Part of traveling is also being able to document it, so that when you get home, you have lots of great memories and photos to remember it by.  It can often be a daunting experience though thinking about how to capture your trip the best, so today, here’s my best tips on how to document your trip the best way for you and the easiest way possible!

Pick a camera (or cameras) to take with you.

For us, Nick is the photographer mainly but I do like to snap photos here and there as well.  We take more camera equipment than most, but if you’re curious what we use, here’s what we have in our camera bag and take with us when we travel.  All of these items get used at one point or another when traveling though and all have definitely pros and cons.

Know what lens to use.

Nick has favorite lenses he travels with and it’s important to know which lens to use for which location.  For example, when you go to Peru and Machu Picchu, you’ll need specific lenses to capture this amazing monument versus more of a city location like in Rome or Paris.

Try to work in taking photos part of the experience while traveling.

One of the things to get in the habit of is to just work in taking photos or the time it takes to take nice photos into your travel schedule and experience.  This makes it easier to not be overwhelmed as much by trying to take photos while exploring.  We have a routine now that just includes time for Nick to stop and take photos or for me to stop when I see something interesting.  Be sure to work that into your schedule and it will be a lot easier.  Here’s Nick’s pre-shot checklist that you can use while on the go!

Don’t forget about your iPhone.

Most of us have iPhones these days and Nick and I rely a lot on them when we travel.  It’s easy to go overboard with DSLR’s and all the up to date camera equipment but truthfully, at the end of the day, we’ve gotten some incredible shots on our iPhones.  Be sure to keep them handy so when you see something, you’re ready to document it.

Don’t let photos take over though, keep it balance and see everything with your own eyes as well.

One lesson I’ve learned though over the years is to not let your taking all these photos affect how you really see a place with your own eyes.  Be sure to find that balance of both actually seeing and taking photos because what’s the point of a photo if you can’t even remember what it looked or felt like in person?  So be sure to stop and take in the moment as well as photographing and documenting it!