Five Tips On Balancing Photography And Family Trips
Have you ever gone on a family trip expecting to take great pictures only to discover that the camera either stayed in the bag or that you'll be sleeping outside the tent with the bears?
Or let me put this differently when you are a photographer going on a trip with the family can be a super cool experience. It can also be a nerve wrecking adventure both for you and your family if not handled correctly.
Here is what I have learned after years of traveling with both my family and my camera. Would love to hear your tips on the comments.
1. Set Expectations
While This is probably true for anything in life, it is especially true if your partner or family are not photographers. And it does not matter on how many trips you've gone together before.
If you are anxious to try that new slave flash built your significant other is concerned with handling three kids, trust me, that flash is not going to leave the box.
How much gear are you planning on taking, who will carry the photo gear? (and by implication who will carry the rest of the stuff). Will everyone actually have the time and patience to wait until you deploy a tripod? exchange lenses? will they be ready to pose for you?
If you bring along new stuff that you want to test, discuss that and make sure that you can allocate the time for testing. If you're gonna need your kid to pose / wife to hold a light stand / husband to play sitter make sure you discuss this.
In my experience it is best to discuss all this before you actually go in the car and not when you arrive on location and start the trip. Sometimes it can be done and the car will carry the gear, you'll have plenty on of shooting time during the camp out and the kids will look forward to posing. But not always. Sometimes, you'll be required to set the camera aside and travel like the rest of the bunch.
2. Plan Your Gear
Think well about each piece of gear you plan to carry. If there is a lot of walking, and you'll be packed with photo gear, you won't be able to help with the rest of the bags.
If, on the other hand you'll spend more of the time in the car or in camp, you can feel free to pack a ton.
Also consider what type of gear to bring, as a photographer it is tempting to bring the big guns, but sometimes it's best to bring just a camera and one lens. Or a little camera like an Olympus PEN or a canon G12. As weird as this may seem smaller camera means loess setup and allows you to "snap", which sometimes increase the chances of using it.
Even with "no gear' there is always time for a quick smiling snap.
3. It's All About Timing
There are three main photographing modes when traveling and balancing those within a family is an art:
- Photowalk mode: where you have a camera in hand and you're scouting for frames. This can be done with family if there are no deadlines to meet and it's is the leisure part of the trip.
- Photographer mode: this is where you are putting the trip (and family) aside and shooting with full intent. Maybe you brought a strobe, or need to setup a tripod, or want the kids/wife/husband to play model. It's the kind of thing you don't just "jump in" to. See clause 1.
- Camera in bag: Well, the camera does not have to actually be in the bag, but photograph you take cannot delay the rest of the folks.
Here we had plenty of time as we were taking a rest by a tree, while everyone were eating I set up a nastyclamp and a strobe on the big tree near where we sat.
4. Technique And Equipment Vs. Capturing The Moment
This one is always a big question, how do you shoot? do you make everyone pose while you set up the lights or take candid photographs?
Do you hectically switch lenses or stick with what's ever on there and make sure you use it well.
As with almost everything on this post, the key here is to chat with your partners. If you're gonna put up (voice activated) light stands try and do it when there is enough time and everybody's OK with a long pause.
I often bring a small collapsible reflector since it is very quick to deploy. (On the down side, you need at least one helper for this).
For the following image, no preparations were made, my daughter just ran through the fields.
5. You Are There To Have Fun
Most importantly, if your family did not hire you to shoot the trip, you are there to have fun. A good trip experience is worth more than any picture. ( I wonder if I'm alone on this thought).
P.S. thanks for everybody who are asking and mailing about Neta. She is doing great and getting bigger by the day. Here she is at about 4.3 kilos:
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Comments
Great Post
This is a common dillemma, I'm sure. I know it is for me. Thanks for sharing your tips.
George
re: common dilemma
Thanks George,
good to know it is not just me and wife :)
I just got back from a trip
I just got back from a trip with my girlfriend where I went through this same thing. I gave her the G12 so that she could shoot whatever she wanted to. On longer hikes she did not mind carrying a lens for me in a small bag along with her sweater and some water while I had my SLR around my neck with tripod in hand. On shorter walks I had my full gear bag including small lightstand and shoot through umbrella on my back with my tripod in hand.
