Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos #2

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

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MISTAKE #2 - You didn't put much effort into it

We were excited to use the camera when we first got it, but remembering to always bring it soon feels like a burden.  For us, it usually goes down a little like this...

[Car is packed, kids are belted, and we just settled into our seats.]

  • [Wife]: "Did you get the camera?"

  • [Me]: "Nooo, I thought you were going to get it."

  • [Wife]: "But you're the one who takes all the pictures."

  • [Me]: "If you want me to take all the pictures, then can you go find the camera?"

  • [Wife]: "I don't want to go back and look for it."

  • [Me]: "If I have to go get it now, we are going to be late. Let's just go."

  • [Wife]: "I have my iPhone with me anyway."

Sometimes we are just camera lazy people. We don't feel motivated to be creative or intentional with the photos and opt for the path of least resistance. It results in thoughtless snapshots or absolutely no shots.

 

SOLUTION: Have a theme, make it fun

Bringing the camera is a discipline...You just have to do it. However, planing a summer photo theme is an easy way to help make it fun again. It encourages family participation toward a common photo goal. It boosts your own creative energy along the way.  Best of all, the vacation photos are much more fun to share with people when there are themes to tie everything together.

Here are some theme ideas you may steal...

  1. Take photos in a visual sequence to tell the vacation story

  2. Make at least one campfire portrait each year

  3. Hide a silly prop in shots as an Easter egg for other people to discover when they view photos later

  4. Include some fun repeating element as many photos as you can

  5. Whoever takes the funniest photo wins a prize

  6. Look for objects in your travels that are weird/quirky to build a photo collection

  7. Make a quick group shot at every landmark

  8. Spot and photograph strange signs along the way

  9. Snap a quick photo of the heritage markers then read about it in the car as you drive

  10. Make funny forced perspective pictures at all the tourist sites

  11. Document it every time someone gets to do something new or unusual

  12. *My Favorite* Shoot with the intention to make a family vacation album each year

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos #4

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #4 - Not Getting Close Enough to the Moment 

If your summer photos seem like a random collection of snapshots, it might just be because you are only making snapshots. Snapshots are effortless and usually taken from afar. They include too much in the frame with no clear subject. One is left struggling to understand why the photo was taken in the first place.

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SOLUTION:  Move in Even Closer

Zoom in tight with your lens or even physically use your legs to move yourself closer to the family action.  You will eliminate distractions outside of the image frame and put focus on what is most important to you.   One of the strangest things I have learned about photography is the more you focus on small details or single moments, the more complete the visual story. 

If you want to dig deeper, here is a fun book I found that can help improve personal photos no matter what kind of camera you use...

Better Photo Basics: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Taking Photos Like a Pro ($12.75)

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Snohomish Family Photographer - Boy on a horse
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© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com

Series: Top 10 things that KILL Summer Photos #5

Your life and memories deserve to be amazing! This series focuses on the 10 biggest mistakes that kill your summer family photos and how you can fix them.

MISTAKE #5 - Never appearing in your own family photos

In photography we say, "If it is not in the frame, it doesn't exist." Since you are the one reading this, much like me, you are are likely the one in the family with the passion for taking photos and making sure you appear in photos is easy to over look.

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SOLUTION: Be intentional about getting in shots yourself!

You are a critical part of your family's stories. When these memories are passed down, you simply must be in them. No selfies or selfie sticks. This requires the assistance of another family member, friend, or dare I say, handing your camera to a passing stranger.

When no one else is available, use a tripod. They certainly don't have to be cumbersome. Here are a few affordable and cool tripods you will want to carry when you travel: Joby GorillaPod ($46), Pedco UltraPod ($12), or AmazonBasics 52-Inch Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod ($80).

Tel Dan, Israel thanks to my tripod.

Tel Dan, Israel thanks to my tripod.

Skagit Valley, WA thanks to my wife!

Skagit Valley, WA thanks to my wife!

Zion National Park, UT thanks to my brother!

Zion National Park, UT thanks to my brother!

Camping near Mountain Look Highway, Granite Falls, WA thanks to my tripod.

Camping near Mountain Look Highway, Granite Falls, WA thanks to my tripod.

North Creek Park, Mill Creek, WA thanks to my wife!

North Creek Park, Mill Creek, WA thanks to my wife!

© 2015 Jared M. Burns Photography
Snohomish Family Photographer
www.jaredmburns.com | 206.659.7468 | info@jaredmburns.com