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Wanderlust Movement | A South Africa Travel Blog

The Ultimate Solo Travel Photography Guide: 20+ Secrets for Taking Photos Alone

March 5, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

Last Updated on September 3, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

“You want me to take travel photos of myself by myself? In public!?”

A sentence I uttered way back in 2016, followed by a wave of anxiety, fear, and cold sweaty palms.

If you scroll far back enough on my Instagram feed , you’ll see that my first foray into the world of solo travel photography consisted of only landscapes.

I was  waaaay  too terrified and shy to take photos of myself when travelling solo.

Ask someone to take my photo?  The level of awkwardness and cringe is too damn high.

Do it myself with a tripod?  People will stare, laugh, and I might die of embarrassment. No, I definitely  will  die of embarrassment.

After repeating this cycle for about a year into my solo travels, I realised something while scrolling through my gallery.

I had been to  sooo  many incredible places, but I wasn’t in any of my photos. I was missing out on capturing memories because I was concerned about what other people thought.

Sound familiar?

If so, it’s time to give your insecurities (and anyone who has made you feel small) a giant f**k you. Learning how to take better photos of yourself is not vapid, vain, or cringy.

It’s empowering. It will boost your confidence. 

And when you get home from your next holiday, you’re going to have banging photos of yourself instead of a suitcase of regret.

Without further adieu, I present my findings on everything I know about how to take travel photos. This is the only solo travel photography guide you’ll need to master your camera and start capturing your memories like a pro. 

No Insta Husband required!

Psst…Want more solo travel photography tips? Check out these other posts:

• Gifts for Travel Photographers: The Ultimate Photographer Gift Guide
• How to Photograph the Milky Way (Step by Step!)
• 20+ Most Instagrammable Places in Cape Town
• 10 of the Best Camera Bags for Women Who Love to Travel

Table of Contents

What Camera Lens Should You Use for Solo Travel Photos?

The best dslr tripod for solo travel photos, the best smartphone tripod for solo travel photos, get an attachment for your smart phone, buy a remote bluetooth shutter, download the camera app for your dslr, buy an intervalvalometer, start shooting on continuous self-timer, shoot on 4k video & take screenshots, how to get epic travel photos from strangers, go early, like sunrise early, shoot at golden hour, research locations for photos, practice your posing at home, use movement in your photos, safety tips for taking solo travel photos, the most important thing for solo travel photos have fun, try the classic back-to-camera, make triangles with your body, editing your solo travel photography, taking photos when travelling alone: final thoughts, how to take photos of yourself when travelling solo.

The best part about solo travel photography? There are so many methods you can use to get the perfect shot.

Below you’ll find all the different gear and all my solo travel photography tips I use when travelling alone.

Choose The Best Camera for Solo Travel for Your Budget

One of the top questions I get in my DMs?

“What camera do you use?”

It’s a valid question, but the answer is not as important as you think.

The best camera for solo travel is the one you have.

Let me explain.

You don’t need to have the most expensive DSLR cameras to take incredible solo travel photos.

Smartphones these days are more than capable of snapping jaw-dropping pictures. Both can give you high-resolution photos as long as you know how to use them.

So whether you have a smartphone or a DSLR, take the time to watch YouTube tutorials and learn how the camera works. Your photos will improve with a basic understanding of the functions, settings, and things like an  exposure triangle .

But if you’re in the market, here are some of the best cameras for solo travel:

• Best action travel camera:  GoPro Hero 11
• Best mirrorless travel camera:   Sony A7 III or A7 IV
• Best travel vlogging camera:   Sony RX100 VII
• Best budget travel camera:   Canon 2000D (my first DSLR)
• Best smartphone camera for travel:   iPhone 13 Pro
• Best travel drone: DJI Spark or DJI Mavic Mini 2

In case you’re curious, I currently shoot with a Canon D80 and a Sigma Art 1.8f/s 18-35mm . 

However, it’s a BULKY set-up for solo travel photography. When my next upgrade is due, I’ll be moving towards a mirrorless range as I do believe a lightweight option is the best camera for solo travel.

When travelling and taking photos, you want to keep your set-up lean. You don’t need five different types of lenses to get a good shot.

All that’s going to do is weigh you down.

Instead, invest in a versatile wide-angle lens you can use in 80% of your shooting conditions.

What does that mean?

You want a lens with a decent range to zoom in on far-away features and zoom out to fit everything into the frame.

At the moment, I shoot with a 18-35mm lens, which I love. However, I’ve noticed I need a bit more focal length and don’t want to lug around a second lens. So I’ve started saving up to upgrade to the more versatile  Sigma Art 24-70mm 2.8 f/s .

Invest in a Tripod

A tripod is your BFF as a solo traveller.

It wakes up at the same time as you. It doesn’t complain when you ask for “just one more photo”. Most importantly, your trusty tripod won’t give you blurry photos, cut off your head, or move your frame.

There’s only one problem…

…Which tripod should you buy for solo travel photography?

I highly recommend the  Manfrotto Element Traveller tripod . I bought mine in Bali , and it’s incredibly lightweight, sturdy (which is super important because my lens and body weigh about 2-3kg) and packs up small.

It isn’t the cheapest tripod on the market, but the quality is worth the investment.

You have a few tripod options for smartphones to match your travelling style.

• Want something that can fit in your handbag and requires ZERO set-up? Pick up a gorilla pod . It’s a small, lightweight tripod that can grip almost any surface. While you won’t have the height, you can still get the shot if there is something tall to wrap it around.
• What about the best selfie stick for solo travel? The  Andowl Selfie Stick  is the perfect camera accessory for solo trips. It can open its feet to form a cellphone tripod, or you can extend the only upper portion into a selfie stick.
• But if you want something more traditional with height, the  Manfrotto Element MII Mobile  is the best iPhone tripod for solo travel. It reaches up to 160 cm and folds down to 42.5 cm. Plus, you get a Bluetooth remote and a clamp to connect your phone to the tripod.

Again, Manfrotto’s aren’t cheap cellphone tripods, but the quality is unmatched. If it’s out of your price range, Takealot has a range of more affordable brands.

And remember, you don’t need top-of-the-range photography gear to take amazing pictures . As your skills improve, you’ll want to invest in more high-quality equipment, but start with what you can afford.

I started with a cheap as chips Fuji stand-and-shoot camera. I only upgraded to a DSLR two years into my travels.

If you have a tripod for a DSLR camera, you don’t need to buy a second one for your smartphone.

All you need is a cellphone attachment.

I use the  LASA Tripod Phone Mount Holder Screw Rotatable Bracket . It makes it easy for me to switch between my different cameras and get the shots no matter where I am.

Do you know what’s a workout?

Setting up a timer and running into the frame for every. single. photo.

It’s time-consuming, and it takes you out of the zone.

One of the best investments I made was buying a remote Bluetooth shutter for my DLSR and iPhone.

I use the  Photographic Wireless Remote Control for Canon DSLR Cameras  and this smartphone  Remote Shutter .

Tip:  If you don’t use a Canon, search [camera brand name] + remote shutter on Takealot. But before adding it to your cart, double-check it supports your camera make!

Here are some photos I’ve taken with my remote shutter. You can easily hide the remote by cupping it, holding it behind your back, or concealing it in a pocket.

Does your DSLR have a WiFi feature?

Then there’s a good chance your camera brand has an app you can use, which WILL change your life.

Do you find yourself getting frustrated with setting up a shot? Maybe it’s figuring out how far or close to stand from the camera or if you need to change the angle.

Are your photos out of focus? Maybe your DLSR keeps focusing on things in the foreground or background, and it’s taking you too damn long to get the perfect shot.

The camera app will solve all your solo photography woes.

You can see in real-time what your camera sees and adjust your settings like:

• Focus points

Here are some photos I’ve taken with my camera app. I usually hold the phone and angle my body so you can’t see it, or I put it on the floor.

There are times when I’ve tried to take a photo of myself with the above methods, and it’s FAILED.

I was too far away from the camera, and my phone or remote lost signal. 

As someone who lives for tiny humans in epic landscapes, I knew I needed to invest in an intervalometer.

…Errr a what now?

An intervalometer, also called an interval meter or interval timer, is a device that allows you to operate the shutter at regular intervals over a specific period.

As a solo traveller, you can set up your frame, adjust all your settings, and jump into the frame. Your camera will continue to take photos every 2 seconds, 10 seconds, or 60 seconds – it’s up to you!

I love this because it lets you move around and capture a candid moment without having to remember to click a button or hide your remote. Plus, you can stand further away from the camera and get the shot.

Love taking photos of the stars? You can use your interval meter for time-lapse photography and create epic star trails!

Tip:   Some cameras will have built-in interval timers. Check your camera model before deciding to invest in another gadget.

Shooting on continuous mode is a game-changer.

If you’re someone like me who loves movement in your photos, this feature will help you capture that perfect candid moment.

So what is it?

It’s a setting on your phone or DSLR camera that will give you 2 to 10 seconds to run into the frame and then shoot 3+ rapid-fire pictures in a row.

Basically, it’s the equivalent of burst mode WITHOUT finding someone to tap the shutter button on your phone furiously.

The only downside?

You may need to run back and forth between your camera.

Here are some photos I’ve taken with self-timer continuous:

One of the best tips for taking travel photos by yourself in public is to shoot on 4k video.

It gives you the freedom to move around and pose without worrying about remotes or timers.

You can let the video roll, and when you’re done, grab screenshots.

And bonus! You have some rad video content for TikTok or Reels.

…But what about the photo quality?

Shooting in 4k means, you’re getting the equivalent of 8.8 MP in each still frame (depending on the camera you use).

Now, if you’re a pro photographer, that 8.8 MP file is probably not enough, but the rest of us? Most of our images are going up on Instagram, and you’re not blowing them up for canvas prints.

Do you need a DSLR to shoot in 4k? Absolutely not! Most smartphones like the iPhone 12 pro let you toggle between 4k and HD video quality.

Sometimes you might need to ask a stranger to take a photo of you, or maybe you’re travelling with a friend or partner.

The only problem?

9/10, you’re going to get a kak photo.

How do you solve this problem? With these three tips:

• Use burst mode on your phone or high-speed continuous on your DSLR : This will allow you to move around while the shutter goes off. You’ll get dozens of photos to choose from instead of one blurry image you hate.
• Set up the shot beforehand:  I usually take an example photo to show the person and leave the gridlines on. Then I use these lines to explain where I want to be in the frame.
• Lay down the laws of the land:  Before going into the frame, tell the person not to move your frame and not to zoom in or use any weird features like Portrait Mode. Zooming in reduces your image quality, and the Portrait Mode on phones usually ends up blurring something it shouldn’t, and it looks fake.

Photography Tips for Solo Travellers 

When you’re learning how to take pictures when you travel alone, there are a few things you can do it nip fear and anxiety in the bud.

If there’s one thing that will quickly turn you into a morning person, it’s photography. The more you do it, the more you’re going to chase that good light, and nothing beats sunrise (sorry, sunset).

Besides the gorgeous soft light, no other humans are awake. You’ll have some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders and tourist attractions all to yourself.

That deals a quick one, two punch to the horror of having people watch you take travel photos alone.

As I mentioned above, the best time for photos is between sunrise and sunset. 

An hour before the sun dips or comes over the horizon – the light is spectacular. This is known as golden hour, and I’ll wake up at 4:00 every single day for it.

If you’re not sure when golden hour starts, download an app called  Photo Pills . It is a paid app, but if you’re starting to take travel photography seriously, it’s well-worth the R200.00 investment.

The quiet morning hours are my favourite for two reasons:

• Fewer photo bombers
• I prefer the softer light to the more intense orange you get at sunset photoshoot

Read More: 10 Magnificent Sunset Spots in Cape Town You Need on Your Bucket List

Before I go to a new destination, I spend a good chunk of time collecting reference shots.

Why go through this effort? It eliminates “ I don’t know what the f**k I’m doing ” syndrome.

You’ll know exactly what to expect from the location, what angles you like and what poses you want to try out.

I collect reference photos on Pinterest and in a folder on Instagram. The night before, I’ll screenshot or download my favourites onto my phone in case I don’t have data or signal at any of the photo locations.

Dust off your smartphone or DSLR and have a mini photoshoot at home. Figure out what poses flatter your body the best and what movements you like in your pictures.

When it comes to shooting in the real world, you’ll have a posing bank to draw from, and you’ll avoid the trap of “ I don’t know what to do with my hands!”

If you look at my Instagram, you’ll see that I reuse the same poses all the time. I have no shame in that. I like what I like, and no one expects me to drop a pose like Kendall Jenner.

Adding movement to your photos does two things:

• It makes your photo more visually appealing.
• It creates beautiful candid shots (and takes the stress out of posing).

I still feel like an awkward potato in m photos unless I’m moving around. It’s where I am most comfortable because I’m in the moment and not hyper-focused on what my face looks like.

Before you set up your camera and run into frame, here are some things to keep in mind to make sure you (and your belongings) stay out of harm’s way.

• Keep your valuables nearby: Don’t leave your bag or jacket unattended with your passport, credit card and money. Use it as a prop or keep it out of frame without breaking your line of sight.
• Listen to your spidey senses: If you’re getting the “ick” feeling from being in a quiet area or the people around you – leave. Trust your intuition. A photo is never worth your safety.
• Stay close to your camera: I’m usually only a few steps away from my tripod. Using a wide-angle lens helps me capture more of the screen without having to leave my camera far behind.

Seriously, your photos will come out 10x better if you’re genuinely having fun. 

We can all pick up on stiff body language and forced smiles.

Let go and enjoy the moment. Emote the emotions you’re feeling at the destination, whether it’s excitement, bewilderment, or amazement.

I continuously work on this because I’m someone who lives in my head…a lot. It holds me back, and it’s not a pattern I like to reward.

Remember, solo travel is fun . Keeping that mind brings me back to the present moment, and I always end up liking those images way more than the ones I’m trying really hard.

How to Take Travel Photos Alone: Solo Travel Photography Poses

Need some pose ideas for your next trip? Here are some tried and true tips that are easy to do and instantly make taking photos alone easier.

This is my all-time favourite pose. As someone with a lot of social anxiety, I feel the most comfortable looking away from the camera.

Try running away from the camera, looking to the side, or twirling on the spot.

If you’re a victim of the “OMG, I have hands! Now what?” pandemic, always bring a prop. It will give you something to hold or play with and take your mind off your hands doing weird things.

My go-to is a hat or playing with a flowy dress.

Want to *instantly* improve your posing as a solo traveller? Create triangles with your body.

Making shapes with your body elevates your photos, and you’ll effortlessly look like a fancy model.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LAUREN | SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL (@thewanderlustmovement)

Now that you know how to take amazing travel photos, let’s discuss the final and most important step: EDITING!

This is where the magic happens.

With a dash of adjusting your exposure, a sprinkle of raising your shadows, and a seasoning of a preset, you can take almost any photo from drab to fab.

My go-to editing app for my photos is Adobe Lightroom. I have the desktop version and mobile app and use photo editing preset packs to colour-grade my images.

Adobe Lightroom Mobile is free to download, but the desktop app does require a monthly subscription. However, you don’t need the desktop app unless you want more control over your edits.

Some other editing options:

There you have it.

All the solo travel photography tips I’ve picked up over the years while travelling the world.

Hopefully, you feel more confident and prepared to go out into the world and snap your dream travel photos WITHOUT having to always rely on an Insta Husband.

Got more questions about how to take travel photos of yourself or the best camera for solo travel? Did I leave out any good solo photography ideas? Hit ya gurl up in the comments and let me know! 

If you like it, then you better put a pin on it

About Lauren Melnick

Lauren Melnick is the founder of Wanderlust Movement, Wander to Here and is a South Africa travel blogger. She's been travelling the world as a full-time freelance writer since 2016 and has visited over 40 countries.

When she isn't typing up a storm, you can find her conquering overnight hikes around the Western Cape, rock climbing, and hosting sold out group travel trips around South Africa, Namibia and Morocco.

Reader Interactions

September 14, 2022 at 9:08 pm

I have noticed that I get asked a lot more to take photos of people when I am holding a “serious” looking camera than when I am holding a compact point-and-shoot or a phone. Maybe that would be another small tip for when you ask a stranger to take a photo for you: look for someone who looks like an experienced photographer (ideally with the same camera as you).

September 20, 2022 at 8:09 am

Yes! That is a winner for making sure your feet or head don’t get cut off lol

October 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm

You are doing a fantastic job, helping us all with your ….. EVERYTHING YOU POST

March 16, 2023 at 8:55 pm

Loved the post! Keep it up.

January 2, 2024 at 6:20 pm

Great post! Going on my first solo trip in March and this is fab advice.

March 5, 2024 at 10:48 am

Thanks Tim! Hope you have an amazing solo trip this month!

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22 Useful iPhone Travel Photography Tips for Instagram-Worthy Photos and Videos

Heading on new adventures and want to capture every moment on-the-go? Do your vacation photos all look the same and need leveling up? Or are you hesitant to invest just yet in a costly camera? No matter what category you fall into, iPhone travel photography is for you. But how exactly do you do it well? I’ve jam-packed this post with tips and tricks for iPhone travel photography to help you make the most of what you have and capture incredible photos and videos on your adventures.

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering: is an iPhone good for travel photography? Nowadays, the quality of iPhone cameras make them a convenient way to shoot while you travel, without buying an expensive camera or lugging heavy photo equipment around.

Personally, I love using a mix of both iPhone photography and my DSLR camera, along with all my favorite travel photography gear . iPhone camera quality has much improved over the years but a DSLR or mirrorless still provides the highest-quality, smoother, and more detailed photographs – which is exactly why they cost so much.

If you are looking to get into photography and step up from your iPhone one day, take a look at my resources on how to do photography on a budget , choose your first lens , and make money with photography right now .

For everyone seeking how to take the best vacation pictures with your phone right now, follow these tips!

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

Tips for Taking Travel Photos with an iPhone

Let’s start with a brief introduction to taking photos on your iPhone before I jump into how you can make them even better! Access your camera app and become familiar with the settings you have available to you. Some of the tips I’ll talk about are related only to model iPhone 11 and up but many apply to all iPhones.

You’ll also be able to control important camera settings from the Settings app on your phone. I’ll dive into some of the most useful within the tips so you can make the most of your “equipment!”

Curious about what phone I use to take all my videos and some of my photos on Instagram? It’s the iPhone 13 .

I’ll be covering tips that apply to technique and creativity, as well as tangible things you can start doing right now to take better travel photos on iPhone.

1. Use the Grid Feature for Composition

One of the most important concepts in photography is composition, or how the elements in your photo are arranged. The grid tool on your iPhone camera can help sharpen your composition skills.

For example, a common composition rule is the Rule of 3s , which states when dividing the photo into thirds, horizontal and vertical, the subject is placed along one of the lines or at their intersection. Turning on the grid feature on your iPhone camera will allow you to start practicing these rules easily, showing you exactly where the grid lines are to help frame your photo.

You can turn on the grid by going to Settings > Camera > Grid (under the Composition category) and toggle on the grid.

2. Avoid Shooting in Direct Sunlight

Lighting is another one of the most important elements that affects how your photo turns out. The softer the light, the more even the colors, shadows, and highlights will appear in your photo.

Harsh light creates large differences in color, shadows, and highlights that can be difficult to edit in post-production.

If you are shooting in direct sunlight and facing the sun, your foreground will be shadowed and the look of the photo may be ruined. Instead, face away or to the side of the sun to attempt a picture that is more evenly lit.

