Travel photography tips for kids

written by Intrepid Travel January 16, 2022
Chefchaouen at sunset

A picture’s worth a thousand words, isn’t that what they always say?

Capturing memorable moments from your family holiday is a great way to remember the highlights. But leaving the kids in charge will result in an entirely different photo collection, chock-full of candid shots. If your little one or teen is a real photography fanatic, get them to have a read of these top tips for taking great travel snaps.

1. You don’t need all the gear.

Taking that perfect shot is all about the right subject and the right atmosphere. Meaning you can forget about needing the latest digital camera and a high-tech tripod to encapsulate the spirit of a scene. A good old smartphone will do the trick, they’re much easier to carry around and the settings are simpler to use. You could even buy a waterproof cover for underwater pictures or action shots whilst white-water rafting and kayaking.

Kids taking photo on smartphone

Image by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

2. It doesn’t have to be what everyone else is staring at.

If you see something that looks interesting and exciting to you, take a picture. It might not be a shot of the Taj Mahal or Machu Picchu (although we love these too!), sometimes the best images are of a smile or a group hug. What about mum’s expression when she first sees the Taj Mahal – who else will have that shot?

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3. Practise at home.

Before you head off on holiday, start practising at by taking pictures of something you love at home, something that interests you. Your pets will make perfect moving subjects, especially when you come to capturing great shots of passing motorbikes in Vietnam or your family jumping off the back of a boat and into the Mediterranean.

Blue streets of Chefchaouen

Image captured by The Common Wanderer

4. Try different angles.

Look at your subject from the left, right or even upside down. Get up high or crouch low. Not only will doing this give you some totally unique photos, but you’ll have a great time moving around into new positions too. If you have to, get onto dad’s shoulders for that perfect picture!

5. Don’t delete anything.

Probably the tip to remember. Resist the temptation to scroll through your camera roll at the end of each day, and delete something that’s a little out of focus or didn’t come out as planned. You never know, your image might look better bigger, in a different colour, cropped, or you might just feel completely different about it when you get home. Why not get the family together for a slideshow, and run them through the shots for a second opinion?

Teens on safari in Tanzania

Image captured by Damien Raggatt

6. See with your eyes, not the lens.

If you’re on a quest to find the ideal image for your bedroom wall, remember to put the camera down and really look at the landscape in front of you. Sometimes memories are better than any photo, so take a good look at what interests you before you start snapping away.

7. It’s not just the places, but the people who make your image too.

Although travelling to far-flung places is always amazing, our memories wouldn’t be half as fond if we didn’t go with our families. Don’t forget to capture photos of you all having fun together, as well as the incredible scenery and wildlife around you. Whether it’s a simple as everyone smiling over their sandwiches at a lunch stop, or celebrating a successful climb to the top of a mountain – these will freeze special moments in time.

Are your kids on the hunt for serious photography opportunities? Peruse our range of exciting family trips with plenty of chances for great pictures.

Feature image C/O The Common Wanderer.

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