It wasn’t that long ago that our vacation photos were developed at the corner store and put in albums to be pulled out whenever family or friends came over for dinner. Now our vacation photos live forever online seen by all of our friends and family! With all of the social media and sharing going on why not make sure your photos are top notch and ready for sharing? Here are ten great tips for taking better photos!

1. Lighting

Lighting can make or break a picture. Have you ever seen the perfect thing to take a picture of and you snap the pic only to have the lighting be totally wrong? When taking a picture, see where the light source is and make sure your subject is facing it. Something that is receiving full light will be nice and clear in your picture where as something being back lit will look like a shadow. That being said taking a backlight picture can still look great if you want to achieve a shadow effect. Personally I love “magic hour” right at dusk or dawn, when everything has that dewy look to it and there really is no bad light!

Back Lighting

Front Lighting

2. Focus

Playing with focus is a great way to add dimension to a photo. Picking an object in the forefront or background to focus on is perfect for showing off the subject of your photo while adding depth. Focusing on a person or object in the foreground is great for showcasing the subject, where focusing on the background or place with an object in the foreground out of focus is perfect for showing off the scenery.

Background Out of Focus

Background in Focus

3. Angles

Not all your photos have to be taken at eye level. Adding fun angles to your photos is a great way to change it up and you might even find new things to capture by trying different angles. Don’t be afraid to climb up on something or squat down on the ground.

Low Angle Shot

High Angle Shot

4. Candid Photos

This is personally one of my favorite types of photography! Sometimes the best moments are captured when your subject has no idea you are taking their picture. On vacations snapping a photo of someone starring at a point of interest or a great view is the perfect way to capture someone and somewhere you love.

5. Reflections

Whether it’s in a puddle, mirror, or a window using reflective surfaces are a fun way to capture an image within an image. Just focus on the subject in the reflective surface and get ready to wow your friends and family with your mad photography skills!

Mirror Reflection

Water Reflection

6. Geometry

You might have never thought geometry would be fun, but incorporating it into your pictures can completely elevate them! Find cool shapes in your surroundings and use them to frame people or things.

7.  Anchor Your Picture

Ever look at a picture and think…I have no idea where or what to look at? Choose a subject to anchor your photo. Whether it’s a person or a place find something to focus on so your observer is not confronted with an overloaded image. Just ask yourself what do you want to see in the picture and get rid of everything else.

Simplicity is Key

8. Frame within a Frame

Ever take tons of photos and they just live on your computer never to see a frame or the light of day? You can give your photo a frame from the start with by using architecture or items to frame your subject.

9. Ask a Stranger

Some people get so nervous asking someone to take a picture for them. Chances are they are hoping that someone will snap a pic of them and their family too! Find someone nearby and offer to take a picture of their family in exchange for a photo of you and your family. It’s a great way to make sure you have some photos with your whole family instead of playing musical photographer trying to get a photo of everyone in it.

10.  Have Fun!

It might sound cliché but having fun while taking photos is the best way to get a shot you will love. You’ll be inspired by things around you and when you just let loose and enjoy the time with your family and friends. That’s when the great shots will really come out!

Have some fabulous pictures and videos from a recent trip or outing? We can create a fabulous video perfect for sharing with friends and family at Video Tov.