20 Awkward Vacation Photos From The 1970s
By | September 7, 2022
Here are Groovy History we love our awkward photos, and there's nothing more awkward than going on a long summer trip with your family. You're stuck in a car for hours at a time, you're eating fast food, and dad is getting angrier by the second at everything from the traffic to your little brother to the fact that no one will pose for a picture with the world's largest thimble.
Road trips with your family can be brutal, but hopefully we can all find a little humor in these awkward photos of families doing their best to make it home by the time the leaves turn and fall sets in.
Dress to impress
source: awkward family photos
When families dress in matching outfits for a trip it can be cute, but it's mostly just kind of creepy. We know that this family is making sure that no one gets lost. It's not a bad idea at all, we just wished they'd gone with something a little cooler like matching cowboy hats or maybe monocles. This very '80s look is definitely dated, but don't be surprised if you start seeing hipsters rocking something similar some day soon.
Cool dad, or really cool dad?
source: awkward family photos
You can always count on dads for a couple of things: driving for an insane amount of time on a road trip, and doing anything they can to embarrass their kids. Just get a load of this dad in his Michael Jackson shirt and plaid shorts (and black socks, don't forget those). There's no way that he actually wants to look this uncool, but he knows that he has to do it for the sake of his children.
Get in there
source: awkward family photos
Oof. This kid definitely has some sass but his placement is all wrong. Kudos to his big brother for working his way through the embarrassment to try and make the most out of this family photo. This awkward, happy family is giving us waves of nostalgia for going on a trip with our family and looking totally goofy in all the photos.
Normal airport behavior
source: awkward family photos
The only awkward thing about this photo is that someone thought it would be a good way to capture the end of a long trip. Who hasn't wanted to lay down in an airport and press your face against the cool tile while you wait to board? Is the floor gross? Absolutely. But it's just as good as sitting and staring at all the other passengers for a couple of hours.
No pants, no problem
source: awkward family photos
It's a shame that this kid is the shortest out of everyone in the photo because they could have hung out in the back and no one would be the wiser of their wardrobe malfunction. Hopefully they're just wearing short-shorts and didn't actually forget to pack any bottoms in their luggage. Aside from the no pants of it all, can you think of a more beautiful place to take a snapshot than in front of a trash can?
When you're over vacation
Everything about this photo makes us cringe. This family just wanted to have a nice snapshot in front of their very cool Volkswagen Beetle but it's clear that this girl is done with vacation in a major way. She's so over it that she left her mom hanging at the last moment before their self timer went off. That girl has definitely never stopped hearing the end of this one.
So that's what they mean by 'plenty of fish in the sea'
source: awkward family photos
Some photos are so perfect that there's really nothing to say. We love this photo so much that it should be in the Louvre. We're not sure what section so we'll just petition France to add a new wing.
Photobomb, literally
source: awkward family photos
You know when you stop to take a nice snapshot and someone runs in and throws up bunny ears or something goofy like that? How would you handle it if instead they blew up a massive section of the desert behind you? If you're anything like these kids you're pretty chill because you know that mom wants one good photo of you on vacation. This is one awkward moment no one forgot.
Jump in kids, we're going to the cemetery!
Everyone vacations differently. Some people go to Disneyland, some people go to a tropical island, and others go to the cemetery to visit their deceased relatives. As long as you're getting out of the house it's a good day.
End of the line
A random field in South Dakota? Check. A wacky looking Welcome to South Dakota sign? Also check? Everyone clearly fresh out of sitting in a car for five hours and lined up in a row according to height? Triple check! Now this family knows how to take an awkward vacation photo.
The "happiest" place on Earth
source: awkward family photos
Just because Disneyland is full of fun and adventure for the whole family that doesn't mean that you have to enjoy it. We're hoping that this is an end of day photo and that the snapshot that they had to have taken at the start of their time in the happiest place on Earth has at least a couple of smiles.
Fitted
source: Awkward Family Photos
There's something very Devo about this family photo. Not only are they clearly ready for some kind of seaside/space adventure, but they all look like they really enjoy whatever it is they're doing. Once again our eyes are drawn to the dad who's clearly having the best time of his life while wearing full scuba gear and moccasins.
It's not Africa but it'll do
Once again the dad is the real MVP of this photo, he's really trying to make it happen with all of the pointing and face work but his family just can't get into it. Well, the two girls on the right are giving it the old college try but how excited can you be in a room full of taxidermy animals? It's a wild life whenever you're on vacation with dad this goofy.
Chicago, there's nothing like it
source: awkward family photos
Are there plenty of iconic buildings and pieces of artwork to pose with in Chicago to let people know that you visited the Windy City on vacation? Of course. But this couple aren't your average tourists. These two risk life and limb to get on the side of the road to pose under the exit for the 65. That's dedication to the Second City.
Don't turn around
Nature is one of the many wonderful places to visit on a family vacation, it's just that nature also comes jam packed with wild animals who'd really like to take a chomp out of you. This may be an incredibly awkward (and really well framed) snapshot, but when you think about it this is also a metaphor for life.
Have a nice trip?
There are really no words for how funny it is that this poor tourist went backwards over a safety railing at a gorgeous temple while posing for a photo. The monks at this place must still be talking about the day this guy took a swim in their koi pond. Even if they've taken a vow of silence they're definitely thinking about it.
My family is my co-pilot
This family looks great and all but if we see them loading into the cockpit on our next flight we're getting a refund, going home and watching some TV.
Whatcha got in there?
source: awkward family photos
It's fascinating to see a little bear family paying a visit to a little human family. Now, is the bear family trying to figure out if they can chow down on the little human family? Of course, but it's still really cute.
Nothing like a trip to New Orleans
For two cool guys who wanted to visit a mausoleum they don't look all that excited about it.
End of the line
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This great awkward family photo is the perfect encapsulation of going on a summer rip with your family. Everything is fun at the beginning, but before you know it you're sitting on the side of the road in the summer heat. Once again dad has come to the rescue, proving that he's the most integral part to a family photo whether it's awkward or not.