It’s also something you’ll have to pay attention to if you are shooting in the shade. For example, in the photo below, I wanted to create leading lines with the river rocks leading up to the church. But as you can see, the sunlight at the top of the photo contrasting with the shade in the foreground of the photo is really distracting.

Sometimes you really can’t help the lighting conditions you are in for shooting, so you just have to try your best to find the right angle or think outside the box to capture a more creative take on your location.

3. Always Shoot With Live Photos On

Live photos are a feature on most iPhones, where, while you tap the screen to take a photo, the camera actually records a few milliseconds of video. Your capture will save as a photo, but if you tap and hold it, you will be able to see the movement.

Here’s the trick: Tap Edit in the top right corner of the photo. Then tap the icon at the bottom of the screen that looks like a sunburst, to the very left next to Cancel. Here, you can choose the frame you want to set as the saved photo, which will be highlighted by Make Key Photo.

How to make sure you have live photos turned on? Open your camera and look in the top right corner. Tap the same sunburst-like icon at the end and wait until “Live On” appears. If it’s off, there will be a slash through it.

4. Change Up Your Perspective & Show Scale

Want to know why travel photos on our iPhone can be so boring? Because we shoot everything from the same angle.

This is especially the case at well-known places, so I encourage you to think outside the box to create a unique shot!

High angles and low angles can immediately add more interest to your photo . Another thing that often gets overlooked is using the foreground of the image to create context and interest ; for example, shooting behind something or widening the frame to contextualize a moment or a place.

These are also techniques for helping to create a sense of scale. By showing how big or small something is, you create more interest in the photo. You can create scale using tools on your phone (like the one I’ll talk about next), but the easiest way is to place a person or easy-reference object in the landscape.

5. Use Panorama Vertically to Capture More Scenery

This is one way to create a sense of scale. I’ll say, this isn’t the sharpest photo I’ve ever taken but it’s the first time my boyfriend and I experimented with this photo technique! If you don’t have wide-angle capabilities on your iPhone model, then this is a trick you can use to get more of the landscape in your photo.

Switch over to the Panorama shooting mode and, instead of taking your picture from left to right, turn your iPhone horizontally and take the picture going from down to up, still following the line on your screen.

The result? More scenery in your travel photos!

The style isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great way to experiment and get creative with your travel shots. No more boring travel photos here!

6. Ditch the Selfie for Self Timer

Sellfies have their moments but if you want to up your travel photos, then you have to kick them to the curb!

Instead, harness the power of the built-in self-timer on your iPhone and take your time to compose and set up a shot.

You can lean your phone against something, build a makeshift tripod with your backpack, or buy an inexpensive iPhone tripod for the best shots (more info on this in a bit).

You can do a self-timer of 3 or 10 seconds. It can take a while to set up the right shot, especially if you are traveling solo, but skipping the selfie is worth it in order to get a beautiful photo you’ll be looking back on forever.

Pro Tip: If you do feel the temptation to take a selfie (let’s be real, it’s simpler and faster than setting up the self timer – and it’s just fun!), then I suggest you update your settings to Mirror Front Camera . If you go to Settings and then Camera, you’ll find Mirror Front Camera under the Composition Category. Toggle this on and your front camera will take a mirrored selfie – exactly how it appears to you. If this is off, it means the end photo will be flipped and the landscape will look different from what you see in your camera!

7. Brighten Up Photos Within the Camera App

iPhone photo editing settings have improved so much over the past few models. Right within the app, you can modify your photo, making quick fixes to Highlights and Shadows , bringing out detail with the Brilliance or Sharpen adjustments, and control color with Saturation and Vibrancy .

8. Download Lightroom & Install Lightroom Mobile Presets

My preferred editing platform will forever be Adobe Lightroom!

The Lightroom app is free for mobile and you can even create or install Lightroom presets to make editing faster and your style more consistent.

Check out my top tips for editing travel photos in Lightroom .

Pro Tip: There are lots of other photo editing platforms out there and one that I like to add special effects to my photos is Lens Distortions . You can add sunbursts, snow, rain, and much more to enliven your photo.

Try some of my Lightroom presets free when you subscribe to my newsletter!

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9. Framing: Avoid Zoom, Take Advantage of Wide Angle

iPhones come with a lengthy zoom, but the quality lessens the further you zoom in , leaving you with a pixelated and blurry photo. Instead, fill the whole frame and get as close to your subject as possible to capture as much detail as clearly as possible.

Wide angle, instead, is an awesome feature to take advantage of. This feature can make your landscape photos stand out by capturing more scenery.

Even though a wide-angle makes it easier to get everything you want in the frame, you should still pay attention to composition and focus to arrange your photo as beautifully as possible.

The last thing to keep in mind is distortion. When shooting wide, the edges of your photo can look distorted, as if they are curving in. The best thing to do to avoid this is to toggle on the Lens Correction feature in Settings > Camera, as well as shoot straight on with the horizon, instead of tilting the phone up and down.

10. Harness Portrait Mode & Change the Aperture (Depth of Field)

When you’re shooting people as part of your travel photos, play around with changing the depth of field and shooting in Portrait Mode. The lower aperture creates a blurrier background.

This mode is only practical when shooting a subject , on which the focus is automatically set. Your travel photo may or may not call for a blurry background, so I suggest experimenting to see what fits your photography style better and the situation at hand.

11. Preserve Your Go-To Settings

Starting to find your rhythm with your iPhone photography style? Then you may want to consider heading back into your Settings to toggle on and customize how your iPhone camera works.

In the photo above, you can see there are several options that you can always leave on or have reset every time you access the camera .

12. Practice Storytelling

Nailing iPhone travel photography is more than just getting the settings right and taking advantage of tools.

What makes photos great are the stories they tell, the emotions they evoke.

Instead of just taking a picture once you reach the peak of a hike or a special monument, take photos along the way. Give context to your travels by capturing details, moments, and places that are not necessarily notable, but recognizable to you.

Capturing movement, for example, can bring your photo to life: a blurry vespa, waves in motion, the twirl of a fork in spaghetti. Photos of movement can be felt and imagined when you look at them, telling a story.

All this will not only make you better at capturing photos that evoke emotion. You will value looking back at all the little things and details you photographed, that make your journey complete.

iPhone Tips for Travel Videos

13. play around with your settings – 4k, hdr, frame rate.

Your iPhone has many different video capabilities. If you go to Settings > Camera, you’ll find categories for Record Video and Record Slo-mo, in which you can control the quality of your video, also based on the file size you are comfortable with storing on your phone.

Another setting you should consider toggling: HDR . This feature allows for better capture of a wider range of colors and keeps tones balanced. It’s best to toggle on when you are in extreme conditions – low-light or a lot of light since it works to evenly balance colors.

And you can also change the resolution and frame rate at which you are shooting. In your settings panel, you’ll see all the frame rate options you have and Apple also explains how each one impacts the quality of the video and its storage.

If you have one of the newer models, you should also experiment with the Cinematic setting that creates more depth of field.

Pro Tip: In this panel, you will also find a toggle to Lock Camera . This means while you’re recording video the phone locks on the recording, eliminating the risk that you accidentally switch to photo or another camera setting in the middle of filming.

14. Hold the Phone with Two Hands & Stay Still

Avoid walking and taking videos simultaneously . iPhones often register bumps in videos with each step you take, which make the finished product look choppy and, well, like it was done on an iPhone.

One of the ways to increase stabilization is to always hold the phone with two hands. And if you do want to walk, take slow, wide steps to try to keep the video as smooth as possible. You could also try to use something to place your arms/elbows on so you have some stability.

This also goes for taking photos and even static videos. We may think we are holding still, but even just tiny movements will show up on video.

15. Use an iPhone Tripod for Extra Stability

When I want to do video transitions or take a video of myself, I break out my iPhone tripod .

This gear cost me around $30 on Amazon and I use it nearly every day in my day job as a content creator, and it’s so lightweight and compact that it’s a must-bring on any trip.

You can obviously also use this to have more stability while taking your photographs . The tripod even comes with a Bluetooth remote so you don’t have to be standing at it to take the photo, which makes it perfect for solo travelers .

Pro Tip: Don’t forget a portable charger. The last thing you want is to be exploring a new place with a dead phone! The Anker portable charger is my go-to for all my trips.

16. Plan Your Shot

A lot of times I get caught up in the moment of exploring someplace new and rush through photographing and videoing my surroundings, all to end up with average-looking pics and vids of what was an amazing location.

Instead, I encourage you to have patience and take the extra time to actually plan your shot . How do you want to pan the video? What do you want the last frame to land on? How do you want to pose in the shot? Is there a better angle than the one everyone else is taking photos from?

One of my biggest vices being a travel photographer, but also a budget traveler who frequently only goes on trips a few days at a time, is rushing through to see and collect as much information as I can, is that I end up not practicing well what I love doing while I travel: photography. So, next time you go on a trip, set aside even a small block of time to dedicate practicing your craft.

17. Download These Apps For Editing Cinematic Masterpieces

We all need a little help now and then right? Well, I use a few apps to get my Instagram Reels looking as perfect as possible.

CapCut and Inshot are my go-to free video editing apps that help me make video clips more interesting with transitions or allow me to alter the settings and play around with colors, brightness, and more edits. Even just small adjustments can make a video look ten times better.

18. Make Smoother Videos with an iPhone Gimbal

Another budget-friendly accessory to up your video game is a gimbal for your phone. A gimbal allows you to attach your phone to a mechanized instrument you hold in your hands. From the instrument you can control what you’re filming and when while making smooth transitions, pans, and practically any other move you need to make.

Start with a budget-friendly one – mine is from Qimic and it’s perfect for beginners (it’s also a mini tripod!) Then if you really want to take your creativity and options to another level, invest in a 3-axis gimbal like the DJI OM .

Best Practices for iPhone Travel Photography

19. Shoot at Sunrise or Sunset

My biggest iPhone travel photography tip: plan your itinerary around what is most important to you to photograph. If you can get to those locations when the lighting is good, when nobody’s around ( cough cough sunrise) then you will have the most success at taking a beautiful photo.

To help plan your itinerary around what you want to shoot most, I suggest using a combination of Location Scout, Google Maps Trip Planner, and the Weather app.

Location Scout is a website where you can look up locations and other photographers who have been there share their photos and tips for how to get a similar shot.

I wrote a whole post on how I use Google Maps Trip Planner to not only plan itineraries, but also integrate my top photo locations I want to hit while on my trip. I recommend you check it out for all my tips!

Then I use the Weather app to know roughly what time sunrise and sunset are at my destination, since those times offer the best lighting conditions for shooting.

20. Keep in Mind Size Restraints on Social Platforms

One thing I always forget about when shooting photos is that some social media platforms have maximum dimensions you can publish.

To make sure when you go to post that everything you want is in the frame, go into your iPhone and change the shooting dimensions you are seeing on your camera.

You can do this by tapping the arrow button at the top of your camera screen and tapping the icon that either says Square or has an aspect ratio like 4:3. Then your camera will automatically switch to that aspect ratio and you can see what will be captured/fit within maximum social media aspect ratios.

Here are all the aspect ratios to take note of:

• Instagram Post – 4:5
• Instagram Story – 9:16
• Facebook Post – 16:9
• Facebook Story – 9:16
• Twitter – 16:9
• TikTok – 9:16

Pro Tip: When you select a photo to post in Instagram and it then takes you to the editing screen, use the sharpen tool to bring some extra clarity and life into your foot. Sometimes with large file sizes being used on apps or transmitted from one device to another, the quality can go down and doing a final sharpen (no more than +20/25) can help your photo stand out.

21. Set Your Photo Format to Most Compatible, Not High Efficiency

This iPhone travel photography tip is one to make your post-production life either!

If you want to edit your photo on your computer later (like I prefer using Lightroom on desktop) or if you just want to have it on your computer to send or archive, you’ll want it in .jpg format.

iPhones often automatically toggle on a setting called “High Efficiency” that takes your photo and saves it as an .heic format. It reduces the file size, so you can essentially take and store more photos on your phone.

However, this makes using them anywhere else a pain because most platforms accept certain file formats and .heic isn’t one of them.

To make sure you are shooting in .jpg, go to your Settings > Camera > Formats and then choose Most Compatible.

22. Back Up Everything to iCloud

No matter what device you use to take photos, you should always back them up on something ! iPhone makes it easy to back up photos directly to your iCloud account.

To toggle this, go to Settings and tap the very top, where you see your name. Then tap iCloud and toggle on Photos.

If you’re worried about space, select Optimise iPhone Storage to save smaller file sizes.

Final Thoughts

Nailing iPhone travel photography doesn’t have to be confusing, hard, or intimidating. But taking your photos and videos from simple point-and-shoots to creative, well-composed, and beautiful captures will take some time and practice.

My hope is that these tips can help guide you to making the most of your iPhone and, most importantly, capturing valuable memories you’ll look back on forever!

What’s your iPhone travel photography goal? Let me know in a comment!

Save these tips to Pinterest for later reference!

With an iPhone (or any smartphone) in hand in this day and age, you can start taking amazing photos and videos. I hope these iPhone travel photography tips have helped you feel inspired and excited to go out and shoot!

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

Find me on: Web | Instagram

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Where to see cypress trees in tuscany: top 10 photo spots.

Just been having a read, the thing with Live photos is definitely a must, however have you seen with the latest iPhone 13 pro models the new “Raw” feature. It allows a photo to be taken with much more detail for editing later on. However, it isn’t compatible with live photos. I’ve started taking (for the more important photos) 2 shots, one with live and one with raw 🙂

Thank you and have a good day Laura

That’s actually such a good tip! I don’t have the Pro version so I don’t have access to the feature but I agree that shooting in Raw is a must for post-production if it’s available! Thank you for sharing 🙂

Brilliant tips Michela! I love shots that show the scale of things such as mountains or buildings. Finding someone stood on a mountain or by a large building can really show is scale & beauty!

Thank you for all of these tips!

Thanks for the sweet comment! 🙂 Glad you found the post helpful!

Nice blog post with beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing

Thank you for reading!

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How To Take Great Photos of Yourself When Traveling Alone

By: Author Tiana Thompson

Posted on Last updated: May 17, 2023

Categories Photography , Solo travel , Travel Guides

Home » How To Take Great Photos of Yourself When Traveling Alone

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I remember my first solo trip like it was yesterday.

Backpack slung over my shoulder, guidebook in one hand, and my new camera (a shiny Sony mirrorless camera, thank you very much!) in the other. It was a whirlwind romance between me and the road.

But who was there to capture those memories?

Who could encapsulate the awe I felt when I first laid eyes on the Eiffel Tower?

Or the hilarity of me navigating Times Square for the first time?

It was all up to me, my camera, and a little gadget I’d soon come to know as my best friend—the selfie stick.

You see, being a solo traveler, you quickly learn that capturing great photos of yourself isn’t as simple as a point-and-shoot. I mean, you can always extend your arm and snap a quick selfie, but let’s be real, it’s not the most flattering angle and your arm only stretches so far.

No, to really take your travel self-documentation to the next level, you need a few tricks up your sleeve.

So, whether you’re wielding a fancy DSLR camera, your trusty iPhone camera, or just your cell phone, here are my best tips for getting not just good, but amazing photos of yourself while gallivanting the globe alone.

In this post, you'll find...

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

• Master Self-Photography Techniques:  The art of self-photography is about more than just stretching out your arm for a selfie. Master techniques like the burst mode, rule of thirds, using reflective surfaces, and getting creative with angles to get stunning solo shots.
• Learn to Pose:  Experiment with different poses and don’t be afraid to have fun with it. Use your environment, tell a story, and let your personality shine through.
• Gear Up:  My favorite accessories for solo travel photos include the GoPro Hero 10 for action shots, iPhone 13 for quick, high-quality photos, a sturdy tripod for stability, and a Bluetooth remote for easy clicking.
• Timing is Crucial:  The golden hour, blue hour, midday sun, and night offer different lighting conditions that can significantly impact your photos. Experiment with these times to see what works best for your style.
• Hire a Professional:  If you’re looking for some high-quality photos or just want to take a break from setting up the tripod, consider hiring a professional photographer. They can help you get beautiful shots and make the process fun and stress-free.

10 Essential Tips for Taking Epic Solo Travel Photos

1. Mastering the Art of the Selfie

Here’s the thing about selfies—they’re not just an act of extending your arm anymore. No siree! It’s all about that selfie stick and remote shutter. It’s like having an extra arm, but better.

I personally recommend this portable extendable selfie stick , it’s my go-to for quick photos and an easy way to get the right angle. It extends out 40 inches to get cool angles that I can’t reach with just my arms.

And the remote shutter is a game-changer; it’s like having a personal photographer at the tip of your fingers.

2. Using Reflections and Shadows

Reflective surfaces are your best friend. Think mirrors, windows, puddles, even a pair of sunglasses. They offer a different perspective and can add a whole new level of depth to your photos.

Plus, it’s always fun to spot your reflection in unexpected places.

3. Utilizing the Environment

Why not use a tree branch, a bench, or a rock as your tripod? You’d be surprised at how a little creativity goes a long way. And don’t forget about the environment in your photos. That random walking tour guide? Ask him to snap a photo. Met some new people? Exchange photo-taking favors.

4. Exploring Different Angles

The easiest way to make your photos stand out is to experiment with different angles.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiana • Where Tiana Travels (@tianabaaaby)

Try a low-angle shot for an imposing, powerful vibe. Or, climb a flight of stairs and shoot from above for a bird’s-eye view.

5. Focusing on Details

Close-up shots are a great way to capture the small details that tell a story. Whether it’s the lace on your dress, the book you’re reading, or the steaming cup of coffee in your hand, these details add a personal touch that makes the photos uniquely yours.

6. Capturing Candid Moments

The best photos often happen in the blink of an eye, when you’re lost in thought, or laughing at your own goofy missteps. To capture these moments, I swear by the ‘burst mode’ or ‘continuous mode’ on my camera. It takes multiple shots in rapid succession, so you’re sure to get a few gems in there.

I love using the app LensBuddy to take my photos when I’m traveling solo. You can set the app up to take a photo every minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, or even every 0.25 second! This is perfect for getting those candid photos when you’re on your own.

7. Playing with Light and Shadows

Ever heard of the golden hour? It’s that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset, when the light is soft and, well, golden.

It can make your photos look downright dreamy. But don’t be afraid of harsh sunlight or deep shadows either – they can add drama and contrast to your shots.

I learned this the hard way when I woke up at an ungodly hour to photograph the sunrise over the Arc de Triomphe.

The sleep deprivation was worth it – the photos turned out epic!

8. Implementing the Rule of Thirds

This is a classic photography principle that can instantly improve your shots. Imagine dividing your frame into a 3×3 grid and placing the main subject at the intersections. This often creates a more balanced and visually interesting shot. It’s a simple trick, but incredibly effective. I’ve used it everywhere, from the bustling streets of Paris to the serene landscapes of Zanzibar.

9. Trying Out Different Perspectives

Don’t just stick to eye-level shots. Get low, climb up high, lean out (safely, of course), get close, then get even closer. This will add variety to your photos and make your photo album a lot more interesting. A good picture I took during my Morocco trip was when I held the camera high above my head, capturing the bustling street market below in a way that a normal shot couldn’t have done justice to.

10. Embracing Your Authentic Self

Let’s be real, we all want to look good in our photos. But don’t let that stop you from being you. Got a signature pose or a goofy smile? Flaunt it! Your photos should reflect who you are, not some picture-perfect version of you.

Some of my best shots have been when I’m muddy from a hike, wind-swept from a boat ride, or dripping with sweat in the middle of a desert. They’re not the most glamorous, but they’re real, and they’re me.

