Has there been a vacation where you shot a ton of photos only to realize when you got home you didn’t appear in a single one? On our trips we collect souvenirs to remind of our travels, but we appreciate having photos as a reminder of our adventures. Wouldn’t it be nice to have family photos as a vacation souvenir? We thought so and made it a priority for our most recent trip to Germany.

We have taken family photos for as long as I can remember. What used to be an annual tradition now seems to happen whenever we remember or the opportunity presents itself. Our kids haven’t always been the best participants, but I am relieved to say they have improved with age. Having a professional photographer capturing vacation memories is something we had not experienced before, but I wanted to teach my kids that out of something they might not find enjoyable, they might actually be giving a gift to others.

What is Localgrapher?

Localgrapher is a company made up of photographers in locations all over the world. The photographers capture those special vacation memories you might not be able to get on your phone or camera. They will take pictures of your entire family. It won’t just be pictures of dad and the kids, or mom and the kids, or just the kids, it will be everyone. What’s not to love about that?

How Does It Work?

Localgrapher has photographers in over 70 locations around the world, from San Francisco to Hong Kong. When you have your dates planned, go to their website and choose your location, date, and photography package. There are three packages, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The difference between the packages has to do with the number of locations you want the photo shoot to involve, the amount of time, and the number of pictures you are requesting. Once you have sent your information to Localgrapher, they contact the local photographer and arrange the date and time for your photo shoot. A few days before they confirm with you and about a week later they send you the images online for you to download at your leisure.

Localgrapher in Action

We chose to have our photos taken in Munich. I was given several location options (we have traveled there before) and suggestions from the photographer. We met our photographer, Anna Hermann, at the agreed time and meeting place. She was very outgoing and positive, and ready to get to work.

It is not easy to photograph a family with three boys, but Anna commanded their respect from the beginning. She had us walking around busy Odeonplatz, the Christmas market in the Residenz (which we would never have found on our own), and the Hofgarten. She even took us on a five minute subway ride to Munich’s Angel of Peace, ensuring she had the best photos at each location.

Along the way I got to know Anna, a wedding photographer who has been living and working in Munich for the last three years. She attended the Speos Photographic Institute in Paris and has a diploma of Professional Photography, specializing in studio and fashion photography. You could tell she was well trained as she captured the honest emotions, smiles, and moments of tenderness we shared during the photo shoot. She also found a way to work in the pretty little details and beautiful views of the city. 

As I mentioned, we did have the boys with us, and there have been incidents in the past where they were not very good listeners during family photography sessions. Thankfully, Anna was very patient. It was fairly cold the day of our pictures and she waited for all five of us to take our coats, hats, and mittens on and off each time we moved locations. When the boys were distracted, she would calmly wait for them to get it together.

Another bonus I had not counted on was having Anna was similar to having a tour guide. Not only did she show us the hidden Christmas Market in the Residenz, she explained how the U Bahn (subway) worked, and discussed the neighborhoods and monuments we saw along the way. It was delightful to have her.

Best Vacation Souvenir

Approximately one week after the photo shoot I received an email with a link to our photos. We were delighted with the pictures Anna had captured. She truly captured special moments we will cherish forever.

When I asked our children if they understood the importance of the photo shoot, they said they did. My oldest said it felt good to give me this gift. I thanked them all for creating something special for their dad and myself.

While it may seem unusual to have a formal portrait session while on vacation, I guarantee it’s a worthwhile investment. Of course we will always have the memories, but the pictures will be the proof you were there.

Localgrapher is offering TMOM readers a 30% discount on packages through January 2016. Just use the code TM30.