By Christina Q. Cross
Years ago, my mother hired a local photographer to take our family portrait while we were visiting Jackson Hole, Wyoming. To this day, that vacation stands out in my mind largely in part of the family photo with the magnificent Grand Tetons in the background that I have kept in a frame. It is a lasting souvenir of that trip.
Hiring a professional photographer provides you with the assurance that your vacation memories will be documented and never forgotten. And vacations to beautiful destinations are an enticing way to get entire families together for a gorgeous portrait.
There are several ways to hire a local photographer to capture your vacation memories. The easiest way is to call the resort or hotel that you will be staying at in advance of your trip and ask for references. The upside is that the resort will likely refer you to photographers who know their property well, including natural backdrops and lighting. Yet, the downside is that they will likely be wedding photographers and possibly already booked months or years in advance of your stay.
Another way to locate a photographer is to do an internet search for family photographer in the area that you are planning to stay. Review the photo galleries and note the photographer’s style. Be sure to talk to the photographer in advance and completely understand packages and pricing before booking a session.
Here, in San Diego, the famous Hotel Del Coronado landmark makes for a great backdrop. While the Hotel Del’s website lists numerous wedding photographers, a quick internet search using the terms: “family photographer” and “Hotel Del Coronado” lists numerous San Diego photographers with photo galleries of smiling families on Coronado Beach.
My favorite photos, by far, of vacationing families at the Hotel Del are by Lisa Gisczinski of elle.g Photography.
The Trafton family from Arizona, shown in the photos here, hires Lisa year after year to capture their annual vacation at the Del.
Lisa Gisczinski recently told me that: “Communication is so incredibly important when selecting a photographer. Remember, your photos won’t look good if you aren’t comfortable with the person shooting you.” She added, “I create a fun, unobtrusive atmosphere so I can capture you and your loved ones enjoying the beaches and sights of San Diego. But the true goal of my relaxed, natural style of photography is to enhance the memories that you create while on vacation.”
It is so true. How many vacations have you taken in gorgeous resorts or destinations, wishing that you had photographs that were an accurate representation of your experience upon your return or years later?
No matter the location, the professional photographs captured from your journey will last a lifetime and will create joy over and over again.
In the coming months, Luxe Baby will be profiling some of our favorite photographers from all over the country. So take note and book a session right after you book those flights!
