I’ve always loved photography.
As a child, my parents were constantly documenting my life, so I learned pretty quickly the value of capturing each moment throughout your life, especially as an adult looking back on the books of memories I can now pour over. It also got me pretty used to being in front of the camera!
My husband? Not so much.
Over the past 8 years, doing photo shoots together has grown from pulling teeth to really enjoying ourselves. Having recently completed our third Flytographer shoot in NYC (check out my honeymoon tips and photos from our first shoot in Kauai!), we can now say that our shoots have become one of the highlights of all our trips.
Here are my top tips for getting your partner on board with a vacation shoot.
Discovering the best Shave Ice in Kauai with our Flytographer Chelsea.
1. Remind them that it’s not the kind of photo shoot they grew up with.
Remember school photos, or department store portrait studios featuring forced smiles, awkward hands under your chin, and cheesy backdrops?
Vacation photos are SO not that.
Flytographer focuses on natural, candid moments with the help and direction of a fun professional.
Gritted teeth are replaced by actual laughter, and instead of marbled, blue backgrounds, the backdrop is none other than the stunning beauty of the city you’re exploring together.
Venice in the rain… we’ll never forget the downpour during our shoot!
2. It’s about more than just the photos.
With each of our Flytographer shoots, we’ve spent a good amount of time chatting with the photographers throughout the shoot.
They gave us great recommendations for places to see and eat during our visit, and we got to hear stories of what it was like to grow up and live in their city. The bond we forged with people who really knew their city was priceless.
Instead of feeling like our Flytographer was just a stranger behind the lens, they were a friend — which made things a lot easier when it came time to getting comfortable in front of the camera.
Dancing in the rain, in Venice, on a quiet side street. NOT a photo you can get with a selfie stick!
3. It’s quick and painless.
60 minutes may sound like a long time, but you wouldn’t believe how fast it goes by.
From getting to know each other, to being wrapped up in the awe and adventure of exploring a new neighbourhood, the shoot goes by in the blink of an eye.
If you’re still having a hard time getting your partner on board, you can always bargain them down by letting them choose where you have dinner that night if they can stick it out for the shoot.
We know they’ll end up having just as much fun as you do in the end, and they’ll walk away from the experience thinking that they got the long end of the stick!
4. The price is nothing compared to the value
When looking at your travel budget, adding in a vacation shoot can seem a bit overwhelming, but consider the value that goes way beyond a one-time expense.
The photos that we have from our shoots are priceless.
They are hung on the walls of my home, shared with friends and family around the world, and are reflected upon often — usually accompanied by the stories of our travel adventures.
At the end of the day, we’re not wearing t-shirts that say “I heart City Name,” or paying any mind to cheesy bobble heads, because these photos have added a richness to our lives that is almost impossible to buy.
The selfies we captured in NYC… not the way I wanted to remember our vacation! 
Strolling through Central Park and the busy streets of NYC captured by Johnny – it brings me right back to our trip looking at these shots!
5. The memories last a lifetime.
When you’re traveling, it feels like every memory is burned in your mind — until you get home and can’t remember where to find your favourite cafe, or the quaint neighbourhood you wandered through that one morning.
Having these priceless photos will instantly transport you back to the moment you were walking around and exploring with your Flytographer.
One of my favourite shots from our honeymoon in Kauai – looking at this photo takes me back to one of the best vacations of my life!
So much time, money, and effort go into planning a vacation, and being able to capture the memories of you enjoying yourself is the best way to carry the spirit of your trip in your heart and mind forever.
