Summer is just around the corner and that means vacation. Whether you’re planning an exotic vacation or a backyard staycation, there’s always something worth photographing when you’re having fun. With the advent of digital photography, more people than ever are taking more photos than ever. Here are a few of my top tips to help you get vacation photos you can be proud of.But how do you make sure those vacation photos are worth keeping and sharing when the trip is over? 
1. Plan Ahead
Make sure the camera works before you start your trip. Charge the batteries, clear the memory card and be sure to pack all the extras you need. There’s nothing that will put a damper on the day faster than realizing you won’t be taking home any visual memories. And if you’re buying a new camera for the trip, buy it enough in advance that you can learn to use it–and make sure everything works the way you want.
2. Fill the Frame
Do you really want to play “Where’s Waldo?” with your vacation photos? As one of my photography teachers said (back in the day), “you’re paying for the film, you might as well use all of it.” It’s always better to zoom in and fill the frame while taking the photo than to crop later.
3. Give your Scene a Sense of Scale
Use people–or other things–to show the size of your vacation sights. Putting people in the photo (like your kids) helps to demonstrate how tall a saguaro is or how small that little bug really is. And people add some interest anyway. If you don’t ever put people in the photos you might as well just buy postcards.
4. Subscribe to my newsletter through the tab below for a copy of my free E-Book, Marie Leslie’s Guide to Great Vacation Photos.
You’ll find even more tips and ideas for great vacation photos you’ll enjoy long after the vacation has ended. Happy Travels!
Marie, I just love taking pictures. Now for the memories and sorting them rightly. On MAC so should sort them better than I am doing. Thanks for sharing. Using my IPOD touch which I believe does a great job. So planning ahead is making sure the charger is charged up. Thanks for great tips.
Carol Giambri recently posted..Can you Feel Better Gardening?
How nice of you to share your expertise! I never enjoyed photography until the new digital age. Instant gratification is the only way I could appreciate taking photos. LOL
Sally K Witt, Social Media and Ministry recently posted..National Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport – AWESOME!!
Sally, after having started my photographic journey well back in the film age, I cannot begin to tell you how much fun instant gratification is.. I LOVE it!
Great tips Marie. Especially that first one! We went on a boat cruise up the canal here last summer, something I’d been wanting to do for years. I had my camera all charged up and ready to go, got to the dock and started taking pictures and got the full memory warning. I forgot to put a memory card in!
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Oh, that is so frustrating, Helena. Not being prepared is probably the biggest problem people ending up having with their vacation photos. I always counsel to have an extra memory card. They are cheap these days, relatively speaking–there’s just no reason to run out any more.
Great tips Marie! I love photography but I’ve never been really good at it! I hope to see improvement after applying your tips!
Patsy Stewart recently posted..The Visual Elements of Facebook Timeline [Infographic]
Love Love Love these tips. I will make sure to use them not only on vacations but in all my photography!
Elaine Shannon recently posted..Time Starved and Energy Deprived
Great post Marie. There is so much I don’t know about photography! I’m a crafty & creative person and I do lots of stuff in design online… just never dabbled in your passion. VERY interesting! (-_-)
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Love this post =)
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Great points, learned that hard way after years of doing it wrong. I am a mommy photographer who pulls out a mean Christmas card once a year. That’s it. Creativity meets MOM and it works. Beyond that, I am lost. Nice tips.
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Great tips! I’ve never really seen the point of posing in front of various sights and landmarks (which I see people doing all the time), but now you’ve given me a couple more ideas on how to make the vacation pics more interesting. Thanks!
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There are definitely ways to work your family into the different landmarks without being boring. As a photographer, I make lots of photographs with no people because I like the landscapes and scenics. But I have learned my kids like the ones they are in the best. We do lots of family photos on our trips, but we always try to avoid the cliche shots–I do admit to photographing them with signs. We stop at all the “welcome to ________ state” signs when we road trip and they enjoy getting goofy for those–and we photograph them at other signs that will make great title shots for our albums.
I never have really taken pictures , it usually falls to my girls. I love to look at pictures though. Thanks for all of your tips. Makes me want to be the one taking pictures the next time
I love the plan ahead tip. I have forgotten not only to change my camera battery but to actually bring my charger on a trip. I love to take pictures. I do need to keep these tips in mind for me next trip. Thanks, Marie!
I’ve done that, too, Lisa, and what a pain it is when you can’t charge the camera batteries.
Am really going to make much of an effort with my photos this year as I’ve never taken much trouble in the past, so this is a helpful post for me Marie. Even step 1 about planning is great – I never think to check the batteries but now I will!