High-Tech Parent

Summer is the perfect time to make a great vacation video with your family. Whether you are traveling to a new locale or just catching up with friends or family, bring your video camera. You are sure to get some great stuff on tape.

As always you will be able to enjoy the video down the road, but you could also share the video with family members who were unable to attend. Today we are taking the kids to Sesame Place and as Mr. Clean and I were going through our routine I started to wonder about others’ pre-vacation routines. The following short checklist will make sure that you are prepared to capture those family moments when they happen.

1. Charge your video camera battery.

If you start out with a charged battery, you can start filming the moment you walk out of the door. If you forget to charge your battery you’ll still be okay as long as you remember #2..

2. Bring your camera’s battery charger!

I repeat: Bring your camera’s battery charger. Without your charger you will have to make one battery charge last a whole trip. This might be okay, for some, but high-tech parents need a lot of video. Bring your charger for hours of video.

3. Don’t forget extra tapes, DVDs, cards, etc.

You get my point. These days video cameras record on a wide range of media. Some media holds more than others. Take these factors into consideration and bring enough tapes/cards so that you won’t have to find a Circuit City/Best Buy while you’re on vacation. If you’re shooting on cards I suggest bringing a laptop. Then you won’t have to worry about how much you film.

4. Pick up an extra battery.

I think it’s a good idea to have at least one spare battery. That way you can still shoot footage while the other one is charging. I have 2 spare batteries in case I lose or drop one.

5. Keep that camera rolling!

If you have a free hand, why not record a few minutes of the action. You might capture something funny that could land you on “America’s Funniest Home Videos”. I noticed that when my friends see beautiful scenery they get out their still cameras; I get out my video camera.

6. Hand the Camera Off!

This is probably the most important one. Even if you have to sit the camera on some stairs and go stand in front of it, make sure you get in the video! I personally don’t like being in front of the camera, but I also don’t like not being in the finished video. Make it a point to get in at least one shot. That way you have proof that you were actually there.

Happy Shooting! I’d be happy to link to any vacation videos you might have.