How to Take Better Family Vacation Pictures

Your leave is sanctioned, your partner finally cleared out their schedule and the kids are done with their exams—it is vacation time! You and your family have been so excited about this. All of you deserve the perfect vacation. But having a gala time is only one part of it. The other equally important part is capturing those fun times and getting great vacation pictures. But you’ve newly bought a camera that you are nervous to use, or maybe you’re counting on your smartphone and its 12-megapixel camera, either way, we have some tips for you that will help you take some amazing family vacation pictures.

Make the best of the golden time-frame

The favourite time of our professional photographers to conduct a photoshoot is the time after sunrise and before sunset. This window is known as the golden hours because of the soft glow they provide. Shooting in this period is the accepted rule of thumb to get the right lighting. But if you’re feeling experimental, you can also try the ‘blue hour’ which is the time just after sunset. This twilight time frame can give a dreamy and romantic tone to the picture.

Captured on Sunshine Coast by our photographer in Queensland

Pick asymmetrical frame

It is always a wise choice to take a moment to decide your frame. Composition is a basic and essential component of any picture, so take a few seconds to consider what elements you want in the picture. Looking for symmetry often helps find the correct frame. The rule of thirds is another guiding principle. Divide the image into two horizontal and vertical lines and place your subject at the intersection of these points.

Rhythm captured by Himanshu, our photographer in Jaipur

Comfortable and vivid-coloured clothing is the way to go

Clothing is an important element of the picture. Plus vacation is the perfect time to experiment with new styles and looks that you have always wanted to try but couldn’t before. But amidst this fashion glam, don’t forget to be comfortable. Because if you experience discomfort, then it would translate into your photos. It would be helpful to choose breathable fabrics to avoid sweat stains that might show in the pictures.

Viral captured by Ainsley, our photographer in Sydney

Secondly, there is a natural inclination to go for silent and pastel colours. When the backgrounds have a lot of noise, this works nicely. But if the setting is calmer, it is a good idea to don bright colours such as fuchsia, red and cobalt blue to stand out in the photo. Also make sure that you don’t wear something with busy patterns, texts or images as they distract from the subject’s face.

Preethika and Narayanan were captured by our photographer in Chennai

Innovate according to the location

Tourist cities have many attractions to offer. You need to read the vibe of the location and come up with picture ideas according to the location. For example, a picture of your family soaking their feet in the water on a beach might be a cliche shot but it is worth it because it does a great job of capturing the serenity of that moment. Common frames aside, be creative and let the location guide you. Suppose you see a statue of a man marching, you could ask your family to march behind him. Impromptu and witty poses that complement the place make for great vacation pictures.

Yashi was captured by Arindam, our photographer in Vadodra

Go for candid and lively shots

Stiff and straight photos don’t make for great memories—either in that moment or ten years later in a photo album. The best photos are taken unawares. So, when you see your family bubbling up with laughter or your children doing something adorable in their innocence, be sure to capture those candid moments. You can intentionally cause those happy laughs by some spontaneous tickling match or by suggesting fun poses that involve movement such as jumping and running. The dynamic movements add a sense of liveliness to the pictures and make them come to life. They also serve as memories of good times.

Saakshi and her family were captured in Mylapore by Arun, our photographer in Chennai 

Having a good vacation is as much about experiencing the city authentically, as it is about relaxation and exploration. At Holidaygrapher, we aim to provide you with great photos and even lovelier memories associated with the city with our team of professional photographers. Our local photographers intimately know their cities and photography—the key elements required to make for amazing family vacation pictures. All you have to do is have a good vacation and you can leave the rest to us.