We make it a priority to take time away from the day-to-day grind and spend quality time together as a family. The largest blocks of family time happen away from home. When we go on vacation, I unplug. I stay off of Facebook, I only check my favorite news site once a day, and I don’t chat endlessly with my friends. Even though I work from home and essentially am my own boss, I still make sure to set my Out of Office email settings so clients know I’m not even a little bit available. Needless to say, I take our away time seriously.
Another thing I take seriously on vacay: the photos. I love to capture special moments that our girls can look back on and (hopefully) treasure for years to come. Of course, it’s easy to grab cute candids, but sometimes they don’t tell the full story of our trip. So, as I contemplate our spring break options for 2017, I’m also thinking about how I’ll approach our family pics while we’re soaking up some sun. Along with silly, in-the-moment photos, I want a few that are a little more specific. So, I’ve made a list of the shots I’ll need to capture during our next adventure.
Photos to Capture Your Family Vacation
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Get a group shot.
Moms always focus on capturing the moment, but when your kids look back on all those happy travel memories, they'll want to see you there, too. Ask a kind stranger to click a pic of your entire crew.
Photo: Travel Noire
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Let your feet do the talking.
Your family's feet can tell a lot about where you've been and where you're going. An annual foot photo can show off a cast, highlight the year your kindergartener learned to tie his own shoes, mark when your middle schooler started painting her own nails, and hint at so many other little details you might overlook in a traditional pic.
Photo: Mixbook
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Capture a shot from your kids' vantage point.
Most of your family photos probably come from your perspective as you tower over the kids. Enjoy the chance to see the world from their point of view and maybe even reminisce on the days when you were a kid.
Photo: Family Field Trip
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Take a shot of a beautiful street mural.
Let the kids become one with local art for a vibrant snapshot. As they meld into the masterpiece, they can become part of a real-life Where's Waldo when you print out your vacation pics.
Photo: Oh Happy Day
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Grab a shot from behind.
You can capture a sweet moment between your kiddos and the gorgeous scenery in a stress-free way. As they take in the magical sights of Walt Disney World (or wherever you are), click away with your camera (or phone).
Photo: Mommy, Daddy, and Me
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Snap pics of what you eat.
Kids act like new foods are their kryptonite, but there's something about being outside of your routine that makes a kid (and their taste buds) a little more adventurous. Whether you're chowing down on authentic tacos or getting ready to sip a beautifully made coffee drink, make sure you take a shot or two of you and the kids enjoying a bite. Then, you can always say, "Remember that one time kiddo tried something new?"
Photo: Treasures & Travels
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Document how a place changes over the years.
If your family loves to revisit the same destination year after year, bring one of last year's pics along to add to this year's snapshot to show how the scenery has changed along with your clan.
Photo: Around the World Girl
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Capture a gorgeous sunset (or sunrise).
It's so hard not to focus on your child's face, but a simple silhouette of your children shifts the focus to the mood of a moment.
Photo: The Blonde Abroad
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Snap pics of memorable monuments.
Every city has a photo-worthy statue, monument, or sculpture. Seek it out, and say, "Cheese!" As you travel over the years, print and frame each iconic image to visually tell the story of your adventures.
Photo: Black Travel Feed
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Capture your kids out in nature.
Today's kids have so much access to technology. They can't even imagine using a newspaper to find out movie times. Vacations are often the rare occasions when they actually unplug and get in tune with their surroundings outdoors. Take that picture, so you have evidence that it even happened. Trust me, it will be hard to remember when you return to the real world.
Photo: Globe Totting
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Document your visit to a cultural event.
Jazz Fest, Carnival, Holi, and various other cultural festivals are bound to elicit looks of awe, wonder, curiosity, and maybe even confusion. Capture each one as your kids immerse themselves in a new culture.
Photo: Jarvie Studios
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Travel from place to place like a local -- and get it on film.
Whether the locals travel by subway, trolley, mule, or scooter, give it a try (and, make sure you grab a shot). This invaluable experience can help your kids appreciate what it's like to live like a local.
Photo: Nu Photo
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Capture your family trying something new.
It's not every day that you can swing from vines. If you get the chance to do something for the first time on your trip, don't forget to document the discovery. Stare at it longingly when you're in the grips of a mundane Monday back home.
Photo: Tropic of Candycorn
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Reflect on things.
Whether it's a reflection in the lake or a view of your clan in your sunnies, this unique perspective makes you appear to be truly one with your surroundings.
Photo: Kimberly_mtm
