pictures. Depending on where your vacation is, you can find outfits that coordinate with the theme. For example, a tropical place can be Hawaiian shirts and floral dresses. A snowy escape can be ski gear or warm knitted sweaters. Maybe you and your family even want matching t-shirts. Just be sure to have fun with it!
Photo: Captured by Localgrapher Aliyah, Oahu, Hawaii
How Can You Book a Vacation Photographer and How Much Is It?
We break it down for you every step of the way so your process is smooth and easy. The first step is to select your destination and decide if you want a photographer, videographer, or a photo guide.
You’ll then fill out a short booking form.
Next, we arrange the details and connect you with the best Localgrapher to match your needs. Your Localgrapher will also help you discuss great photos and locations for the photo shoot. You will trust them and have a great time!
Once you’re done enjoying your vacation with your fabulously skilled photographer, you will receive edited HD photos or video depending on what your expectations are.
Pricing depends on which package you select. There’s a video package, a tour & workshop package, and three different photographer packages; the bronze, silver, and gold. There’s something to meet everyone’s needs!
Photo: Captured by Localgrapher Stacey, Sedona, Arizona
There is so much to discover in this world; so much unique beauty that must be taken in and captured for memories in years to come. A picture is truly worth a thousand words, and we want to make sure your pictures say it all.
If you are ready for the big leagues, bring your camera with you on your next journey. Capture all the things that make your travels unique. With these tips, you will be sure to soar.
However, if you want to be in the trusted hands of one of our professional vacation photographers, we’ve got you covered. No matter what you choose, you will be sure to have the best vacation pictures for photo albums and posting all over social media.
