Top 20 Tips for Family Vacation Photos (2021)

How to Capture Your Family Photos on Vacations

Whether you’re traveling locally or afar, you will be making treasured memories that you will want to document. Photos are one of the best ways to do that. We want you to be able to look back on your trip and see all of the memorable moments in every picture. So, using these top 20 tips for capturing your family vacation photos is a must!

How Do You Take a Good Vacation Picture?

A lot goes into play, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Lighting and keeping your camera or cell phone on you are key. Keep these 20 tips in mind as you look for photo opportunities. Now, let’s talk about why and see what else can help you capture that magic while you travel.

1. Lighting

First, it’s all about that light. Truly! Lighting is that powerful element that can drastically change the story of your images. Harsh, bright light at noon will have lots of shadows and deep contrast. The light at sunrise and sunset is often soft and golden. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong kind of light, but being aware of what you prefer and how to use it to your advantage will aid in your planning.

Sometimes it might not be your favorite time of day for pretty light, but you made it to the top of that mountain, and you have to document it. Go for it! Hold the back of your hand up to the light and see which direction is most flattering. If the sun is too bright, direct your family to face away from it.

Stormy skies and shady days can create beautiful opportunities. The clouds provide an interesting element and can act as natural reflectors, softening the shadows below. Don’t be afraid of the light – use it to your advantage!

2. Mindset: It Makes a Difference

This one is big. Often, we develop steep expectations for our family vacation photos, and not reaching those goals can put a damper on your mood. In turn, it can affect everyone else’s attitude. Yep, I’ve been there. So, give yourself some grace and extend it to your family too. If no one is in the mood, snap some epic candids instead. Candids are my favorites!

The most important thing is how you feel. Don’t let failed photo opportunities steal your joy! Some of my favorites end up being images I originally was unhappy with because they weren’t “perfect.” Let mistakes happen!

Try to limit the formal photos (where everyone is looking at the camera) to once or twice a day or only at specific locations you have in mind. Thinking about it ahead of time will save you some headache later.

Evaluate your family’s mood and prepare them ahead of time too. Let them know you’d like to snap a few of them in the pineapple field or while they’re at the beach. Keep it minimal and make them aware of your expectations, because no one likes to be caught off guard!

3. Scope Out Photo Locations Ahead of Time

One great thing about the Internet is that you usually have endless resources for images, so you can research pictures of the locations you’ll be visiting. First, consider which spots are your favorites. Next, pick out one or two that are your top picks for family vacation photos and map out when you’ll visit each. Last, plan a formal shot at that location and then some fun candids afterward.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Which locations won’t be too crowded?
• Which spots have beautiful backdrops you will want to remember?
• Are there any rocks for the kids to climb on or seashells for them to find to entertain themselves during the shoot? (These elements also add interesting layers to your images.)

4. When to Take Pictures for the Best Family Vacation Photos

When planning a formal session with complimentary clothes and a specific location, you want to shoot in the very early morning hour near sunrise or during the last hour of the day, before sunset and shortly after. Consider how busy the area will be at each time of day when choosing. I use an app on my phone to determine sunrise and sunset at a location. Also, think about your family and which time will be best for them. When will they be happiest? Avoid disrupting nap time!

My Example:

A few years ago, I traveled to Italy for 3 weeks with my young twins and my parents to visit my sister and her family. While there, I planned one formal shoot for the entire stay and knew the rest would be mostly candids. We knew we would be visiting 4 major destinations over that timeframe and did not want to overwhelm the kids (or ourselves) with too many photo ops.

First, Positano was chosen for our formal session. Next, we pre-planned outfits, the exact location, and the time of day to get the best result. I knew we wanted to get to our spot 30 minutes before sunrise, so I spoke with the hotel staff beforehand to make sure we could be on the beach at that time.

We got up at 4 AM to beat the crowd and to catch the sunrise on the beach. Spoiler: there was no crowd at that time of day. My poor, sweet brother-in-law still says, “Remember that one time…”

It was memorable! We got the kids to bed early (ages 1, 4, 10, 10) and promised treats, time to play in the water, and time to hunt for sea glass afterward.

