Vacations can be a whirlwind of memories. You will want to capture as many magical moments as possible, so you can flip through your photos later and share your trip with family and friends.

Taking amazing vacation photos can be a tall order, but with a few tricks, it’s possible to make sure all of your pictures look their best. Whether you have the latest and greatest digital camera, or you’re relying on your smartphone for your pics, we want our clients to have the best photos possible to remember their vacations. Below you will find our tips and tricks on how to take amazing vacation photos.

Michael Bush Photography planned a couples’ photography session the night before Tony and Connor’s wedding to make sure they were able to capture photos with the perfect lighting.

Lighting

The right lighting can make all the difference in your photos, and knowing a few guidelines in advance can transform your pictures into professional and amazing vacation photos. We sat down with one of our preferred photographers, Michael Bush, to get his tips on how to take amazing vacation photos with the right lighting.

First, take advantage of soft lighting. Soft lighting is flattering and natural-looking, and is particularly forgiving towards flaws like blemishes or wrinkles. Bush says you should, “set aside some time for photos around 1-2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset, when natural light is at its softest and you won’t have any severe shadows in your pictures.”

If you are taking photos during the day, Bush recommends, “Shaded areas on clear sunny days are areas that also have soft light. Under a tree, by a building, in an alley, are some examples of places that may provide shade and soft light. Overcast days are also great for taking pictures. When the clouds are out and the sun is above the clouds, the clouds act as a big diffuser giving you soft light in all open areas.”

Be strategic about where buildings are in your photos, as they can change the lighting. Bush says, “Find lighter colored buildings to photograph by. When the sun is out and you’re looking for nice light, usually these lighter colored buildings are reflecting light from the sun, leaving the available light in that area nice and bright yet soft. Dark colored buildings will eat up a lot of light, leaving that area a bit darker than if the building was lighter.”

There is a also time and place for harsh lighting, and it’s possible to get creative with the bright sun to take edgier types of photos. Bush says, “Give yourself a reason to face up towards the sky to let the sun kiss your skin, leaving a beautiful glow. A little trick is to close your eyes, count to three, and take a photo just as you reopen your eyes. You can shut them again or look away quickly! All you need is that split second for the most amazing vacation photos.”

When taking amazing vacation photos indoors, the light from windows can produce a stunning picture. Bush recommends, “if the window faces north, this is even better. If you find that the room is dark, open a door that leads outside, let the beautiful natural light shine in, and stand in front for a great shot.”

Instead of taking a selfie, Kelli and Josh asked someone else to take this picture on their honeymoon. We love the angle, lighting, and background!

Skip the Selfies

Selfies have their time and place, but they shouldn’t represent your entire vacation photo collection. We get to see so many photos of our clients on vacation, and the most amazing vacation photos are always taken at a distance, capturing the activity they are enjoying.

Don’t be afraid to ask people to snap a few photos of you or your group. Most passersby will be happy to help you get a great photo. Try asking staff like waiters or the hotel bellman, or trust your camera to a fellow tourist. Generally, the best people to ask in that case are families, or those traveling with children, as they’re far less likely to make a run for it with your camera!

Add a discrete camera remote to your packing list, or use the built-in timer to give yourself a few moments to get into position. Once you see the difference, you will take far fewer selfies, and end up with way more amazing vacation photos.

Best Angles

We all have our “best side” so don’t be afraid to take a few shots from different angles to find the most flattering look for yourself for amazing vacation photos. Taking a photo from a slight elevation can help hide perceived double chins. You can also use a wide-angle lens to include yourself in a landscape shot.

When taking photos of iconic buildings, position the camera low to the ground, and angle it upwards. This will capture the structure in all its glory, with you admiring it.

Watch out for where the horizon is, and change your angle if anyone’s head is intersected by the horizon line.

How to Pose By Yourself

Posing by yourself for amazing vacation photos can get awkward fast, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Relax your shoulders, and give your hands something to do, like touch the brim of your hat or the bottom of your skirt. Pointing your toes can elongate your legs and give your legs some definition.

Remember, if you are posing by yourself on vacation, chances are you will never see the people who are around you again, so live for the moment! If you want to experiment with a few poses so that you have the perfect pictures – you do you.

How to Pose With a Group

The secret to amazing vacation photos with a group is to take lots of shots. It is cliché, but someone will always have their head turned, their eyes closed, or be mid-sneeze when the photo is taken. To help increase the chances of taking a photo that everyone in your group will be happy with, take a few pictures in each pose.

Remember to take photos with different combinations of your group. A shot with all the guys or all the ladies can make for memorable photos, or include just the kids for an amazing vacation photo.

For larger groups, choose a neutral background and use a wide-angle lens if you have one to make capturing the entire group easier.

What to Wear

Have you ever looked back on your vacation photos and thought better of your outfit on the day of your trip? Most of us have a few we would rethink if we had the chance. For the most amazing vacation photos, try picking your clothes in advance of your trip. Go as far as to take some photos of yourself wearing a few different outfits before you pack to make sure you like how you look.

When you dress for the day, think about how your clothes will look within the setting you are headed to. If you are spending the day on a white sand beach on Turks & Caicos, wearing light flowing clothing or tan colors will not only keep you cool, but will help you look your best. If you really want to stand out, use contrasting colors or patterns.

Most importantly, choose something you are comfortable wearing. If you feel awkward or are pulling at your fabric, that will stand out in your photos, and you want to feel your best while taking amazing vacation photos.

For a cute group shot, especially for families, try to coordinate your outfits on one day of your travels. This doesn’t mean that everyone has to have matching t-shirts or hats. Have each person wear one red accessory, or incorporate blue into their shirts. This pop of color throughout will make the photo feel cohesive. Remember that solid colors are best for group shots, rather than lots of patterns, stripes, or logos.

Ask for Advice

When you go on vacation, there are some places where you absolutely must take a photo. Our final tip is to go ahead and ask one of our travel professionals for advice on where to take the most amazing vacation photos. Chances are we have been to the area you’re traveling to, and have some pretty amazing vacation photos ourselves!

Ready to plan your next vacation?

Contact Shoreline Destinations