Olympic National Park, Washington June 24–30, 2006

Photography and travel go together like peanut butter and jelly. Photography, travel and family can sometimes be a little more of a sticky combination. But done with careful planning and consideration, it can be just as sweet and satisfying. This profound revelation hit me while I was recently enjoying such a snack at a scenic overlook along the coast of northern California. Open spaces seem to enhance my mental activity—although sometimes in strange ways.

My meditation under the sounds of wind and wave was interrupted by the arrival of a car entering the gravel lot. A young family, seemingly on a sightseeing blitz, came out to greet the coast with binoculars and hushed voices. Within a few short minutes, however, everyone was ready to move on to the next overlook except Mom, who hastily set up a tripod and settled for something that wasn’t in her heart. After taking a few frames and with a longing gaze at the scene, she put her camera away, rejoined her family, and they all departed as swiftly as they arrived.

Although she was clearly enjoying the experience of sharing the beauty of the coast with her family, I could see the dilemma in her eyes: how to combine creative photography—a largely personal experience—and a harmonious family experience into one trip. If it were just snapshots, there wouldn’t be an issue. It’s not that family and photography can’t coexist—it’s just that the logistics change.

	A couple enjoys the beauty of fresh snow along a scenic footpath.

More serious photographic endeavors require a larger investment of time and effort that is not so easily combined with the needs and desires of “non-photographers.” Since I’ve experienced these gentle conflicts myself, and because the subject tends to surface during photo safaris as participants converse about their families and lives back home, I’ve decided to share some tips that may help clean up potentially sticky situations.

Define Your Trip
Since expectations directly influence your level of satisfaction, it is important to know from the initial stages of trip planning what the trip is really about. Like a cluttered composition, trying to stuff too much into one experience can only dilute the memory of it. From the beginning, be prepared to let your photography take a back seat to overall group dynamics. Setting the right expectations for the trip is an important first step to formulating realistic goals and a plan that will allow you to get out at select times during the trip.

	Resorts such as my hometown of Vail, Colorado are often perfect locations to meet the needs of both photographer and their families. Often set in beautiful surroundings, resorts have easy access to photographic material and a host of alternate activities for non-shooters. This image was taken in the early morning hours before most restaurants—and visitors— were ready for breakfast.

Location, Location, Location
Once it has been established that the kids won't rebel if photography is a part of the trip, look carefully at the location(s) giving consideration to both photographic and potential for family activities. The best locations are those that allow you quick and easy access to photographic subject material but also offer “normal” vacation attractions that your family will enjoy. I also find that staying in fewer locations for longer periods of time—rather than moving on to a new location each day—will not only be logistically easier and more comfortable, it will also allow you to get to know each place better and permit repeat visits to particular shooting locations.

Time Management
Herein lies the key to success for any photographic effort, especially within a group dynamic. The best chance for photographic fulfillment usually happens “on your own,” while other members of your group are contently occupied with something else. Allotting time for yourself to shoot is a mix of logistical puzzle-solving and diplomatic art. Some ideas include shooting a sunrise at a nearby location while others sleep in. Skip the buffet breakfast at the hotel in favor of a few granola bars out on location. Know the times of sunrise and sunset, try to schedule meals a little early or late, know your options for close proximity locations, and use midday sightseeing as scouting opportunities.

	While others soaked up the midday sun, I played under an umbrella with a seashell, a bowl of sand and a macro lens, using the ocean water as a wash of background color.

Get Others Involved
If traveling with the right partner or age of children, one idea that can work well is getting others interested and involved in the picture taking process. Buy a few disposable cameras for your kids or teach your travel companion how to take a better picture with the point-and-shoot. Help them see the things you see and provide a few tips for creating a better photograph. Kids of the right age can take on a simple photo project like “All The Things I Saw Washed Up on The Beach” or “Shapes In Nature” or “Sibling Portraits, Lake Como, Black & White Series no. 1.” Another idea is to use your travel partners as models to provide added interest or scale to a scene (if needed, kindly request their presence under the guise of creating the best vacation photos ever).

Quality vs. Quantity
Family-friendly trips are a great opportunity to focus on the quality of your work over the quantity of images you bring home. In the short intervals of time you’ll have for your creative work, focus on the quality of vision, artistry and technique of fewer, select images. Think about the “must-have”

	Here, my travel companion walked into the scene to provide scale and a human relationship with the redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument, California.

images that correspond to the highlights of the trip and focus your efforts on those first. You’ll be much happier returning home with fewer images that convey real emotion and quality of technique rather than a larger portfolio of lukewarm results due to your rushing about.

Keep it Simple
If you do end up combining some sightseeing with more serious photography, look to streamline everything related to the execution of your pictures. Like a photojournalist, try to walk the streets and visit the sights with a single camera body and zoom lens covering wide to mid telephoto views. Ditch the tripod in favor of using stabilized lenses and higher ISO settings or faster film. Use a compact shoulder bag or waist pack in which you can access the contents without having to put it down. Be light, nimble and keep your goals and visual themes for the day simple. Focus on what you can do with just 1 or 2 small lenses rather than dwelling on what you could do with a full array of equipment. Another option is to challenge your creativity by using any of the fine non-SLR digital cameras available on the market (usually 5+ mega pixels with zoom lens and semi-auto / manual settings).

Let it Go
Perhaps one of the most damaging detriments to a vacation is obsession—photography obsession, that is. Other kinds of obsession may be healthy depending on your travel companion(s). It’s easy to get wrapped up in the primal need

	On a walk around San Francisco with family, I decided to carry a single camera and mid-range zoom lens, which enabled me to quickly capture several scenes including this architectural silhouette from the middle of a crosswalk during a red light.

to photograph as much as you can in order to maximize the investment of money and time. If it goes too far, though, you’ll ruin the experience for everyone. Even the most productive professionals know how to “let it go” in favor of the experience of simple enjoyment or to meet other obligations. So when that perfect sunset happens as your entrée arrives at the dinner table, think of the other sunsets you’ve already photographed, look forward to more, enjoy sharing the moment and propose a toast to the beauty of the world.

Sign up for a Photo Tour
Perhaps the best way to enjoy family and photography together is to sign up for a Joseph Van Os Photo Safari with your spouse, adult child or significant other. As with many things in life, the memory of a photo tour can often be enhanced through shared experience. Even if your

	Todd Pierce

co-participant isn't as serious about photography as you are, s/he may very well enjoy the unique travel experience that a photo tour offers. Visiting off-the-beaten-path locations at beautiful times of day, learning more about the location, its history and wildlife from the leaders and guides are benefits to all participants. Having a family member or partner meet some of the other people that share your strange and curious interests may also help. (“See honey, there really are other wacko people like me!”)

With the right combination of advance planning and communication, cooperative logistics and simplified execution, “non-photographic” trips can actually prove to be very enjoyable for all members, and surprisingly productive as well.

(Author assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of Latin translations, nor if any of the aforementioned tips fail to work—but will be happy to accept credit if they do.)

All images copyright © 2006 Todd Pierce