Luckily, it all worked perfectly. We were the only ones there and that in itself was phenomenal. Watching the sun come up as the kids played on the beach was magical. We took turns snapping images of each other’s families.

Then, I captured a bajillion candids while the kids played. The little ones didn’t mind the early hour. The adults had a tougher time than the kids, but they were understanding troopers! It was 1000% worth it.

The first shot shown here wasn’t my top fave originally because of the chairs on the side. However, now I’m quite partial to it. It’s authentically us and showcases a sweet moment.

5. Bring a Tripod

You know you want to get in the shot too! One day you and your kids will be grateful that you did. So, investing in a tripod for your camera and a small one for your cell phone is worthwhile. My Joby tripod is perfect for my cell phone and can easily be packed in my backpack.

I have a hand-me-down Davis & Sanford Reditilt that I use for my big camera. It’s not the newest one out there of course, but it works great for my needs!

6. Photography Gear for Your Family Vacation Photos

You don’t have to have the best gear available to take amazing family vacation photos. I briefly talk more about preparing yourself as a photographer here.

I prefer to capture our photos using a combination of my cell phone and my Nikon D750. Depending on the location and the terrain, I might just take my cell phone along. Researching the area ahead of time will allow me to prepare appropriately.

If I know I’ll want to print a large canvas from one of the images, then I’ll definitely use my Nikon. If I plan to share the images on social media or save them for small prints, my cell phone will work perfectly.

When bringing my Nikon D750, I primarily use my Nikon 50mm 1.4 lens, because it’s an all-around great, versatile lens. It’s small, so it’s not too bulky and doesn’t take up a lot of space. I pack it in a small, waterproof backpack that is comfortable to carry.

I can’t physically carry a very large load, so I have to keep weight in mind. Also, the 50mm lens has fantastic compression with sharp focus. Lately, it’s been my favorite go-to lens in general.

Keep a camera of some sort on you as often as possible. You never know when a moment will present itself that you will want to capture!

7. Candid vs. Posed

I love a good combination, but candids (where no one is looking and you are capturing others as they are) are always dear to my heart. First, snap some posed shots. Then, encourage play and exploration for candids.

Next, follow your family around and wait for magical moments to capture. Encourage gentle tickling (if it doesn’t bother them) and games that they can play, such as Red Light Green Light.

8. What to Wear for Your Family Vacation Photos

Neutrals and earthy tones are my go-to suggestions. Also, consider the terrain. You don’t want blue against blue water or green against grassy fields. Use complementary colors instead of matching ones. Avoid busy, bold patterns. Stick to minimal patterns and mostly solids. I love finding color palettes on Pinterest for inspiration and outfit planning.

I suggest planning one outfit that you absolutely love for one family member and then building on from there. Don’t forget to use a color board or palette to aid in planning!

9. How to Pack

Personally, I like to pack clothes with neutral, earthy tones in general so that daily candid and spur-of-the-moment shots follow a similar visually pleasing appearance just like my formal sessions. Select items that will go well with a large variety of things and that are comfortable, well-fitting, and weather-appropriate.

Consider your environment as well. Your little one might not want to hike in a long, flowy dress. You can pack one for your child to change into on the top of the mountain or you can choose a cute romper of the same color that’s better made for the environment.

10. Taking Funny Vacation Pictures

Funny vacation pictures may not be at the top of your list, but they are a crowd favorite and will get everyone laughing with genuine smiles while you snap away! The sillier the better, so get the family involved and let them decide what to do. I don’t even have to ask mine – they just do it, and I love it!

11. Get Creative – Perspective & Composition

Try some new techniques:

• Snap a shot from above looking down.
• Get down low to the ground and shoot out and away from you.
• Look for interesting lines (maybe a fence or pretty columns) that lead to your subject.
• Frame your subject with a cool building or landscape.
• Place your subject in the left or right third of your frame.

