Let’s face it—when alone, it can be challenging to take great photos of yourself. As a frequent solo traveler, people often ask me, “How do you take travel photos of yourself?” I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years!
In this guide, I’ll share tips and tricks, my favorite gear, and some tutorials for how to take travel photos of yourself. Whether on a trip with friends or solo for the first time, you deserve to capture unforgettable memories!
Table of Contents
Preparing to Take Travel Photos of Yourself
Before a solo trip, there are a few things you can do to prepare to take some pictures yourself that I’d recommend. There’s always a balance between planning and winging it, but when it comes to taking photos by yourself, some planning is good.
Here’s why you should plan ahead: you’re traveling alone, and you want to take extra precautions for safety and security. By planning ahead, you can set up quickly when you’re solo, draw less attention to yourself, feel confident, and move on—all good things when traveling solo!
Now, let’s get to some of the steps you can take to prepare.
1. Research photography spots in your destination
Before your trip, plan out a few spots where you’d like to take photos, gather inspiration, and try to find locations online. This will limit the amount of time you have to spend looking for spots or asking around for locations.
It also helps you stay low-key and feel confident while taking photos when you have a vision in mind! I know how easy it can be to get self-conscious when taking your own photo in public.
Bonus: make a map of the locations using Google Maps to reference the spots during your trip quickly.
2. Plan the time of day you want your pictures
The time of day can greatly impact the type of photos you get, and there are a few reasons to consider it. Below are a few reasons to decide the time of day to visit a location for photos.
- Go early to avoid crowds: Crowded places can be challenging to get excellent photos at. People may walk in front of your camera, increasing your chances of pickpocketing, etc.
- Golden hour or first light: Golden hour photos are beautiful with that sun-kissed look, and equally as pretty can be blue hour in the morning. Deciding the vibe and getting to somewhere on time makes a difference!
3. Pack cute outfits that match the vibe
An outfit can completely change the tone and vibe of your photos. Consider the place you’re traveling to, how comfortable your shoes are for walking and the colors that will really compliment you and the location.
Here’s a few things to consider
- Pack a few different outfits: I always like to wear a dress and then pack a t-shirt I can wear over the dress to get different looks so I’m not carrying a bunch of extra stuff. If it’s winter, consider taking your coat off and leaving it on for other shots.
- Wear bright colors: vacation photos are fun, and wearing bright colors or patterns can make you pop! Just make sure you don’t clash with the environment. Bring the right gear to take solo pictures!
One of the easiest ways to ruin your travel photos is not having any equipment with you to take the pictures. Before your trip, pack a few different pieces of gear you can use to help you capture the perfect photos on your trip.
More on the specific gear I recommend below!
My Favorite Solo Travel Photography Gear
Now that you have prepared for your photos, let’s finalize one last thing – the best gear to bring with you for solo photography! Below are a few things I recommend.
You do not need to pack all of these on a trip, but bringing a few of them is recommended. The environment you are shooting in might change, so having a few options works best, in my opinion! You’ll want the ability to change angles and work around things with your tools.
- Wrap around tripod: I love this because it allows you to set it up on something, but also to wrap around different objects so you can prop it on a tree, the top of a bench, manipulate it around a door knob… pretty endless! And it takes up almost zero space and is way more incognito than a full tripod you set up.
- Bluetooth remote: Having a remote that connects to your phone to snap photos can be really handy if you can’t use a self-timer. Sometimes, for those wide-angle shots, you just want something different and further out!
- Suction cup phone backing: this is excellent for putting your phone on anything that suctions. Glass, metal, and plastic all work great with this tool. I use it a lot to get eye-level shots.
- GoPro: It’s the perfect camera for action and wide angles. Another reason I love a GoPro is that it’s easy to grab stills from videos. You can take a long video of yourself, go back, and choose the best frames to turn into photos on the app.
- Sony RX 100: This is the little camera I love to bring on trips. It takes great pictures without taking up much space. It’s easy to screw into a tripod and has a flip up screen so you can see yourself as you take a picture.
- Selfie monitor screen: get great back of the camera shots with the addition of this little device to your camera gear. You can clearly see yourself while getting great shots with the back phone camera.
- Small selfie light: take great photos even at night with this selfie light that connects to your phone.
- Portable charger: Using your phone drains the battery more, so having a portable charger can ensure you never run out of juice!
How to Take Photos of Yourself
Gear is secured, so now, how do you actually take the photos of yourself? Here are a few ways I recommend getting great pictures while on a trip by yourself.
1. Using a tripod
We talked a bit about this in the gear, but a small tripod is one of the easiest ways to take pictures of yourself. You can set it up anywhere, it’s easy to pack, and you can snap quickly on your trip!
When using a tripod, I like to try a few angles to get the best shot. It can take some trial and error before getting a perfect picture.
I recommend having a remote on hand to take pictures at the right time or using a self-timer. You can also take a video, try different angles, and go back and take more photos. Additionally, you could grab the stills as screenshots to use as images from the videos.