Whew! Those were some nuggets of wisdom right there, weren’t they? Now, let’s dive into the world of photography gear, because the right tools can make a world of difference in your solo travel photos.

And don’t worry, you won’t need to lug around a professional camera (unless you want to, of course). 

Best Gear for Solo Travel Photography

In my travels, I’ve found that the right gear doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive or professional. It’s about what works for you and fits your style, needs, and budget.

So, here’s a look at some of my favorites:

Smartphones

Don’t underestimate the power of your phone camera – It’s handy, lightweight, and perfect for quick shots.

My iPhone 13 has been my trusty companion on many a trip. It’s what I use to take most of my travel photos because of the wide-angle lens and the 4K camera quality.

And let’s be real, it’s just way more convenient than lugging a camera around.

A solo traveler’s best friend, indeed. I recommend the Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod for those looking for a great tripod for a DSLR camera.

It’s sturdy, portable, and offers great value for money.

For a more flexible option, the Joby GorillaPod is excellent. You can wrap it around a tree branch, a railing, or just about anything.

I love using this one for getting photos in unique angles and when I don’t want my photos to look like they were obviously taken by me.

And when it comes to the best tripods for iPhones, the Ubeezie extendable tripod stand is my go-to.

It extends out 62″ inches and can hold your phone vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. It’s lightweight and portable but still strong and secure enough to hold your phone.

I don’t ever go on a trip without it!

Camera Lens

If you’re using a smartphone that doesn’t have a wide-angle lens built in, consider investing in a good-quality wide-angle lens.

It can drastically improve your shots, especially landscapes and architectural photos. The Xenvo Pro Wide Lens is a popular choice that’ll give your photos a unique look.

For an even more unique look to your travel shots, consider using a fish eye lens like this one and testing out some photos from a different perspective!

Remote Shutter

As I mentioned before, a remote shutter is a game-changer for solo travelers. It allows you to click photos from a distance, making it much easier to get that perfect shot.

Check out the CamKix Bluetooth Camera Shutter – it makes it insanely easy to get photos of yourself while traveling alone.

Just connect the remote to your phone via Bluetooth, set up your phone or camera on your tripod, get in position, and click away! It’s really small and easy to hide in your hand so it doesn’t stick out in your photos.

For action shots, underwater photos, or just a different perspective, a GoPro is a fantastic investment.

I love to use the burst mode when traveling solo, which allows the camera to take multiple photos every couple of seconds.

I also sometimes will take a video, and then just take screenshots from the video, but it tends to be a little lower in quality when I do it that way.

I’ve used mine to capture some awesome snorkeling, hiking, and jetskiing adventures.

And even this photo of me getting smooched by an elephant.

These were taken on the GoPro Hero 8 , but I currently use the GoPro Hero 10 . The 10 shoots amazing quality photos/and videos and I’m super impressed with the way my photos come out every time.

It’s great for capturing candid moments like the one with the elephant!

If your budget allows, a drone can take your photography to new heights (literally!). It can capture stunning aerial shots and videos. The DJI Mini 3 is a great choice for beginners.

Remember, while good gear can help, the best photos come from observation, experimentation, and, most importantly, enjoying the moment.

Sometimes, you’ll get the best shots when you put the camera away and just soak in the view.

And if all else fails, there’s always the option of hiring a professional photographer, but we’ll talk about that a bit later in the article.

When is the Best Time to Take Travel Photos?

Timing can play a crucial role in photography. The right time can transform an ordinary scene into something truly extraordinary.

Golden Hour:  As I mentioned earlier, the golden hour (the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset) is a fantastic time for photography. The light is soft, warm, and simply magical. It can add a dreamy quality to your photos and make them stand out. Remember my shot of the Taj Mahal at dawn? That’s golden hour magic for you!

Blue Hour:  Ever heard of the blue hour? It’s the brief period just before sunrise and after sunset when the sky has a deep blue hue. It’s a great time to capture cityscapes and landscapes. One of my favorite shots is of Times Square during the blue hour, with the vibrant city lights set against the deep blue sky.

Midday:  While harsh sunlight can create strong shadows and overexposed shots, don’t rule out midday photography altogether. It can be a good time for capturing vivid colors, and you can use the strong shadows creatively for some unique shots. On my first trip to Greece, I took some striking photos of the white buildings against the bright blue sky in the midday sun.

Night:  Night photography can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. City lights, stars, or even the moon can create some stunning shots. One of my most loved photos is a night shot of the Eiffel Tower sparkling against the dark sky.

So, there you have it – the best times to take photos. But remember, rules are meant to be broken. If you see a great shot, take it, no matter what the time is!

Avoiding Crowds and Keeping Your Gear Safe

Taking photos without a sea of people in the background can feel like an epic quest, especially in popular tourist spots. But hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge?

My favorite way to avoid crowds is to play the early bird. I’m talking sunrise early. Not only will you get beautiful lighting (hello golden hour), but most tourists are still snoozing away.

Plus, there’s something magical about having famous landmarks all to yourself.

It’s worth the early wake-up call, trust me!

Now, let’s talk safety. We all love our gear, and the last thing we want is for it to end up in the wrong hands. When you’re setting up your shot, always keep your gear within sight.

If you’re using a tripod, stay close, especially in busy areas. I often wrap the strap of my camera or bag around the tripod leg. It’s not foolproof, but it does add an extra layer of security.

And remember, insurance isn’t just for expensive DSLRs. Even if you’re shooting with a phone, consider getting it insured. Peace of mind, my friends, it’s worth it!

Finally, always be aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, but a quick scan of the area every now and then is a good habit to develop.

Hiring a Professional Photographer

When the thought of setting up your tripod for the umpteenth time is too much, or you just want some high-quality shots for a special occasion, hiring a professional photographer is a great option. Websites like Flytographer connect travelers with local photographers in hundreds of cities worldwide.

A professional photographer will know all the best spots, the right angles, and, most importantly, how to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera.

My photo shoot in Zanzibar was not only fun but also left me with some beautiful photos and great memories.

That’s a wrap, my fellow solo travelers! I hope these solo travel photography tips help you capture your travel memories beautifully. Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the process. Happy snapping!

Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!

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How to take solo travel photos (Step by Step Guide)

I get asked this question every day in a variety of forms. Who takes your photos if you travel solo? Is a common way to phrase the question, which sometimes feels more like an accusation than I question *sigh*. But regardless, I do travel solo. And I do take my own solo travel photos.

The truth is, I have mastered the art of the solo travel photo.

I guess that’s what I have to show for ten years of solo adventures with yours truly – across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania and the Middle East. Hey, I’m not complaining.

But if you want to know *exactly* how to take your own solo travel photos that can end up in magazines and on book covers, read on! And if you want to read my book, click here .

Step One: Buy this Tripod

It’s no secret that you’ll need the tools of the trade to take the best solo travel photos you are capable of. But the good news is, the best is not always the most expensive. In fact, you’ll just need to buy this tripod on Amazon to easily take your own solo travel photos.

The best tripods for solo travel photos

For photos on your iPhone – The cheapest option is this phone tripod for $15 .

For photos on a DSLR – You’ll need a sturdier option like this tripod for $39 .

Both of these tripods come with all the necessary attachments for your phone and/or camera, plus the all important Bluetooth remote. Which brings me to step two.

Step Two: Link your Bluetooth Remote

Taking your own solo travel photos is way easier when you have a Bluetooth remote. For years I used my iPhone as a remote (by connecting it to my Sony A7iii camera ). However in recent travels, I have switched over to this small Bluetooth remote that comes included with both of the tripods I linked above.

I cannot overstate the importance of the Bluetooth remote.

This little remote allows you to click away in your hands and take as many photos as you so please in just a few seconds. Better yet: no one will ever know you’re using a remote!

Step three: Take photos in the early hours of the morning

Another common question I get asked is “ don’t you get afraid someone will steal your camera? “

The easiest way to ensure that doesn’t happen is to venture out in the mornings, just as the sun is rising and capture photos of the city you are visiting before the city wakes up. You will enjoy these locations almost always to yourself, get the best light for taking photos, and seize the day by starting early. That’s a triple win!

Step four: Use Video instead of Photos

Another great way to get candid looking photos of yourself is to click the video function instead of capturing still photos. That way you can just walk naturally in the frame, pause and screenshot on an image you like. For this I would recommend upgrading to the latest model of iPhone as the camera quality is *chef’s kiss* top notch.

Step five: Walk away from the camera

One of my signature ways to capture a destination is to flip the idea of a “tourist photo” on its head. Instead of facing the frame, I walk away from it. And you might be wondering: yeah, but why?

Walking away from the frame gives the viewer/audience the perception that they are there in the photo with you. It allows them to focus on the destination instead of the person in the photo.

This is a great way to take PRO solo travel photos that can end up being purchased, splashed on magazines (like my feature in ELLE US or my 6-page spread in Cosmopolitan – pinch me!!!)

Step six: Use a Drone

Sometimes the destination I am trying to photograph is better seen from a higher point than where I am physically standing. In these instances, you’ll want to swap the tripod setup for a drone.

As you can see in this photo, my left hand is holding the drone remote taking the photos. I make a point of keeping my right hand free so the pose looks casual and not staged. Et voila!

NEW NOW! SOLO TRAVEL GUIDE

The Camera Gear I Use:

Brooke Saward founded World of Wanderlust as a place to share inspiration from her travels and to inspire others to see our world. She now divides her time between adventures abroad and adventures in the kitchen, with a particular weakness for French pastries.

Find me on: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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4 Tricks to Taking Incredible Travel Photos With Only Your iPhone, According to a Photographer

“I think we’re closer than ever to an iPhone camera being a true replacement for a DSLR camera," Tiffany Nguyen says.

Tiffany Nguyen 

Tiffany Nguyen didn’t set out to become a professional photographer. She, like many of us, started simply by snapping photos on her iPhone 4 to document her everyday life. Slowly but surely, she learned a few tricks of the professional trade, using tools available on her mobile, which have now made her one of the most respected travel photographers in the game. 

“I was in my first year of dental school, and I hadn’t started my photography career yet. Fast forward to 12 years later, and I’ve transitioned to a career as a full-time photographer,” Nguyen told Travel + Leisure . “The iPhone was definitely an integral part of my journey as a photographer and made me realize how much I enjoy taking photos and creating something unique.” She added, “I didn’t take the straight line path that I expected to take in life, but I hope [talking about it] encourages others to chase their passions as well.” 

With the release of the latest iPhone 14 , Nguyen shared that she’s been “so impressed with the image quality” thanks to its 48-megapixel RAW capability, that she says “can stand up next to DSLR images better than ever before. There is so much information contained in each image which allows for much more in-depth adjustments when editing.” She added, “I think we’re closer than ever to an iPhone camera being a true replacement for a DSLR camera.” 

To help others step up their game, Nguyen shared a few pieces of critical advice to level up right from your phone and shared a few of her favorite photos from Los Angeles taken on her device to help inspire you to get out and shoot more too. 

Try shooting in RAW.

“A lot of people don’t realize that you can shoot in RAW, which allows you to have more information to work with in order to maximize your editing capabilities,”  Nguyen explained. RAW is an uncompressed file format that allows your camera (or, in this case, your phone’s camera) to capture as much data as possible. This way, when you go to edit an image, you can do so in much greater detail. (The only downside is that shooting in RAW takes substantially more data space .) 

“With 48 megapixels to work with, you have so much flexibility and can really bring an image to life with editing. Being able to lock your exposure and focus when shooting also helps you to capture the scene exactly as you envision it,” Nguyen added. “Dialing in your exposure in camera and making sure it’s as close to ideal as possible can make the editing process a lot easier.” 

Get to know the basics of composition.

Taking great photos isn’t just about having fancy equipment. It’s also about understanding a few basics of composition .

“I would recommend shooting close to sunrise or sunset to capture your images during the most ideal light,” Nguyen shared, pointing to the time commonly known as “golden hour” to give off those dreamy warm tones. 

“Having a strong composition can really make or break your image," Nguyen added. "Some of my favorite composition techniques include leading lines, negative space, symmetry, the rule of thirds, and using layers. Utilizing these techniques along with shooting during periods of soft light will really help take your iPhone photos to the next level.” 

Pick a subject and practice, practice, practice.

Nguyen's favorite thing to practice with is cityscapes, as evidenced by these gorgeous L.A. shots. Picking a favorite, she explained, helps people want to get out and practice even more.

“The best camera really is the one you have in your pocket, and the iPhone allows me to quickly capture moments in high fidelity while I’m on the go,” she said. “There’s so much that goes on around you when you’re walking through a city, and shooting on an iPhone lets me stay fully immersed in the moment while still being able to capture high-quality images of my favorite sights and memories.” 

Learn how to edit on the fly.

Yes, taking stellar pics is key, but learning to edit, Nguyen noted, is also a big part of leveling up. 

“Editing is half the fun and is where I really get to bring my images to life,” she said. “I edit all of the images taken on my iPhone with the iPhone as well. The apps I typically use are Lightroom Mobile and Touch Retouch. It’s the quickest and easiest way to edit my images when I’m on the go and gives me almost the same editing capabilities as compared to editing on my laptop. I’m always amazed at what I’m able to create 100% on my iPhone.” 

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How to take photos when travelling alone | Guide to master your solo travel photography in 2024

Are you a female traveller looking to take your solo travel photography skills up a notch? If so, you’re in luck!

Solo female travel IMO is definitely something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. It can be a little daunting and scary at first, but once you take the plunge and go travelling alone for the first time, you’ll see just how much fun it is to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Travelling solo shows you that you are capable of so much more than you ever thought possible. And not only that, but it also allows you to meet some amazing people along the way who will help make your journey even more special.

One question you’re probably going to find yourself asking though, is how to take photos when travelling alone? It might not seem possible at first but trust me, there are ways! Below I’ve compiled 16 tips that will have you snapping pics like a pro in no time.

How to take photos when travelling alone – Quick Guide

• Invest in a tripod
• Use the wifi function on your DSLR
• Buy a remote shutter
• Get familiar with self-timer
• Use your surroundings to experiment with different angles
• Ask a friendly stranger

16 Ways To Nail Your Solo Travel Photography

1. invest in a tripod (or two).

One way to master solo travel photography is to use a tripod. Without someone to help you snap that perfect shot, it can be pretty difficult to get decent travel photos that actually have YOU in them as well, NOT just the scenery. Cause let’s face it, those get boring after a while and it’s important to be able to capture some memories of yourself.

Enter your trusty new tripod!

These days my tripod is basically like a third arm, I take it everywhere with me and I mean EVERYWHERE.

A tripod will allow you to set up your camera and take great solo shots. It also frees up your hands so you can experiment with different angles and compositions.

If you’re using a DSLR, a tripod is essential for getting sharp, blur-free photos. So if you’re serious about mastering solo travel photography, invest in a good tripod and start taking some amazing shots today!

Best tripod for solo travel

Now the reason I said invest in a tripod or two depends on where you’re travelling and what camera you’re using as different types of tripods come in handy for different reasons.

You’ve got something like the gorilla tripod which has flexible legs. Great if you’re going to be shooting in a variety of different locations on the more adventurous side. A great thing about this wee tripod is that it is a lot smaller and less bulky than your traditional tripods, meaning it’s pretty inconspicuous.

So why opt for a bigger more traditional tripod on the other hand? Typically they are better at housing a DSLR so if you’ve got a large camera or big lens sometimes it makes more sense to opt for a traditional tripod with fold-out legs as it’s going to be stronger or sturdier.

My personal preference is the sturdier tripod. I take a lot of photos at the beach so sometimes the gorilla pod just won’t cut it as there isn’t much for me to attach it to. I also like the height you can get with a bigger tripod. When choosing one you want it to reach at least your eye level otherwise you’ll be taking a lot of low-angle shots!

The thing with a larger tripod is people will stare and wonder what on earth you’re doing…so you’ve just gotta embrace it gal!

2. Shoot in the morning

Okay so this is a very important tip for three reasons.

Less people will be around which means less people running your epic photos.

Minimal embarrassment when it comes to parading around in front of your tripod because nobody is around to see it.

The light is just so. much. better. Hello golden hour!

Trust me, even if you are a newbie photographer if you can drag your butt out of bed early enough, you are going to wind up with super cool photos because the light looks so damn good.

3. Use the wifi function on your DSLR

Turns out a LOT of camera models have wifi built into them these days. Not only is this super handy for transferring your travel photos directly to your phone BUT if you download the app compatible with your DSLR, you can go into live view mode and take photos using your phone as a remote!

Incredibly handy and no need to carry an extra piece of equipment around with you.

4. Buy a remote shutter

In saying this though, there will be times when you may benefit from using a remote shutter instead.

The remotes tend to be a lot smaller than our phones, making them easier to hide behind your back or pop in your pocket before your camera clicks away.

If your camera happens to not have wifi built into it then this would be a great option for you!

5. Get familiar with self-timer

This one is a doozy and by doozy, I mean total gamer changer!

Once I discovered how to use a self-timer properly for my solo travel photography my photos went from cheesy and lame, to oooh damn that ain’t bad.

Being able to use a self-timer frees you up from being stuck behind or near the camera completely. Finally, you can capture those Insta-worthy running away from the camera shots we see everywhere – kidding, but seriously self-timer suddenly opens up a lot more options.

Canon cameras have something called an interval timer and other camera models will have similar settings where you can choose how many photos you want your camera to take and at what intervals.

For example, if you’re going to be moving around a lot, you’ll want to be capturing photos every second for about 30 seconds. Or possibly longer if you’re moving far away from your camera.

6. Use your surroundings to experiment with different angles

This is a bit of a fun one if you don’t have a tripod but do not and I repeat DO NOT, try and balance your camera on high unstable surfaces. That is just a recipe for disaster.

But what you CAN do, is embrace the low-angle shots and have your camera safely nested near the ground. Then find something to prop the lens up with.

Let your creativity loose and you’ll be surprised with how much you can utilise what’s around you to get those Insta-worthy snaps.

7. Get creative with a goPro

There are numerous adventurous travel activities that aren’t suitable for a DSLR or even an iPhone such as snorkelling, ziplining, skydiving, the list goes on.

Enter the GoPro . These little cameras are perfect for solo travellers who want to get creative with their photography. Plus, GoPros are small and lightweight, making them perfect for solo travellers who want to pack light!

Also, I reckon this is the only camera you can get away with making a selfie stick look cool. Sorry but it’s time to ditch the selfie-stick for smartphones. It’s 2022, we’ve all moved on.

With a GoPro, you can get great underwater shots, capture adventurous moments, and even take time-lapse videos of your travels. So if you’re looking for a way to up your solo travel photography game, consider investing in a GoPro. You won’t be disappointed.

8. Ask a friendly stranger

Sometimes you won’t always have your tripod on you or you decided to leave it at home cause you knew you were heading to a busy place.

Another way to get solo travel photos is to ask a stranger to take a photo of you in front of a landmark or cool spot.

A handy tip is to look for someone with a DSLR camera, they are a lot more likely to know what they are doing when it comes to snapping pics compared to someone with an iPhone.

Be sure to return the favour by taking a photo of them too!

9. Don’t forget about the rule of thirds

This easily forgotten tip is oh so simple to implement and will take the composition of your photos to another level.

If you haven’t heard of it before, basically the rule of thirds is a composition guideline that splits your camera screen into a grid of nine boxes, 3 across and 3 down.

As a general rule, you want to try and line up your main subject matter on one of these lines. Either horizontally, vertically or both.

It’ll help your photo become more balanced, leading to gorgeous shots without having to be a photography master.

10. Shoot underexposed

A little bit more of a techy tip here, but you don’t have to be a master at manual settings to shoot underexposed. All you have to do is play with the shutter speed as this is what controls how much light gets let into the lens of your camera.

