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By Karin Beuerlein

1. Equipment

Cameras in all price ranges can take good pictures these days, says Kathleen Hawkins, professional photographer and author of The Parent's Guide to Photographing Children and Families, so your purchase choice should hinge on your personal needs:

• Do you need a camera that fits easily in a diaper bag or purse?


• Do you like having an interchangeable lens or do you prefer simple and compact camera gear?


• Do you want to take shots of outdoor landscapes as well as shots of your family?


• Is your primary purpose to e-mail pictures to family and friends, or would you like to print large display-quality photos?


• Are you willing to buy multiple memory cards and extra computer storage space to produce and store high-resolution images?

A knowledgeable salesperson can help you find a camera based on your answers. Digital cameras come in two basic types: simple point-and-shoot — the more popular variety — and single-lens reflex (SLR) which allows for interchangeable lenses and manual adjustment, but is generally more expensive.

If you choose SLR, try spicing up your vacation photos with a wide-angle lens or a polarizing filter. Wide-angle lenses allow you to capture stunning scenes with grand proportions (like the ocean or a mountain view). Polarizing filters remove glare and reflections (say, on the surface of water) and make colors appear richer.

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