Tips On How To Take Photos And Still Keep The Family Happy On Holiday

Going on holiday with your family and your camera isn't the same as going on a photographic holiday. So here are a few tips on how you can still go out and enjoy your photography but keep the peace with your family at the same time:

Pick the right gear

A DSLR and a variety of lenses packed in a case is OK for photographic holidays but it can get a little heavy when you're heading out with bags of sun cream, hats, buckets and spades too. If you want to use a DSLR try fitting a zoom lens, such as the Tamron AF 18-200mm, that gives you a variety of focal lengths in one lens or pocket a compact camera so you can still capture the shots you want but in a less obtrusive way. Point and shoot cameras are easier to pack too as they don't take up too much room and many can fit in a pocket so can be accessed quickly if needs be.

Balance your time

Just because you're on holiday with your family doesn't mean you can't enjoy a few hours here and there taking photographs. It helps if you have an understanding partner, friends or whoever is travelling with you, as they can watch the children for half an hour while you take your photos. Try heading out while everyone else is still sleeping at sunrise, for example, but don't get too carried away with your photo taking as, after all, you're on a family holiday and not a photographic one.

Allocate time

Set yourself certain times to go and enjoy your photography. Plan these into the trip so your family know about them to save arguments and set time restraints so you don't find yourself vanishing for a day with your camera. By doing so you'll find you'll think more about what and how you're going to photograph your chosen subject and your hobby will also annoy your family less.

Have a plan

Doing your research and making a plan will mean you can put the locations and subjects that really interest you at the top of your 'to do' list. Then if you have to forget about some of your list, you'll have the important ones, hopefully, already in the bag. Having ideas on what angles work, what don't and what time of day your chosen location looks its best will stop you making wasted journeys and using time that you could have spent playing around in the pool or on the beach.

Visit places you all want to

A little bit of compromise goes a long way so if you want to go on some day trips, pick ones which you'll all enjoy. That way you'll be able to go out and take some photos while the rest of the family will still be entertained.

Get your family involved

See if you can get them taking photographs with you and if that fails, make them your main subject for most of your shots. This doesn't mean you have to pose them all the time though.

Be more relaxed about your photography

You'll probably find that the process of you putting a tripod up then working out every setting to make sure your shot's as perfect as it can be is what your family get bored of waiting around for so instead of always worrying about everything having to be just right, work a little off the cuff to get less complaints. If you pack a compact camera you're more likely to have a go at this but it is possible with a DSLR. Try shooting from the hip or instead of posing your family every time you want to photograph them, shoot some candids of them eating ice cream and playing in the sand. By working more spontaneously you'll probably find you'll have less complaints.


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