5 Tips for Family Holiday Travel

It's that time of year when many photographers are hitting the road, not only with their gear, but with family members as well. The art of family travel is a delicate one. And even with the change in circumstances, there are usually plenty of photo opportunities to be captured as well. So here are five tips to help you make the most of your adventure.

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  • Be Flexible - When traveling alone, you get to make all the decisions based on the moment. But needs vary for other folks in your group, so be sure to check in with them often and adjust accordingly.
  • Stretch Your Creativity - Being creative takes many different forms. Sometimes finding a new way to meet a challenge is the height of creativity. "How can I get this shot in just a minute before we move on?"
  • Be a Passenger - Since you have others who can drive and wait in line, use those moments to ride shotgun for photography or nose around looking for shots. You'll be surprised what you can come up with.
  • Negotiate Ahead of Time - If there's something that you really want to photograph, come up with a plan, and present it ahead of time. Getting early buy in allows others to decide what they're going to do during that time and keeps everyone happy.
  • Don't Forget the Subjects Right in Front of You - Yes, an early morning sunrise is beautiful, but so are candids of your travel mates. These trips are great opportunities to document the activities of those you care about.

Embracing the moment is good for your art, as well as your relationships. Have a great trip this holiday season.

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