One of the easiest ways to make a photo more interesting is to guide the viewer’s eye. A simple way to do that is by placing a frame inside your shot that naturally pulls attention toward your subject.

Most people think of doorways and windows first, and for good reason. They are everywhere and they do a great job of creating depth. When you shoot through them, the surrounding walls help block out distractions and give the image a sense of layering that feels more immersive.

But once you start looking for it, you realize you are not limited to those obvious options.

Anything that creates an opening you can see through can become a frame. Plants can work beautifully if you position your camera among flowers or leaves. Gaps in fences, chains, railings, and even small openings in decorative elements can all create interesting compositions. The key is to think less about what the object is and more about how it shapes the view beyond it.

One of my favorite examples of this came from a visit to Disney California Adventure. Just outside the Boudin Bakery Tour, there is a vintage bread delivery vehicle with large open windows. Most people walk right past it, but it offers a great opportunity if you take a moment to look a little closer.

From behind the vehicle, you can look through the back window and see all the way out through the front windshield. What makes it interesting is everything in between. The seats, the steering wheel, and the dashboard all become part of the frame. The doorways and window edges naturally divide the scene, creating layers that guide your eye forward.

Early in the morning, right after the park opens, that area is usually quiet. That makes it easier to line up a clean shot without a crowd passing through. When I was setting up the photo, the scene felt almost too calm, so I waited until a cast member walked by to add a bit of life to the view outside the windshield.

One challenge with shooting through glass is dealing with reflections. In this case, I used a simple trick. I wrapped a sweatshirt around the lens hood to block out any light from the sides. That helped eliminate glare and made the glass nearly invisible, giving the impression that the photo was taken from inside the vehicle rather than through it.

This same idea can be used for more than just scenic shots. It can also create unique portraits. You can have a friend stand on the other side of the vehicle and frame them through the windshield or side windows. It adds context and tells more of a story than a standard portrait would.

Once you start thinking this way, opportunities begin to appear everywhere. A decorative element like a hood ornament might give you a small opening to shoot through. A bench or handrail might create a subtle frame if you position your camera carefully. Even something as simple as an archway can completely change how a familiar scene feels, especially in places like Disneyland where architectural details are designed with storytelling in mind.

It also helps to change your perspective. Look up. Look down. Step to the side. Sometimes the best frames are not at eye level. They are slightly above or below where most people naturally stand. A small shift in position can turn an ordinary view into something much more intentional.

Another thing to keep in mind is patience. These types of shots often benefit from waiting a few extra seconds for the right moment. Whether it is a person walking through your frame or simply a break in foot traffic, timing can make a big difference in how clean and effective your composition feels.

If you want to take it a step further, pay attention to how light interacts with your frame. Shadows can help define the edges and make the framing feel stronger. Brighter backgrounds can draw attention through the opening. Using both together can create a natural path for the viewer’s eye to follow.

Theme parks are some of the most photographed places in the world. That means the obvious shots have been done countless times. Finding ways to frame your images differently is one of the easiest ways to create something that feels unique to you.

Once you start spotting these opportunities, it becomes a bit of a game. You begin to notice openings, shapes, and layers that most people walk right past. And the more you practice, the easier it becomes to turn those everyday elements into something creative.

If you give this a try on your next visit, I would love to see what you come up with. Come join the Fairy Tale Photo Academy Theme Park Photography community on Skool and share your favorite frame within a frame shots. It is a great place to exchange ideas and see how others are finding creative ways to look at the same spaces.