It’s summer! Time for vacation!! We all love to look through our vacation photos after returning back to our daily lives. Reliving those memories through our photos is like taking a mini-vacation. Here are five easy things you can do with any camera — yes, even a phone camera — to make a big impact on your vacation photos.

• Capture the whole scene — WITH something or someone in the way! A huge part of any destination is the unique scenery. We always want to capture the amazing views. However, the view becomes even more meaningful and interesting when there is something or someone in the foreground. It changes the image from ordinary to unique.

If you don’t have a person to include in the foreground, look around for something interesting around you: perhaps a unique rock or flower.

•  Photograph the candid moments. The camera is useful for more than just photographing the famous scenes and landmarks. A big part of your vacation is spent hanging out with everyone and enjoying quality time together.

Instead of posing everyone in a group for a portrait, try taking a photo of the action without anyone noticing. People don’t have to look at the camera in every photo. You’ll get beautiful, authentic emotions with your destination as a lovely backdrop.

•  Get up and go. When you feel moved to take a photo, don’t just stand there in place and snap away. Give yourself permission to get up and move around, trying out a perspective that doesn’t seem so obvious. Venture out into the water a little (just hold on tight to your camera).

Try standing way off to the side, or finding a way to get higher up. You can even step out of the room and take your photo through the doorway. Get creative and take your photo from anywhere other than the place you were standing when you reached for your camera.

• Look up and down. When you’re out exploring, take a few minutes to look above you and below you. You’ll discover a new perspective and might see something really beautiful that you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.

•  Pay attention to the details. Your vacation destination is full of wonderful things that you don’t get to see in your everyday life. From unique foods, to local signs to the region’s flora and fauna, you’ll find all sorts of things to photograph up close that will remind you of your time there.

When you’re taking photos on your next vacation, have fun trying out these ideas. You’ll love the unique photos that you get to take home with you.

If you want to learn more about your own camera, or would like a photo session after you get back to real life, or just want someone to share all of your awesome vacation photos with, give me a call at 610-688-0331, email me, or visit my website for more information.

Photographs courtesy of Emily Brunner Photography.