Also, practice patience and be kind. Others are also trying to enjoy their vacation and get their pictures, so sometimes, getting pictures alone takes some time. Being polite is best in these situations, as is waiting for others to move. This is also why coming early is so key!
2. Ask a stranger to exchange
One of the ways I often get shots I just can’t seem to get with my tripod is by asking others. You’ll likely see a couple on a trip alone who can’t take a picture or maybe a group of friends trying to take a selfie.
I usually say, “Do you all want a picture?” Then, after, “Would you mind taking one of me?” People are generally happy to return the favor!
They likely want a picture, too, and offering one makes it easier to ask for one.
3. Make friends on your trip
Solo travel doesn’t mean you’re alone the whole time. Hopefully, on your trip, you can make some friends. This is a great way to take pictures!
Meet people and take pictures of each other. Thank you to the friends I made on this last trip who took great pictures of me!
4. Book a photographer!
Many destinations have local photographers that offer tours/experiences. I’ve had great luck finding people through Airbnb Experiences and have successfully hired photographers in Havana, Vienna, and Rome on solo trips.
These are some of my favorite travel photos, and I love looking back on those memories. Plus, these photo tours are by locals who know all the best spots that you probably won’t find on Instagram, meaning you’ll get unique travel photos and hear local recommendations!
5. Ask someone on staff
Whether at a cafe, hotel pool, or museum, there’s likely someone on staff who you could politely ask to take your picture. I typically ask with a specific shot in mind.
“Would you mind taking my photo with the full length of the arch in the background? Thank you!”
Staff are usually happy to help. They have seen people taking pictures at the location, so know the angles you are probably going for.
6. Join a tour
We talked earlier about photography tours, but you can also join any tour where you will be with other travelers to get photos. Other people will be on the tour with you that you can ask, or your guide will likely be able to take pictures for you, too!
Many tours include photos as part of the experience, so you can check if pictures of the experience are provided when booking. I’ve seen this most commonly with outdoor experiences like snorkeling or kayaking, for example, but any tour will bring travelers together and have photo opps!
General Tips and Tricks for Great Photos
Generally, here are some tips for taking great pictures and capturing the best images you can, whether on a solo trip or with someone!
1. Lighting is key
As mentioned earlier, the best time of day for photos is the first few hours of light and the last few hours of light. However, I know that on a trip, it’s not always possible to take pictures at a particular time. You can still stay aware of lighting, though!
- Taking photos with the sun right behind you will wash colors out
- Opt for natural light when you can for the best contrast and clarity.
- Pay attention to shadows. Shadows can create unique photos or make you look weird in pictures. Be on the lookout for them and use them to your advantage.
- Try to take your photos on a sunny day for the best colors.
2. Consider design principles
Several different design principles can be explored in your photography and considered as you take pictures. Below are the top design principles to consider!
- Balance: Do you want a photo to feel focused on a subject, feel symmetrical, or asymmetrical? An image that needs to be balanced feels lopsided.
- Space: What is filling up the photo? Positive space is filled with objects, while negative is empty.
- Emphasis: How dominant something is in the photograph? Play with what is closest in the photo, balance, contrast, and space to change emphasis.
- Movement: What path does their eye take? Creating movement and interest can enhance photos.
- Contrast: What colors and light are in the photo? Clashing colors can work well in a photo to make something pop, whereas an image in a darker setting can give the photo a moody feel.
- Pattern or Repetition: What is repeating in the photo? Adding patterns can bring interest to a photo and is most common on trips in architecture!
- Unity or Harmony: How well does everything go together? Look for things that feel out of place and remove them from your photo or change your backdrop. Lots of clutter also can muddle a photo and create distractions.
3. Rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is quite a simple rule. Divide the image into nine equal parts by drawing two horizontal and two vertical lines in thirds from the edges. Place your subject on one of the lines or at the intersection of the lines, and you’re done.
Many smartphones have the option to add these lines to the screen when taking a picture, so you can play around with this and utilize that on your phone to get familiar with this rule!
4. Play with poses
Instead of standing in the same pose in every photo, try some different poses to get interesting pictures! Below are a few easy poses to try.
- Swing arms in front of you to create arm movement
- Look over your shoulder with a smile
- Cross legs or arms
- Use a prop in your environment—swing around a pole, lean against a railing, or carry your bag.
- Hand in pocket
- Cross your arms – low in front of you, over your head, behind you and turn
- Move around – walk toward the camera, spin, play with your hair, walk away from the camera, and look back
I hope this guide helps you think about how to take travel photos of yourself while on a solo trip! No matter what type of photos you get, you’re going to have an incredible solo trip and cherish the memories and photos you capture because every trip is special in it’s own way!
Whether on a trip or just wanting to do an amazing photoshoot on your own. Getting great pictures of yourself can be challenging at first, but with practice, you’ll be a pro in no time!
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