5 Summer Vacation photo tips

Summer Vacation is a great time to catch up on your family photos and document some of the great places in your travels. Here are some tips to capturing great memories.

1. Use the unexpected or even purchase fails. While in California, we ran out of sunscreen, so we bought some cheap store brand in a hurry. It wouldn't absorb into the skin no matter how much we rubbed. So I grabbed my son Caleb who's also clowning around and covered his face. This idea is actually an inspiration of a photo I did of him a few years back. Which leads to the next tip. 

2. Think in texture not just color. Like most kids, going to the beach means playing in the sand. Sometimes converting an image to black and white emphasizes texture that may get diminished in a color photo. Be sure to add more contrast to the image after you change it from color to black and white for a more dramatic effect.

3. Bring Exciting Wardrobe. Spice up your pics with a unique item of clothing. I got this colorful raincoat on clearance at the Gap and brought it with us on vacation. It also got my daughter Rosie excited to do something fun.

4. Get up Early! Today it's very easy to remove people from photos, but it can be a hassle. I discovered this gorgeous location in Laguna Beach and wanted it to be empty. So Rosie and I got there at 6:30AM. Early morning is also a great time of day for beautiful light.

5. Use other platforms. There are so many other camera platforms out there today available at low costs more than ever before. Drones, water proof cameras, time-lapse functions, etc. add new dimensions to your vacation photos. Always be careful to follow local restrictions and FAA regulations when it comes to flying drones.