If you're staying at one of the many luxury rentals around the world, you should pack more than just a camera phone or basic point-and-shoot you've had for years. Whether vacationing in the Caribbean or Greece, you may want to invest in a digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) camera, powerful cameras that are surprisingly inexpensive despite their impressive features and will make any amateur's pictures look as though they were taken by a professional photographer.

Nervous about handling such a heavy piece of equipment? Don't worry, with these helpful tips, you'll be able to capture perfect vacation moments that you'll be looking back at for years to come:

Trust the Auto Setting   
The nice thing about having a fancy DSLR camera - whether it's a Canon, Nikon or Leica - is that you can put all of your trust in the automatic setting. Because these cameras are so sensitive to lighting situations, they can accurately determine if a flash is necessary and adjust internal settings to ensure that each of your photos comes out crisp and defined.

You can also fiddle around with some of the internal scene settings, especially if you plan on going to the beaches surrounding many luxury vacation rentals. The beautiful sandy beaches of Greece take a special touch, particularly because the the shores are typically whiter than younger locales like Hawaii. All you have to do is set your camera to the "beach" setting and shoot away.

Get Close   
Instead of keeping a distance from your subject, try to get as close as possible to capture every fine detail. If your kids are playing in the waves, walk right up to the water rather than sitting on your towel and trusting the zoom. Keep in mind that the more you zoom in on a subject, the more difficult is is to control the motion of your camera, so your pictures will likely come out slightly blurry - even in the brightest conditions.

If you're sightseeing while staying at villas in Italy, you can easily capture the ornate details of Michelangelo's Adam or the stunning marble floors of the Duomo by simply fixing your camera a few inches away from the subject. Don't be afraid to show other travelers your newfound photography skills!

Invest in Good Lenses     
Chances are, you'll want to take some landscape shots during your villa vacation, no matter where your luxury rental is. While some professional cameras come with a "kit" lens, none of them have quite the same results as a high-end wide-angle lens. Typically, this equipment is measured by millimeters, that is, a wide-angle lens will be 12mm-24mm while a regular kit lens will be about 18mm-35mm. This small measurement makes a huge difference in your photos, especially if you're trying to capture an entire mountain range in one shot.

Additionally, you should purchase a telephoto lens so you can get detailed shots of animals or plant life surrounding your villa rental.

Are you interested in luxury vacation rentals?  Contact Villas of Distinction today at 800.289.0900 where a qualified villa expert will help you explore which luxury villa best suits your lifestyle.