The wedding’s over. There’s no reason to be sad that it’s behind you – this means it’s time for your honeymoon! Whether you’re headed to a beach, a city, or a lake, you’re going to want to take some pictures to preserve these blissful memories. As you’re likely to be taking in some picturesque scenery, I’d like to share a few tips that will help you make the most of your photos. And when you’re traveling in the future, whether for work or business, you may find these pointers handy.
These aren’t technical tips. Every suggestion is just as applicable to shooting with an iPhone as it is to a high end DSLR. Remember that while a good camera certainly helps get better photos, it’s the skill of the photographer that makes the difference. (Just like it’s the hair stylist, not the scissors; or the carpenter, not the hammer; or the painter, not the paintbrush.)
First, though, remember to be in the present! Don’t stress about shooting the perfect photo of absolutely everything you visit. Relax, have fun, and don’t be afraid to put the camera away for a bit. If your travel companion is starting to roll their eyes every time they wait for you to take a picture, it could mean one of three things – they really lack patience, they don’t appreciate photography, or you’re taking too long.
So. Here are a few tips to shoot photos your friends and family will ooh and ahh over.
The best time of day to shoot landscapes or building exteriors is just after sunrise, or before sunset.
You may have heard photographers talk about “golden hour” or “magic hour.” Have an awareness of what time sunrise and sunset are when you’re traveling. If you want the best possible landscape photos, plan your day so that you’ll be in the most picturesque locations either very early in the morning, or very late in the day. Shadows are long, and the sunlight is golden and magical. (Note: if there’s no sun, there’s no magic. Overcast days are sad days for landscape photography.)
River Arno, Florence, Italy
Panzano, Tuscany, Italy
Plaza de España, Sevilla, Spain
Contrast the photos above with this next one of the southwest. It’s a pretty location, but it lacks that golden glow.
For the best nighttime photos, shoot at twilight.
After sunset, watch the sky. Between day and night, there’s a brief period of time when the sky is a deep midnight blue. (I don’t know why it’s called midnight blue, because it’s not at midnight. And the time of day depends on time of year, so I won’t say it’s nine-o-clock blue or seven-o-clock blue, either.) I love shooting anything that’s lit with this midnight blue in the background.
Arizona
The Arizona Biltmore
La Catedral, Sevilla, Spain
Photograph food.
There’s no need to shoot every meal. But it’s nice to have some memory of what the food was like, especially if it’s beautifully presented.
Guacamole and chips, Che-Ah-Chi, Sedona, Arizona
Pizza in Florence, Italy – oops, I ate a piece before I remembered to shoot it.
Discreetly photograph locals.
Sometimes having people you don’t know in your photo is a distraction. Other times, they make the photo.
Men taking a break on Via Dell’Amore, Riomaggiore, Italy
An adorable couple, Venice, Italy
Woman celebrating Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Granada, Spain
Document a story.
Travel is full of surprises. You don’t need to shoot a photo that tells a complete story to someone who wasn’t there, but it can be enough to remind you. For example, this next photo is just a sign indicating business hours for a rental car agency. But, for me, it reminds me of that time my husband and I checked out of our hotel in Granada, took a taxi to the rental car agency office to pick up a car to drive to Ronda, only to find ourselves stranded – the agency had closed early for Good Friday!
And this one reminds me that at 7 Portes in Barcelona, I raved about the croquetas so much that the waiter consulted with the chef and then dictated the recipe to me.
Photograph oddities.
Enough said!
Florence, Italy
Vaqueros Grill, Jerome, Arizona
La Hacienda, Scottsdale, Arizona
Most of all – have fun! Don’t take any of this too seriously. You can always buy books or postcards of the places you visit! I’ll close this out with a few more favorite travel photos. Bon voyage, buen viaje, buon viaggio!
Sunset in Florence, Italy
Ceramics for sale in Florence, Italy
Burano, Venice, Italy
Waiter in St. Mark’s Square, Venice, Italy
Gondolas in Venice, Italy
Gondolas in Venice, Italy
Silhouette in Panzano, Tuscany, Italy
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Christina Montemurro Photography specializes in photographing Pittsburgh weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs. Using a photojournalistic approach, Christina provides extraordinary attention to detail and customer service. Contact Christina now to check availability for your engagement session, wedding, bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. Christina has been rated among top Pittsburgh wedding photographers. You can read reviews by Christina’s past brides and grooms here and here. Some of Christina’s favorite venues include the Carnegie Museum, Heinz History Center, Edgewood Club, Edgewood Country Club, Hotel Monaco, Omni William Penn Hotel, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square, PNC Park and Twelve Oaks Mansion.
Christina is also available to shoot weddings in Bucks County, including Doylestown, Chalfont, New Hope, Yardley, Newtown, Warminster, Warrington, Bedminster and Pipersville.