Tips for Better Vacation Photos!

TIPS FOR BETTER VACATION PHOTOS!

Don’t center your subject

It's fun to be the center of attention – unless it’s in a photo. Before plunking yourself right in the middle of that Hawaiian beach shot, use the Rule of Thirds to off-set yourself: that way you and your photo can “catch some waves”!

A real smile starts with your eyes

Sure, you went to Hawaii with Kevin (who, apparently, things are pretty serious with now. Which seems quick, since you swear you didn’t meet him until after we broke up.) But are you happy? Like, really happy? The pros know that someone can write “HAPPYYYY!!!” as their photo caption on Instagram and still be full of regret inside.

Avoid being too “flashy”

Ever try to show off your fancy hotel room, only to have the picture come out looking like a pre-dawn police raid? (Hint: check out the fifth photo on your Instagram.) To spread some of that light around, try putting a little translucent tape or some tissue paper over the flash; that way, everyone will be able to see your sweet suite! Because of course Kevin reserved a suite. You’re only in there to sleep and change clothes, but the Duke of Pfizer Southwest Regional Sales just has to have the living room that no one uses.

If you’ve seen it, don’t do it

Everyone does the “here’s my legs, feet, and the beach” shot; the front-of-the-boat-Titanic pose; the sunset-that-won’t-look-as-impressive-on-an-iPhone-screen. Why do something that feels familiar? Something that you maybe even did with another guy (hint: me) on another vacation two years ago? Sure, you’re in a suite this time, and ooh, fancy, it comes with a couch. But you know what? Tons of people have had sex on that couch.

Don’t have sex on that couch

Not just because it’s probably filthy. It’s better to wait, isn’t it? Until you’re sure you’re doing the right thing, and that you’ll never want to go back to what you had before? Because if you have sex on that couch, and then you post a picture of it that says, like, “GREAT couch!! ;)” and now that image is in all of our heads, you may find that going back to what you had before isn’t going to be an option anymore.

Going back will still be an option

I miss you. I miss us. And when I look through your Instagram feed, I feel like you miss us, too. Like, first of all, you haven’t blocked me. I mean, by definition, that indicates that you still want me in your life. That you want me to know you had brunch with your friends three weeks ago at that place by the marina. The place we went that time. You want me to see that and remember the way the wind played with your hair, and how the gulls kept landing on the table because you kept feeding them, which the sign explicitly told us to not do. But, God, the wind in your hair. Or when you take a picture of high-heeled boots and write, “LOVEEE!!!” I know that you know how much it drives me nuts when you add “E’s” to the end of a word you’re trying to emphasize, because -- think about it -- you wouldn’t pronounce it “love!!!” with emphasis, you’d be yelling “lovey!!!” like an idiot. And that’s not me being judgmental, it’s me understanding that you’re reaching out to me. It’s me getting the signals, getting you, finally. Even if those boots would make you look like a Kansas City stripper when I’ve told you, Liz, you could be so much more than that.

Don't take any more pictures of Kevin
If he has SUCH an important job, how does he have time to do that many sit-ups? Simple question.

Bring an extra battery

There’s nothing worse than seeing the perfect shot open up, only to have your camera shut down. Always keep a fully-charged battery around!