I have always taken our own family photos when we’re on vacation. I love being able to do it all on our own time. No rushing to meet a photographer, no breaking up our day if we're in the middle of something fun. We just go with the flow and spend 20 minutes taking them whenever works best for us.

I also love being able to use a location that we all discover together and love, whether that's on a hike in the mountains or our special go-to spot on the beach. Over the years, I’ve found a rhythm to it that works well, and I keep it super simple. I only bring a few key pieces of gear on vacation, and these two are non-negotiables for me:

Compact Travel Camera Bag I’m love this thing (mine is the BYOB 9 version.) It can hold my Canon R6 Mark II with my RF 50mm 1.2 attached. It keeps my camera safe, doesn’t take up a ton of space, and I can easily toss it in my backpack or carry it alone with the strap. I travel with it in my carry on bag, and it barely takes up any room!

Lightweight Travel Tripod If you’ve ever tried to lug a heavy tripod through sand or on a hike, you know it’s... not fun. This one is small, easy to carry, and actually fits in my suitcase. It sets up fast, and I can move it around quickly without it being a whole thing.

How I take all my own family and brand photos:
If the thought of doing your own photos sounds like something you’d love to try (but maybe feels a little intimidating), I created a free 12-minute mini course that walks you through exactly how I take our family self portraits. No fluff. No complicated gear. Just my exact process, broken down into simple steps. It’s perfect for photographers who want to learn how to confidently capture their own family photos, without needing someone else behind the camera every time.

Click here to get the free mini course and let me show you how easy and fun it can be!

You don’t need hours of free time. You don’t need the “perfect” location. Just a little know-how, a bit of patience, and the willingness to be in the photo too. You’ve got this. And I’d be honored to show you how.