Whether you’re embarking on a family vacation or your family reunion, it’s going to be a special time. When most of think of trips we’ve taken, we tend to remember them best with photographs. Here are some ideas to enhance your vacation, as well as your memories of them. Be sure to check out the great gear I found at the website to the left.. awesome deals!

Figure out the photo opportunities for each appropriate venue. Anyone can take a snap shot — although not everyone can take a good or great shot! Wouldn’t you rather capture a WOW photo that could be hung over the mantle?

Location Preparation – Since you know where youíre going (that’s a minimum requirement), doesn’t it make sense to check out the location before you get there? Create a list of attractions, accommodations, special points of interest, amusement areas, shopping, etc.

Depending on the location youíre traveling to, you can see what books are written about them that highlight the best photo opportunities for the entire area. If you’re cyber-savvy, start at www.google.com and search using different combinations of your destination, best photography locations, for images of the location, scenic spots, etc. The options are endless.

If youíre off to a non-big city area, scout out the national parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the scenery is usually so breathtaking, that a so-so shot looks outstanding, just because of the subject. Once in www.nps.gov, do a search on photos and you will be presented with terrific shots of all the parks.

Photography Preparation – You’re either traveling through, or you’re at a wonderful location full of photo opportunities. You began this leg of your trip at the crack of dawn and as you’re pulling into the most scenic overlook for 400 miles, the sun is just starting to crack the horizon. You instinctively pull the car over, grab your camera and your tripod, and look for the best spot to set up. Instead of lugging around a heavy, bulky tripod, check out the compact and too cool Platypod solution shown in the video to the left!

If you don’t have the Platypod, bring your tripod, even a compact, short one. Especially these days, tripods can collapse down to a compact size, weigh in the ounces, and don’t take up much room. Tripods allow you to capture entirely new categories of photographs that won’t be possible without one.