12. Capturing Details

Watch for details that can add to your story of travel. These can be so much fun because you’re letting your creative juices flow without having to worry about expressions or what anyone else around you is doing.

Capture the way your child’s hair moves in the wind. Zoom in on the butterfly that just landed on a light pink petal. Frame that mountainous landscape in your viewfinder. It could become your next big canvas!

13. Weather Conditions

You might not have optimal weather conditions. However, don’t give up just yet. Windy days and stray hairs can tell a beautiful story of movement. Stormy skies can provide a wonderful diffuser, casting gorgeous soft light on your subjects that create wonderful family vacation photos.

14. Using Drones & GoPros

I absolutely love images of aerial shots using a drone and underwater shots using a GoPro. These are my dream pieces of equipment! While I do not own either yet, I would love to have the Mavic Air or the Mavic 2 Pro. The GoPro HERO9 is on my radar. Someday! I’ll update if I get to try them out. These can make for some pretty fantastic, creative images that you will treasure. If using a drone, make sure it is legal and allowed for use in the area you are shooting.

15. Your Backdrop

Look for interesting backgrounds that will highlight your family vacation photos. Use archways, door frames, or tree branches to frame your subjects. Is your background distracting or does it help to tell the story of where you’re at and what you’re doing? Does your subject blend into the background or do they pop and stand out?

If your child is wearing green against a green field he or she will blend in. Guide them to stand in the spots you would like them in and consider packing earthy neutrals with colors you love for them to wear.

16. Distractions

Leave the devices in the car or at the hotel, because you want to see your children interacting with the environment and the people around you – not their toys. Save those items as a reward.

17. Bribery – Yep, Save It for When You Need It!

I save bribery for my photoshoots. Fortunately, my kids know that if I want a few shots of them I’ll make it quick, and then they’re free to play while I capture candids. Promises of ice cream or 20 extra minutes on the iPad have been known to help quite a bit.

18. Getting the Actual Shot

Okay, you’ve covered all the basics and you’re ready for the shot! Now, when you want everyone to look at the camera, be prepared to crack a joke or use a prompt that will get a reaction from your crew. If you want to see joy, consider a prompt that will evoke joy, such as, “It’s Christmas morning! What do you see?”

Ask them to softly twirl each other or have your significant other lightly swing your little one back and forth. Have them grasp hands and move in and out to get some candid, authentic smiles.

Finger puppets and toys that squeak are fantastic eye-catching tools you can use to hold over your camera and catch babies’ attention.

Include your family in the planning phase. For example, ask them which spots are their favorites. Then, let each kiddo take a turn snapping a picture with the camera or get them their own. Tell them they’ll get to print the images and use them for their very own scrapbooks. You know what your kids like – get creative!

19. Editing Your Family Vacation Photos

You’ve taken all of these fantastic shots, so now what?! I love editing on my cell phone using these apps: Photoshop Express, Lightroom mobile, and Snapseed. I edit images from my Nikon D750 using Lightroom and Photoshop.

20. Hire a Professional Photographer for Your Family Vacation Photos

Sometimes you want to leave it to the professionals because it’s worth every penny for your peace of mind. Investing in a local professional photographer or hiring one to travel to you can be completely worth it.

Research photographers ahead of time to make sure your vision matches their style and that they’ll meet your specific needs. Photographers can take care of the planning and then you can relax and enjoy time with your family while they snap some epic shots you will forever cherish.

Lifelong Reflection

When you’re looking through family vacation photos, it provides an opportunity for everyone to reminisce and enjoy the memories of the past. On top of that, family vacation photos can help create new memories by providing a chance for family members to interact with one another in meaningful ways.

Use Your Family Vacation Photos to Document Your Journey

In conclusion, embrace your inner photographer and document your travels, through all the ups and downs. These are moments told from your perspective that describe a story of adventure surrounding your family. Hopefully, you can use these 20 tips to help you along the way.