Solo Traveler Photo Tips | Taking Photos When You Travel Alone

Solo Traveler Photography Tips

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.

TRIP PLANNING STARTS HERE

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:

xshot phone holder - solo traveler photo tips

Click to buy Xshot mobile phone holder on Amazon
xshot - solo traveler photo tips
Click to buy Xshot selfie stick on Amazon

Look for an app called Timer Cam if your phone doesn’t have a native timer

Timer Cam app - perfect selfies and solo traveler photo tips

Francis Point Provincial Park - Sunshine Coast BC

Shot on my iPhone with Timer app and Xshot selfie stick

Solo traveler photo tips

Drinking a coffee and selfie-ing on a desolate beach in Oregon

Elevator Selfie

There’s always the trusty mirror selfie

GoPro Big Sur 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!

mini tripod - solo traveler photo tips

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.


mefoto tripod monopod - solo traveler photo tips

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.

 

Sony RX100M3 - the best camera for solo travelers

Click to buy this Sony RX100M3 on Amazon

Solo traveler photo tips

Rocky Mountaineer train – shot on Sony RX100M3 mounted Xshot selfie stick using self-portrait timer

Haystack Rock Selfie

Cannon Beach, Oregon – shot on Sony RX100M3 in self-portrait mode, mounted on tripod

Wonderland by Jaume Plensa Calgary Selfie

Jaume Plensa’s Wonderland in Calgary – shot RX100M3 mounted on a tripod

Sonora Resort | www.rtwgirl.com

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.

GoPro Hero4 Silver - solo traveler photo tips

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!

GoPro 3 way - solo traveler photo tips

Click to by the 3 Way on Amazon

GoPro Timelapse Redwood Forest

Redwood Forest – Shot on GoPro in time lapse mode, set up on 3 Way tripod

GoPro Selfie Bandon, Oregon

Bandon, Oregon – shot on GoPro Hero mounted on Xshot selfie stick. I used burst mode

Cooks Chasm Oregon

Oregon Coast – shot on GoPro, mounted on 3 way and shot in time-lapse mode

Sonora Resort GoPro Selfie

Sonora Resort morning swim – shot on GoPro in time-lapse mode. Mounted on Xshot stick

Tilikum Bridge GoPro Selfie

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.

Richmond Night Market -solo traveler photo tips ask a sranger

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

solo traveler photo tips - ask a stranger

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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Solo Traveler Photo Tips

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.

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