Pics or it didn’t happen, right? Camping should be all about living in the present moment. It’s a great way to reconnect with friends, family, and yourself in nature. But who doesn’t love trying to capture the moment and beauty around you? After all, there’s no better feeling than exchanging photos with each other at the end of a trip. Take amazing shots that you’re really proud of!
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Whether you’re using your phone camera, trying nighttime photography, or getting into film. This blog is your one-stop shop for how to get the most out of capturing your summer camping trip!
Summer Camping Photo Ideas
Finding ways to photograph your summer camping trip is an adventure in and of itself! Especially if you’re new to photography, it’s an awesome hobby to pick up and learn while outdoors.
From nighttime photography to photos on the trail, to photoshoots of your campsite. Nature is never short of visual inspiration! And the best part? Sharing these captured memories with friends afterward. So on your upcoming summer camping trip, do your best to take photos, get creative, and see nature in a new way!
Keep reading to discover fun ways to capture the moment, while staying in the moment!
Set Up a Photo Shoot of Your Campsite
There is no shame in a little campsite photo shoot! Take photos of your beautiful glamping tent setup. Or, collect candid moments around the campfire. Whatever you choose, having a photoshoot is a great creative outlet while camping. You decide the rules!
Aesthetically arrange your camping tent accessories inside your tent for the perfect display. Showcase your personal style. Experiment with lighting, too! Golden hour is extremely flattering on warm canvas tents. Try photographing during sunrise and sunset. Capture the light on early morning dew drops. Try to take the same shot at different times of the day, for a challenge. For solo campers, a tripod and self-timer settings will be your best friends. Document your unique outdoor lifestyle and you might find yourself more inspired to keep adventuring!
Maybe get your friends involved! It doesn’t have to be staged, either. Truly candid shots are where the real memories lie. Gather friends by the campfire and snap some shots of everyone enjoying s’mores and laughs.
Try Your Hand at Nighttime Photography
If you love the stars and the allure of cozy camping at night, this may be a great creative endeavor for you. It may take a little more technique and practice. But for stargazers, this is the ultimate way to showcase the endless night skies you see in the remote outdoors. Play around with the nighttime settings on your phone camera. Get fancy, too! Set up a tripod and digital camera for stabilized, long-exposure pictures. The key is to find a super dark area when the moon isn’t too bright. As the earth rotates during the night, the star placements shift overhead. That means photos may be at risk of blurs and light streaks. Sometimes it can look really cool! But for a crisp, clear shot, set your camera manually. Set your aperture and shutter so that you won’t get any blurs or light streaks. Read this article from Backpacker Magazine for tips and tricks on camp night photos.
If you’re new to the process, set your expectations low. It can take some getting used to! With some practice, you’ll have stellar photos of the stars in no time!
Go on a Nature Photo Safari
A great way to combine photography with outdoor adventure is going on a nature photo safari! This can be a dedicated hike or venture out around the campsite with your camera. Set a goal to take photos of what you see, what your camping buddies are up to, a notable view, animal, etc.
If you’re feeling lost, set some intentions for the time. Pick out a certain type of bird, or plant. Whatever you decide, taking your camera along the trail is a great decision. It causes you to notice things around you. From birds, to rock formations, to waterfalls, and so much more.
Easily turn this activity into a game! Create a list like a scavenger hunt. Everyone must go out and photograph their version of what’s on the list. Come back to camp and compare what you saw!
And expect the unexpected! Being outdoors means the weather can change, or you might take a detour. Things don’t always go as planned. Whatever you end up capturing is a true reflection of that moment on your trip.
Trying to Stay Off-Screen? Try Film!
For those who really want to stay present, without digital distractions, film is the way to go. Sure, it can get a little pricey. The cost of a film camera can vary significantly in price depending on what you get. The film itself can cost around $20 per roll. And then, just when you think you’ve got everything, it costs to have the film developed. Or maybe you’re more artistically advanced and want to develop the film yourself. Supplies and time add up. So, all of this is just to say it’s a little bit more of an investment, but film yields high rewards. Just be strategic with budgeting!
Film is a great way to capture moments while staying unplugged. Part of its beauty is it encourages intentionality, patience, delayed gratification, and nostalgia. Intentionality because campers only have a limited amount of shots per roll. So each photo opportunity is carefully selected. Patience and delayed gratification, because it takes time to see the final results. It’s a slow process. The good news is, that makes it easier to put the camera down after taking photos and return to the present moment. And film photos just have this nostalgic feel to them! Who doesn’t love retro-looking photos?
Try a point-and-shoot for simple, quick shots. Or, get fancy with a manual camera! Adjust the settings to your liking for a challenge.
Pro tip: Functional film cameras can often be found at thrift stores! Check these out before investing in a new one.
Create a Shared Digital Album with Friends
One of the best parts of relishing in a trip when it’s done, is the photo exchange. Seeing an adventure from everyone’s unique point of view enhances the memories. It’s silly, inspiring, and heart-warming. Create a shared album digitally as a bank for everyone’s photos. Organizationally, this is helpful for finding and storing photo files, too.
Create a Physical Photo Album
For those who appreciate physical memories, make a photo album! Especially if you’ve taken film photos and had them printed. It’s easy to thrift an empty album for a more homemade feel. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, you can design and order a printed photo book online. This is a great way to keep the creative juices flowing! Customize photo albums with stickers, or pressed flowers from your trip. This also makes a great personalized gift for friends who were also on the camping trip.
Final Thoughts
Photography is a creative way to capture camping memories. Make it a goal this summer to snap photos and collect moments of your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re trying out a new skill, or activity, or just snapping pics on your phone camera. There is a fun way to enjoy outdoor photography for everybody!
Get your friends together for a campsite photoshoot. Showcase your awesome setup and moments around the campfire. These candid moments are some of the most fun to look back on. If you’re a solo camper, it’s a perfect opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera. Set up the self-timer settings and smile!
The dark, starry night skies are a real wonder to photograph. Try your hand at long-exposure night photography. Set up the tripod and get your camera settings just right. Or, get the hang of shooting film. This is the ultimate hack to staying unplugged while camping. It’s a win-win situation. You get the satisfaction of taking photos, while never having to look at a screen, charge a device, or get distracted.
Create a photo activity for you and your friends on the trail. A photo safari can be a great tool for keeping campers engaged in noticing the nature around them. Remember that the whole point is to stay in the present moment. Photography is a tool you can use to create memories and behold the beauty of nature. Share these moments with friends and family in a digital album. Or, keep the creativity flowing by making a physical photo album.
This summer, have an unforgettable camping trip– and take the photos to prove it! Capture all the beauty of nature, friends, and a good time.
Happy camping!
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