If you’ve seen the movie Buddymoon, you know the importance of a pal. In this blog post, I share my top ten photography tips to make your honeymoon memories last. Think of me as your Photo Flula: I’m here to help!

You and your spouse have spent the last few months (maybe even years!) planning one of the most important (if not THE most important) days of your life. You spent hours searching for and selecting the perfect ring to place on her finger. You agonized over your very own wedding cocktail recipe. You browsed thousands of magazines and websites to find the perfect set of wedding vendors. Now that your big day has passed don’t give up on the details just yet.

Your honeymoon photos depend on it.

This is the vacation of a lifetime, and while you won’t have me with you to capture all of its amazing-ness, you do have these tips from me (and a few images from our honeymoon).

1. Back Up Everything You Shoot. Absolutely everything, no matter what. Even if you think to yourself, “Oh, we’re just taking a quick ferry over to the other island, I don’t need to back up the photos from snorkeling this morning.” Yes, you do. These are once-in-a-lifetime shots. Don’t let lost or damaged equipment ruin them!

2. Think First, Shoot Second. Before you start snapping away, consider what you’re focusing on. How are you going to compose the shot? What are you framing? Where’s the light coming from? Can you adjust your shooting angle? Should you use your flash to fill harsh shadows cast by the sun?

3. Take Advantage of the Golden Hours. At sunrise and sunset, the light is soft and flattering.

4. Consider Perspective. Are you above your subject, making it appear small in relation to its surroundings? Are you crouched low, giving it an imposing height over its surroundings? The answers to those two questions depend on the story you’re trying to tell through your lens.

5. Photoshop Only Goes So Far. It’s always small, subtle things that are slightly out of place that turn into glaring blemishes on a final image. There’s only so much post-production and Photoshop you can do, so be aware of what is in the shot, and what shouldn’t be.

6. Establish Dominance Over Your Camera. You are the alpha dog, not your camera. Learn to master this tool. Read the camera’s manual – it’s the best way to get to know your equipment.

7. Shoot in Manual. Work toward understanding how all of the settings work together, and shoot manually whenever possible. The more consistently you practice setting up shots with manual controls, the more proficient you’ll be when it comes time to snag the perfect photo.

8. Buy Books and Read Blogs. Don’t buy more equipment because you think it will make you a better photographer. Buy and read books and blogs that will help you learn to BE a better photographer. Or just speak with your wedding photographer for tips (Next six images by James Christianson, a wonderful mentor for me).

9. No Tripod? Improvise! Selfies aren’t just for smartphones. Learn how to set up timed and long-exposure photographs and ask the wait staff and friendly-looking passersby to help you out, too. At Mama’s Fish House on Maui, the friendly staff took this image:

10. Print Your Work. The worst thing in the world, from a photographer’s perspective (if you’ll pardon the pun), is leaving your photographs on a flash drive or disk that gets lost or forgotten. Photographs used to be rare and precious, but digital photography has allowed us the luxury of taking unlimited photos. Now, we take them for granted when we post them to Instagram or Facebook and fail to have them printed out for display.

Take that extra step and preserve your best memories by having them professionally printed on archival quality paper in a variety of sizes. No need to stick to 5×7 or 4×6 prints, when you can have them in every shape and size – or even printed on canvas!

Bonus Tip! Here’s What to Get Your Spouse for Your First Anniversary. A special photograph on canvas or in a larger format print surrounded by a gorgeous frame makes for a truly beautiful gift. Such thought shows your spouse that you cherish the memories and want to continue knitting together the fabric of your relationship. Build a wall of memories starting from your engagement session through the honeymoon and beyond.

For extra credit, bring along a Super 8 camera!

Krista & Rj’s Honeymoon – Maui, Hawaii – Super 8mm Film from Kevin Von Qualen on Vimeo.