The balance seemed right. Not too much 'photographer' Chris while still keeping 'boyfriend' Chris available. We had a great time and have some stunning vacation photos for the memories.
i always have the same
i always have the same problem during family trips, i can't shoot. and if i can, i worry so much about the safety of my kid. LOL. i've written about how my son is so not a match to my photography shoots:
Three weeks in Europe
This summer, my family and I went on a three week trip to the UK and Germany (we're from the USA). I spent weeks thinking about what gear I would take and why. In the end, I took the following, jammed into a small Pacsafe camera bag:
Nikon D5000, Tamron 18-270mm, SB600, coiled TTL cable, Cactus receiver and transmitter, extra battery, Strobist Gels. I also had a batter charger that stayed in the room.
In the end, I never used the TTL cable, the cactus receiver/xmitter or the gels. I used the SB600 twice.
For me the challenge was balancing "artsy" and "documentary" photographs. Gotta show that my kids saw the Tower of London, but can I do it in a way that isn't touristy? Not easily, as it turns out.
"A good trip experience is worth more than any picture."
I have kids, so for me, this was about documenting their experience for their future selves. When they're 30 or 40 and the memories of the trip are fading, I want them to see what a great time they had. So for me I would rephrase this as "A good trip experience includes plenty of pictures." As you point out, it takes a balance.
similar
My wife doen't usually mind me bringing my small bag (D200, 18-55, 55-220) but I get huffs, puffs and the stank eye if I'm not shooting our two boys. Which makes it a bit difficult for me because I am not good at shooting people, I do landscapes and still life.
what a better time/excuse to
what a better time/excuse to learn how to shoot people...after all, kids are people too!
Many trips with wife + 1 infant/toddler
This is a great topic, and considering I love traveling as much as photography, I find it a tough dillema also. (Our 20mth old has been to 14 countries)
I think the key... is to have a wife who also likes shooting. We simply trade camera/kid duties. We rarely ever remember who took what shot, but that's ok, cause we get twice as many pictures. I find this the best balance. :)
I'm not sure everyone is that lucky, and things will change with baby #2 arriving in a few weeks.
Great tips
Very well put! Great tips. Thanks!
Keep it light & take time to enjoy the trip
My tips...
1 - Keep it light. It's no fun getting back to the hotel at the end of the day with a sore back and neck from carrying a ton of gear which may never get used.
2 - Take time to enjoy the trip and participate. I've been on many trips where I can't recall having a good time because I was so busy trying to capture everything. All my memories of the places are consist of what I can remember seeing through the viewfinder!
3 - If you see something that looks like it could be a good photo op, go back later on your own (if possible) when the rest of the family is taking a break, so they're not stuck and getting bored while you try and get the perfect photo.
re: three tip
Hi Rob,
Very well put. I think that as photogs we tend to overlook 2 a lot and mix up photowalks and family trips. Things look better without plastic and glass in between.
Brilliant advice
Great article Udi and a joy to read, many a time I've struggled with similar circumstances.
With five children, (Five?! Idiot or truly blessed?), even a simple day trip out can be a complete nightmare. Often I have stood sheepishly brandishing that new lens with a puppy dog smile and my wife firmly shaking her head 'No' before the trip. As the children got older and into their teens the decision was already made, unless you wanted photographs of sullen looking teenagers or that new lens shoved somewhere inappropriate!
It's not all that bad, sometimes they love to pose for photos and I got good enough to capture those 'candid' moments over the years. Even my wife looks happy when I appear to be carrying nothing more than a small shoulder camera bag, (very carefully packed with two lenses, a flash gun and a foldable reflector!)
But I agree with your sentiment exactly, (so not as alone on this front as you'd think). The memories I have will not fade even at those times when I had no camera. My children will probably thank me for not getting pictures of the teen years with pink hair and pierced noses as well :-)
Think you got the balance just right Udi, great to see pictures of family and good to see little Neta doing so well. All the best.
re: five kids
Hi Victor,
Your jetpack is very close to my jectpack (although here it only supports 3 kids, who are smaller and still willing to pose. sometimes).
The more I shot it bacame clearer to me that light is a better option that ready-for-everything. cuz most of the time we are not dealing with everything.
And if the wife's happy, you've really done all that matters :)
Great post. I'm a wedding
Great post. I'm a wedding photographer but when I'm on vacation I find myslf wanting to be the subject more than anything else. Nobody ever takes my photo lol. I usually don't feel the itch to shoot unless I see an sexy interior or night scene I can burn with a long exposure.
