How to Take Great Pictures of Yourself When Travelling Solo

As a solo traveller, the only ways I knew how to take pictures myself were using selfies or asking someone for help. But those pictures usually turn out to be mediocre at best. I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit of pressure when I need to pose in front of others, and I don’t want to bother people for a few retakes until I get the perfect shot. Here are some examples:

The crowds in the background…. (Location: Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, Canada)

A phone selfie makes it hard to see the scenery and make your head way too big. (Location: Sapa Valley, Vietnam)

How to Take Great Pictures Yourself? The Answer: The Tripod Selfie

Since I am all about self-efficacy, I have found using a tripod to take selfies produce much better results! There is no more pressure with people waiting for you. You don’t have to rely on the unpredictable skills of the photographer! You can take your time. The benefits are endless! Here are some examples of me using a tripod and an iphone 8.

Angle the tripod diagonally to capture a mirror selfie!

You can run into position without feeling silly (when nobody’s watching)

There are two methods in which I use to make these instagram worthy photos. Choose the ones that work best for you!

Method 1

The equipment you need:

• Tripod (I use AmazonBasics. Superlight weight, folds small and affordable)
• Adapter for phone to tripod
• Phone ( I use an iphone 8)

Step 1: Find a location to shoot

• Google some instagram worthy locations to shoot pictures
• Search that specific location on pinterest and instagram for inspiration and ideas
• Here are some Pinterest examples of Greece for your reference

Santorini is a great place for gorgeous photos! Shot during blue hour. (Location: Oia, Santorini, Greece)

Step 2: Pick a good time to shoot

• The golden hour, early morning shortly after sunrise and before sunset provides good lighting for the pictures with no harsh shadows
• The blue hour, before sunrise and after sunset to give the sky a blue tint
• To avoid crowds in very touristy area, early mornings are usually great times with plenty of chances to take your time with nobody in the background

The golden hour (right before sunset) gives the picture a warm golden tone. (Location: Anemi House, Oia, Santorini, Greece)

Step 3: Wear a nice outfit to compliment the picture

• You can find inspiration once again on pinterest and instagram
• Flowy dresses really help make the picture look pretty
• Add in your personality with your outfit

The outfit you pick really makes the picture pop. (Location: Fira, Santorini, Greece)

Step 4: Learning how to pose

I am definitely no model, but I found a common theme among “model” poses:

• As a beginner, instead of doing the typical look in the camera and smile, try looking away to the distance, or frolic so candid moments can be captured.
• Use the burst mode on your phone so you can twirl, laugh, frolic, and jump! By doing this several times, there’s bound to be one picture that will turn out nice.
• Check out this pinterest board for some ideas.
• This popular instagram influencer has some killer pictures.

Research, research, research! You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. (Location; Anemi House, Oia, Santorini, Greece)

Step 5: Time to shoot

• Setup your tripod so you get the composition you want
• Put the phone camera on a 10 seconds timer with the burst mode. (On my phone, it gives me 10 pictures)
• Get into position
• Work your pose
• Check your picture and redo it as much as you’d like
• Get out there and practice!

This specific picture took me quite a few tries to get my legs, hair and dress to be in perfect positions. ;p That’s why it’s much better without external pressure to pose to your heart’s content. (Location: San Francisco, USA)

Method 2

The equipment you will need:

• Tripod
• Point and shoot camera (I use the Canon Powershot GX7 Mark II)
• Phone as a remote while using the camera app (Canon app)

Step 1-4 are the same as above!

Step 5: Time to Shoot

• You can see the picture when you use your phone as a remote.
• But you have to hide it somehow when you take the picture
• I would still put it on the 10 seconds timer so you have time to hide the phone and get in position
• This produces better quality pictures with the option of a portrait effect

Shot using an iphone 8. (Location: Amoudi Bay, Santorini, Greece)

Shot using my Canon G7X. (Location: Oia, Santorini, Greece)

Step 6: Use a filter or photo editing software like lightroom

• As a beginner, I purchased some presets which makes the look more consistent.
• I opted for 123 Presets mobile presets called airy and bright, but there are lots to choose from for your liking
• You need lightroom app on your phone for the preset, but it’s available for free
• As you advance, you can definitely play with the editing yourself

Before applying the airy and bright filter. (Location: Anemi House, Oia, Santorini, Greece)

After applying the airy and bright filter

Additional Tips:

• There will be some people on the street even at the crack of dawn. You just have to ignore the attention and do your thing. It will become more comfortable as you practice. I just maintain my tunnel vision and pretend I don’t see them.
• Practicing in a hotel room or somewhere private would be a good starting point.
• Put on some background music to channel your inner model! I used Senorita by Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello when I need to feel sexy!
• This technique applies to couples too. When both of you want to be in the picture.
• Sometimes you don’t have a tripod, you can rest your camera anywhere you can think of.

The phone was rested on the grass aganist a tree. (Location: Scioto Mile, Columbus, Ohio)

I thought the only drawback of solo travelling was the inability to take epic pictures, but now that problem is solved too! So no more excuses. Get out there and travel! It can be daunting to travel solo, click here for some tips and tricks to help ease your worries!

There you have it! Any questions? Would you try the tripod selfie method? Comment below!