Family Holidays: 5 Photography Tips / by Leticia Gaidon Bradford

Dolomites, Italy.

Dolomites, Italy.

We all know that our holidays are not just a time to relax. We also have the opportunity to have a good time with our family and we want to remember these happy moments  in the best way possible.

These photography tips will help you capture these memories with your family in any situation.  

 

Scale

How many times we take a picture, only for the grandeur of the place to be lost because there is no reference? You can gain an appreciation of the scale by using a person close to the object as a reference.

Adding a human component is an easy way to cause a wow factor in your images and make a great picture of your family.

Galicia, Spain.

Galicia, Spain.

Palazzo Reale di Torino, Italy.

Palazzo Reale di Torino, Italy.

Leading Lines

Use natural lines to help the viewer’s eyes be directed to the main subject in the picture. This is a very basic and useful composition rule.

Galicia, Spain.

Galicia, Spain.

Croatia.

Croatia.

Textures and Patterns

Nature provides elegant textures for the photos. I use grasses and wood to cause impact in my images.

Legon Botanical Garden, Accra, Ghana.

Legon Botanical Garden, Accra, Ghana.

Galicia, Spain.

Galicia, Spain.

Mango, Italy.

Mango, Italy.

You can also add some fun to your images using patterns. However, be careful if you are portraying someone against a very busy background.  Therefore, it is recommended to wear plain clothes to create a clear visual contrast. However, remember that rules are made to be broken…at least in photography!

Coco Lounge, Accra, Ghana.

Coco Lounge, Accra, Ghana.

Coco Lounge, Accra, Ghana.

Coco Lounge, Accra, Ghana.

Balancing Elements and Symmetry

A photo has balanced elements when they share an equal visual weight, which means that the elements share an equilibrium in the attention of the viewer.

Outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Accra, Ghana.

Accra, Ghana.

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland.

We tend to love symmetry. It feels harmonic and right. Have this in mind when you take photos of your family.

Alba, Italy.

Alba, Italy.

Coco Lounge, Accra, Ghana.

Coco Lounge, Accra, Ghana.

Framing

This composition rule has been used in photography for a long time and even the most famous photographers are still using it. Windows, doors, tunnels, arches and even branches are good to frame your subject.

Palazzo Reale di Torino, Italy.

Groznjan, Croatia.

Groznjan, Croatia.

Groznjan, Croatia.

Groznjan, Croatia.

Have a wonderful holiday and don’t forget to take pictures!