Going on vacation reminds us that life is a series of fleeting moments which can make you want to remember everything that you did through photographs. However, taking a picture of every single thing you see or place you visit isn’t necessarily the best way to capture the essence of your trip. So the next time you travel, keep these five tips in mind and you’ll come home with pictures that don’t just prove you went somewhere, they’ll tell a story about your amazing experience.

1. Savor the local flavor- Shooting pictures of people, food, plants, etc., unique to the area will give your photographic record of vacation a depth that pictures of your family alone won’t achieve. It will also bring back richer memories of your travels because it will tap into more than just your sense of sight: pictures of food will make you salivate all over again, photos of flowers will bring back fragrant smells, and shots of people will remind you of the melodic accent that you heard the whole time.

2. Travel light- Pack equipment that’s appropriate but won’t weigh you down. If you get tired of carrying a heavy or bulky camera and its accessories, then you’re less likely to keep it on you and you’ll miss out on photographing once in a lifetime moments.

3. Make memories, not pictures- Don’t get so caught up in getting the shot right that you miss the memory in the making. Your participation in the moment will make your photographs better by virtue of the fact that your emotions will be infused in them.

4. Step outside the box- Give yourself latitude to try something different. Instead of having the family stand in front of a landmark and say, “Cheese!” in unison, step back and capture their silhouettes as they gaze upon the famous spot. Or have your significant other pretend to scale the Eiffel Tower instead of pose beside it. Think about pointing your camera at the water and snapping a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge’s shadow as opposed to the structure itself.

5. Look in the mirror- As you take photo after photo, remember to come out from behind the shutter button and preserve memories with you in the frame. If you don’t have a tripod or travel companion to take pictures of you, then be creative and shoot your reflection in the crystal clear water, your feet in the warm sand, your hand raising a glass of champagne to toast the new bride and groom…you get the idea.

Your passport stamp is all the proof you need that you went somewhere on vacation. Let your pictures be so much more than that by following these digital photography tips to capture the essence of your time away. Then your photos will not just document your vacation, they will convey the unique experience that you had on your trip and remind you and others of how it changed you for the better.