Don't just take family vacation photos, BE the family vacation photos

Everyone takes photos while they are on vacation. They are the best way to capture all the wonderful memories you make. But did you ever look back at your pictures and notice that all your vacation photos are missing one key element: YOU?

This picture probably looks familiar to you. You may even have one from your last vacation. It is beautiful, and if it ever makes it out of your computer it would look great on the wall, but it isn't really capturing you haveing a great time on vacation.

Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, fun, and a great way to recharge. If you are constantly stuck behind a camera that can be hard to do. Ok, so I know you are expecting a pitch right now on how you should hire us to take your vacation pictures (which is a service we offer), but really there is more to it. Don't miss out on your vacation because you are too busy documenting your vacation!
My father-in-law is notorious for this, and it is very easy to see when you look back at vacations my husband took as a child with his family. There are plenty of him, his brother, and his mother in various formations and places, but almost no pictures of his father. The question then becomes, was he even there? Don't be like him!! Enjoy the vacation and spending time with your family because it will make you a happier person.

OK, so now you are probably thinking "but if I don't take the pictures then how will we remember later?" and that is a great question. There are a few options, all of which are fairly simple and some of which won't cost you anything.

1. Ask Someone to take a picture for you - I am not talking about handing your camera over to a stranger and having them click the picture. While this can work and you are welcome to try it, it can also backfire with fingers in the way, heads cut off, or worse, a stolen camera. I am actually talking about when you go with more than just your family. Ask one of your party to take pictures. This also works well with #2.

2. Share Pictures with your group - Most of the family vacations I take are not just me, my husband, and our kids. Frequently we have a set of grandparents or friends that we are traveling with. These situations are a great opportunity to share in picture taking responsibilities. Make a deal with whomever you are traveling with to trade off days. You take the pictures one day and they take pictures the next. Then trade pictures at the end. You can get a great variety of pictures and be included in more of the activities. If you are traveling just with your family, this works also to trade with your spouse or child (if they are older), or it may help you make some new friends on your trip.

3. Use local photo opportunities - This is easier to do if where you are going is a touristy place. They will frequently have places to stop and have your picture taken. The downside to this is that you usually have to purchase the pictures and they are not cheap.

4. Hire someone to take pictures for you - Yes, there are some photographers who offer this service. It is a photojournalistic approach and is a great way to be involved in everything on your vacation. I highly recommend a local photographer (you don't want to spend the money to bring someone with you). You would get lots of great pictures and not miss out on anything, but this will be an expensive option so I would call ahead of time and get pricing from a couple places. This really works best if you know you are going to be going somewhere like an aquarium, zoo, or playing on the beach for a length of time or having a big adventure like riding ziplines in Mexico and really don't want to miss out on the fun.

All of these suggestions can be used together to help get you out from behind the camera and into the action and fun of your vacation! Happy People take better pictures!