Why do we want to shoot underexposed?

Because when you go to edit your fab pics, this will help retain more detail in the shot and result in a higher quality edit. Basically, there is more ‘data’ for the editing app to play around with.

Overexposed photos are really bright and contain a lot of white and when you try to darken this it just looks grey and almost dirty. Basically, it’s easier to lighten a darker photo than it is to darken a lighter photo.

If you want to step it up even further, be sure to shoot in RAW. If you’ve never heard that word before don’t worry, we’ll keep this beginner-friendly.

I 110% recommend using Lightroom for all your photo editing. I use Adobe Lightroom Classic for all my editing and I’m obsessed. If you want to have a play around the mobile app is free.

Tips On How To Not Look Awkward In Photos

Okay so we’ve established how to up your solo travel photography game, now let’s discuss how to NOT look awkward in photos. You know when you panic at the last minute and don’t know how to pose, so you freeze and end up with an ingenuine smile on your face that looks forced?

Yeah we’ve all been there. So how do you avoid this?

11. Find a prop

A way to not look awkward in photos is to find a prop. Often we’ve got no clue what to do with our hands so if you find something you can hold it will make the photo look a lot more natural. Sunglasses, hat, jandals, you name it!

Not only do you feel a lot more natural in front of the camera when you have something to hold but you can play the photo off as a candid snap – even though we all know there’s no such thing as a “candid” shot anymore, Instagram I blame you.

12. Sit down

Ah the classic sit pic, always a goodie when you feel a bit stuck. On a gorgeous beach? Sit down. Looking at a gorgeous view? Sit down. Taking a photo in front of a cool backdrop? Sit down. You get the picture… 😉

But seriously this is a great trick to get a gorgeous, natural-looking snap if you’re in a location where you can sit down. Obviously, you won’t be able to sit down in EVERY location you shoot in but it’s better than the alternative of just standing there like a stiff rock.

13. Pretend to play with your hair

Another classic, another goodie. The old play with your hair trick. An incredibly easy pose to pull off which results in a 100% reduction in awkwardness.

Even better if there’s a slight breeze as it will help add some movement to your photo.

Okay I do add this one in with slight hesitation because when done wrong it can come off incredibly cheesy but when done right it can look bomb af.

The key here is to not actually twirl so much. Now I know that sounds weird but hear me out.

What you’re trying to achieve by twirling is to add movement to your photo to 1. make it more natural and 2. make it a more interesting photograph. If you move too quickly it’s not going to look natural and your hair will probably wind up in your face and you might flash a few people in the process (it is good to wear a flowy dress for these kinds of shots).

So how do you achieve the “slow twirl”?

The secret is that you don’t actually do a full twirl, you pretend. So let’s say you’re facing towards the camera to begin, set your self-timer to burst mode or if you have a Canon, set up an interval timer to take a shot every second.

Now do a 180 so that you’re facing away from the camera and repeat that motion. This will bring some movement into your dress and your hair as if you’re twirling but it will be a lot less dynamic compared to if you were actually spinning around in a circle.

And voila, you have a non-cheesy twirling photo that actually looks cool.

15. Walk away from the camera

Another Insta classic, bonus tips if you’re wearing a long flowy dress. Again this will add movement to your photo and you don’t even have to do anything except walk away from the camera.

It’s as easy as that! You’ll want to use your self-timer for this one so you have time to get far away enough from the camera.

Expert tip: Try walking forwards and backwards a couple of times while the camera shoots away when you’re happy with the composition of the shot. This will create a slightly more interesting photo than just straight walking.

If you’re ready for full embarrassment mode, try hopping back and forward from one foot to the other. You’ll know you’re doing it right when you feel like an idiot but that feeling will disappear pretty quickly when you get some awesome shots that look a whole lot more natural than they felt!

This one is certainly a good one to try on those early morning photoshoots when nobody else is around…

16. Practise, practise, practise

This probably comes as no surprise but the more you practise solo travel photography, the more comfortable you’re going to become AND the better your photos are going to get.

If I look back to when I first started taking solo travel photos, they were crap. I’m talking blurry awkward, stiff smile selfies.

Now they turn out like this:

Big improvement I tell ya.

An important thing to remember is don’t go comparing someone else’s chapter 35 to your chapter 1, we all start somewhere! If you put in the time and the effort you WILL get better. I promise you.

Safety For Solo Travel Photography

It wouldn’t be a solo female travel post without a section on safety, would it!

Not to sound like your mum or anything, but it’s important to ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. Not just when taking photos but in general.

Know where your valuables are at all times and don’t go walking down any dark alleyways by yourself (although I’m sure you already know that).

During the day if you’re shooting in a popular location, choose to take shots where you’re only away from your camera for a few seconds rather than big photoshoots. That way you don’t have to worry about your camera getting knocked over, or even worse stolen.

All the times I’ve been shooting solo I’ve never been worried about having any of my gear stolen and this is probably because I chose my locations carefully. I hate it when my shots are ruined with other people lingering in the background so I like to get off the tourist track a little and seek out new locations.

But what about getting shots of those key landmarks I hear you ask?

You don’t have to go without! You just have to get a little creative. Instead of shooting your shot from where everyone else is standing, explore the area a bit more and find somewhere less crowded.

Chances are you’ll get a more unique photo of a popular destination cause you spent a little more time going out of your way to avoid the crowds.

Alternatively, you can just try to get to the tourist hotspots early, problem solved.

Where to put your valuables

This is always an important question cause we all know our smartphones come everywhere with us these days and if you’re out and about for the day it’s likely you’ll have your wallet and some cash with you as well.

What I tend to do is use my camera bag as a handbag and then wear that across my body. I don’t have a huge camera bag so it’s pretty discreet and there is just enough room for me to fit in my phone, cash and cards.

For day trips I wouldn’t have my passport or anything on me, it’s best to leave that in the hotel or hostel you’re staying in.

• Solo Travel in Portugal – The Ultimate Female Travellers Guide • Porto Solo Travel Guide | Is Porto Safe for Solo Female Travellers? • 5 Best Hostels in Lisbon for Solo Travellers • Best Greek Islands for Solo Travel, What You Need to Know • Lisbon Solo Travel | The Ultimate Guide

FAQ: Solo travel photography

What is the best camera for solo travellers.

Now this one is a bit hard to give a single answer to because you also have to factor in how professional a camera you want and what you are willing to spend. IMO the Canon EOS 80D is the best camera for solo travellers, mainly because it’s the model I use and absolutely love it.

It comes everywhere with me!

It’s not too big and bulky but you still get amazingly crisp photos. It’s also not crazy expensive and makes for a good intermediate-level camera. I recently upgraded the kit lens to a Sigma art lens and omgggg I love it so much!

This camera also has a built in self timer which I tend to use a ton and it has wifi so I can easily connect my phone to use as a remote controller or transfer photos directly to my phone.

It does a great job.

However, if you’re a newbie then you might want to go for a cheaper model. Mirrorless cameras are all the rage at the moment in the travel space because they are even lighter than DSLRs thanks to the mirrorless technology.

If I ever have to change cameras in future then I would probably look into buying one of these. The Canon EOS R100 is the pretty affordable option and I’ve also heard great things about the Sony Alpha a7 but these are a bit more expensive.

And if you’re not into fancy cameras then iPhone’s do a great job these days too with the camera only continuing to get more and more impressive but I’m guessing if you landed on this post, you’re wanting more than just iPhone pics!

Conclusion: How to take photos when travelling alone

That brings us to the end of my solo travel photography tips! At the end of the day just embrace your surroundings and go for it. You’ll be surprised what shots you’ll come out with.

Some of my favourite shots have definitely been when I was least expecting it.

By investing in a good-quality camera and learning a few basic photography skills, you’ll be able to take stunning photographs of all the places you visit. Don’t forget to make the most of natural light, use a tripod and focus on details around you.

With the right techniques, taking photos when travelling alone doesn’t need to be scary, you’ll be able to take beautiful photos and capture the essence of each location before you know it.

So, go out there and explore the world, take lots of photos and have fun! And lastly don’t give up, you will get better I promise.

Sammy Green is the owner and creator of My Blonde Bucket List, your go-to guide for unforgettable journeys to the world's best beach and mountain destinations, including the likes of New Zealand, Canada, and Portugal. She does this by creating blog posts about the best tips and resources on how to make the most of your time in each destination. Having travelled to 24 countries (and counting) her goal is to inspire you to experience all the world has to offer, whether that be on your first solo trip or with your significant other.

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Blogging , Solo travel

How to take photos of yourself when travelling solo.

Table of Contents

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I often get asked how I take solo travel photos and to be honest, there’s no one sole method. Of the many pros and cons of travelling solo , the struggle to get in your own photos is an undeniable con. We’ve got no Instagram significant other or personal photographer following us around! For every effortlessly casual girl wandering across your Insta feed, you can guarantee a fair bit of thought went into how to get the shot.

In this blog, I’m going to share my solo travel tips to help you take beautiful solo travel photos. It’s an important topic: who would want to take a bold and brave trip around the globe only to come back with no evidence of them there?

Taking photos of yourself is a great skill to have. If you want to take photos of yourself and a partner or bestie at a later date, the principles are the same. Knowing how to take photos when travelling alone is a handy skill to have but even more important if you’re hoping to start a travel blog . You won’t find many bloggers who never post photos of themselves!

How to take solo travel photos

These are a few main ways I take solo travel photos. I’ve implemented these 14 tried-and-tested methods during my solo travels around India , Bali , Vietnam , Mexico , South Africa and Romania . In this guide, I’ll share my top solo travel photography tips for safety and pose suggestions.

Read next: 30 best places to travel alone

1. Self-timer mode with a smartphone

Ah, my old friend. Even old smartphones have a self-time mode. I have an iPhone 6 (potentially fake) that I bought for £100 three years ago when I was robbed while travelling solo in Vietnam and even that has a self-timer. These are really easy to use. You just set the timer for 3 or 10 seconds and do your thing. The only thing to worry about is how to position your phone while you go off to pose?

Smartphone and self-timer method #1 – prop your phone up

This is probably the easiest and most basic way to take pictures when you travel alone. You need no kit, just your phone. Despite what you might think, you can actually get really decent photos with this method, especially after a little editing or straightening if the photo is at an angle. Good things to prop your phone against include your bag, a water bottle, a chair or a wall. There are so many ways to get creative. You should see the random piles I’ve made before comprising bottles, bags, sunglasses, suncream tubes and the like. Passersby must think I’m mad but hey, if they’re not offering to help, who has time for their judgement? Not I.

Smartphone and self-timer method #2 – phone stand

Purchase a handy phone stand and you can eradicate the need for makeshift stands as you prop your phone up. Securing it with a proper stand also means it’s less likely to fall or get damaged during your solo photoshoot. Use a phone tripod with Bluetooth remote (that doubles into a selfie stick).

2. Self-timer mode with a camera

Travelling with a better-quality camera may mean better travel photos, depending on your camera and how you use it. I use the Sony DSC-HX350 Digital Compact Bridge Camera which I think is one of the most affordable options for a camera with such a good zoom. But regardless of the type of camera you have, you can use it to take amazing photos of yourself while travelling solo. So, how to do it? The premise is more or less the same as with a smartphone; in fact, I would say it’s easier as cameras usually have a flat base so sit more easily on a step or wall. The only thing to be aware of is that DSLR cameras are usually more valuable than smartphones and also more obvious so you’ll want to be slightly more careful. Later, I’ll run through a few safety tips for solo female travellers taking photos alone.

3. Remote trigger controlled with your phone

One of the hardest parts of taking pictures on a solo trip? Only having a few seconds to run and get into shot after setting your self-timer. I remember travelling solo in South Africa where there was a luxurious outdoor bath overlooking an amazing rainforest canopy. Setting my timer to 10 seconds then scrambling over craggy rocks to jump in the water, all in a swimming costume with a vertical drop a few metres ahead… Well, let’s say it was pretty stressful!

Many cameras these days can be connected to your smartphone via an app which you can control from your phone screen. My Sony camera connects to the Image Edge Mobile app. Here you can connect your camera, automatically send over photos and better yet, take photos without touching your camera. When taking solo travel photos, you can get in position, perfect your pose and even check what the image is going to look like on your phone screen before pressing the shutter.

4. Use a tripod (my chosen option)

Using a tripod is my number one way to take pictures as a solo traveller. I can’t believe it took me so long to make this upgrade. When I first started travelling and blogging, I only did so as a hobby and it didn’t seem worth it to carry such a large item when I only had a backpack to store all my worldly possessions. I begun with a selfie stick or propping my phone up and upgraded to a GorillaPod (more about these next) but found they didn’t quite meet my needs as I got more professional about blogging and photography. If you’re like me and serious about your shots, I would really recommend a tripod.

What’s the best tripod for solo travel photos?

I’ve now tried two and would recommend investing when it comes to tripods. The first I bought was cheap but it was also bulky and not overly sturdy. It was a test item for me because I didn’t know whether travelling with a tripod was going to be too much for me. As it happened, I don’t mind backpacking with a tripod and my photos are well worth the extra weight. Nowadays, I use the Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminium Tripod . This is a great tripod! For $60, it’s lasted two years without showing any signs of wear. I predict it will last years more. I particularly like the flexy ball head that lets me move my camera around to get the best angle. It also easily shifts my camera to portrait position which I prefer to landscape for Insta shots. This tripod is ideal for DSLRs, mirrorless and compact cameras and is suitable for photography beginners. It also comes in a bag that you can easily throw over your shoulder.

5. GorillaPod

Is the idea of carrying a tripod too daunting in terms of weight and space? Fair enough. If you simply want to take photos of yourself, don’t stress too much over kit. There’s a much, much smaller and lighter option that I’m a big fan of. GorillaPods are ingenious little items that weigh less than even your smartphone. These bendy devices are way better than camera stands because of their flexibility. You screw them into your tripod bush (the screwy bit at the base of your camera) and then manipulate the bendy legs to whatever position you want. You can bend and fasten them around railings, tree branches, lamp posts… Literally anything! I own a tripod and a GorillaPod. If I’m off on a hike or busy city day without the guarantee of being able to set up my tripod, I throw my GorillaPod in my bag instead. They weigh almost nothing and take up no space.

Downsides of a GorillaPod: There are no downsides in terms of design or functionality. But since GorillaPods have short legs and therefore lack height, it means you often have to find something eye level to secure them to. If there’s nothing of that level around, they don’t always work. You can usually get creative and find a similar shot, but sometimes you want that shot and can’t recreate the height a tripod would give. Top tip: If you’re using a camera larger than a small compact, you’ll need to use a GorillaPod that can take its weight. For my camera, I use a 1kg GorillaPod . Heavy DSLRs may need a GorillaPod that can take a greater weight.

6. Ask a stranger 

How to take great photos of yourself with no kit whatsoever? Sometimes all else fails: there’s nowhere to set up your tripod or you’re visiting an attraction where they’re not allowed. Sometimes it’s just too busy and crowded to set one up. This is when asking a person to help is the quickest and easiest option. To start, you might feel awkward asking strangers to help take your photo. You’ll hopefully shake this feeling off quickly. Just think, in five years’ time, what will bother you more: the fact that you took five seconds out of a stranger’s day or the fact you don’t have photo memories from your solo travels? I’m sure it will be the latter. Now the one thing to overcome: strangers can take terrible photos. I could scream thinking about all the times I’ve lined up thoughtful shots for strangers who’ve then taken a rubbish one of me with the main temple cropped out …

How to get strangers to take nice photos of you while travelling solo

Tip 1: Approach the right person, preferably someone with a decent camera themselves. Not because they’ll use it, but because they’ll know how to use yours. If no one around has a camera, go for a younger person because chances are they’ll have a better grasp over technology. Also, teenage and twenty-something girls usually know what shots are most flattering – just sayin’. Tip 2: Line it up for them. Rather than handing them your camera and letting them use their judgement, I would suggest holding the camera in place then telling them what you want i.e. ‘if you could just get me on the left side that would be great!’. Tip 3 : Chat! Science proves if people like you, they’ll work harder when they do you a favour. I just made that fact up but it’s definitely true. This photo below was taken at the City Palace in Jaipur by a guy I’d just bonded with over my trip to his home country. He ended up taking a great photo which I suspect might have been because he felt more inclined to help me out.

7. Take a tour

Some of my favourite solo travel photos have been taken by tour guides. I find that guides are usually great photographers, probably because they take photos of their guests so often. Since they’re also ‘at work’, they make more of an effort than passing strangers. The fact you might leave a tip at the end probably doesn’t hurt either. Taking a tour is also a great way to meet people while travelling solo who may take your photo. If a multi-week organised tour isn’t your thing, why not consider a day tour or even better, a free walking tour? I’ve done these in cities all around the world and love them.

8. Collab with other solo travellers

If taking photos of yourself when travelling solo seems like a lot of work, why not recruit other solo travellers to help? This way you’re not really asking a favour because they’re probably in the same boat. It can be mutually beneficial as you can take photos of them, too. If there are no other solo travellers you’ve bonded with IRL, use the internet to your advantage. I love the Facebook group Girls Love Travel and often see girls mentioning that they’re in x location looking for travel buddies. If you post saying you’re looking for help with solo travel photography, I bet you’ll connect with someone nearby who feels the same.

9. Photograph different parts of your body

Sometimes solo travel photography is about getting some human element in the photo even if that’s not your face. Why not take photos of your feet with different backgrounds: beaches, canopy walkways, over vertical drops while hiking. You could even make a photo series over it. After all, you’re still taking photos of yourself travelling! You could also take photos of yourself holding a mascot item, hot drink or item of food. If you’re starting a travel blog, you’ll still be putting yourself in the frame and you can even do so creatively to tell a story. Maybe you’re a tea or coffee fanatic and try the local drinks in different countries, ideally with great views? Here’s one of me drinking hot lemon honey tea in India last year. At the time, I was incredibly sick and my face was as white as a sheet so this type of shot actually worked much better for me.

How to take solo travel selfies

When we hear the word ‘selfie’ our minds often jump to overly edited, posed shots that probably have little to do with travel. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of bloggers and solo travellers who don’t set their camera up far away. Instead, they stay close to the camera which is a great way to show your face and build more of a personal rapport with your audience. If you’re a blogger, I recommend having a few of these to break up all the far-away shots. If you’re hoping to take photos of yourself, why not try…

10. Arm selfies

Just going back to basics with an old classic here. Taking photos on a solo trip can sometimes be as simple as a quick selfie, especially if it’s only going to family and friends. Photos don’t have to include cheesy smiles either; you can use them to capture your ‘staring out at the view’ pictures perfectly.

11. The selfie stick

Attach your phone to a stick in order to get more length and include your body in the shot. You can set up a self-timer or purchase a Bluetooth selfie stick that has a built-in Bluetooth button at the bottom to take your photo with. For best value, get a selfie stick that doubles into a camera stand . Top tip: Taking a stranger’s eye out won’t win you any friends! Be mindful when you take pictures of yourself travelling alone especially if you’re any kind of stick.

12. The GoPro

An extra benefit of a GoPro is that they take wide-angled photos which means it’s easy to get your whole body and the scenery in the shot. Since GoPros are tightly fastened and waterproof, you can take solo travel selfies underwater, in the air, on the back of a moped… The world is your solo travel backdrop! I use the HERO8 Black .