Balance
What we'v learned is that communication and patience resolve even these troubling issues. And the great pics are a big bonus for the family.
Traveling Vs Photography
I'm in my seventies now, and one thing I've learned is never ever put photography ahead of family. Don't have others memories be that you were the guy who wasn't much fun because he was always messing with some camera.
I absolutely agree on deciding yourself and discussing with the others involved where photography fits in any excursion you're on, regardless of whether it's with family, just your spouse, or a group. It's up to you to keep your interest in photography from interfering with your family's enjoyment of whatever you're doing.
Another aspect of this is figuring out for yourself why you're taking the pictures. Some in groups I've traveled with seem to be more interested in showing off their gear than in acutally using it or appreciatiing where they are.
Last fall my wife and I took a driving vacation for two weeks in the American Southwest. We'd agreed beforehand (really agreed, not "well all right whatever you want") that photography would be a significant part of the trip. I took a lot of gear. We had a good time and I shot a lot with several different cameras and lenses.
Two years ago I took a six week trip to Turkey and Europe. My objective was to see things I'd never see again and get as many pictures as was reasonable. I knew there'd be no help with baggage, etc. I took a DSLR and a good pocket digital camera, two extra lenses, and a flash, all in a sling pack. It worked pretty well. I could have left one of the lenses and the flash at home. I should have taken something like an 18-200 lens and left everything else except the pocket camera. When you're with a tour group, you really don't hold anything up with your photography. Even changing lenses can be a real time problem.
thank...
nice tips thanks...
mom taking photos again!
Yes, agree with every point you write about. Planning, making things clear... and treats! "If you stand on that field looking to your right with a smile on your face I will give you a yummu yummy sweet"!
Photos on a Family trip
I agree with all of this. One thing I do is in down time scedule some shooting. Meaning plan it and let people know. It does not always work (sunsets are not right and so on). But sometimes you do luck out.
If you do a sunrise thing then have everything packed and ready to go.
This is a family Vacation I agree but I have to have time to pursue my hobby too.
During walk abouts I carry camera one lens and that is it (i think really hard about whether a hot shoe flash is required. That seems to be the best all round situation.
If you can't beat them
I had the same problem with me and my girlfriend. She had a camera and I didn't. But then she convinced me to get an slr and ever since we've been taking great photos together. So taking the photos is often the trip.
Excellent post
This always happens with me, I always had a friends circle who likes photos and photography but gets bored with the behind the scenes :P.
Whenever I go out with friends or family, and I see a interesting subject and stop by, they become impatient. Then, I'l think the best thing would be to go out alone and shoot, which will give me ample time to walk around and shoot, but I seldom seldom do that coz I really cannot enjoy it if I do so. I also cannot stand it when I see my friends become impatient or bored about what I am doing. So it drastically reduced the time I spent with my camera.
After I got married, it continued with my wife, initially she was happy to carry my gear and review the photos I take, but later she get bored and impatient as well, and that makes me choose to walk away, than to compose a good photograph, coz I am not a pro so that I always choose the best setting before I shoot, but I do can shoot some decent pictures if I get enough time to do the trial and error.
One solution I found on our last vacation was to teach her how to shoot, basically she is unwilling to use my camera is coz she knows its expensive and also she knows I care my camera a lot. But this time it was fun, I tought her the basics like how to lock the focus and exposure, how to frame, rule of third and all those stuff. She was quit fast in picking up it and I could brush up my knowledge as well when I cleared her doubts.
Another solution (in my case) is she loves to pose for pics and love to see her beautifully captured, so I make her model most of the times and I get to shoot as well. :)
Probably as time goes when both of us get enough time to spend for photography 'l teach her more and then will share the same keeness to shoot which will make photography as well as our vacations interesting :)
Thanks for the post UDI
Awesome Reminder
I am taking my 7 year old daughter to the ABQ Balloon Festival in a few weeks by myself. I am dying to take loads of photos and spend time with my daughter, and this was a nice reality check to balance it out. I am not going to get as much time to take photos as I want, and that's ok. :) I can come back again by myself another time if I want to, and being present for her is also important.
Plus, I am thinking about letting her use my 35mm Lomography Fisheye camera herself. Who doesn't love a fish eye? :)
nice article, and one more tip
This is a very nice article, with some good advice. I would like to offer one more suggestion. Don't forget to let someone else handle the camera from time to time, or you will find that your family has no pictures of you!
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