The 1 Thing That Should Always Be In Your Vacation Pictures

My aunt has long held the role of unofficial family photographer. So many of the moments we have captured in photos and videos are thanks to her. There’s one piece of wisdom she imparted on me years ago that has stuck with me every time I travel: Always include yourself or your loved ones in the photos.

Those panoramic shots of the breathtaking mountain views in Yosemite National Park or a historical site like the Taj Mahal will be much more meaningful to you after the fact if they also feature you and/or your travel companions. (Not to mention, you can find countless professional shots of those places on postcards or online.)

This tip was especially pertinent at the time she shared it more than 20 years ago before digital cameras were widely used. Nowadays, smartphones can take quality photos, and you don’t have to stress about only having a finite number of images like you did when shooting on film. But I think the advice still holds true.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t take pictures of gorgeous scenery or get some tourist attraction shots without your people in them, especially if you enjoy capturing those kinds of photos. I’m just saying you probably want to prioritize getting some with you or your loved ones in the frame because those images will be the most special when you look back on your travels.

Travel blogger Sean Lau of Nomad Soulmates told HuffPost that having your friends and family in your pictures is “the best part of vacation photos.”

“Sure, those beautiful landmarks and landscape shots are nice, but they can’t compare to the memories you and your loved ones make together,” Lau said.

“When we look back at our photos, it’s the laughter and fun we had with our loved ones that we remember, not how beautiful Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower looked. If we just wanted pretty pictures of a place, we could find tons online. But those moments with the people we care about are what make our trips special and memorable.”

Family travel expert Katrina Morrison, owner of Mocha Travel, said she, too, believes it’s “so important” to include you and your loved ones in your vacation pictures. Without your people in the photo, “it’s just one of many random photos of a landmark,” she told HuffPost.

“But with your family, ah! It’s now an unforgettable experience captured!” she said. “Hang it on your wall at home, make a Christmas greeting card, a photo book, or even a wall calendar with these personal memories. Your vacation photos are now part of your family’s history so be sure to protect them.”

A Reddit thread on this topic from a few years ago underscored the value in this advice. The redditor said they “learned this lesson the hard way” after their mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was only given a few months to live. When they went searching for pictures of her and shots of them together, there were only a few.

“All I want are pictures of us doing stuff together and all I have are pictures of the stuff,” the redditor wrote. “I dusted off my old camera after not touching it for 2 years (the last vacation before Corona[virus]) and made a resolution to take more pictures of people, especially myself.”

This topic also intersects with another idea that’s been addressed in personal essays (including some on this website) and posts across social media: Because moms tend to be the ones behind the camera, they don’t often appear in many family photos — on vacations or otherwise.

Morrison, who is a mom of three, said she, too, was once her family’s dedicated photographer.

“After so many trips, I looked back at the photos and wondered if I was even there!” she said. “As a family travel expert, I highly recommend hiring a professional photographer to help capture those magical moments. You can find them on Airbnb Experiences, Flytographer or search Instagram for local photographers.”

If you don’t want to hire someone, you can also lean on tools like selfie sticks, which Morrison called a “great investment” and now have tripod features and zoom lens attachments.

If you want to level up your skills, “watch a few iPhone camera tutorials on YouTube before you travel,” Morrison advised.

Of course, you can always ask a partner or other travel companion to make sure they get some pictures of you. And don’t be afraid to ask fellow travelers to take a picture of your group either.

“I’ve eagerly taken photos of families during trips when asked because I know the challenge,” Morrison said. “Plus, I’m a pretty good photographer!”