The following photos are ones I have discovered on my camera that I had nearly forgotten about! They were so far up the list of photos that I hadn’t scrolled through in such a long while. So I figured that now is the time to get them posted, and I am embarking upon a full-on mission to begin blogging past family photos.
It was a couple of years ago that these photos were taken, and we had decided it was time for a lakeside vacation. We don’t feel the need to get away often, but it was definitely time for a change of scenery. Time to get away from it all, and spend time in a new setting. I also recall having read up on some tips for taking creative vacation photos, so I thought it a lovely idea to share some of them here!
Try Something Out of the Ordinary
Consider what you might want to do in order to focus on getting some photos anything out of the ordinary. Perhaps there is a new angle you can try from, or a different time of day, with some unusual lighting. What would the photo look like from higher or lower levels? What about through a doorway, or peeking through a tree or a rock? Focusing on something unique, such as creative carvings or a gorgeous window can make a big difference.
Early morning lakeside fun!
Focus on the Small Details
Beach and lakeside photos have plenty of potential for creating unique photos and memories from them. Consider focusing on the details. How about your seven-year-old’s hands as she packs the sand on her sand castle, or holding the shells or cat tails she discovered? How are those flip-flop tans coming along? Perhaps, rather than focusing on the activity itself, you could try to capture the look of wonder on your child’s face as he is engaging in them.
She spent a good portion of the morning playing with this cat tail and a pail!
Incorporate Unique Settings & Backgrounds
Candid shots are a great way to capture what really was going on during your vacation. Sometimes unique settings and backgrounds make the most wonderful pictures! Once you’ve done some candid shots, consider going in the opposite direction with fun poses. How about watching the sunset, or capturing a moment of assessing the lake water before entering it? (That sunset will fit right into the top of your almost-empty ice cream cone and will make a cool picture to remember!) Kids playing on the beach early morning, or at sunset?
Assessing the water situation very peacefully, preparing to venture in … clothes and all!
Play with Distance & Perspective
Playing with distance and perspective, you can create some fun camera illusions. Try to take a photo that looks as if you’re reaching up to squeeze a cloud, or the sun, or a skyscraper if you’re vacationing in a city. Maybe a giant tree that looks animated is about to hug your children … let your imagination run wild!
Here, we had gotten up very early to spend some magical time by the misty lake.
Explore the Settings & App Potentials
There are lots of technical ways to get some really creative vacation photos. Explore the settings on your camera or apps available if you’re taking your photos on your phone. There are hundreds of possibilities for taking panoramic shots, making your photos look old fashioned or 70’s style, adding beautiful embellishments – the possibilities are endless. You might want to take a peek through this book from A Beautiful Mess.
Collecting stones always makes for a morning well spent.
Want to know one of the funnest and best ways to ensure creative photos from varied perspectives? Make sure everyone on the trip has a camera, and consider giving out a prize for the most creative shot! Our oldest has her own waterproof camera, and some of our best memory photos have come from them. It’s a great way to experience time together from their perspective. Have fun!
These are all great ideas. I love changing things up when we are taking vacation photos. We also like to give our kids the camera. Sometimes that’s how we get the most creative pictures!