There are plenty of souvenirs that you can pick up during your stay at Zion National Park hotels. From the Zion Canyon Visitor Center or the Zion Lodge, you can purchase t-shirts, magnets, water bottles, and plenty of other commemorative items. You can also walk to a number of gift shops and art galleries from Flanigan’s Resort, making it easy to spend an afternoon shopping for gifts to bring back for friends and family.
But some of the best souvenirs from your Zion visit are photographs of your adventures. Whether you’re snapping selfies with friends from the top of Angels Landing or some frame-worthy landscape shots of Zion’s peaks to display when you get back home, you’ll definitely want to take plenty of photos during your visit.
If you want to make sure that your photos are ones that you’ll love to show off and display after your stay at Zion National Park hotels is over, keep reading. We’re bringing you a few tips for taking incredible photos during your Zion visit.
Practice With Your Camera Before Your Visit
If you’re using a new camera or aren’t familiar with your camera or smartphone’s settings, take some time ahead of your trip to try them out. This will help you to be better prepared to capture some great shots during your stay in Zion National Park hotels.
Many modern cameras come equipped with settings designed for taking landscape photos. These settings may do things like widen your camera’s field of view or adjust your shutter for a longer exposure. If you aren’t comfortable adjusting your camera’s settings on your own, it’s best to switch over to this setting when you’re ready to take a shot.
Just because you aren’t shooting with a DSLR camera doesn’t mean you won’t have a landscape setting at your disposal. Many smartphones now feature camera settings that you can use to level up your photography game. If your phone doesn’t have a landscape setting, you can also take advantage of apps designed to help you take better photos. Besides adjusting your phone’s camera, these apps also help guide you through framing your photo and getting enough light.
Play with your camera or smartphone’s settings before your trip so that you’ll be ready when you see a landscape shot that you want to capture.
Rethink Your “Perfect” Shot
If thinking of landscape photos brings to mind only perfectly framed mountain views or a snap of a cascading waterfall, it’s time to widen your horizons.
One of the best ways to capture landscape photos that you’ll cherish is to always be ready to start shooting away. Sometimes it’s the view that you didn’t think of that winds up looking like artwork in your lens. An interesting pattern in the rocks, a desert cactus, or lines in a sand dune can all make for interesting, beautiful shots. Always being ready to start taking pictures, rather than waiting for the ‘perfect’ view, will ensure you never miss a shot.
Skip the Mid-day Photo Shoot
Even the best photographers will struggle to take perfect, crisp photos when the sun is high and bright overhead. Harsh sunlight will wash out your photo’s colors and obscure the details, ruining your shot.
Unless you’re using a DSLR camera or one with settings for bright natural light, aim to get your shots in early or late in the day, when the sun is less harsh. The “Golden Hour,” a term used to describe the yellow light that floods the air as the sun goes down, is one of the best times to take landscape photos or any photos for that matter. The stunning color makes for dreamy atmospheres, while the dimmer light will help bring out details in your photos. As soon as you notice the light beginning to change, start snapping; the more light you lose, the harder it will be to take clear photos, particularly if you’re using a smartphone.
If you’re using a good camera and are familiar with setting your shutter and adjusting your exposure, you can continue taking photos as the Golden Hour turns into the Blue Hour. This is another great time for taking unique, dramatic shots.
Of course, if you’re out enjoying a hike in the middle of the day, don’t be afraid to snap some shots to preserve those memories. But if you’re hoping to take photos with family or friends in Zion during your visit, consider waiting until the evening to get the best lighting.
Capturing Photo Souvenirs During Your Stay in Zion National Park Hotels
Whether you’re taking selfies with friends on a hike or capturing a stunning sunset over the canyon, photos are some of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your stay in Zion National Park hotels. And with these tips, you can capture some stunning photos that you’ll love to share and show off when you get back home.
Ready to start planning your next stay at Flanigan’s Resort? Now is a great time to start planning a summer 2023 visit! Book your Zion lodging today to start planning an incredible trip this summer.