photos ideas to capture your family road trip

If you live in the DMV area, there is a good chance you want to escape the brutal summer weather we have here. DC is so hot and humid! A question I like to ask my families in the Spring is their plans for the Summer. Some of you are going abroad (France! Greece! Columbia!) while some others will stay Stateside but will travel to a family house or grandparents. Vermont seems to be a popular destination.

But whether you stay around or go farther, there is a good chance, you’ll drive for a few hours to get there. You might even embark on a family road trip with scenic views, multiple stops, and sibling fights unforgettable moments.

While you may have a list of places to visit and things to do, don’t forget to document the journey itself. Here are 10 creative photo ideas to capture the essence of your family road trip, all from the comfort of your car.

1. Kids Sleeping in the Backseat

If you travel abroad, there might be jetlag to deal with. One of the most heartwarming sights on a road trip is your little ones dozing off in the backseat. Capture the peacefulness of kids napping with their favorite toys or blankets. These moments of tranquility amidst the excitement are precious and make for endearing photos.

Tip: Take the photo from the front seat looking back, including part of the car interior for context. Bonus points if all the kids are sleeping at the same time, mouths wide open!

2. Mirror Reflections

Get creative with your shots by using the rearview or side mirrors to capture reflections. Whether it’s the road behind you, the faces of your passengers, or a self-portrait, mirror photos can add a unique perspective to your road trip album.

Tip: Ensure the mirror is clean and use a narrow aperture to keep both the mirror and background in focus. You can decide to appear in the mirror, or not!

3. Through the Car Window

1) from inside the car, photographing outside: the ever-changing scenery outside your car window is a goldmine for beautiful photos. Capture the passing landscapes, interesting landmarks, or the varying weather conditions. Roll down the window for a clearer shot or use the window frame to add a creative touch.

2) from outside, photographing inside. You’re likely going to stop at some point to put gas or for pit stops. Grab your camera to shoot inside the car. My favorite way to do this is to shoot through the window because you have amazing reflections (yours included). Turn the photos in black and white as it’s usually contrasty.

Tip: Different weather conditions like rain, fog, or sunlight can add unique effects to your window shots.

4. Hands on the Steering Wheel

A photo of the driver’s hands on the steering wheel with the road ahead in the background gives a sense of the journey and highlights the person making it all possible.

Tip: Focus on details like the dashboard, GPS, or an interesting view through the windshield to add depth to the photo. Use a slow shutter speed to get the background/ scenery behind the driver, blurry.

5. Interacting Through Seats

Capture candid moments of passengers talking, laughing, or playing games through the gaps between seats. These interactions showcase the fun and togetherness of a family road trip.

Tip: Use a shallow depth of field to focus on the subjects while slightly blurring the seats for a soft frame.

6. Feet on the Dashboard

For a laid-back, relaxed vibe, take a photo of a passenger with their feet up on the dashboard. This classic road trip shot is perfect to get the spirit of adventure and relaxation.

Tip: Include the windshield view or the side mirror to provide context and add a sense of the journey.

7. Snack Time Fun

Road trips are synonymous with snack breaks and meals. Capture the fun and sometimes messy moments of your family enjoying their favorite road trip treats. You may stop for a picnic on the side of the road, or eat from the car. Document how you do that and the mess after you’re done (chips on the floor?).

Tip: Focus on expressions and the colorful variety of snacks to add vibrancy to the photos.

8. Silhouettes Against the Window

For an artistic touch, capture silhouettes of passengers against a bright window during sunset or sunrise. These dramatic and visually striking photos are a great addition to your road trip album.

Tip: Use a low ISO and higher contrast to emphasize the silhouettes. Meter for the background.

9. Pet Companions

If your furry friends are along for the ride, don’t forget to capture their curious or relaxed poses in the car. Pets can bring an extra dose of fun and cuteness to your road trip photos.

Tip: Shoot from different angles, such as from the front seat or level with the pet’s eyes, to capture their perspective.

10. Roadside Stops

Document the excitement of quick roadside breaks or scenic stops. Capture the joy and curiosity of your family as they stretch their legs and take in the new surroundings.

Tip: Include the car in the shot to show it’s part of the journey. You might have crossed rivers, driven in mud… These details are great for storytelling!

Bonus Tips for Capturing Great Road Trip Photos:

Golden Hour Magic: Don’t miss golden hours (just after sunrise and just before sunset) for magic lighting.
Rule of Thirds: Use the rule of thirds to create balanced and engaging photos. Enable gridlines on your camera or smartphone to help with this composition.
Foreground Interest: Incorporate foreground elements to add depth and dimension to your photos.
Give the kids a camera so they can record their own trip!

By incorporating these tips and photo ideas, you can create a beautiful visual story of your family road trip. Each photo will tell the essence of your journey together: the good, the bad, the ugly!