If you’re planning a summer holiday this year, it’s nearly time to get going! There is a lot to look forward to and hopefully a lot to really enjoy once you get there.
The only problem with an amazing summer holiday is that it is over all too soon. So it’s important to take the opportunity to find ways that will help you to remember it well in future.
Of course one of these ways is photographs. On the one hand, you don’t want to spend too much time on your holiday behind a camera : you want to be out there enjoying yourself. But on the other hand, a few really good photos will help you to relive your holiday memories for years to come.
So in this article we share a few ideas for iconic holiday photos to capture. Photos that will make holiday memories to last a lifetime.
In some ways this can feel a bit cheesy. But it’s usually a must-have photo. After all, what is a visit to Paris without the Eiffel Tower, Rome without the Colosseum, or New York without the Empire State building or Statue of Liberty? So make sure you get some wonderful shots of well-known landmarks and buildings, ideally with you in the picture too.
But also look around for other buildings, particularly if they become special to you in some way. There will be buildings and structures in the area you are staying that become personal landmarks to you for one reason or another. Make sure you capture these in photos that you can look back on in years to come.
Of course as well as man-made buildings and structures, you will probably see some amazing landscapes on your holiday. Whether these are coastlines, woodlands, lakes or mountains, you need to preserve the memory of these beautiful places.
It’s a great idea to capture some of these scenic shots at different times of day. The so-called golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) or the blue hour (just before sunrise or after sunset) are particularly good times to get wonderful atmospheric shots.
Wherever you are on holiday, there are bound to be some local events that make great photo opportunities. Many of them will be filled with colour and action, and really help to convey the culture and vibe of the holiday.
So look around for things that are happening in the area while you are there, and make sure you go along to watch and support them. Whether it’s music, dancing, sport, children’s games, animals or any other weird and wonderful local event that simply has to be seen to be believed, you’ve just got to get those photos.
If you are on holiday with a family party or group of friends there is even more scope for taking some fabulous photos. There are endless opportunities during gatherings, games, beach fun, swimming pool antics and so much more. There is no need to pose people : natural photos are best and will bring back great memories of happy times together.
But make sure that you also get into the photos. It’s all too easy to hide behind a camera. Then when you get home everyone is asking where you are in the photos. So if you are in a group, don’t be the only one taking photos. Perhaps you can set up a shared drive or Dropbox folder when you get home so that everyone can see each other’s photos, and everyone has a place in them.
One of the best ways to remember your holiday memories is by taking pictures of yourself and your companions enjoying significant holiday moments together. Where possible, use natural light as this looks best and gives a truer representation of the holiday vibe. And why not aim to take a few during the blue or golden hours we mentioned earlier (ie around sunrise or sunset)?
If you’re not very confident about taking selfies, check out our article How to take a good selfie for some useful hints and tips.
Food photos are increasingly popular. See our article When did photographing food become a thing? to find out more about this phenomenon. So if you find a lovely place to eat that you just can’t wait to tell everyone about, make sure you get some great food photos as well.
But food photos aren’t just about what’s on your plate. A lot of our best holiday memories are created whilst sharing food with family and friends. So make sure you also capture the atmosphere of the occasion, not just the food itself.
And food-related photos don’t have to be restricted to more formal dining situations. Some of the best food photos can be whilst sharing a bag of chips on a park bench or eating an ice cream on the beach. These are the special moments you will remember for longer than a gourmet meal on a plate.
If you follow our above tips, once you get home from your wonderful holiday you will have so many fabulous photos to look back on and be able to relive your holiday memories all over again.
And why not give some of them pride of place in your home? You can preserve them for longer by having them transformed into metal prints by Print Your Memory. They can be displayed either inside or outside your home and will look good for years to come, enabling you to be instantly transported back to your happy summer holiday of 2026.
Find out more here about how Print Your Memory can create metal prints you will love.
And remember to check back here soon for more lifestyle and photography tips from Print Your Memory.