13. The GoPro screengrab

Another of my favourite techniques for taking solo travel photos is to simply make short videos on my GoPro and screengrab them later. It would be too blurry to do this with your smartphone but GoPros let you break down the footage to milliseconds and export them as high-res image files. GoPros let you change the shooting mode to ‘photo’ rather than ‘video’ but I rarely do this. If you smile while making a short video, you can pick the angle and moment where you look best. I tend to move the camera as I film to change up the background and get different angles, giving me some options for screengrabbing later.

Confidence tips for solo photography

I get it. You feel self-conscious when people are watching you take solo travel photos but you also feel self-conscious asking someone to help. Especially as a woman travelling solo , I hate feeling watched especially by men (even though it’s probably harmless). Also as a young person, you worry people will stereotype you as all about the ‘gram or not appreciating the moment. My personal pet peeve is when I’m taking pictures on a solo trip and someone wants to walk between me and my camera but instead of quickly nipping through, they wait for me to finish. I know they’re trying to be nice but I can’t think of anything worse than doing a full-on photoshoot with people waiting and watching when it would take less than a second for them to zip past and be gone! To feel less self-conscious…

Get off the tourist track

Take your photos in remote locations like fields and backstreets rather than at Bangkok Grand Palace, for example.

Arrive somewhere outside of peak hours and there will be fewer people around. This is good for solo travel photos with a tripod or self-timer and not worrying about the reactions of others or feeling you have an ‘audience’.

Like anything, such as eating alone in a restaurant and not worrying what people think, it gets easier with experience and practice. Sometimes you have to fake it ’til you make it and ignore passersby until you genuinely stop worrying.

Ask the right person

This point isn’t necessarily about asking people who will take good photos, but identifying people you feel comfortable asking. I’d feel most comfortable asking a girl my age to take my photo as I think they’d understand my plight and relate. I probably wouldn’t ask a busy-looking family with kids or a couple on a date as I would feel I was inconveniencing them.

Pose suggestions for solo travel photography

Now that you have 14 different ideas for taking solo travel photos, you just need to consider what to do in the photos. This depends whether you want smiley shots for your photo memories or more creative photos for social media. Even if you’re a blogger, I’d still recommend taking some normal travel snaps for future memories. These are a few of my favourite pose ideas for solo travel photography:

The ‘walking away’ shot

I’ll be honest, sometimes these solo travel photos come as a result of a short self-timer when I haven’t reached my ideal pose spot yet! But overall, you see a lot of shots on social media of someone walking towards an attraction or into a beautiful landscape. These show the person being part of the travel destination rather than simply using it as a backdrop. Pros: You don’t have to do your makeup… Not that you ever HAVE to anyway! Cons: You’re not looking at your unattended camera which could be a safety concern.

The ‘back of the head’ shot

These are similar to the ‘walking away’ shot but the subject is usually closer to the camera. Rather than seeing the solo traveller amongst the landscape, these shots show them admiring and drinking it in.

Walking across the shot

This is another favourite solo travel photo pose of mine. For these photos, I take photos of myself sideways as I walk past a scene. I find these work better against something straight like a row of houses rather than a beautiful travel landscape which is best ‘walked into’.

Facing the camera but look away

This is one I do all the time. These photos are more personal because they feature you front-on but you don’t need to be grinning at the camera in a cheesy way. By looking up or sideways at whatever’s in the shot, you’re showing the audience that you’re engaging with it, subsequently building a connection between yourself and the location. You don’t need to be craning your neck: just be looking a few degrees away from the camera.

What to do with your arm and legs? I never used to know what to do with my limbs in photos. While walking, I would suggest leaning on one of your legs or having it slightly forward, as if you’re about to take a step. This looks more natural as if you’re involved in the scene around you. When it comes to your arms, don’t leave them dangling. For walking away shots you can leave them in front of you. For shots of you walking towards the camera, have them ‘in movement’ or one flying behind you. If you’re standing still, keep your shoulders and arms tensed rather than loose. You could also gently use one to lean against a railing, rock or something else in the shot (but only if it’s safe and respectful to do so) . Below I’ve gone for the ‘in motion’ movement.

Personal tip – I usually take my hair down for photos as I think it looks more free and natural. In hot weather, this means quickly pulling it down from whatever unflattering bun is going on that day. After a few seconds taking a photo, it goes straight back up!

Props and accessories

This all depends how serious you are about taking photos of yourself travelling alone. Personally, I’m not serious enough to plan my outfits, although when I accidentally match with my surroundings I do think ‘I should do this more often!’. Serious photographers will advise you to do Instagram research in advance to see the main colours in the place you’re going, then wearing an outfit that enhances them. For example, don’t wear blue beside the sea or yellow on the beach or you’ll blend right in!

Solo travel photography tip: Have an accessory like a headband or scarf in your bag and throw it on for the photo. Especially if you’re wearing a muted colour and it’s a grey day, this could be the colour pop that turns it from a boring photo into a fun photo.

Safety tips for taking photos travelling solo

I wanted to quickly cover this topic because people often say ‘Aren’t you worried about someone stealing your camera while you’re away from it?’. The truthful answer is no, not really. I’m rarely away from my camera for more than a few seconds at a time. In busy tourist places, there would be a lot of witnesses. In more remote places, someone would be hard-pushed to come that close to me and my camera set-up without me noticing. However here are a few safety tips when taking photos travelling solo.

Keep your bag or valuables on you

This is an irritating part of solo travel photography. As you’ll notice online, most bloggers aren’t carrying their backpacks in the photos. So where are they? One option is to head out on a small photoshoot and leave your day bag at the hotel. If your camera is your only valuable on you, you’ll feel better about leaving your stuff for a few seconds. For solo travelling generally, I always suggest bringing a small crossbody bag or bum bag with secure zip out for the day as well as your main bag. Keep this on while taking the photo so at least if your day bag is unattended, your most valuable items are close at hand. Alternatively, hold your phone and wallet and walk into the scene holding them subtly in front of you.

Don’t go too far from your camera

This is common sense really. I would rather have a photo of me slightly closer to the camera than have my camera stolen by walking five minutes away. A tip for this is to zoom out as far as possible, then you can be relatively near to the camera but still have a lot of scenery included. You can always crop it or zoom in later.

Best time of day for taking photos of yourself

There are so many photos out there of me blinded and squinting in the middle of the day, my face in shadow from the sun. If you want great solo travel photos and can control the time you visit a place, I would advise putting some thought into this. These are the best times of day for travel photos:

Early morning: I hate getting up early but it’s worth it. Firstly, you’re more likely to have a place to yourself which means there are fewer safety concerns in terms of leaving your camera and secondly, fewer people getting in your shot. In terms of lighting, it’s best because the sun is low in the sky so you don’t get those hard shadows across your face. Also, it’s cooler and you’ll be less sweaty and stressed in your photos.

Evening golden hour: Everyone looks great. Enough said. Also called the magic hour , this doesn’t take place at a specific ‘hour’ because sunset times change around the world and by season. Golden hour is the period shortly before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and everything looks pleasantly golden. In terms of travel locations, people may be heading home by this time so there’s more chance of having it to yourself. Other photographers may be the only ones remaining and even help you out!

Thanks for reading!

More solo guides:

• Solo female travel in Lisbon, Portugal
• Solo travel in Croatia
• Where to travel alone in Italy
• Solo female travel in South Africa – safety tips & more
• Best destinations in India for solo travel
• Tips for travelling alone in India
• Solo travel in Europe
• Solo travel destinations in Southeast Asia
• Female travel guide to Cuba

Follow me for more solo travel content on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

I hope you have a better idea of how to take photos of yourself. It’s daunting at first but I promise it becomes easy!

Check out my other solo travel blogs:

• 10 myths about solo female travel, debunked!
• What’s best, group travel or solo travel?
• Is technology ruining travel?
• Benefits of travelling alone
• Why coming home is the hardest part of any trip

Americas solo travel guides:

• New York solo travel guide
• Solo female Mexico travel
• Guide to solo female travel in Mexico City
• Is solo travel in Guatemala safe?
• Travelling alone in Cuba

Asia solo travel guides:

• Solo female travel in Bali
• Solo travel in Thailand
• Solo travel in Taiwan
• Guide to solo travel in Malaysia
• Solo female Vietnam travel
• Solo travel in India
• Where to travel alone in India

Europe solo travel guides:

• Is Albania safe for solo female travel?
• Portugal solo female travel guide
• Solo female travel in Lisbon
• Is solo Romania travel safe?

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked these solo travel photography tips? Pin this for later!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

12 thoughts on “ How To Take Photos of Yourself When Travelling Solo ”

I loved reading this! I always struggle to take photos when I’m alone, these tips are so helpful!

I love this blog! Solo traveling can be scary, but Rose help me a lot with this ❤️❤️

Hi Tatuajera, I am so pleased to hear this and I wish you the best of luck on your trip!

I’ve just started traveling solo, and loved to read your article. It’s been just selfies for me right now, but most of them don’t turn out too well, haha. I got a tripod/stick that fits in my pocket, but I haven’t even used it yet because it’s kind of a hassle to put my phone in it. Do you have Instagram? Check me out if you want, my Instagram is @Mennohhh. I’m sharing my travel pictures on there!

My best tip for the self timer problem on the phone is to take a video of yourself. Than you won’t just have one good picture. You will have as much as you like. Sometimes the outcome of my screenshots of the video will be a pose or just a short moment that is utterly beautiful and without the video I wouldn’t have catchend it!

That’s such a good tip!

I’m travelling for 4 months in the UK and your blog has been super helpful! I just regret not finding your articles before I left. I’ve been very nervous about leaving my camera unattended on my tripod, but your reassurances in this article may have pushed me to try for the perfect shot in the highlands this week. Thanks for sharing such a realistic experience of solo female travel 🙂 much better than my mom complaining every time I leave my accommodation!

Hey Danni! Glad it’s helped! And yes we gotta take risks sometimes for that shot 😉 hope you have a fab trip x

Loved reading this, thanks for these helpful article. Will have my first soll trip in 2 weeks (Denmark), excited to try these tips out.

Hi Natalie, glad they helped and i hope you enjoy Denmark! Let me know how you get on with the photo tips!

I’m one of those people who stops and let someone finish taking their photos before passing by them. I mean maybe your timer is down to a few seconds. I don’t wanna leave a blurry image there. 😂

Haha – you are very thoughtful!

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10 Tips For Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos

Posted by Danny Zappa Comments 24

Are you planning a vacation and wondering what camera to take? If you’re thinking of carrying bulky camera equipment, you should reconsider! Whether you’re planning a weekend city break, a family vacation, or a round-the-world adventure, your iPhone is the perfect travel camera. In this tutorial, you’ll discover 10 ways to guarantee success with your iPhone travel photography .

Is The iPhone Really All You Need?

The purpose of travel photography is to document your journey and experiences. These images serve as memories that will last a lifetime, and it’s likely that you’ll want to share them with family, friends and your social media followers.

While the image resolution and quality might be higher on a DSLR or other high-end camera, the iPhone wins hands-down on portability and convenience.

Not only is the iPhone compact, lightweight and great for taking photos quickly and discreetly, but you’re going to be carrying it with you anyway so there’s no need to take any extra equipment.

The last thing you want to do when you’re traveling is to carry a heavy camera, tripod and lenses around with you all day. It’s impractical, and it also makes you a target for theft as you can’t hide the fact that you’re carrying an expensive piece of kit.

The other problem with a traditional camera is that you can spend vital seconds or minutes changing settings, only to miss the once in a lifetime shot. With the iPhone you can have it out of your pocket and shooting in a couple of seconds!

The most important aspect of travel photography is to document the story of the locations you visit and the time that you spend there. So if you’re thinking of taking a large digital camera on your next vacation, you might want to think again.

Your iPhone can easily be the best travel camera, as long as you take some basic steps to prepare for your trip and follow these guidelines when you’re at your destination.

With a little knowledge and imagination, you can take stunning and unique travel photos with your iPhone. So let’s take a look at ten iPhone travel photography tips and tricks !

1. Research Your Destination

Good travel photography starts way before you arrive at your destination. It starts off at home, where you should research the location that you’re visiting.

Spend a bit of time finding out about local landmarks, interesting architecture and areas of natural beauty that would make good subjects and locations for your photos.

Use the internet and travel guides to find out as much as you can about the region, culture, weather, and any interesting events or festivals that might be going on while you’re visiting.

Sometimes you’re just around the corner from somewhere really incredible that’s waiting to be photographed. That’s why it’s so important to research the places you’re visiting beforehand so that you don’t miss out on great photo opportunities.

Check what the weather will be like during your visit, and find out what time the sun rises and sets. The golden hours  are usually the best times of day for taking photos, especially in hot climates where it can become hazy during the main part of the day.

In certain parts of the world you’re not allowed to photograph whatever you want, and there are certain rules to be followed. Find out what you’re allowed to photograph and what’s prohibited.

You should also check whether there are any dress codes, as well as other local rules and laws. Learn about the country’s religion and culture beforehand so that you don’t commit any mistakes or cause offense in the country you’re visiting.

2. Use The Instagram Community

Purchasing a good travel guide book is important for many people, but it’s also interesting (and free) to check out what the Instagram community has to say about your chosen destination.

Let your followers know where you’re going next and ask for personal opinions about locations to visit, places to eat, and what to see and photograph in that area.

Each destination has its clichés, as well as hidden places off the beaten track. Search for local Instagramers to see what and where they shoot. If possible, speak to them to get inside knowledge of their favorite places to photograph.

The Instagram mobile photography community is a friendly place, and you’re sure to find people who will be happy to help you find great locations to shoot. You never know, they might even offer to meet up and show you the sights!

3. Prepare Your Camera

Before you set out on your journey, set aside some time to prepare your iPhone for the trip. One of the most important things is to make sure you have enough space on your iPhone for lots of new photos.

You don’t want to run out of space half way through your adventure! To free up as much space as possible, transfer photos from iPhone to computer ( Mac or Windows PC ). You can use an iPhone transfer photo app to do this.

Battery life is also important as you might be out shooting all day with your iPhone. I would advise purchasing an external battery, such as the Mophie Juice Pack , to give you more hours of shooting time.

If you’re traveling to a location where you don’t need to use cellular coverage, optimize the battery usage by switching on Airplane Mode in the Settings app. This way your iPhone won’t drain the battery trying to keep you connected all the time.

A “foggy” image can sometimes be a pure result of a dirty lens, so make sure your iPhone’s camera lens is clean. Wipe the lens gently with a clean lens cloth, or any other soft fabric such as your t-shirt, to ensure your photos are crystal clear.

4. Rethink The Cliché Shots

Visiting tourist spots when traveling is practically inevitable, but you don’t want to return home with your images looking just like the guide book. It’ll be much more fun and interesting if you take unique shots of popular travel destinations.

The important thing to remember when photographing popular tourist locations is to avoid shooting the subject just like everyone else has done before you.

Move around and get to know your subject. Experiment with more appealing angles and viewpoints that aren’t common in this scene.

Shooting from a low angle is an easy way to show a scene from a perspective that people don’t normally see from standing height.

Leave the photo clichés to the tourists! You’re a mobile photographer and a traveler on a mission to take the best photos you possibly can within a set timeframe.

Keep your eyes peeled for unique photo opportunities, and don’t be afraid to take the shot. If it doesn’t work out you can delete it, but if you don’t take the photo in the first place you’ll never know how it would have turned out.

5. Shoot Portraits Of Local People

A great way to capture the essence of your destination is to take portrait photos of local people. If you’re shooting from a distance this shouldn’t be a problem, but if you want to take close-up portraits it’s polite to ask permission first.

For a softer approach, I suggest a quick study of the language first. Buy a phrasebook or download a translation app on your iPhone, and learn the basics such as, “hello,” “please,” “thank you” and “how are you?”

Once you know some key phrases to break the ice, start communicating in the local language. You don’t have to be fluent, but a simple “hello” in the person’s native language will make them feel more comfortable with the situation. Ask if it’s okay to photograph them, but if they don’t agree, thank them and move on.

Photographing people in their own environment with interesting elements in the background or foreground will help to contextualize the portrait, giving the viewer more information about the location.

Whether you’re photographing people in wide open desert or amongst the hustle and bustle of a busy city or street market, always aim to tell a story in your photo. You’re not just photographing the person, but documenting your travel experience.

6. Use Yourself Or A Traveling Companion As The Subject

Having a person in your travel photos makes the images more interesting. It also adds a more humane perspective to the journey that you’re documenting.

A person can act as a focal point in a scene that doesn’t have an obvious main subject, and it helps the viewer to connect with the photo.

It’s not always possible to photograph local people, so if you’re traveling with others, ask them to pose in the scene when you take a photo.

Not only does this add an interesting focal point to your image, but it creates wonderful memories of the people you travelled with or met along your journey.

When you come across a scene that looks stunning in real life, you might find it difficult to convey that beauty in a photo. This is especially true with landscapes  and beach scenes which can appear very “flat” without a main subject or focal point.  Including a person in the scene is the perfect solution.

Imagine the photo above without the person in the foreground – it would be pretty flat and lifeless. The inclusion of the woman creates a strong focal point, and helps to create a sense of depth in the scene.

Even subjects as ornate as this beautiful building often don’t look good in photos without a main subject. Adding a person into the scene creates a strong focal point and adds a wonderful storytelling element.

If you’re traveling alone, don’t worry! You can always use yourself as the subject in your photos. A small iPhone tripod , together with an iPhone tripod mount and the self-timer feature in the camera app are all you need.

7. Capture Small Details

When taking photos on your travels, you’re likely to shoot a lot of wide landscapes, tranquil beaches, and busy street scenes. These all make great photos that capture the beauty and atmosphere of the country.

But don’t forgot to look out for the smaller details at your destination. This shouldn’t be difficult as everything you see will probably be brand new to you, and you’ll spot interesting details everywhere you look.

Keep your eyes peeled for traditional elements unique to your destination, such as details in architecture, local costumes, materials, food, colors , textures and patterns .

These small details often tell a more intimate story, giving the viewer a better sense of the environment that you experienced. Close-up shots of architectural features are a great way of adding variety to your photo album.

The intricate detail and patterns of this yellow building create a wonderful abstract image. This kind of shot works best when you fill the entire frame with the subject or pattern.

If you’re at a beach or in the countryside, look out for small elements in nature , such as flowers , leaves , pebbles or shells. Get up close to capture the fine detail of these small subjects.

8. Tell A Story With Your Photos

A good photo tells a story, and travel photography is the perfect opportunity to tell interesting stories with your pictures. There are different ways that you can tell stories through your photos.

Sometimes the actions of the subject tell a story in themselves. For example, this man walking along a windy beach with his blanket flowing behind him. The trick is to compose your shot well and capture the subject at the perfect moment.

You often need to do this quickly before the moment is gone, so always have your camera ready and use burst mode to take a series of shots in quick succession (simply hold the shutter button down to activate burst mode).

Storytelling is all about getting the viewer interested in what’s going on in the scene. A great way to do this is to create some mystery and intrigue so that your audience starts asking questions about the photo. For example, “Who’s that person?” “What’s that object doing there?”

Leaving a bit to the imagination is a great way of getting the viewer to connect more with your photo while they wonder about the story behind it.

It allows the viewer to make up their own story about the photo, or find a personal connection with it. In the case of the two photos above, the viewer might imagine themselves sitting on the chair, experiencing that beautiful location for themselves.

Another way of telling a story is to shoot a series of related images. This allows you to easily tell a story through your photos without saying a single word.

Select a theme, such as architecture or culture. Or select a place, like a traditional market or beautiful beach. Then try to capture a sequence of images that tells the story of what you experienced.

Shoot wide angle shots of the entire scene, close up shots of small details, and anything else that helps to tell a complete story of your chosen theme. Think of how you’d like to tell the narrative of your journey to your friends and family, and capture that in your pictures.

