Let’s Hit The Road

Family Photo Checklist Sessions

 

It’s Summer!!!!! Schools out. The temperatures are flaring, the kids are wilding, and you and the family are itching to get out of town on that SUMMER VACAY!! You’ve been looking forward to this getaway for months, planning all the nitty gritty details of swimming with dolphins on a tropical Island, or smores while camping in the mountains, or getting ice cream at your favorite Sweet Shoppe when you visit Grandma’s. 

The itinerary is SET! Except…where should we shoot? What should we wear? What type of VIBE do we want to capture? How can I get in the family photos, too? Do I bring my BIG camera? What lenses? Should I just leave my camera at home and shoot on mobile? So many DECISIONS. 

Take a Break!

This time, give yourself a little break from all the planning and get the FAMILY involved in planning the photo fun! They are now accustomed to having your camera along for the ride. It’s now become one of the family members – expected to show up at every event, get in your face, and make memories you’ll never forget. So let’s see what they want to remember from their family vacation, too.

Over the years YOU, Photographer, have been in charge of all the photo planning during your family excursions; location, theme, outfits, time of day, activities, perspectives, lenses, etc. Which, I know, can be very stressful on top of all the vacation planning you just did to get here, the mental mindsuck of TRAVEL DAY, and the planning and preparation of the daily outings, meals, and activities, OH MY! It can be overwhelming, to say the least. By the time you get to your destination, you barely have the urge or creative energy to pull out your camera, let alone execute all the shoots, poses, and outfits you planned in your head.

Let the FAMILY take care of the PLANNING!

Here’s where the FAMILY FUN comes in! Let each family member plan their own photo shoot! They get to choose the following: 

• Location: Offer them some suggestions for your geographical area or you can google some cool spots to check out.
• Theme: What type of vibe do they want? Fun, serious, editorial, stylized, relaxed/chill? Candid? Subject or landscape?
• Time of Day: Sunrise, mid-morning, afternoon – full sun, Golden Hour
• Activities: What will you be doing during your session? Activity or Sport? Family Picnic? Playing at the park? Beach or pool time? Family walk or hike? Eating ice cream
• Perspective: Share with your family some simple information about composition and let them choose three different perspectives; birds-eye-view, from below, linear, forced perspective, zero perspective (flat), wide angle (GoPro’s are great for this), ariel (if applicable)
• Composition: Framing, symmetry & shapes, layering, contrast, rule of thirds, center comp, scale, minimalism, leading lines, crop, details, movement, depth, storytelling
• Camera & Lenses: 
  • DSLR/Mirrorless or Mobile? GoPro, Drone? 
• Lenses: Wide angle, prime, zoom, macro, high compression, (85mm+)
• Outfits: colors, casual, stylized, bathing suits/beach wear, accessories, blankets, hats, towels, etc.

Download HERE!

Now that everyone has completed their Photoshoot Checklist (don’t forget to thank your family for their participation) it’s time to pick your sessions. Depending on the length of your trip you can pick one or more checklists sessions to complete. Get together with the crew and read each checklist aloud (this part is FUN!), then ask the family to vote on their top two session choices. Make it your mission to COMPLETE at least ONE checklist session from the group while on vacation – but if you have time in your schedule to do more…I definitely encourage it. 

“Children’s participation is more than just asking them for their ideas and views. It’s about listening to them, taking them seriously and turning their ideas and suggestions into reality. It is also about providing them with the ability to influence some of the things that affect them and at the same time helping adults understand children through their lens. Children’s participation provides children the opportunity to have a voice about decisions and issues that affect them, learn new skills, have fun and develop a closer connection to their community,” says Aileen Ford, Commissioner for Children – Early Years Foundation.

When you return home from your trip – I greatly suggest designing and printing a photo album of your checklist session(s). One for each member of the family – they will totally LOVE the keepsake and know that they decided on this session TOGETHER, as a FAMILY. 

Want more tips and family vacation photography ideas?!?! PERFECT! Check out the LATEST course in the academy: Are We There Yet? A collaborative course by Me (Megan Boggs) and Holly Awwad. We’ll cover ALL the family vacation topics:  

• Theme Parks
• Camping
• Staycation
• Road Trips
• & the Beach

It’s a Collab course you definitely DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON! 

Check out the all new Collab Course: Are We There Yet? Capturing Your Vacay the Creative Way!