Spring break is right around the corner, and honestly? Just thinking about it takes me back to our first big trip with the kids. We packed up snacks, extra clothes, and boarded a plane headed to one of our favorite places: Charleston, South Carolina.
If you've ever traveled with little kids, you know the vibe. Equal parts magical and mildly chaotic. There were wide-eyed moments exploring new places, meltdowns over snacks, sticky fingers, sandy shoes, and those random bursts of laughter that somehow make the whole trip unforgettable. Of course, I packed my camera. I'm a photographer… it’s basically part of my personality at this point.
But here’s the thing: most parents aren’t traveling with a camera bag. And even when you do have a great camera (hello, the one in your pocket), capturing those real-life family moments on the go is harder than it looks. So before you head out on your spring break adventure, let’s talk about how to document the trip in a way that actually captures the memories… not just a camera roll full of random photos.
First things first, your phone is enough. Truly.
Phone cameras today are incredible. With good light and good timing, they can capture photos that feel just as meaningful as anything taken with a big camera. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is the memory! The messy, real, joyful, slightly chaotic memories of traveling with your people.
A Few Things That Make a Big Difference
Ask a Stranger (Yes, Really)
I know this feels awkward. I still hesitate sometimes too. But if you want photos with your whole family in them, sometimes you just have to hand your phone to a friendly passerby. Selfies are great for quick moments, but they rarely show the full story: the place you traveled to, the space around you, the feeling of the moment. And honestly? Most people are happy to help. They get it!
Bribe the Kids (No Judgment Here)
If you have little kids, you already know cooperation is… negotiable. One trick that works surprisingly well is having everyone make a silly face. Snap that photo! And then say, “Now one where we look at the camera!” Half the time the silly one ends up being everyone’s favorite anyway.
Mix Up the Types of Photos
It’s easy to fall into selfie mode when you’re traveling. But if every photo is arm’s length, you miss the bigger story. The beach behind you, the city streets, the ice cream shop you stumbled into, the way your kids looked exploring somewhere new. Hand the phone to your partner. Prop it on a bench. Ask that stranger. A little variety goes a long way!
Put the Camera Down Sometimes
This one might be the hardest… I say this as someone whose job is literally taking photos.
Some of my favorite memories from that Charleston trip are moments that were never photographed at all. Just laughing with the kids, wandering around with nowhere to be, soaking up the feeling of being somewhere new together. You don’t have to capture everything. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be there.
If You Have a Tripod, Use It
My husband has learned that if we’re traveling, a small tripod might make its way into the bag.
It’s actually one of the easiest ways to get everyone in the photo, especially the parent who is usually behind the camera. And speaking of that… Moms, please get in the photos! I know the instinct to hide. I feel it too sometimes. But years from now, your kids won’t care what your hair looked like or whether you felt tired that day. They’ll just be happy to see you there with them!
All of that said… there's something a professional session provides that no amount of phone photography can fully replace. It's not just better lighting or a sharper image. It's the experience of someone else handling it so you don't have to think about it at all. No asking strangers, no wrestling with the tripod, no missing the moment because you were fiddling with settings.
A session, even a simple one before or after your trip, gives you a set of intentional, beautiful images of your family right now, in this season of life. Toddler years, little kid energy, all of it. And those photos? They become the ones you frame!
Thinking About Updating Your Family Photos This Spring?
If you’ve been meaning to get photos of your family that go beyond vacation snapshots, I’d love to help with that. Family mini sessions are available throughout the year that are designed to be easy, relaxed, and actually fun for kids (and yes, even the dads who claim they hate photos)! You can see upcoming sessions and book your spot at the mini sessions page on my website or join the email list to get first dibs on openings.
Because spring break trips come and go...
But this season with your little kids? That one goes by way too fast!