9. Document Your Entire Journey

Rather than just taking photos once your reach your destination, document your entire journey with your iPhone. This will help you to tell a more complete story of your trip.

Airports are great places for photography. Look around at the architecture and try creating symmetrical or  abstract compositions. Or capture the hustle and bustle of the airport – it’s essentially like street photography but inside a large building!

There will be lots of stories going on at an airport. There will be family members saying goodbye, old friends meeting after many years, business people running to catch their plane, families waiting around during long delays, etc.

Photographing planes is another obvious choice at the airport. And once you’re up in the air, you can take pictures inside the plane and out of the windows. Ensure your phone is set to Airplane Mode while flying.

If you’re going on a road trip, take lots of pictures along the way. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to stop and take photos of the places you pass through. Include yourself or your traveling companions in some of these images to document who was there.

Maybe you’re traveling by other means, such as a boat, train, bicycle, motorcycle or camel! Whatever your chosen mode of transport, be sure to document the journey that you take.

And finally, take photos of the places you stay, especially if they have interesting furniture and decor. All of these little details will be wonderful reminders of your trip, and if you don’t capture them you’ll regret it later!

10. Fill Your Camera Roll

Take as many photos as you possibly can! There’s no such thing as too many pictures of your trip. Not all of your photos will be amazing ones that you want to share, but they’ll still be good memories for you to recollect.

Traveling can sometimes be the one chance you get to see and experience a specific place. So make sure you experiment with different shooting angles and composition to maximize your chances of getting the perfect shot. You may never go back to that place so this might be your only opportunity.

There are many times when traveling that you’ll stumble across an interesting scene or a fleeting moment, so always be ready with your iPhone. If you’re not sure whether to take the shot, take it.

Using burst mode is a good option when shooting busy scenes and moving subjects. You’ll end up with a lot of photos in your Camera Roll, but you can select the best ones and delete the rest.

Don’t worry about being seen as a “tourist” who’s taking lots of photos. It’s preferable to return home with an iPhone full of images than to regret not taking many pictures of your trip.

When traveling to a foreign country you’re likely to experience your photography at its fullest. When everything is brand new to you, sights and scenes seem more appealing and you’ll be more excited to photograph them.

The iPhone is the best camera for capturing every scene that you encounter because it’s so accessible and easy to use. Just take a little time before you leave so that you can prepare your iPhone for your trip and do a little research about your destination.

Then once you arrive, explore your location, look for unique photo opportunities and shooting angles, and don’t forget to include people in your photos. Capture small details, as well as wider landscapes and street scenes , in order to tell a more complete story of your journey.

And don’t forget to take lots and lots of photos! Use your iPhone to document your travel experiences and adventures so that you come back with a Camera Roll full of lasting memories.

June 26, 2015 at 4:21 pm

Great tips and masterful photos!

June 29, 2015 at 12:33 pm

Thank you very much Tracy!

June 27, 2015 at 9:20 am

Don’t just leave your photos on your phone – use something like Dropbox to back-up. If you don’t and the phone is stolen or just lost you lose all of your pics!

June 29, 2015 at 12:35 pm

Good point Nick! I completely missed out on mentioning that. In fact I do you Dropbox to back-up all of my work.

June 27, 2015 at 12:58 pm

Great article and fantastic shots! Thanks Danny!

June 29, 2015 at 12:45 pm

Thank you Anne!

June 27, 2015 at 8:30 pm

Thank you for these great tips for travel photos. I am anxious to try them while traveling over the next few months. Your beautiful photos are such an inspiration to me, a beginner iPhone photographer!

June 29, 2015 at 12:48 pm

Thank you very much Janet! Keep these tips in mind all the time, not only when travelling, and your “inner photographer” will start coming much easier to you. I want to see your travel images when you post them. Have a safe trip!

June 28, 2015 at 2:32 pm

Great article! I can’t wait to travel and take lots op pictures. I like to capture the location data for the picture too, so wouldn’t turning the phone in airplane mode prevent it from doing so? Or is GPS location data not affected by this?

Hi Mitchel, thanks! 🙂 I’m almost sure that the GPS and metadata of the pictures taken in airplane mode do not get affected.

July 5, 2015 at 5:09 am

Finally a very comprehensive and useful article! Every tip is a piece of valuable information! Thank you for sharing with me! Normally a successful photographer keeps is little secrets just for himself! But your article is an open source! Thank you again!

July 8, 2015 at 12:52 am

Glad to hear you found these tips useful Daniel! We’re all about sharing our knowledge and experience of photography here 🙂

July 11, 2015 at 8:58 am

Thank you Daniel! I’m glad the tips were useful for you!

April 1, 2016 at 9:11 am

Most of my iPhotography secrets revealed. I hate you!

April fools!

September 9, 2016 at 7:18 am

Great article! Is there a time when you prefer to take a shot in the “square” iPhone format versus the regular “photo” (rectangular) format?

September 9, 2016 at 9:29 am

Thank you ! very useful and complex article. I’m member of @MobilePhotoTrip team. You can find us on Instagram. We are traveling around Poland with group of mobile photographers. Every month different city. Our rule is make photo with your phone and edit with phone One of our partner is Shootermag Please type #MobilePhotoTrip on Instagram to find good photos of our trips. If you w’d like to know more please let me know [email protected]

September 10, 2016 at 4:05 pm

Great photos. Thank you for the tips and reminders. I love my iPhone photos since taking the IPS courses and learning how to use it to full advantage…though I’m still learning!

September 12, 2016 at 8:04 am

Glad you enjoyed this tutorial Ardys. And great to hear that you’ve learnt a lot from our courses. There’s always something new to learn 🙂

September 10, 2016 at 4:09 pm

Wonderful images. Thank you again

September 12, 2016 at 8:03 am

Glad you enjoyed them Arline 🙂

September 18, 2016 at 4:43 pm

Nice…. love my I phone 6+. Nov 23 the 7+!

May 1, 2017 at 4:33 pm

great tips! im very surprised (and happy) some of the pics were taken in my city, in Brasil. <3

January 4, 2018 at 1:23 am

Its amazing tips & i have used during my last travel at Pushar, india… The results were awesome !! in Love with Iphone 6

January 4, 2018 at 1:29 am

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Easy Ways to Take Awesome Photos of Yourself When You Travel Solo.

Going on a solo trip and wondering how to take pictures of yourself alone? Check out all my solo travel photography tips.

When I travel alone and post an introspective photo of myself gazing into a magnificent horizon beyond, I often get asked if a photographer is shadowing me. The answer is no, but thanks for the compliment!

Those dreamy pictures rarely do justice to the overwhelming feeling of solitude, in a place of raw beauty. Indeed, some of my earliest travels, like to pristine Bunaken in Indonesia and remote north-western Vietnam went completely uncaptured. I eventually decided to start taking photographs on my travels in the hope that it will lure others to kick their comfort zone and go exploring. I now use my beloved  iPhone and handy Sony Cybershot RX II  on the road.

If you’re travelling solo and wondering how to take pictures of yourself alone, here are all my solo travel photography tips:

Remotely control your camera with a smartphone

This is my favorite way to get an introspective shot. I connect my camera using its internal wifi to my iPhone, so I can see exactly how I look in the frame and have no time limit. It works brilliantly, so much so that I prefer getting my own photos even when I’m traveling with someone else.

Use the good old self timer

How to take pictures of yourself alone doesn’t have to be complicated. Thanks to my iPhone, I rarely use my camera these days. But the good old self timer function is hard to replace – I set up my Sony Cybershot on an even surface or on the ground, hit the ten second timer, and walk into the frame as best as I can. It takes a few tries to get a good shot, but hey, it’s always worth the exercise!

Get a bluetooth remote

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shivya Nath (@shivya) on Feb 11, 2020 at 8:54pm PST

I’ve just ordered one, and that should probably eliminate the need for using my camera completely! They say it’s as small as a keychain, comes with a stand for uneven surfaces and works for both photos and videos up to 90 feet away. Probably the most convenient answer to how to take pictures of yourself alone. Connect with me on Instagram @shivya to see for yourself how well it works.

Take a creative selfie

I hate conventional selfies. But over the years, I’ve found creative ways to insert myself into a picture to capture the essence of a moment or feeling, without actually having my face in it. Those itchy feet play the part well, as do the scribbling of thoughts that flow along.

Find better angles with a selfie stick

I dismissed selfie sticks as the pinnacle of narcissism, until I saw some bloggers use them rather interestingly! You can creatively angle them to take dreamy shots from the back or the top, and end up with some pretty awesome results.

Ask someone you meet along the way

How to take pictures of yourself alone isn’t such a difficult question if you think about it. Although my favorite solo travel moments are of complete solitude, with not a soul in sight, I’m always meeting people along the way – locals, hosts, fellow travellers. I hand over my phone and tell them the angle I want. I’ve found that people are not only happy to oblige, but it’s also a great way to get a conversation going.

Once in Madrid , I shyly asked an old gentleman in broken Spanish if he could take a photo of me. We got talking, swapped stories about our lives, he showed me some of his favorite spots by the lake, and even invited me home to try his wife’s cooking! All in a photo’s worth.

Thinking of traveling solo? Start here.

Read: Practical Ways I’ve Learnt to Stay Safe While Travelling Alone

Got any creative ideas on how to take pictures of yourself alone?

Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.

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70 comments.

These are amazing pictures and ideas for capturing the essence of travel. Thanks for this lovely post

Thanks Havneet, glad you found it helpful!

Such wonderful ideas! I am in love with the pic at the vineyard 🙂 beautiful post!

Me too! A fluke shot – the camera was on an uneven surface and tipped over, resulting in the blurred grass 😉

Great tips! 🙂

Incredible ideas! 🙂

Thanks Karmughil! Hope you can put them to use soon 🙂

Oh yes! For sure. 🙂

That answers my question…always have sed to wonder how you manage to click such amazing snaps when travelling solo 🙂

Glad it answers them Sunil! Your chance to try 😉

Marvellous journey & Awesome photos. I would also like to have a similar living after leaving my corporate lufe. But my query is- how do you finance your journey? with best regards.

Thanks Arijit! I’ll be sharing an update soon on how I’ve been doing financially the last year or so. In the meantime, you’ll find some answers here – https://the-shooting-star.com/my-travel-secrets/

I have had some pretty funny (read: BAD) photos taken by strangers. Hilarious to look back on.

Haha, I have my fair share of those too 😉

Those are some really cool photos and selfies. I am impressed at how artistic they are – you’ve taken the selfie to a whole new level. You have no need for friends 🙂

Ouch, haha! But glad you like them, worth the effort spent 😉

Awesome post and amazing clicks. Thanks a lot 🙂

Muchas gracias!

What camera do you use?

Read the post and thou shalt know!

ABSOLUTELY GREAT HATS OFF LADY !!! Wish could join you..

Thanks Sudhir! Don’t wait for me; plan your own adventures 🙂

Fabulous Pictures, Just loved them. The ideas for capturing the essence of journey along with bit of traveller is incredible. :).. A big hug for this….

Thanks! Hope you’ll be able to use some of these ideas on your own travels too 😉

Appreciate the way you have taken photos of yourself. Just love them. However, I’m little apprehensive about giving camera or phone to strangers.

I wouldn’t do it in a crowded or touristy place, but in a little village on the countryside – by all means!

I realise I need to stop being such a spaz when it comes to selfies 🙂

Absolutely! And let’s not even call these kind of photos selfies :p

creative selfie? now that sounds interesting…surely a way to stand out !

Hope you’re taking yourself and your camera for a trip soon then!

I’m not much of a selfie person! But yes, looking at some of your pictures, I’m quite tempted to start.

Nice work! Keep it up. Love the picture in the vineyards.

Thanks, it’s one of my favs too!

Great ideas Shivya😊 ; have tried all of them, but setting the camera in a tripod and operating it remotely is the way I prefer the most 🙂 🙂 http://www.exploreitmyway.com

Thanks Saswati! That’s the more effort consuming one but surely worth the results.

I use all of these, except the remote (though I carry it on all my trips) 🙂 The one most commonly used it ‘asking a stranger’ or ‘taking a creative selfie – including the use of a selfie stick. GoPro also works great for selfies and I use it more and more now…

That’s awesome Sid! I recently tried a jump shot with a remote and loved how it turned out just how I wanted it to be.

Very creative and yet simple.

Hope it’s helpful Anjali!

I’ve been struggling with this part of travel capturing a lot 😉 Will go back and improvise. Appreciate your write ups 👍🏻

I’m glad you have some new ideas to try out, Ashutosh!

Hard to believe that the creative selfie you have taken. Those photos are as creative as I think that a professional photographers clicked them. Very impressive.

Aww thanks!

Thanks for including me Shivya! I used to think the same until I finally caved in and bought one. I don’t really like them used in the standard way but after slinging it over my shoulder, realized it kind of looked cool – like I was a video game character.

I like that analogy, Kristin!

Was just gifted a selfie stick! Might try out some interesting angles now! 😉

Awesome, waiting to see how it goes!

I just came back from solo road trip on manali-leh highway. At one point i thought i have no pictures of myself with the landscapes. Thats where the idea of iphone and timer clicked me. I managed a few good shots with snow capped mountains. I should get a selfie stick and an iphone tripod along with a bluetooth remote. Great post. Peace.

Awesome! That’s one worthy landscape to have your photos with, atleast for memory’s sake 🙂 Glad you have new ideas to experiment with now.

Wow! Great tips! Amazing pictures shared by you. The selfies clicked by you are really impressive. I always wondered how I would manage clicking my pictures on a solo trip to new destinations. Now with your great post, I have got the ideas!

On creative selfies: I find working in my shadow or reflection a good way of including myself in the shot: https://itaintsodeep.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/p_20150803_095531.jpg

On selfie stick: for ppl who hike, a good middleway is a hiking pole with a camera grip on one end. It’s a selfie stick without the shame! You get those on Amazon

Awesome learning, thanks for the tips. btw do you have instagram page for all this?

Great advice and gorgeous photos!

Great tips!

This answers all the questions I’ve ever had about how solo travellers manage such fabulous pictures! I think they end up looking self-obsessed if you always show your face though. That’s why I like your penchant for side profiles and back shots.

Brilliant!!

what an amazing blog about various places you have told about .I will discuss it with my friends.

Thanks a ton 🙂 Those are some really good ways to take selfies! Am gonna try these next time also planning to buy a RXIII.

i hardly do selfie during my travels as it leads to narcissism, but your post gives me a different, more creative idea of doing that. and yeah, i almost forgot about using the 2 and 10 second timer features (except for capturing yoga poses at home ;). i think i should use that for my next selfies. thanks for sharing!

Great ideas. I bought the Bluetooth remote it works great, especially while trying to take a pic with the dogs. However I love your advice on the selfie stick. Thanks!

Thank you so much for the inspiration. I just need to figure out how to do the same and pay for it all. But I am following and loving your journey.

How about using tripods or is that unnecessary expense ?

Loved it, i always struggled with this but now i am ready to kill the game

• Pingback: 9 Things That Will Happen When You Travel Solo for the First Time | Drifter Planet

Hi Shivya! It’s always lovely to look at your blogs and pictures. I’m also planning to travel and photograph. Do you only use Sony Cybershot and an iPhone for all your Instagram photos or any other camera? Would be great help to know. Thanks!

Wow!! Great ideas. Never knew you could remotely access your camera with phone.

Some lovely pics and awesome tips !! 🙂

Didn’t know you were taking these pictures on your own, great job. Keep inspiring…🤘🏻

It’s awesome to share your travel experience with clicking pictures! 😊

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Solo Travel: How To Take Amazing Photos Of Yourself When Traveling Alone

Solo travel can provide you with so many valuable benefits, from getting to know yourself on a deeper level to meeting new people you never would have crossed paths with otherwise (via  Insight Guides ). It's practically impossible to come out of a solo trip without changing for the better. Even though traveling alone can be one of the most rewarding adventures of your life, there are still some tough struggles that come along with being a solo traveler, such as figuring out how to take gorgeous pictures of yourself. 

Face it, everyone wants that photo of themselves on a trip that's so good they can't stop staring at it. The one that they make their profile picture across every social media account. It's a lot harder actually getting that special shot standing in front of the Eiffel Tower or posed flatteringly on a tropical beach when you don't have any help from any travel companions. 

That's probably why  Solo Traveler  says that trying to capture a good photo of yourself is one of the hardest parts of traveling alone . Before you start begging everyone you know to come with you on your trip and be your built-in photographer, take a beat and check this out. By the end of this article, you'll have 11 tricks in your arsenal that can help you get a picture-perfect solo shot, no matter who you're with or where you are in the world.

Use a tripod

One of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to taking beautiful photos of yourself as a solo traveler is a handy-dandy, foolproof tripod. A tripod is a three-legged photography tool that's available at a variety of price points, making it a good fit for professional photographers and still feasible for solo travelers with just an iPhone at their disposal. Since the dawn of solo traveling, people have been using tripods to help them capture great photos during their adventures, and it's easy to understand why so many people love them.

Besides the fact that you can use a tripod to hold your phone or camera while you pose for the photo, there are a few other reasons why tripods are a really useful piece of travel gear. According to Make Use Of , using a tripod improves your camera's stability, gives you more time to set up for a self-timed photo, makes it easier to shoot in low light, and helps you frame the picture. There are so many options for different tripods out there that it can make your head spin, but as a solo traveler, you need something compact. Digital Camera World recommends trying out the SmallRig Tabletop Mini Tripod, because it can adapt to lots of shooting situations and it's pretty affordable.

Get a selfie stick for your phone

Travelers on a budget might prefer a solo photo-taking solution that doesn't break the bank. Taking a big, solitary expedition by yourself is already a hefty financial undertaking, but tacking on the cost of purchasing new gear can take it to an unmanageable level. If you don't want to invest too much money in a camera or new gadget before a big trip, just pick up a selfie stick. The famed selfie stick is one of the simplest, cheapest solutions to taking amazing photos of yourself on a solo trip. 

A selfie stick basically "extends" your arm to a distance that makes capturing a complete solo photo possible, even if you have nobody else to help take it for you (via WikiHow ). With this easily packable gadget, you can capture a wider angle and more of the background than if you just take a regular ol' selfie. It works with just about any cellphone, and there are also versions of the selfie stick that are compatible with more professional cameras, like GoPros. While many travelers write off selfie sticks as cheesy-looking or just for influencers, it's actually a really beneficial tool on a solo trip. 

Use the self-timer feature

There is a reason why just about every form of photo device on the planet has a self-time these days, from the layman's regular iPhone to higher-end DSLR cameras. It's for solo travelers like you who need a way to take eye-catching photos without having a person behind the camera. This trick for taking photos of yourself while traveling alone is a classic. 

According to Apple , it's super easy to turn on your iPhone's self-timer. All you have to do is open the camera setting, click on the little timer icon, choose either a 3-second or 10-second timer, and press the shutter button when you're ready for it to start counting down. Then, make a mad dash to get in the shot and strike your perfect pose. The self-timer on more professional cameras varies between brands, but you can easily figure out the specifics by reviewing your camera's included instructions.

Using a self-timer is by far one of the simplest and best ways to take photos of yourself on a solo trip. You don't even need to pack anything extra, which is helpful for when you're flying alone and trying to travel as lightweight as possible. The only struggle with this method is that you need to find a flat, stable surface to put your phone down on. Using a phone case with a retractable stand on the back can help with that little issue, though.

Invest in a GroPro

If you're a full-time traveler or digital nomad who wants to invest in upgrading your solo photos, there is no better option than the convenient, compact GoPro camera. Even if you're not a big photo person, you've probably heard about this multifaceted device. This piece of travel gear costs a little more than the other suggestions on this list, but it's well worth the price if you travel alone frequently. 

