The Glacier National Park Family Photos, Group Pictures and Selfies Conundrum

The hikers coming up the trail looked nice enough, maybe they would take our picture.  Eight of us sat relaxing overlooking the Two Medicine Valley.  Eight people from five different countries.  The chances of us all being in the same place again were slim to none and we needed a picture to document the occasion.   So we asked the first group of hikers coming up the trail and they were kind enough to consent.  One of our group members, a trained photographer, handed the lead hiker her $900- camera and he snapped a couple photos.  The hikers continued up the trail while our photographer examined his work.  Apparently it didn't cut it, because she set up a rock tripod and timer on her camera a couple more times until the moment was sufficiently memorialized.  

This is not an uncommon situation.  I have often struggled with how to take the best group photo, especially when scenery is involved.  When visiting a place as picturesque as Glacier National Park, people generally want to have equally outstanding pictures of themselves, family and friends with a great back-drop.  This can be hard to pull off.  There are three methods for taking group pictures that people typically try.  Some work in certain situations but all of them have downsides. I have listed the basic methods, pros and cons below. At the bottom of the page there are a couple pointers that will help you make the most of every group photo opportunity.   

1. Basic Selfie - The person taking the picture extends their arm out, turns the camera toward the group and pushes the button.  

• Pros: Easy to take multiple photos, good resolution on people's faces, does not require additional technology (tripod) or people (a volunteer photographer), can be done with any camera phone.



Classic Selfie

• Cons: Pictures are facebook-worthy but not frame-worthy, its difficult to adequately capture a large group, scenery is a secondary consideration, you can always tell that the picture was a selfie.

2. Tripod Timer - The person taking the picture puts their camera on a tripod (a large professional one, a gorilla pod or even a flat rock), sets a timer and then runs back to where the rest of the group is standing before the timer goes off and the picture is taken.

Gorilla Pod Photo

• Pros: Can produce frame and Christmas-card quality photos, allows for multiple attempts as long as your group is patient, can be done without an additional person (volunteer photographer)
• Cons: Tripods can fall down or cameras can fall off in windy situations, it can be difficult to get the right angle (unless you have a large tripod which is cumbersome to carry), the photographer must run back to his/her spot in the photo, a tripod cannot make sure everyone is smiling.

3. Volunteer Photographer - You find a random stranger and ask him/her to take a picture of your group.

Volunteer Photographer Photo

• Pros: The photographer can make sure everything looks good, they can adjust for better angles, they can take multiple photos quickly.
• Cons: The photographer may have no sense of photography, he/she has no motivation to care about the picture they're taking of you and your group, its awkward to ask them to re-take your photo, sometimes there are no potential photographers where you want to take a group picture.

Best Solutions:
The Skilled, Incentivized Photographer- If there are a few people in the area where you are taking your group photo, pick the one with the nicest camera and offer to trade photography duties (you take his/her picture they take yours).  This way you are picking the most skilled person (generally) and they have an incentive to do it well.

Carry Backup- Always take a gorilla pod tripod with you.  They are small, can grab onto rocks or trees to resist wind and are a good option if there are no volunteer photographers present.

Written by Matt Harrington

Marketing Specialist

Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites

4824 Highway 93 South

Kalispell, MT 59901

Looking for a place to stay near Glacier National Park?  Check out: http://www.bestwesternflatheadlake.com/  we also have comprehensive lists of things to do and places to eat!