Quick & Easy Tips for Better Vacation Photos

From time to time, I am pleased to call on my friends for Guest Blogging.  Today, I have asked my good friends Nikkie and Stephanie from BlueFlair Photography to give us some tips for better vacation photos.  


I must say, Nikkie and Steph are the VERY TALENTED photographers.  I hired them a few months ago to re-do my professional head shots.  They are patient, fun, and were able to make me laugh during the shoot.  I think they captured the real ME in this photo!


There were also selected among hundreds of other local business to shoot all of the photos for "NBC Throws a Wedding on the Prado" last fall. Click HERE for the all the details, and check out the AMAZING work they do!

Now, on to the Tips...

So you've spent months planning the perfect vacation, in the most beautiful setting, and you want to come home without great photos to remember it all.  Unfortunately, too many people return with disappointing vacation photos.  So we've put together a few tips that will dramatically improve the quality of your pictures, so they're every bit as good as you remember! 

Tip #1: The quickest and easiest way to improve your photos is to invest in a polarizer.  These are generally less than $50, and come in a variety of sizes, for a variety of cameras - from point-n-shoots to "fancy" DSLR's.  You'll need to know the size of your lens, or just take your camera with you when you go to purchase.  Polarizers work a little like sunglasses for your lens, by eliminating glare from reflective surfaces, and making the colors rich and saturated.  The polarizer screws onto the lens, and then you rotate it for the desired effect - don't forget to rotate it!  

Tip #2:  Be aware of distractions in the background.  If you're taking a photo of your travel mate near an interesting site, look for distracting signs, trash cans, and other items.  Often, simply moving YOURSELF a couple feet in either direction will give you a great angle without unwanted distractions.  

Tip #3:  Pay attention to the light.  Most people have been taught to stand facing the sun so the full light is on their face.  But what happens?  You get squinty eyes, and dark shadows under the eyes and nose.  If you're in daylight, try having your subject stand with their BACK to the sun.  This can create a nice rim light around their body.  Then the face can be brightened with "fill flash" from your camera's pop-up.  This can be the trickiest skill to master, especially if your camera has limited manual control.  If you're standing too close, and the flash "washes out" your subject, try standing further back.  You want enough light from the flash to brighten, without overdoing it.  Conversely, if your subject's face is still dark, get a little closer.  

If all else fails, we have suitcases, and love to travel! :-)  

- Stefanie Blue

Photographer/Co-Owner of BlueFlair Photography

Thanks Steph for the useful information!!!