You'll leave your trips with way better solo pictures and videos if you have a GoPro on hand. It's a favorite among  solo travelers  for its easy-to-handle size and accessories that make taking travel photos by yourself way less daunting. According to  Tata Capital , a GoPro camera can be especially useful for solo travelers because it is very portable, it can be used underwater to a certain depth, and you can get captivating shots from a unique perspective. 

At this point, you're probably working the numbers in your mind, and wondering if the few hundred dollars for this camera would really be worth it (or thinking that you don't really need a GoPro just for solo photographs). But there's actually a ridiculous number of things you can do with it, and some very tempting benefits to this camera.  Picture Frame Express  says that you can get accessories that enable you to record yourself doing fast-paced activities like biking, or even attach it to your pet's harness to get their point-of-view. The possibilities are endless. 

Join a walking tour

Most travelers are familiar with the concept of taking a tour to get some local insight into a new place, but did you know it could be a great way to get absolutely epic pictures of yourself traveling alone? Sometimes, you just want to go old school and avoid all the new technologies or figuring out hidden phone features. For those types of solo travelers, the answer is simple: Just join a tour! 

There are a bunch of upsides to participating in a walking tour when you're in a new place.  Sight Seekers Delight  says that tours are ideal for all types of travelers because you get to understand way more about the city you're visiting, meet other explorers along the way, and don't have to plan a whole afternoon of your trip. Not to mention that many cities around the world offer visitors  free walking tours , too. 

Joining a tour is a "kill multiple birds with one stone" situation, because you'll get to learn a lot more about the new place you're visiting, and then afterward you can just ask your guide or a fellow tour group member to help you out with taking your photo. Tours are usually built around visiting the very best destinations around the area, like a city's  top attractions  or the prettiest secret spots. So, you can breathe easy knowing you'll be getting your solo photos at some of the best locations in the entire city. 

Bring a Polaroid Now+ and use the features on the smartphone app

When you think of all the photos you're going to capture on your solo trip, you're probably imagining a collection of digital albums that you can plaster all over social media. A fun alternative that lots of nostalgic travelers prefer is instant Polaroid photos. There's something more intimate about cherishing a physical Polaroid photo from a trip, or filling up a box with unedited, unfiltered raw photos that can only be taken once. 

The thing is, it was basically impossible for solo travelers to capture these instant photos of themselves before. There always had to be someone actually holding the camera and taking the shot. Thankfully, these days solo travelers have the Polaroid Now+ camera. 

According to Creative Bloq , the Polaroid Now+ camera comes with a bunch of features that solo travelers can use from a simple smartphone app that connects to the camera via Bluetooth. On the Polaroid app, you can remotely snap photos of yourself and use a self-timer for up to 12 seconds, making it the perfect fit for people who travel alone. The app also comes with a bunch of creative photo shooting modes, including portrait mode, double exposure, and light painting. Solo travelers can get super artistic with their photos when they use this particular camera. Though as Expert Reviews points out, one of the major downsides of using the Polaroid Now+ for travel is that the film can be a tad expensive.

Befriend another solo traveler and ask them for a hand

The headline "solo travel" makes it seem like you're going to be off in a new country or city, completely alone without ever having a friend to do things with or talk to. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth. That's the beautiful thing about solo travel — you can be totally alone if you want, but new friends are very easy to find, especially if you find meet other solo travelers. 

Solo travelers get each other and understand the common difficulties of the experience, like trying to take good photos of themselves. If you can click with one, it's a safe bet that they can help you out with capturing some show-stopping pictures of yourself. Worried about  making friends as a solo traveler ? You'll be relieved to find that people are way more open to a blossoming friendship in the midst of a travel adventure, particularly if they're other solo travelers. 

According to  Worldpackers , there are tons of easy ways to meet other solo travelers while you're on an adventure, like using solo travel apps, staying in a hostel, or even joining a beer crawl. Basically, the more you put yourself out there, the higher the chance you'll meet travel buddies and have someone else there to help you get winning photos. You can have your cake and eat it, too!

Take a video and screenshot photos from it

When you're exploring the world as a solo traveler, you have to be savvy with getting pictures of yourself. One popular method for capturing awesome solo photos while you're traveling alone is by taking a video. Basically, all you have to do is position your phone in a stable location with the ideal background in the frame, turn on the video, and pose as you would normally for photos. After you're done living your "America's Next Top Model" fantasy, you can go through the video and just screenshot the images you like best. 

You can take a screenshot by pressing the side button and the volume up button on the phone at the exact same time (via Apple ). It can be a little more difficult to get a clear shot when you rely on this technique, but there are a few maneuvers you can use to make your photos look more professional. CNET suggests making sure your phone is positioned the ideal way before shooting, using 4K video, and changing the frame rate to fit your lighting.

Get the lighting right

You could have the newest, fanciest, most expensive camera equipment on the market, but it won't matter at all if you can't get the lighting right for the shot. That sounds like a loosely-weaved metaphor for life, but there aren't any allegories here. There is nothing worse than snapping a few photos of a gorgeous scene, only to discover that it's completely washed-up and unrecognizable. 

The lighting of a scene can make or break a photograph, whether or not you're taking it as a solo traveler. However, this is doubly frustrating on a solo trip when it's already pretty difficult to get a good shot. But even if you're not a photography connoisseur, there are a few straightforward tricks you can keep in your back pocket to use lighting to your advantage, both indoors and outdoors. 

When you're taking outdoor photos on a solo journey, Kindred Photography Workshop recommends finding a spot with diffused sunlight like under some trees, shooting on overcast days, and going out to take photos during the stunning golden hour right before sunset. Alternatively, if you are shooting indoors, Expert Photography says you should use artificial lights if it's available, take photos during twilight or right in the middle of the day, and use a wide-angle lens. With a little bit of forethought, your pictures can come out 10 times better. 

Take a shameless front-camera selfie

Many travelers find themselves getting bashful as they pull out their phone at a big tourist attraction and audaciously  snap a selfie  amongst the crowds. There's no reason to be embarrassed, though. A solo traveler has to do what they must to capture a good photo to bring home from a trip. 

A lot of people worry that a simple DIY selfie won't be good enough to captivate the magic of their solo trip. Despite the stigma, it can be one of the most effective ways to get a nice shot of yourself when you're traveling alone, as long as you take advantage of a few tips for taking selfies you'll be proud of. 

For example,  ShotKit  says that when you're taking a selfie, you need to be very careful about taking it from the right angle and staying away from shadows that might distort your face. On the other hand,  Snappy Snaps  encourages travelers to face toward the light to illuminate all their features and use iPhone's portrait mode to take a travel photo you'll be putting on your Tinder profile for years to come. It turns out that taking a solid selfie truly is an art form. 

Just be brave and ask a stranger to snap your photo

When all else fails, just remember that solo travelers are never alone — there are always other people around who can help you take a frame-worthy travel photo. After all, part of the allure of solo traveling is getting the opportunity to truly put yourself out there and engage with new people. That can start with asking a stranger to assist you with getting a suitable travel shot. Think of it as a practice session in the art of communication. Even though it can be scary at first, it's all a matter of getting over the jitters and just saying hello. 

World of Wanderlust  recommends searching out the ideal person to take the photo (like someone carrying a big, nice camera) and approaching them with a friendly tone. Introduce yourself and ask if they could do you the favor of snapping a photo, instead of just shoving your camera in their hands. The best way to ensure they actually get a nice shot is to give them as many directions as possible for how you want the photo. Also, don't forget to thank your new photographer friend before you go on your way.

6 Solo Travel Photography Tips + 5 FREE Editing Presets

ready for better solo travel photos?!

You’ve landed (🛬 pun intended ) on the right article for solo travel photography tips! Here’s why…

👋 Hi, I’m Shelley , and I’ve been on my solo travel in Mexico journey since 2018, taking photos all along the way — so I’ve learned a thing or two (or 44!) about solo photography. In this article, I’m going to pass that knowledge on to you through six photography tips for solo travelers.

In this era of  Instagram  travel photos and social media photography, I’m sure you agree great travel photos are important. Throughout my last few years of solo travel, I’ve been learning as I go, and picking up as many tips to get the best travel photos possible along the way.

📸 BONUS: 5 free photo editing presets

Beyond the photos themselves, the editing is just as important; if not more so. For that reason, there’s 5 FREE photo editing presets at the end of the article for you. Can’t wait? 👉 Click here to download them now. Wondering, What is a preset? Don’t worry; by the end of this article you’ll know.

If you’re ready to learn how to take better pictures when you travel alone, including ways to be in your solo travel photos, and some editing hacks, let’s get to it. We’ll start with the best tip there is for solo vacation photos: using a tripod.

SOLO TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

1. best tripod for solo travel photos.

If you ask 100 other solo travel bloggers for solo photography tips, the hands-down #1 piece of advice will be: Get a tripod! Having a tripod for solo travel photos has been an absolute game changer, as they are easy to use and inexpensive to buy.

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As you’ll see, some of the other trips in this article require asking a stranger to take a photo for you (with tips on how to strategically pick the right person to ask). However, for those not into the idea of talking to strangers for a photo, there’s still great solo travel photography in your future.

But to get these epic solo travel photos, you’ll need to consider some camera phone accessories, namely a camera phone tripod , these camera phone lenses , and  yes  — even a selfie stick .

Phone Tripod: Portable and Adjustable Camera Stand Holder with Wireless Remote and Universal Clip

Selfie Stick, 40 inch Extendable Selfie Stick Tripod,Phone Tripod with Wireless Remote Shutter

BEST TRIPOD FOR SOLO TRAVEL PHOTOS

Bendable octopus tripod.

If you can’t even  with the mere thought of a selfie stick, you’re about to fall in love with the octopus tripod , the best tripod for solo travel photography. This tripod is the one surefire way to get epic solo travel photos — and the one gadget that will single handedly turn your solo photoshoot ideas into reality.

Unlike the not-so-cool selfie stick , this flexible, wrap-around  cell phone tripod is super cool. They even look like one of the smartest animals on Earth, the majestic octopus 🐙

These fun things cling on to nearly everything and also double as a traditional tripod, for those who really want to up their solo photos game. Either way you use it, an octopus tripod is awesome for taking completely straight and level pics, so they will look like a pro took them.

📸 The Best Tripod for Solo Travel Photography: UBeesize Portable and Adjustable Camera Stand Holder with Wireless Remote and Universal Clip

HOW TO USE YOUR TRIPOD

Here’s the step-by-step way you’ll use your new pet octopus tripod to get the best solo photo, in any of the solo photography poses you desire:

• Determine how you want to frame your photo and where you plan to be in it.
• Place the tripod down on a flat surface, or attach the octopus somewhere convenient, like a tree branch, light pole, or anywhere you can wrap it around.
• Set your phone’s self-timer and get yourself into frame before it goes off.
• If you have a model with a Bluetooth remote , the remote is small enough to hide in the palm of your hand, so you can just click the button when you want to take the photo.

Bonus Tip: Embrace the Selfie Stick

Yes, a selfie stick automatically makes you a tourist! But, well,  you are … and it’s super cool, and quite liberating, to lean in and embrace that. Plus, a tourist is on vacation — and what’s better than travel and vacation!?

Besides that, you’ll likely never see these people again, so rock your selfie stick with the same kind of confidence it took for you to travel solo in the first place.

The thing with selfie sticks is, well,  they work . This is why they are so popular — because they efficiently and effectively solve the problem they are designed to solve.

If you’re planning on buying a selfie stick , the one linked is a great, highly-rated, affordable option. It has all of the best selfie stick features, including that it’s a lightweight model with Bluetooth and a wireless remote shutter, a wrist strap, long battery life and adjustable telescoping length of 0- to 40-inches.

📸 Solo Travel Photo Tips: Take the photo so that you don’t include your hand holding the selfie stick .

solo travel Photography tips

2. locate someone with a real camera.

As a blanket statement, anyone who has their digital or DSLR camera while traveling, means business. Someone who’s into photography enough to have their camera with them likely understands proper photo composition, lighting, the best poses, flattering angels, etc., and can take a great photo for you.

Since we can all take great cell phone and iPhone photos nowadays, the commitment to packing a DSLR camera with these fancy Sony lenses with traveling — and then actually carrying it around all day — screams this person LOVES travel photography!

It also likely means they are a traveler just like you, and totally get that you want to capture some memories. In short, they are the ideal stranger to approach for a photo favor.

📸 Solo Travel Photo Tips: If someone has a camera, but also a “Don’t approach me” vibe, then wait for the next person.

Of course, this isn’t an exact science, and someone who has a DSLR camera can certainly produce a bad photo. However, there’s a tip in this blog to help you when the person takes a less-than-stellar photo for you, so read on.

RELATED BLOG ✈️  How to Travel Alone for the First Time: 10 Useful Tips

When in Doubt: Ask A Second Person

Can we talk honestly for a second?! …some people just don’t care about taking good photos . That’s right — Not everyone cares about taking beautiful, Instagram worthy travel pictures. Some people downright suck at taking them. There, I said it… and so did  Bored Panda .

If you ask someone, and they took a photo worthy of being a meme with your head cut off or their finger in the photo, don’t be afraid to “get a second opinion.” Since some places are too amazing to not have awesome travel photos of, gather up the courage and ask another person for a photo.

As was mentioned in Tip #2, always look for someone with a digital camera or DSLR camera. If you can’t find one, be on the lookout for females, ages 20-25, who are taking a selfie and seem to be in a friendly mood. ( Disclaimer: This is just a guide, ask anyone you feel comfortable with asking .)

RELATED BLOG ✈️  Scared to Travel Alone? 10 Tips on How to Embrace Solo Travel

Bonus Tip: Return the Photo Favor

Photo reciprocity is good karma!

Always offer to take a photo for whoever you asked to do so for you, even if this person isn’t a solo traveler.

With any sized group, someone always has to be the photographer, so this will give them the opportunity for a nice group/couple shot.

📸 Solo Travel Photo Tip: This is one of the easiest, most natural ways to strike up a conversation with someone if you’re wondering how to meet people while traveling solo .

3. Know Your Ideal Shot

When you’re shopping for a sweater, you don’t actually want any sweater — You want a Kelly green cashmere cardigan in size medium, please. The same is true when we’re talking about great travel photos, you have to know exactly what you want in order to beautifully capture it.

This goes for when you’re both using your octopus tripod , or asking a kind stranger with a fancy DSLR to take a photo for you. You have to know what shot you’re after to get it, take a moment to think this through before setting up your tripod or asking someone to take a photo for you.

RELATED BLOG ✈️  Solo Travel Anxiety: 5 Common Triggers & How to Overcome Them

When asking a stranger, here’s what it boils down to: When you ask for “a photo,” you will get “a photo,” which means any photo. When you know exactly what you want, you’re much more likely to get just that.

You’ll of course want to keep requests within reason, but if you ask: “Can you please take a vertical photo of me and get as much as you can of the pyramids in the background as possible?” you’ll likely get that.

Since this person is doing you a favor, you’ll want to give them the phone completely ready to take the photo, so all they have to do is click! Again, keeping requested with reason, if you think it’s appropriate, suggest they take several photos in  Burst   mode, or “rapid fire shooting.”

With Burst Mode , you press and hold down the button to take the photo; your phone will keep taking pictures until you release your finger. This way, you’ll get about 25 photos in one second, and can choose the best travel photos from the bunch.

4. Rule of Thirds & Using Grid Lines

Rule of thirds is one of the first things you’d learn in a photography class.

Basically, pretend your phone screen is a tic-tac-toe grid; you want the subject of the photo at the intersecting points of those lines, rather than in the dead center of your photo.

Nowadays, all phone cameras have grid lines you can turn on in the settings. If they are distracting, know that after a while most people can eyeball the thirds and won’t need the grid, but it certainly does take the guesswork out of things when you’re just starting out with using them.

Try to follow this rule when setting up your shot, but if not, you can always crop the photo afterwards so it conforms to the rule.

5. Timing + Lighting = The Best Travel Photos

Arrive as early as possible.

When traveling, there are a few iconic shots you’ll want to take in certain cities or countries, like the Taj Mahal or Eiffel Tower. Since these places are so iconic, you’re not the only one who’s wanting travel photos there. So how do you take good travel photos in these places? Arrive early!

While arriving early isn’t always possible, in times you can’t, you can still get creative. This will also require a bit of patience, but frame your shot and get your octopus tripod set up, so you’re 100% ready for those magical few seconds when no one’s in the frame but you — and then take your photo.

Understand Photo Lighting

While photo editing can do a lot, there’s not much you can do if the lighting is really bad. While there’s sometimes nothing you can do, try to avoid photos during midday when the sun is directly overhead, as it will cast harsh shadows all over the place. Here are the best times to take your travel photos.

• Magic Hour: Also called golden hour, this is known as the best time to take photos because the natural light from the sun is soft and golden in color, and makes everything and everyone look beautiful. Magic hour takes place during the one hour before sunset, and the one hour after sunrise.
• Blue Hour: A lesser utilized photography time, blue hour, or twilight hour, will give you dramatic blue-colored lighting in your photos. Blue hour takes place one hour after sunset, and one hour after sunrise.

Bonus Tip: How to Approach Strangers

One of the biggest barriers to entry for would-be solo travelers is the  How do I make friends while solo traveling  conundrum…

Well, strangers let you know if it’s OK (or not) to talk to them by their body language and overall vibe.

I have met people all along this solo travel journey by only approaching those people who seemed inviting — the ones giving off “Talk to me!” vibes.

6. Presets & Photo Editing

Since the dawn of photography time, humans have edited photos. Back in the day, this was done while processing photos in the darkroom — and Yes, I just completely dated myself 🤣

Darkroom editing was a bit complicated and tedious, which is why we’re so lucky to have the technology we do not. These days, thanks to photography editing presets you can edit photos in the light and from the comfort of our couch.

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I have tried a few camera and editing apps, and I stick to Adobe Lightroom for both. Personally, I like Lightroom for the editing presets so I can do one-click edits, and also because the Adobe Lightroom camera offers more functionality than my native iPhone camera. In short, Lightroom helps me get the closest-to-professional photos I can possibly get.

What is a Preset?

Basically, it’s a group of settings, including the brightness, contrast, color vibrancy, etc. that you can copy and paste from one photo to the next.

Even noticed how some IG accounts have a consistent look to all their photos? That’s thanks to the Magic Sauce known as photo editing presets.

A preset is essentially a pre-set and pre-determined look and feel you can apply to all your photos with the tap of a phone screen.

For presets called “cool,” you can imagine softer lighting, with pastel tones to the colors; whereas a preset called “bright” will have vibrant, bright colors and lots of bright white light.

Download Your 5 Adobe Lightroom Mobile Presets

Here are the 5 FREE presets I promised you. Please note that they only work on Adobe Lightroom Mobile, a free app you can download for iPhone and Android. Adobe is one of the biggest names in photography editing platforms, so besides the presets, it is also just one of the best photography apps.

Final Thoughts: Solo Travel Photography

With photography, they say the best camera is the one you have on you — so if you think you need a fancy camera to get better photos, you don’t.

Photography is an art, and like most art, it takes practice to make perfect. With solo photography, you just have to practice different skills than traditional photographers, like how to use a tripod, how to not care what you look like with your selfie stick, and how to approach a stranger for help.

Globe Gazers

Solo Photography Tips: How to Take Photos of Yourself

Mastering solo photography skills comes with the territory for solo travelers who want to capture memories of their journeys.

