In today's social media dominated world, capturing the perfect vacation moment on camera is more important than living it. The natural beauty of beaches, lighthouses and sunsets are a photographer's paradise. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just looking to ensure your Instagram feed is full of envy-inducing shots, these tips will help you snap those frame-worthy memories on your next OBX escape.

Understand the Basics of Composition

Your Secret Weapon: The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a sacred technique in photography that professional photographers swear by for a reason. Instead of focusing in the middle of your frame, split your picture up like a 3×3 grid. This makes your image look more balanced and pleasing to the eye by placing your subject along these lines, or at one of their intersections. Grid overlay feature is an option in the settings on most smartphones that helps you practice this technique.

For example, if you were photographing the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, you would want the lighthouse located on one of the vertical third lines and not placed dead center. Just make this simple setting and it instantly transforms your holiday photos into a masterpiece of art.

Use Natural Elements To Frame Your Shot

Everywhere you turn, the Outer Banks offers opportunities to create natural framing. Capture a beach scene through the wooden rails of a dune walkover, or between the silhouettes of seagrass. If you want to add some depth to your shot, and draw attention on your main subject, use tree branches, doorways, or other architectural elements.

Technical Considerations: Setting Up for Success

Stick with Familiar Equipment

It may be enticing to go all out and buy that new camera gear for your trip, but your OBX vacation is not the time to be learning a new tool. The ideal dolphin sighting or your kid catching their first wave-jump isn't going to wait while you solve the ultra-complicated-settings puzzle.

There are many amazing features that modern phone cameras are capable of such as portrait mode, night mode, and an ultra-wide lens. If you're traveling with a dedicated camera, practice using it before you arrive, so you're not fiddling with controls in between capturing moments.

Tap Burst Mode to Capture Action Shots

There is no shortage of action shots to take on the Outer Banks― kids running through the waves, kite surfers in the air, or dolphins breeching offshore. Use burst mode (press and hold the shutter) to capture rapid sequences that gives you multiple frames to choose from later. This is especially useful for group shots where someone blinks at the right moment.

Consider Lighting and Timing

The best natural light occurs early in the morning and later in the afternoon, which photographer's call "golden hour." Schedule beach portrait sessions during these time frames to avoid shadows and glare. Cloudy days provide really, surprisingly perfect lighting conditions for bright, evenly-lit photos.

Ways to Take Vacation Photos with a Creative Twist

Experiment with Perspectives

Our best beach shots are often the ones we least expect. To get a photo of dramatic dunes or waves, lie in the sand. Get up high for a great perspective of the shoreline. Get into the water (ankle-deep, of course, because you want to keep your phone or camera safe) for a whole new view of the shoreline.

Focus on Details and Textures

Landscape shots are stunning, but be sure to capture some smaller details that help make the Outer Banks memorable: the texture of a sand dollar, weathered wood on fishing piers, or rippled sand dunes blown by the wind. These little glimpses often turn into the best vacation memories.

Embrace Candid Moments

We take posed family photos every now and then but vacation is a time of excitement and spontaneity. Take photos of your family slogging up the beach access with arms loaded with chairs and umbrellas, kids focused on sandcastle construction, or your spouse sleeping under a beach umbrella with a half-read book. Those little real life moments tell the true story of your OBX experience, improving the chances of garnering more likes on social media.

Locations to Take Photos in the Outer Banks

For the Instagram-worthy sunrises and sunsets

The Outer Banks is home to some of the East Coast's best skyscapes. For sunrise, Nags Head beaches or Jennette's Pier busting through the Atlantic give dramatic shots. Jockey's Ridge State Park has great dune views for sunsets, while the Currituck Sound on the Duck's boardwalk has tranquil water views at sunset.

Landmark Photography

Include relevant historical monuments of the area into your photo gallery. The black-and-white spirals of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Corolla's wild horses, and the Wright Brothers Memorial are standard OBX backgrounds. These familiar images become more personal with the addition of family members or pets added to these famous backdrops.

Wildlife Encounters

The wildlife photo opportunities in the Outer Banks are endless. Pack a zoom lens to capture shore birds, dolphins or even the rare sea turtles. The patient photographer might capture pelicans diving for fish or ghost crabs scuttling across evening beaches.

Remember What Truly Matters

These tips are great, but they will only help you get some of those Instagram photos from your vacation, your real souvenir is the experience itself. Not every moment of your holiday should be spent peering through a lens. So put the camera down, put your feet in the sand, and enjoy the paradise that is the Outer Banks. After all, the true measure of a good vacation is not social media likes, but experiences that last a lifetime with the people you love.