Documenting your family vacation is about much more than taking photos!
Of course, you’ll want to take your camera with you and get plenty of snaps, but there are so many ways to make those happy memories last a lifetime. From laughing at stories by the campfire or remembering the sound of kids splashing in the shallow shores, vacations offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
These are worth remembering, so here’s how to document your vacation like a pro and create lasting keepsakes too.
Get organized
Pre-trip planning is an integral part of documenting your trip.
Start by preparing the necessary equipment and making sure that it’s all ready for your departure date. If you’re taking a camera, for example, you should test it and check that it’s working properly. You might need a sensor cleaner for your digital camera before the trip.
Don’t forget to bring spare batteries wherever possible. If you’re going to be taking most of your photos and videos on your cell phone, remember to pack your chargers and power banks too.
Capture the right moments
Don’t be tempted to take a photo of everything. This will leave your family feeling overwhelmed and maybe pretty annoyed about it too, which is the last thing you need on vacation!
Instead, try to focus on taking engaging photos and choosing the best opportunities. You want everyone to look happy—even better, try and capture the candid moments on family adventure vacations.
Whether it’s stepping in cold water or trying a delicious local delicacy, each photo should tell a story. Include context in the background and take two or three shots at a time!
Uploading and editing
Either during or after the trip, you can choose how to upload, store and process the content you’ve created.
If you’re used to doing things professionally, you’ll probably have a wireless setup and speedy access to the best photo editing software already. But if it’s your first time taking photos on vacation a little more seriously, there are still plenty of options.
You can use free apps or even the built-in photo editing settings on your phone if you want to sort it all quickly. If you have an iPhone, it’s worth turning on automatic uploads with iCloud—this will ensure that even if you lose your phone, you can keep your photos.
Create keepsakes
If you’d prefer to create something you can keep and hold, there are several formats to explore for preserving those special memories.
You can pick up photo albums online and put them together in a matter of hours. It’s the perfect alternative to storing digital files, especially if you’ve been on vacation with grandparents who might not use digital technology in the same way you do.
If you prefer to keep things simple, services like Shutterfly can print photos and send you an album. You can also use online platforms like Google Photos to give everyone in your group access to the photos you took.
Get the family involved
Finally, getting everyone involved makes for beautiful memories.
Try to get your group engaged: for example, you could stir up excitement with a funny conversation or take photos while they’re trying a new activity. Being the photographer doesn’t need to mean standing on the sidelines, so why not ask someone else to take a turn?
When everyone plays a part, everyone feels a sense of ownership in making the memories last. Happy photos make for happy holidays!