Family Photos with a Twist At The El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park, By Iris Dean

It is no surprise that The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most visited attractions. One of the Seven Wonders of the natural world, this great chasm offers a seemingly infinite number of awe-inspiring views. One of the most spectacular is the view from the El Tovar hotel. Built with native boulders and pine logs, The El Tovar historic hotel, is located right on the rim in the historic section of Grand Canyon Village in Arizona. Built in 1905, El Tovar was named after the Spanish explorer Don Pedro de Tovar, who had heard of the canyon from the Hopis and had passed the information on to Coronado. Aside from the fascinating history of El Tovar, its view of the canyon is incomparable, and the perfect photo to end any family vacation.

CASIO PHOTO TIP: During your lifetime, you will probably take more photographs of family and friends than any other subjects. It is for this reason that original family photos are so difficult to capture. The best way to take a great family photo is to be original. From the way that your family is posed in the picture to the angle that you point your camera, an atypical format can turn a common family photograph into an extraordinary one.

The “Top Ten Parks and Public Lands Photo Tips” range from capturing the rich history of Jamestowne, Virginia, to watching alligators glide through the swamps of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you’re a professional or new to photography, these tips will help you discover some of the hidden gems that often get overlooked within the nation’s diverse parks and public lands system.

In recent years the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation had teamed with sponsors like CASIO and Ford Motor Company for the official “Share the Experience” photo contest. Amateur photographers are encouraged to enter their favorite photos taken in America’s national parks and public lands. Winners are eligible for a variety of prizes and vacations to federal recreation areas. The “Share the Experience” photo contest benefits America’s Federal Recreational Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. We hope these tips are helpful, and inspire you to get out and explore some of America’s hidden gems hidden within the nation's public parks and recreation lands.

Plan Your Trip

For a complete listing of special events, getaway options, and attractions visit the Arizona Office of Tourism online at www.arizonaguide.com.

To find more about the Share The Experience Photo Contest and current news visit www.nationalparks.org or http://www.sharetheexperience.org.