Happy Friday, y’all! I hope you’ve had some cooler temps this week like I have here in Northwest Arkansas. It’s definitely going to get hot again before it cools down for good, but it’s been really nice to have a taste of Fall the last few days.
Today’s blog post is kind of a fun one, it’s all about how I get photos of myself and my husband on trips that aren’t selfies. I’ve really enjoyed looking back through a bunch of my personal trip photos for this post, and I hope you enjoy them too!
Travel Photos
Before I get started on the true topic of the day, I just wanted to say a quick word about travel photos, because everyone has a different approach. Some people only take photos on their phone while traveling. Some people have a fancy camera that they only use while on trips. Some people only shoot with a film camera while on trips. Some people hire a photographer for a session on their trips. Some people don’t take any photos while traveling. And of course some people do a combination of two or more of these things. And whatever your style is, it’s okay! I’m not here today to change the way you travel.
But if you are someone who wants photos of you and your partner or you by yourself while traveling that aren’t selfies, this post is for you! And if you want to take better/more interesting photos on your phone while on vacation, I also have a post about that, “How To Take Documentary Style Photos On Your Phone On Vacation”!
Disclaimer: I’m A Professional Photographer
Just in case you’re a first time reader of this blog, I just wanted it on record that yes, I am a professional photographer. But that certainly doesn’t mean I’ve always been good at getting good interesting photos of myself on vacation. It’s a completely different skill set than what I do for my clients during photo sessions. And it’s frustrating because when I’m photographing my clients I know exactly what to do to get the best angle or shot, but when I look at photos other people take of me, I very often hate them (the photos, that is).
It’s only within the last few years that I’ve realized the reason why I always hate photos of myself that people take for me while traveling. And perhaps I’m late to the game with this, but maybe someone out there needs to hear it too: you aren’t the problem. You’re beautiful. Other people just suck at taking photos.
I’m kidding. Well, kind of. There was this one time that I asked someone for a photo of myself, my husband, and our dog, and the lady didn’t even get Luna in the photo. Like, hello?! She was the whole point of the photo. So yeah, that lady sucks at taking photos.
But the real reason that you aren’t getting the photos you want is twofold: 1) other people don’t care about the photo of you as much as you do, and 2) they don’t know what your expectations are for the photo. And it’s only in the last few years that I’ve realized this and worked on getting the photos that I actually want. So I’ve compiled my best tips for you so that you can start getting the travel photos of your dreams!
Tired of Vacation Selfies? I Got You
There are basically two options when it comes to getting vacation photos of yourself that aren’t selfies: ask someone to take a photo for you, or use the self-timing function. Now, I’ve never had great luck getting the shots I want with the self timer. I’ve done it before and it’s been fine, but it’s a giant pain having to run back and forth to the camera in between shots to check them, and then sometimes not even getting the photo you wanted. Not to mention trying to find somewhere to prop your phone up or set your camera, or even worse, hauling a tripod around with you on vacation.
Where I’ve found the best (and, let’s be honest, the worst) luck is with asking someone to take a photo for me. It’s very high risk, high reward. But it’s my go-to method and it’s what I’ll be talking about in this post.
1. Adjust Your Settings
Whether you’re using a camera or your phone’s camera, learning the different settings can really make a difference in your photos. When I use my camera, I of course adjust all the settings manually. And while it took lots of practice and shooting in different lighting situations to get really good and quick at adjusting my settings, it is 100% worth it! And it’s not as hard as you might think to learn your camera’s settings. Although when I’m using my cell phone’s camera, I usually don’t have to adjust the settings, because I have a Samsung. Not an ad for Samsung, but yes, that was a dig at iPhones.
Anyways, I always have everything prepped before I ask someone to take my picture; the settings, the exact zoom I want them to use, etc.
2. Take a Test Shot
Since posing myself doesn’t come as easily to me as posing other people, it is really helpful for me to take the exact photo I want for myself of someone else (or of another couple if I’m wanting one of my husband and I). This helps me know which direction to face, how to angle our bodies, where I want the camera to face, etc. It also allows me to show the person who will be taking the photo an example of exactly how I want them to line up the shot.
Below is a classic example of me following all of these steps, and factors beyond my control prevented me from getting the photo I wanted of my husband and myself (far right). We were shooting off some fireworks with our friends, and after getting the shots I wanted of them for their maternity photo session, we had one more fountain pack so Keith and I jumped in front of the camera. But unfortunately, it was a dud. So we didn’t end up with the perfect shot. And guess what? That happens sometimes, and it’s okay!
3. Choose Who You Ask Carefully
I’m so lucky that when I travel, friends or family are usually with me. However, on the occasions that I need to ask a stranger to take a photo for me, there are a couple of things that I look for:
1. Someone millennial-age or (preferably) younger
2. Female (sorry guys, but ladies usually pay more attention to detail)
3. Someone who is also taking lots of photos on their phone
A funny thing happens all the time when I travel with my husband that I don’t really understand. People will come up to the two of us and ask him to take their photo. He of course immediately hands me the phone because he knows I’ll do a better job than he would. Maybe because he’s so tall that he sticks out in a crowd, maybe he just has a friendlier face than me, I don’t know. Don’t be like those people. Ask a woman to take your photos if there’s one available.
4. Explain What You Want In Minute Detail
When you’re showing them your test shot, point out the specific features of the photo that you want them to replicate. Where you want the horizon line to fall, if you want your full body in the shot, you want the mountain over your right shoulder, you want your body completely blocking the fire hydrant, etc.
I also always ask them to take several photos in both portrait and landscape orientation. When I’m the one taking a photo for a stranger, I try to get the exact shot they want me to first, and then I move around a little and get some other options that I think might also look good.
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Another Photo
If they didn’t take the exact photo you wanted, ask them to take it again! Or, if they look like they’re in a hurry, just want a few minutes for them to leave and ask someone else to take the photo.
6. When In Doubt, Go Wide
Inevitably, they won’t pay attention to straightening out the line of the horizon, or they’ll cut your feet off at an awkward place. I always air on the side of caution and ask for them to get my whole body in the shot, with space around me (especially the feet) so that I can straighten the horizon line without cutting my feet or my head off.
7. Be Grateful
Always keep in mind what a privilege it is to travel, and what a privilege it is to live in the age of digital photography. Will you always get the perfect vacation photo? No. But don’t let it diminish your experience or spoil your memory of that location. Always express gratitude to anyone who is willing to take your photo, and I also always offer to reciprocate if they want a photo of themselves as well.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post is helpful! I always want everyone to get the best vacation photos possible. I know how important mine are to me, and I can only imagine that it’s the same for everyone.
*All my blog posts contain a selection of images that I’ve taken. This blog post contains images that I took myself for personal use and enjoyment and are not intended to be used for marketing purposes. Many of them were taken on a cell phone, and many of them are unedited. If you are interested in viewing some galleries of my couples, intimate wedding, and elopement photography, click here. If you’re interested in booking a wedding or session with me, I am more than happy to send you a full gallery upon request!!
I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a portraits/elopements/branding photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook and sign up for my monthly newsletter to get exclusive wedding planning advice and access to all of my new (and old) freebies! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!
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