Say cheese: Tips for capturing cool holiday pictures

Consider taking photos of animals, which are actually very photogenic subjects. — Photos: Pixabay

Whether you travel close to home or take an extended trip, consider these ideas for capturing the moments that matter.

1. People pictures

It’s true. Every picture tells a story. Later, you’ll be glad you withstood the verbal resistance and nudged the kids or grandparents to succumb to one more photo. Encourage your family members to be the focal point of landscape images, cityscapes and your active adventures. The photos and videos will enrich the experience, provide context and stoke your memories long after the trip has ended.

2. Capture light and colour

You may have heard about the “golden hour”. It’s that magical time around sunrise and/or sunset when your photographic subjects seem to have a special glow. Capturing images in this soft light can make for beautiful pictures.

Markets, festivals, marinas and parades often provide an array of colourful subjects and unique experiences that will help tell the story of your family’s vacation. At the market, be on the lookout for brightly coloured vegetables, fruits, meat or fish unlike those in your local grocery store.

Fuel your children’s natural curiosity by asking the vendor to explain the origin of items. Better yet, choose from the available items and craft a family dinner from the local resources. Capture the experience from start to finish and relive the tastes, sounds and smells at a future family gathering.

Vegetables and fruits actually make great photos because of their vibrant colours.

3. Give animal photos a shot

Whether at the zoo, in the countryside, on safari, at sea or within a national park, snapping photos of critters can be an enriching experience as you observe the animal in their native habitat. Will you get the shot when the lion roars, the giraffe reaches upward, the monkey swings from the branch, or the whale breaches the surface?

Remember, though, it’s important for every member of the family to understand that animals in the wild are just that: wild. Don’t take chances. Keep a safe and respectful distance.

4. Get in on the action

It’s fun to capture the movement, emotion and exhilaration of a family adventure – whether it’s wild rides at the theme park, bike or running races, or rafts in the rapids.

You don’t need a fancy camera to create fun shots that tell the story. Try clicking the shutter while moving your body at the same pace as the action you want to record.

Compare notes and consider experimentation part of the family adventure and experience.

5. Use your camera to take notes

Encourage each member of the family to use their phone cameras to provide an extra layer of safety.

Snap a photo of your parking space, the extended itinerary, a designated family meeting spot and your hotel address and room number. It can also be fun to photograph the restaurants and menus that make your favourites list.

When visiting a new environment or when worn out from a full day of travelling, it can be difficult to remember these details that are an important component of safe and stress-free travel. – Tribune News Services