I loved Sarah’s Top Ten Check List for Documenting a Vacation so much that I am copying her! 🙂 Well more like borrowing her idea – but twisting it a bit… my list is the Top Ten Check List for Documenting the 4th of July.
The 4th of July is coming up this weekend!! ! It’s time to think about what you want to capture in terms of the photos. It’s always good to go in with a game plan..know what you are looking for before the event happens.
So here is my list:
1. Food and drink: This goes for most holidays/vacations, food and drink photos are a must. I enjoy a nice cold beverage by the pool on the 4th! But maybe there is a special dessert you make on the 4th of July. Or you grill up some burgers?? Whatever it is you enjoy – snap a pic!

2. Dressed-up for the occasion: Around here the kids can be found wearing red, white and blue ( I might too!). I always like to snap a photo or two of those who proudly display their American pride!

(Me, below in my favorite star hat!)

3. Pool photos (or other activities): We spend a lot of time at the pool over the 4th of July. I like to have my camera ready for the action! But maybe you do other events on the 4th? A picnic? camping? Whatever it is – snap away!






4. Sparklers: What’s the 4th of July without sparklers? Maybe you have a different 4th of July tradition? Make sure you get a photo of it!



5. Parades: Many towns and cities have 4th of July parades! I love to capture all the excitement of the parade on my camera!






6. Concerts: Our city has a huge free concert every 4th of July weekend! I like to get a few shots of all the fun!

7. Selfies: You know I am a fan of the selfie! It turns out that last 4th of July I was also a big fan of this hat!



8. Mishaps and things that happen: Sometimes things happen over the 4th of July. Hopefully nothing serious! But I always say it isn’t a holiday without some type of crazy mishap! Last year Ethan got chigger bites by rolling down the grass hill of the golf course! Poor kid!

9. The whole gang: Sometimes I am so busy taking photos of the kids, I forget to take photos of our entire group! This often is the grandparents watching from the sidelines. Don’t forget to take photos of everyone that is part of your 4th of July – not just the kiddos.




10.Fireworks: And of course the fireworks!! I don’t have any real tricks for taking photos of fireworks. I took these photos with my Canon 60D. I took these photos by setting my ISO low (100) and my shutter speed very slow (1/30). 

It should be noted that some of the images above were taken with my Canon 60D and others with my iPhone.
Here are my Project Life pages from last year (2013) 4th of July weekend:
(click on images to view larger)






I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July! Enjoy the holiday and don’t for get to document it!
credits// Michelle Bostinelos, Author