If you’re traveling solo, you may struggle with taking great photos. I feel you.
Stunning photos captured during your travels can last a lifetime. As a minimalist, I genuinely believe that the more “stuff” you buy when traveling, the more you get tied down.
Thus, I rarely buy souvenirs or trinkets. Instead, I invest in the ability to capture great photos.
Because I mostly travel solo or with my pup, taking great photos, especially of myself, can become a challenge.
Here are my top tips for capturing great photos when traveling solo. You can use these tips as a total novice photographer or a pro.
Lighting Is Key
Light is the driving force behind every photo. If you are serious about getting good pictures while traveling, you need to time the lighting to optimize the shot. Plan your photo shoots around golden hour as much as possible.
What is Golden Hour?
- The hour before sunset and sunrise
- Golden hour lighting will soften the appearance of your skin and reduce shadows in the pictures.
- The vivid colors of golden hour will add dimension to any shot.
If possible, avoid taking photos during the middle of the day. Then, the lighting and shadows can be harsh and not complementary.
However, if you are stuck taking a photo in the middle of the day, posing your face to look upwards towards the sky will help reduce shadows. Wearing a hat can also reduce the shadows on your face.
Hire A Photographer For A Session
When I travel, I love taking photos. As I said in the intro, photographs are my favorite things to bring home from a trip. However, sometimes taking photos solo can be a lot of extra work and you want a professional to help you.
It is extremely easy to book a photographer for travel. In fact, many photographers specialize in 30-minute to 1-hour photo shoots for individuals and families on vacation.
How To Find a Photographer When You Travel:
- My #1 go-to place is Flytographer. They have high-quality photographers, and I’ve had excellent results with them.
- Airbnb Experiences will often have photographers offering packages. Sometimes, you can also opt for a combo package. For example, I’ve done guided hikes with photographers who will guide you through a trail and take professional photos.
- Check with your hotel concierge to see if they contract with any photographers. Often, they arrange a shoot on or around the hotel property.
- For iconic tourist destinations, look on social media. This is where I found a photographer for my Santorini photo shoot.
Use A Tripod
But let’s be honest, you cannot have a photographer follow you around for your entire trip, so you need to learn how to take good photos when you are on your own.
If you are a solo traveler who wants to be in the shot, you’ll need to travel with a tripod.
Tripods are used to provide a firm base to attach your camera to. Once you attach your camera, you can use a self-timer or remote to take the photo.
I’m an Apple user, so I use my Apple Watch remote and timer to take pictures while my phone is on a tripod.
Here are some phone tripods I recommend:
- EUCOS Phone Tripod and Selfie Stick – Compact and easy to travel with
- SENSYNE Phone Tripod – More sturdy base, bulkier to travel with
Set Up The Shot In Your Mind
Consider the shot you want to capture before setting up your tripod. Try to envision what the photo will look like and where you will be.
Determine what you want in your shot and where you want to stand.
I recommend following the rule of thirds when setting up a shot. You can set up your phone to display the rule of thirds lines over your screen while taking a photo.
Once you have the shot set up in your mind, then set up the tripod to match your vision.
Ask A Stranger Who Appears Camera Savy
Chances are, if you’re in a busy area, there is always going to be another fellow tourist around to take a picture of you.
Don’t be afraid to ask a stranger to take a photo of you.
Now, since cameras are widely used on our phones, most people know how to take a photo and can produce a good one.
I do recommend setting up the shot in your head and letting the stranger know precisely what you want before handing over the camera. That way, they have some direction of what you are looking for.
When looking around to ask for a photo, I look for a person who is already taking multiple images and has a vision in mind to capture.
If the photo stinks, be polite and say thank you. Then, you can wait for another person to come around and ask them to take the same photo.
You may even notice another fellow solo traveler and ask them to trade photos with you. For the images, above and below, taken on Mt. Rainier, I spent around 10 minutes with another solo hiker, capturing multiple angles and different viewpoints at the summit of the mountain. We both left the summit with excellent photos.
Be Confident
Taking a photo of yourself alone can be a scary thing. Believe me, I do it all the time.
I’ve gotten TONS of weird stares when I’ve set up my tripod and taken photos of myself.
However, be CONFIDENT and be you.
You may never get back to this place again, and you want to capture some great memories.
One of my only regrets about traveling is that I didn’t stop and take more pictures.
Final Thoughts on How To Take Amazing Photos Solo
You can get amazing photos while traveling solo.
Whether you take them yourself with a tripod, ask a stranger, or book a professional.
Have fun, be confident, and get the dream photos that you will cherish for a lifetime.