Pro Tips From an Art Director Mom
It always seems like traveling with the boys is exhausting, and family vacation picture ideas are the last thing on my mind. I need a vacation from my vacation! But when we look back at photos, they’re some of our most treasured memories. I love traveling with toddlers because they just LOVE everything you already enjoy. They’re so much fun! So here are my tips to capture frameable IRL moments you can share in this year’s holiday card or frame to bring you a smile all year round. From a professional Art Director’s POV, there are the best family vacation picture ideas.
The Return of Black and White Photography
Black and white photography is making a strong comeback in family vacation pictures—and for good reason. Converting select images to black and white:
- Focuses attention on emotions and expressions without color distractions
- Removes any outfit color mishaps as a sneaky elevated hack
- Creates a cohesive look when gathering photos for albums or displays
- Highlights textures and contrasts in architectural or landscape settings
Try converting photos where emotions are strong or where color might be distracting. One of our most treasured photos is of our 2-year-old seeing the beach after a long winter. And this framed photo is one of my favorite ideas for family vacation pictures.
Embracing the “Perfectly Imperfect” Moment
The most engaging trend in family vacation photography is capturing authentic, unpolished moments. These real-life moments tell the true story of family travel far better than perfectly staged photos ever could:
- The inevitable drip running down an ice cream cone before your child catches it
- Mid-jump splashes into the pool rather than perfectly posed swim shots
- The beautiful mess of shell collections spread across a hotel room floor
- Genuine reactions to new foods, sights, or experiences
Documentary-Style Vacation Series
Rather than disconnected beautiful images, consider a documentary approach:
- Morning routines in your vacation rental
- The progression of a beach day from setup to sunset
- A meal experience from ordering to empty plates
- The full journey through a museum or attraction
When viewed as a series, these photos create a more complete vacation narrative. Definitely something to keep in the back pocket of family vacation pictures ideas.
Making the Most of Your iPhone Camera
Modern smartphones offer impressive portrait capabilities:
- Use portrait mode in indirect natural light for the most flattering family shots
- Especially helpful for less interesting backgrounds with some distance behind your subject
The panorama feature isn’t just for wide vistas:
- Capture the entire length of a resort pool with your kids spread throughout
- Document large group gatherings when everyone won’t fit in a standard frame
- Record the complete experience of an impressive hotel suite or restaurant
- Create vertical panoramas of tall attractions by turning your phone sideways
These dynamic options add dimension to your vacation story:
- Enable Live Photos for any scene where there’s movement or sound
- Use slo-mo for water play, sports, or any fast-action vacation moments
Technical Tips That Elevate Vacation Photography
The Magic Hour Is Real
Schedule dedicated photo time during optimal lighting periods:
- Early morning light (30 minutes after sunrise) creates a magical glow with fewer crowds
- The hour before sunset bathes luxury resorts and beaches in golden light
- Avoid harsh midday sun or backlit scenes which create unflattering shadows and squinting
Rule of Thirds Over Center Framing
Instead of positioning your family directly in the center of every photo:
- Use the grid feature on your phone camera
- Place key subjects at the intersection points of the grid lines
- Leave space to show the environment and context of your vacation setting
Perspective Changes Everything
Try varying your perspective to create more dynamic vacation photos:
- Get low to capture children against dramatic skies, even better let your toddler shoot
- Shoot from above to document beach setups or pool scenes
- Step back to include environmental elements that tell the location’s story
Hiring a Professional: When and How
For milestone vacations like babymoons, anniversaries, or multi-generational family gatherings, a professional photographer is worth the investment:
- Search Instagram using “[location] photographer” to find professionals with an aesthetic you love
- Book 1-2 hour sessions rather than full days for the best value
- Schedule sessions during golden hour for optimal lighting
- Communicate your preferred style (documentary vs. posed) before booking
- Plan coordinating outfits in advance (check out my tips for packing light here)
Many resort areas have photographers specializing in family vacation photography who know the best locations and lighting at your destination. I prefer to check their aesthetic prior to hire!
Organizing Your Vacation Photos
What are all these family vacation pictures ideas for if we shove them all into a shoebox?
- Create vacation albums promptly after returning home
- Use consistent naming conventions for easy searching
- Select 15-20 highlight images for printing or sharing
- Consider creating annual family photo books to preserve memories
Final Thoughts on Ideas for Family Vacation Pictures
The most meaningful vacation photos aren’t necessarily technically perfect—they’re the ones that transport you back to how a moment felt. Focus on capturing authentic connections, new experiences, and genuine reactions.
What photography trends have you noticed or tried on your family vacations? Do you have a favorite technique for capturing travel memories? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
Join the Conversation!
I’m constantly discovering new ways to document our family adventures, and I know many of you have brilliant ideas I haven’t tried yet.
Have you embraced any of these photography trends on your recent vacations? Do you have a special technique for getting natural smiles from reluctant kiddos? Perhaps you’ve discovered a photo organization system that actually works? No gate-keeping! Share in the comments.
Don’t forget to save this post to your travel planning board on Pinterest for your next family getaway!
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