Solo Traveler Photo Tips | Taking Photos When You Travel Alone
Looking for solo traveler photo tips?
When my mother was still alive she used to always say, “Arnette, please take a photo of yourself wherever you are!! How do we know if you’re really there?” Normally I feel like an idiot taking photos of myself. But lately, I have been including myself in my photos. Perhaps this is in honour of my late mother…I’m not sure. Perhaps a little bit of “photo or it didn’t happen”. I thought it was time to share some solo traveler photo tips and gear recommendations for those travelling alone who want to take photos of themselves.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a commission.
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- Favourite Travel Gadgets
- The Best GoPro and Accessories
- Arnette’s favourite gear and gadgets for travel and daily life
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HELPFUL GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS
- Flights: Find a cheap flight using Skyscanner or Momondo. I like these two booking sites because they both search all websites and airlines around the globe including budget airlines.
- Accommodations: I use Booking.com or Tripadvisor to find the best rates on hotels. Hotels.com offers a free night after booking 10 nights.
- Travel Insurance: Having gotten sick on my travels in the past, I never travel without being insured. You never know when something may happen. For my round the world trip and extended long-term travel, I use World Nomads. For other trips, I have used Roam Right and they cover activities like extreme sports.
- Get up to $40 off your first Air Bnb stay by using this code!
The most important part of taking good photos when you are a solo traveller is your gear. Lately, I have been toting my tripod and shooting with my mirrorless camera as well as using my GoPro.
Solo Traveler Photo Tips For Selfies:
Selfie sticks are frowned upon, yes I know. But as someone who travels alone 90% of the time, I am sometimes okay with using them. I don’t use selfie sticks indoors in places like museums or packed with people. I tend to use them in desolate places where I cannot find anyone to help me.
When I take photos on my smartphone, I use the following gear:
Click to buy Xshot mobile phone holder on Amazon
Click to buy Xshot selfie stick on Amazon
Look for an app called Timer Cam if your phone doesn’t have a native timer
Shot on my iPhone with Timer app and Xshot selfie stick
Drinking a coffee and selfie-ing on a desolate beach in Oregon
There’s always the trusty mirror selfie
A GoPro Big Sur selfie
Want to take a proper non-selfie style photo? Use a mini tripod. They are a few bucks and you can use the attachment for your phone and stick on the tripod. I’m kind of loving shooting with tripods lately. Less blurry photos!
Click to buy this mini tripod on Amazon – for shooting with your smartphone
When I shoot photos on my Sony or DSLR, I use the following gear:
If you have a bigger camera, get a heavier duty tripod like this one. I like that it’s a tripod and a monopod (to steady shots) in one.
Click to buy this Mefoto tripod/monopod on Amazon
Solo Traveler Photo Tips For Cameras:
Sony RX100M3: I love my mirrorless Sony. It’s almost pocket size but it packs a punch with photos, night photos, and video.
Click to buy this Sony RX100M3 on Amazon
Rocky Mountaineer train – shot on Sony RX100M3 mounted Xshot selfie stick using self-portrait timer
Cannon Beach, Oregon – shot on Sony RX100M3 in self-portrait mode, mounted on tripod
Jaume Plensa’s Wonderland in Calgary – shot RX100M3 mounted on a tripod
Sonora Resort – shot on Canon 400D, mounted on a tripod
Solo Traveler Photo Tips When Using A GoPro:
GoPro Hero 4 Silver: Great for action shots and photos in the water, at the beach, on the snow, etc.
Click to buy this GoPro on Amazon
GoPro 3 Way: Currently my favourite new accessory for my GoPro. I love that it’s a selfie stick, a stabilizer, and a tripod in one. It folds into itself and is compact! Great for solo travellers!
Click to by the 3 Way on Amazon
Redwood Forest – Shot on GoPro in time lapse mode, set up on 3 Way tripod
Bandon, Oregon – shot on GoPro Hero mounted on Xshot selfie stick. I used burst mode
Oregon Coast – shot on GoPro, mounted on 3 way and shot in time-lapse mode
Sonora Resort morning swim – shot on GoPro in time-lapse mode. Mounted on Xshot stick
Tilikum Bridge – shot on GoPro Hero in time-lapse mode. Mounted on 3 Way
Solo Traveller Photo Tip – Ask Someone:
You can always ask someone! I tend not to because I will often get a photo that I’m not that happy with. Unless of course, you happen to run into a professional photographer.
I think I asked a poor stranger to take this photo 10 times. I still had to crop and edit the photo to make it straight
A stranger took this photo. I had to crop out their finger from the photo, so you can’t see the bunny’s feet
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Do you have any solo traveller photo tips to share? What is your preference?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may make a commission.