Is your travel companion impatient, unwilling or…unskilled when it comes to travel photography? Or, like me, is your travel companion non-existent? In other words, are you a solo traveler wanting to learn how to take good Instagram photos of yourself?

I’ve been in your shoes and I’ve learned a thing or two about solo travel photography that I’m more than happy to share with you. From the moment I first started traveling, I was dissatisfied when I didn’t have enough photos of myself enjoying travel destinations.

Sure, I could snap beautiful photos of my surroundings but if that’s all I have at the end of a trip what’s the point? I may as well have ordered postcards online and stayed at home!

I mean, if a photo is worth 1000 words is it wrong to want some of those words about my own travels to actually include me ?

Over the years, I realized it was important to me to be able to sidestep the awkwardness and sense of reliance I felt when asking either strangers or my own travel partners to take photos of me while traveling.

Thankfully, I’ve found out and am here to share how to take good pictures of yourself so you can capture the travel memories you’ve always wanted.

Solo Photography Using Smartphone Tripods

Let’s talk equipment. Contrary to many fellow travel bloggers, I’m still mostly using my camera phone to take photos. I’ll use a DSLR from time to time (less often now I’m divorced and the one I had access to belonged to my ex!) and I do have a desire to learn more skillful photography.

But what it comes down to is, I’m a traveler first. Even before I’m a blogger or photographer of any kind, I am a wanderlusting soul who wants the freedom to explore.

Traveling with my sleek, lightweight iPhone as my main camera affords me this freedom. So, when I was looking for a tripod I focused on smartphone tripods with bluetooth remote controls.

Now, I don’t know what kind of shopper you are but I’m the kind who reads practically every single available review, the Q&A, the photo reviews.

Everything.

It’s a time consuming way to shop and a bit stressful, but it means I usually love the purchases that make it through my obsessive rigorous standards.

The point is, you benefit from my neuroticism because if you’re looking for a smartphone tripod for taking photos of yourself you can confidently go with this one I picked out for myself. 

What I like about this camera phone tripod is it’s lightweight, compact and easy to assemble / disassemble. It comes with a carrying pouch and a bluetooth remote that snaps into the tripod when not in use.

The whole setup fits easily into both my suitcase and day bags. It’s about the size of a selfie stick, for comparison, but does so much more. And, it’s under $30!

📷 Click here to get this smartphone tripod for your solo photography needs.

Here are a couple recent shots I’ve taken with this very tripod + my iphone, from my solo trip spending 2 days in Los Angeles:

Solo Photography Tips: Set up the Shot

You have your smartphone tripod in your bag, and you’ve just come across a perfect photo opportunity. Now, you need to know how to take a good photo of yourself.

One big element of this is knowing how to set up the shot. It never hurts to be familiar with photography basics, like the rule of thirds .

Or, pre-planning photo spots / pose ideas (you can do some fun research by searching the ‘places’ tab of Instagram). But, in this post I’m going to focus on using your smartphone tripod.

First, securely fasten your phone into the clamp and then extend the tripod out. Next, work on framing your shot.

You’ll want to set it up, look at the potential shot through your camera phone, get into the potential shot yourself and snap some test shots if you’re able until you get it positioned just right.

Avoid positioning your smartphone tripod too near a ledge where it could possibly fall over, or in an area that’s so busy someone could snag it and walk away with it.

These are common sense challenges we risk as solo travelers wanting photos of ourselves no matter the scenario, so simply be smart about it.

While this tripod isn’t super flimsy, it’s still a good idea to take some precaution. If it’s a bit windy, anchor the tripod down with something.

On my LA solo trip , I used a light jacket I had with me, and even my travel bag a couple times when I was in a less trafficked area.

If you happen to be traveling with someone (who isn’t the most patient or artistic when it comes to taking photos) you can enlist their help to simply guard or hold the tripod once you’ve down the hard work of framing the shot.

Solo Photography Tips: How do you solo pose?

Once you’ve framed your shot, it’s time to add yourself in the mix and snap some good pictures of yourself to share with friends, family and followers!

Try a few different poses and facial expressions. To make the end result more natural, have the bluetooth remote hidden in your hand and click aggressively, taking multiple shots in a row.

As you do this, change your position every few seconds. You might turn your head in different directions, push back your hair, adjust your hat, twirl and so on.

Your movements don’t have to be major and you don’t have to force creative poses. Simple, natural movements can help you get a great shot.

After taking some shots, review them. Looking them over will give you more ideas of what’s working and what isn’t: where should you look? Should you smile or not? Is the lighting off where you’re standing?

Then, take a few more shots until you have at least a couple you really like.

Yes, this might feel awkward. But, not much more so than when you enlist a friend or stranger to take a photo of you in a public place.

In fact, maybe even less so because you’re in full control and can be done as quickly as you like without someone else art directing you from 10 ft away!

The lightweight equipment, quick setup and rapid photo-clicking make taking solo pics of yourself a fairly quick and painless process.

The best part is, once you’re done you can simply pack up your tripod, stick it back in your bag and continue exploring!

This affordable smartphone tripod has proven to be one of my best purchases as a solo traveler, and I’m sure you’ll love it as well.

Solo Photography Tips: Book a Solo Photo Shoot

In addition to solo photography with a tripod to take photos of yourself, a solo photo shoot is a great way to capture photographic memories on your travels. I’ve booked solo photo shoots in London and Paris so far, and plan to book more as I travel around the world.

You can read about my Paris solo photo shoot experience in this solo Paris trip guide .

Conclusion: Solo Photography Tips

One final tip from me to you: as always, especially as a solo traveler, always be aware and respectful of your surroundings.

Don’t get so caught up in getting the perfect shot that you disregard the guidelines in place around you to keep you safe. Stay alert and have fun!

And how to leverage them!

A list of my favorite Facebook groups for fellow solo travelers, with tips on how to make the most of them.

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Click here to download your free guide and unlock a limited time offer

Nausheen is a solo female traveler who is passionate about travel as a way to increase self love and confidence. She focuses on slow travel and bouts of digital nomadism, and has experience living abroad across several continents. As a post-divorce, South Asian woman in her 30s Nausheen aims to empower fellow women of color in particular to live life on their own terms. She shares travel itineraries, tips and inspiration on her blog and social media channels.

• Moscows History In 20 Photographs

Moscow's History in 20 Photographs

Moscow is a fascinating, complex city. Its long and convoluted history can be seen from every street and every building. Previous centuries added new layers to Moscow’s architecture and street layout. Many pivotal moments in Moscow’s history have been captured on film as well. Here is the history of Russia’s capital in 20 photographs.

Construction of the cathedral of christ the saviour.

One of the first photographs of Moscow showed the construction of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour .

Russian tsar coronations

The October Revolution

The October Revolution took its toll on Moscow. Here are the victims being buried on the Red Square, November 10, 1917.

Demolition of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

On December 5, 1931 the Communist authorities demolished the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour to make space for the Palace of Soviets, which was never constructed.

The Moscow metro system

The newly established Soviet State couldn’t afford to build the Palace of Soviets, but they did, however, find the funds to build a metro system . The first lines were open in 1935. Here is the construction of one of the stations.

The Soviet Union against Nazi Germany

1941 marked the beginning of the Soviet Union’s war against Nazi Germany. Here are Soviet soldiers conducting military exercises in one of the parks in the centre of Moscow.

A parade for victory

The victory in the war was first celebrated in 1945 with a parade, which has been repeated every year since then.

The death of Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin died in 1953. His death changed Moscow and the entire Soviet Union. Here is a picture from his funeral in Moscow.

First human in space

1961 marked the first flight of a human into space. This achievement was celebrated in Red Square in Moscow.

A pool fills an empty space

In 1960, new Soviet authorities filled the empty space, where the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour had been with an open-air swimming pool.

The capital of the Soviet Union

Moscow was the capital of the Soviet Union. So many important events for the country took place there. Here is a Soviet youth union celebrating its anniversary at the Kremlin.

The Olympics

Moscow was also where the Summer Olympics of 1980 took place. These were the first Olympic Games to be held in Eastern Europe.

The collapse of the Soviet Union

In 1991, the Soviet Union started to collapse. Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of the USSR at the time, introduced a series of reforms to decentralise the country’s government. Hard-core communists opposed them and staged an unsuccessful coup d’état.

Separatists were held at bay

The separatists were stopped by Boris Yeltsin, then the President of the Russian Soviet Republic.

Apartment bombings and the Second Chechen War

1999 was a tragic year in the history of Moscow and the whole of Russia. A series of apartment bombings, attributed to Chechen terrorism, took place in Moscow and several other cities across the country. It was the start of the Second Chechen War, which ultimately brought Putin to power.

Putin becomes President

In May 2000 Vladimir Putin became the President of the Russian Federation. This event changed both Moscow and Russia forever.

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is rebuilt

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Orthodox Church started gathering funds to rebuild the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The endeavour was completed in August 2000 when the new Cathedral was consecrated.

A financial powerhouse

After the system transformation, Moscow became one of the most important financial centres in Europe. Most of the city’s institutions are now located in Moscow City.

Boris Nemtsov is assassinated

In 2015 a prominent opposition politician, Boris Nemtsov, was shot and killed just a few steps away from the Kremlin. The spot of his assassination is always filled with flowers.

Protests against Putin

Recently, Moscow has been one of the most prominent stages of anti-Putin protests.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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More From Forbes

3 international destinations ideal for solo vacations.

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Sunny Seville street and scenic view of Giralda tower

Solo travel was one of the top trends to emerge from Forbes Travel Guide’s 2024 Summit.

This trend is popular for a few reasons:

• Solo travel affords maximum freedom and flexibility. Go where you want when you want and explore on your own terms, rather than acquiescing to a companion or group’s wants and concerns.
• It gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself. There’s only one agenda when you’re traveling alone, and it’s the one that you create for yourself. You’ll tune into yourself to discover your needs and wants.
• It can provide a sense of empowerment. You leave your comfort zone when you go on any trip. Going alone means that you’ll rely solely on yourself to navigate all situations, which can boost confidence.
• It can be a cure for loneliness. In 2023, more than half of Americans reported feeling lonely consistently . It’s counterintuitive, but going abroad alone can open you up to meeting new people. You may be more inclined to strike up conversations with strangers than you would be if you had a travel companion.

If you’re nervous about traveling on your own, you can go solo with a group. There are tours and trips you can join that are designed for solo travelers.

In fact, solo travel has become so popular that an entire industry has emerged to cater to it. Cruise lines, resorts, and tour companies are rolling out “packages for one” to accommodate this new consumer.

But you don’t have to buy one of these packages to enjoy a solo trip. Independent travel and traditional boots-on-the-ground exploration and adventure are available to solo travelers as well.

The key to having a good experience as a solo traveler is picking the right destination.

If safety concerns, loneliness, and boredom are the main drawbacks of solo travel, then you should choose a destination that’s safe, friendly, and vibrant, with plenty to see and do.

Here’s my short list of destinations that are ideal for solo travelers.

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For someone taking their first trip as a solo traveler, the capital of Uruguay—despite not being on many people’s radar—is a great choice.

It’s safe, so solo travelers can feel comfortable exploring on their own. In fact, Uruguay is the highest-rated South American country in the 2023 Global Peace Index, coming in at #50.

It’s affordable and offers plenty to see and do—from learning about Guacho (cowboy) culture and attending barbecues to watching soccer matches and enjoying mate (tea made from the yerba mate plant).

It also has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, with a beach accessible from Montevideo and another nearby in Punta del Este.

Uruguay may live in the shadows of Brazil and Argentina, but it outshines them when it comes to standard of living, with strong social safety nets and infrastructure.

Everything works as it should here, from its public transportation system to its U.S. dollar-dispensing ATMs. That user-friendliness makes it an ideal destination for solo travelers.

Seville, Spain

Seville is the beating heart of Andalusia, a proud, culturally rich area in the south of Spain.

It’s replete with historically significant landmarks; architecture from the Islamic, Gothic, and Renaissance eras; parks with walking trails; cycle lanes; flamenco music and dancing; river cruises; café and tapas culture; and more.

It’s also vibrant, with people socializing in plazas or on the terraces of restaurants until late in the evening most nights of the week. This constant presence of others at night can make a solo traveler feel more at ease, although this city is very safe to begin with.

Locals are friendly and welcoming. However, the English-speaking ability of those not in the tourism industry is limited. Speaking a bit of Spanish definitely enhances your travel experience in Seville.

Hanoi, Vietnam

With its bustling streets, constant traffic, quick-moving scooters, vibrant markets, and street hawkers, Hanoi has a buzz about it. It pulls people in and keeps them constantly entertained.

Its chief attraction is its Old Quarter, a labyrinth of a neighborhood that features a mix of architectural styles, from French mansions to Chinese temples to Buddhist pagodas. It’s a dense neighborhood that’s full of landmarks, restaurants, and cafés and is best explored on foot.

Hanoi is safe and affordable. It has a flourishing tourism industry, with tours and experiences available for all kinds of travelers.

Street food tours are a great way to sample the best of Hanoian cuisine and can also be a way to give back, as they’re often hosted by local university students who are eager to practice their English skills.

Dining in Hanoi is a casual affair; meals at local-style restaurants tend to be quick and informal, so you’ll never feel uncomfortable going to a restaurant by yourself.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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Breaking News

Dance duo Justice just crushed Coachella. Eight years between albums, ‘We don’t like to be too exposed.’

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At peak time on the opening night of the first weekend of Coachella, atop the Outdoor Theater stage, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay’s silhouettes were unmistakable. The two members of the French electronic duo Justice hovered over a table of inscrutable-looking mixers and audio gear, the lanky Augé’s curly hair and De Rosnay’s angular suit cutting through the fog and panels of LED lights that bent and refracted around them.

The return of the duo — one of the most influential acts in club music since its early-aughts debut — was one of the most anticipated dance sets of the weekend. Eight years since its last proper album, it reasserted that its suave, hooky funk — upended by twitchy samples and grinding distortion — retained all its potency.

“That was great fun,” Augé said backstage at the festival the next morning, looking only a little less imposingly cool dressed in satiny civilian clothes. “With every new cycle of a record, we’re like, ‘Look how fast the musical landscape is evolving, who is going to come see us?’ It was a bit stressful especially since the new album was not out yet, but it was great to see people reacting to the new material.”

That new album “Hyperdrama,” released Friday last week, is as meticulous and bombastic as any in their tight, impeccable catalog. But with a new crop of top-tier guest vocalists (Tame Impala, Miguel and Thundercat among them), it has the most crossover appeal since their groundbreaking 2007 debut.

“We started with the idea that it was too late to be late,” De Rosnay laughed. “We’re like, ‘Let’s take as long as it’s gonna take, with unlimited time and unlimited resources to make this recording. Let’s let’s push it as far as we can go and see what happens.’”

Ever since it rose from the heady 2000s Parisian club scene built around its label Ed Banger, Justice sounded like dance music but acted like a classic rock act. The chattier De Rosnay and contemplative Augé built an iconography straight out of a Black Sabbath double-gatefold vinyl, with a scholar’s attention to Steely Dan’s analog signal chains. They took what they needed from club music on hits like “D.A.N.C.E.” while aiming much bigger — acts from The Weeknd to U2 and Red Hot Chili Peppers were huge fans. It’s fitting that their 2019 Grammy win for Dance/Electronic Album came from “Woman Worldwide,” a live-remix LP pulling from 2016’s “Woman,” hits more like the Who’s “Live At Leeds” or MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams.”

When they got back in studio post-pandemic, they wanted to shake up their longstanding approach to tracking live instruments themselves, then serrating them digitally. They were intrigued by the structures of modern hip-hop, where tracks smash together in chaotic, exhilarating pivots. They figured it out with “Incognito,” a centerpiece of “Hyperdrama” that flips back and forth from orchestral swells to hi-NRG synth pop to white-knuckle noise.

“We had these type of tracks where they have these abrupt ruptures, kind of like a hardcore aesthetic, but composed in a way that is a bit melancholic,” De Rosnay said. “We wrote as many parts as possible, until we could get to the juice of our music, that one loop we can listen to forever, and scrub the rest. Everything is rave, then everything is disco, with no overlapping elements.”

Tracks such as the thrashing, nervous “Generator” abut gentler, campy-vampy material such as “Moonlight Rendez-vous.” To tie it all together, the pair turned to a formidable roster of guest vocalists, whose melodic chops give “Hyperdrama” some structure and tenderness. Justice has long made creative use of vocals and samples, but with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker on “Neverender” and “One Night/All Night,” Miguel’s velveteen leads on “Saturnine” and Thundercat’s exultant falsetto on “The End,” the album feels grounded through all the hard pulls across genre.

They chose vocalists that were “all very independent in the sense that they perform and produce their music themselves with no compromise,” De Rosnay said, noting contributions from indie and R&B acts such as Rimon, Connan Mockasin and the Flints.

Justice typically takes five-plus years to make its records, an eternity in the always-churning streaming era. It didn’t completely disappear: In 2019, it released a deliciously confounding concert film, “Iris: A Space Opera by Justice,” filmed with no crowd attending. Augé released a solo LP, “Escapades,” in 2021.

Since it left off, the kind of sophisticated disco-funk it loves to rip apart became a major force on top-40 pop. But how has the audience expectations for it shifted since? It would totally take the mystery out of Justice if it ever got on TikTok. Can a band that’s purposefully, almost anachronistically distant keep the interests of today’s crowds, accustomed to constant connection?

“We’re happy giving them something that we think is relevant and finished,” Augé said. “But nothing disposable.”

“It’s harder in terms of like purely commercial achievements, but that’s fine,” De Rosnay said. “We want as many people as possible to listen to it. But not at any price or by any means. We don’t like to be too exposed. I love Marc Bolan from T. Rex, and I bought a documentary about him, and like four minutes in I was like ‘Oh no, I don’t want to see that, I don’t care who he is in private.’”

For millennial fans, the era that Justice came up in, now cheekily referred to as “indie-sleaze,” is lovingly remembered as a last gasp of nightlife pre-iPhone, where crazy Parisian house music ripped through sweaty nightclubs, and one could dance (or do other things) without permanent digital evidence. Gen Z crowds look back on the rowdy Ed Banger heyday with the same longing that ’90s rock fans showed for the freewheeling ’70s.

While Justice’s members are students of music history, they’re a little baffled about how that era came to be remembered as a golden era for nightlife.

“I’m not sure it was better,” Augé said. “Maybe from the phone aspect, where you don’t have that instant recall.”

“I think we were very lucky to be part of the scene when we were young,” De Rosnay said. “But we actually felt like something big was happening in California before we felt it in Europe. It was very underground. It was really fun, but we have no nostalgia.”

As the duo shipped off from the Coachella grounds to relax after the previous night’s full-throttle performance, it felt the new material made headway with tens of thousands Coachella-goers who didn’t know what to expect after so much time off the road. With Daft Punk now officially retired, Justice is the standard-bearers for the storied legacy of French electronic music, despite doing everything possible to subvert and tear it up on record. One song on “Hyperdrama,” “Dear Alan,” is a devoted tribute to Alan Braxe, the famed French house producer who helped forge the genre they’ve now eclipsed.

De Rosnay did take some pride in finally winning over at least one young new Justice listener that night — his own daughter.

“She used to have no interest in what we were making, which is fair enough,” De Rosnay laughed. “We started making music together 20 years ago, so now it feels that it’s cycling into a new generation of listeners, and some of them are very young. This morning, she texted me to say, ‘Oh, was it good last night?’ But I think whatever I do, if I’m wearing like a certain type of clothes, to her, it’s not cool.”

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August Brown covers pop music, the music industry and nightlife policy at the Los Angeles Times.

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