How to Photograph Your Honeymoon Like a Pro

If there's one thing that couples forget to do after their wedding, it's take pictures on their honeymoon. This is a shame considering how many great memories couples make on their honeymoon. Even so, honeymoon photos are way rarer than wedding photos.

Everyone should photograph their honeymoon, especially now that good cameras are so easy to find. Seriously—you don't need to have a DSLR. Truth be told, you can even get great shots on a typical iPhone if you want to.

You don't have to be a professional photographer to get great pictures worthy of a good Instagram account either. These tips will let you photograph your honeymoon like a pro, and help you put together amazing memories for later on.

Let's talk about cameras before we begin, shall we? A good camera can give you way better results than a mediocre one does. You can only really take photos as good as your tools.

Personally, I would strongly suggest getting a camera that stores pictures electronically and gives you full control of your shot such as a DSLR. If you can't afford a DSLR or don't really know how to use one, you can still get great photos with an iPhone camera.

For your own sake, avoid disposable film, Instax, and cheap point-and-shoot digital cameras. Film shots can't be edited, and point-and-shoots are notoriously bad with lighting.

Take photos of the "little things."

Sometimes, it's not always about capturing the full vision of the French Riviera. When you're trying to photograph your honeymoon exploits, it's more about telling a story than trying to perennially get that one perfect shot of your location.

Take a moment to shoot a couple of pictures of things like your hotel booking, the breakfast in bed, or even something as simple as the street corners you see. Sometimes, these are the best photos you can use to tell your story.

When you're trying to get professional quality images with a phone, using a selfie stick can help more than you could ever imagine. A selfie stick will help you photograph your honeymoon from afar, hopefully getting more details than just your face.

Like with any other self-done photo session, using the right apps can help you do well by you. I'd strongly suggest looking at VSCO as an editor, since it's the easiest one to use.

Before you post your photos, stick to standard Instagram rules. Edit your photos, use selfie sticks when needed, and take multiple shots so you can make the most of your time.

Don't make all the shots about you.

Weird as it is to say, your honeymoon photos shouldn't be entirely focused on you. You will be able to look in the mirror and see yourself tomorrow. You can always take photos of the two of you together elsewhere.

You can't, however, always take photos of the Eiffel Tower or of the beach in Cancun. It's a good idea to take a couple of shots of the scenery, especially if you're visiting any of the multitude of honeymoon destinations for nature lovers. Bad as it is to say, most people would rather see the scenes rather than a full scrapbook of you and your new spouse taking selfies.

Time your shots.

I'm going to assume you're not a professional photographer if you're reading this guide. Even if you were one, you probably don't want to lug around lighting equipment on a honeymoon. That's why it's important to get the best lighting by timing your shots.

Too much brightness will either wash you out or wreck your pose. It's best to photograph your honeymoon selfies before 10 AM or after 3 PM. This will reduce squinting and avoid harsh lighting.

A tripod will get you crisper images than ever before. It's also easy to pack, and even easier to find online. You don't have to go all out to get a tripod. This one by Fotopro is small enough to tuck into a weekender bag without much issue.

Use the best DSLR stabilizers on the market to take timed shots, better food selfies, and unique twists on standard honeymoon pictures. You'll be glad you did.

Take a look at this Instagram influencer's photo. Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it simple, too? You could probably do something similar while on your honeymoon, right? That's the point of this photo.

You don't need to be a master photographer to find inspiration through Instagram. Flipping through your Insta feed or the most followed photographers on Instagram can give you the ideas you need in order to plan out some really spectacular shoots on your honeymoon.

Don't force your partner to pose if they don't want to.

As much as you may want to photograph your honeymoon, there's a limit to how much you can do before your honeymoon feels more like a photoshoot than a getaway with the one you love.

If you notice that your partner is getting sick and tired of all the photo taking, maybe it's time to stop. You don't want to upset your spouse, who may already be exhausted with all the exploring they did.

It's a really valiant idea to DIY your own honeymoon photos, but sometimes, you just can't get the right shot without having someone else help you out.

If you're using AirBnb, you might want to take a look at local experiences. Many professional photographers will let you book hours with them through the app. It could be a fun way to bond with your new spouse while you explore the area.

Don't be afraid to take one or two naughty pics—but do leave some G-rated shots to show your family.

Look, we all know what honeymoons are known for. They are about romance, sexy things, and having fun. While it's tempting to pull a Tommy Lee and photograph your honeymoon with all the juicy bits out and exposed, that's not necessarily a good plan as far as your overall photography scene goes.

Do your family a favor, and make a point of taking some G-rated shots for the two of you to show family and friends. After all, they'll want to see something.