How to get cuter photos of you and your family when traveling?
Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash
Wondering how people on Instagram get those perfect, post-worthy shots? Having trouble wrangling your group to take just one nice photo? You are not alone! Taking pictures can be a difficult thing to do, and it can be stressful when you feel like you’re going to feel regret and cringe when you look at the pictures from your big family holiday.
Here are a few tips that will revolutionize your family pictures. Prepare to upgrade your family photos for good.
Embrace the silliness
How often do we try to tell our kids or siblings to “smile for real this time”? Often this leads to frustration, arguing, or even just giving up. What if we just made a joke or purposely told everyone to make a funny face? More than likely, this will lead to a fun, candid moment caught on camera with genuine smiles, rather than stiff or posed fake smiles.
Pictures always turn out better when people are caught mid-laughter or with an authentic reaction than a school picture day-type look. These photos will always catch more attention on social media and likely get more responses from friends and family. People are much happier to see that you are having fun rather than just looking ‘put-together’ or ‘presentable’. Go for candid!
Invest in a cute outfit
No one can deny the extra boost of confidence you get in a new outfit. Whether you need a flattering pair of trousers and embroidered top for Europe, or a simple white eyelet dress for dinner in Mexico, it is never a bad idea to buy a couple of closet staples.
Not only will you be able to look your best on your next trip, but every time you wear that outfit afterward, you will have your favorite vacation memories attached to it. Just like a good perfume or delicious meal, a perfect outfit can hold so much emotion and remind you of your favorite times abroad.
Make sure to always keep the weather or activities in mind when picking out a new outfit. You do not want to get stuck on a hike in a dress, or even worse, leggings and a sweatshirt at a nice restaurant. Depending on where you are, a different level of formality will be expected, so be aware and prepared before you finalize that packing list!
Having an outfit you feel comfortable, cute, and confident in is key when taking a good photo. A complimentary color or a flattering cut is always eye-catching and can make for a whole day of memorable photos.
Lighting is everything
Make sure that you are looking for the most ideal photo spot for your next site visit. A good rule of thumb is to look for something well-shaded, so you can avoid any awkward sun glares or squinty eyes in your photo. Direct sunlight can look harsh, or even wash you out in a photo, so try your best to find something where you can avoid the sun glaring straight into your eyes.
This does not mean that you need every single picture to be perfectly placed underneath a tree or covered by a tall building. Sometimes, you can plan out your site visits with this in mind. If you know that you will take a lot of pictures at a certain spot (maybe a famous European cathedral or a picturesque beach), try to schedule these at times with softer lighting such as an early morning or a pink sunset. Do your research and see when the best times are to visit your location, and you won’t have to worry about any harsh lighting.
Capture a variety of angles
Over the span of your vacation, make sure that you are getting all different kinds of shots. There are so many different angles and perspectives to capture memories of you and your loved ones. Close-ups that feature smiles and laughter, wide angles that get the whole panorama, action shots, or even candid moments are all different options to document your trip.
With the new camera features and updates on our smartphones, we have much more capability than we might think! Tools such as wide angle and zoom can help you find the perfect frame of the scenes around you. Try placing your subject(s) in a different portion of the picture rather than just the straight center. Or maybe stand farther back to get the full background.
All these tools are ways to help you capture your vacation just how it was meant to be remembered. It is always best to remind yourself though, that memories are meant to be lived in the moment! Don’t put too much pressure on getting a ‘flawless’ photo, because that is an impossible task and probably not as fun as the not-so-perfect picture anyways.
Good luck with your photos!