Solo Female Travel Photography: How to Capture Your Adventures

Traveling solo as a female can be fun until you find yourself struggling to get a decent brag-worthy picture of yourself having an amazing time during your trip. Yes, solo travel offers a unique opportunity to explore the world on our terms, capture moments that make our journey special, and break through some of our unconscious biases. However, one challenge that many solo female travelers like myself face is how to take stunning photographs of themselves and their surroundings. This guide will help you master the art of solo travel photography, from choosing the right equipment to perfecting your poses, and tips on how to get help from strangers.

Solo female travel photography
Solo Female Travel Photography: How to Capture Your Adventures 6

How to Take Photos of Yourself When Traveling Alone

Remember to Clean Your Lens!

I remember spending a day riding a jet ski in Dubai and having so many pictures taken of me in front of the iconic Burj Al Arab, it hurt my soul to see the pictures once we had gotten back on land. Every shot looked foggy, despite how clear and beautiful the day was in reality. Don’t be like me who made such a rookie mistake; before handing your phone to a stranger for help, make sure to give your lens an extra clean and take a test shot first.

Travel Photography Tip: Use a Tripod

A tripod is a solo traveler’s best friend, offering you stability and flexibility when capturing images of yourself by utilizing a camera’s self-timer or remote controller. Whether you’re on a bustling city street or a tranquil mountain trail, a lightweight and portable tripod can be set up quickly, allowing you to take as many shots as you need without relying on anyone else. For convenience, consider a model that fits easily into your backpack and is easy to set up and dismantle.

In my case, I mostly rely on my cell phone as a remote control tool for my GoPro. I can easily set up the shot on the tripod, and also confirm that I have a good angle by using GoPro’s app on my phone to see exactly how I look in the frame and then either record or take a picture.

Self-Timer and Remote Shutter

Most cameras and smartphones come with a self-timer function. Even better, some smart watches also can remotely control a phone’s shutter. So all you need to do is set the timer, strike a pose, and let the camera do the rest. If you do not have a smartwatch, most tripods come with a remote shutter which will give you the control to take some sweet pictures. This small device allows you to take photos from a distance without having to touch the camera, reducing the chance of camera shaking and blurry images.

Embrace the Selfie Stick!

Do not fear the selfie stick or how you look when using it! It can be a valuable tool for capturing wide-angle shots and including more of the background in your selfies or some sweet action videos when snowboarding. Look for a sturdy and extendable stick that can hold your smartphone or camera securely. I have a couple of tripods that also doubles up as a selfie stick and are perfect for when I do not want to travel with too much load in my backpack.

Play with Burst Mode or Rapid-Fire Shooting

In cases where you want to take a slew of random fun shots and can’t quite figure out the best pose, set your camera to burst mode or use a rapid-fire app on your phone or camera and embrace all the poses. This feature takes multiple shots in quick succession, increasing the likelihood of getting the perfect photo. This is especially useful for capturing action shots or candid moments.

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Here, I paid an extra fee to the skydiving company to have someone skydive with me to get a video of my experience

Get Some Help and Join a Photo Tour

Not keen on trying to figure out the best locations for brag-worthy images and would benefit from the help of the pros? Photo tours are a fantastic way to meet other photographers and learn new techniques. They often take you to the best photo spots, provide expert guidance on capturing stunning images, and sometimes come with a professional photographer to help you capture the shots.

Enhance the Shots and Get an Attachment for Your Smartphone

Lens attachments for smartphones, such as wide-angle or macro lenses, can significantly enhance your photos and make them look like they were taken with a professional camera. They are portable, easy to use, and add versatility to your photography. Another attachment, especially for food and selfie shots in dim spaces, is a phone light clip. They make such a remarkable difference versus the result you would get from just your smartphone.

Find Inspiration

Look for inspiration in travel magazines, photography websites, and social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Pay attention to the styles and compositions you like and try to incorporate similar elements into your photos. Practice your look inspiration in front of a mirror, and tweak it to fit your style and body angles.

Think About Timing and Lighting

Lighting is crucial in photography. If the weather is on your side during your trip, make sure to plan your shoots around the golden hours—early morning and late afternoon—when the light is soft and warm. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, which can create unflattering shadows and overexposed images. My favorite time to take a picture is against a glowing sunset, it has never failed me.

Use a Mirror and Perfect Your Poses

Before going out in the wild, stand in front of a mirror that shows enough of your body’s length and practice poses that flatter you and suit different settings. If you don’t have a full-length mirror, you can stand on the edge of your bathtub to see a longer length of your body in the mirror while you practice your pose. Know your angles and practice in front of a mirror or with your camera’s self-timer if you don’t have a mirror that works for your needs. Altogether, have fun with it, experiment with natural poses, use props, or interact with the environment for more dynamic shots.

Solo female travel photography
Hiking Day in Ireland, another solo traveler helped capture this shot after I’d helped them out.

The Don’ts of Travel Photography

Do Not Overpack Gear

This is something I’ve learned painfully. Those extra lenses that I thought would capture amazing images once reached the top of the mountain when I went hiking in Ireland? I wanted to throw them away 5 miles into climbing up the steep slopes. I could feel the weight of every item in my bag that initially felt light at the beginning of my hike. The worst part was that by the time I got to the top of the mountain, it was too foggy to get a clear shot of anything. My phone’s camera and my GoPro would have sufficed for the entire escapade.

While it is tempting to bring all your photography equipment, overpacking can weigh you down. Choose versatile gear that serves multiple purposes and leave the rest behind. Focus on essentials like a good camera and a tripod/selfie stick combo.

Plan a Day for Crowded Tourist Spots

Iconic landmarks are often crowded, making it difficult to get a clear shot even when you visit these locations early in the morning or late in the afternoon when you’d expect fewer people to be around. Plan a day or two for those spots because most iconic spots have tourists lined up as early as 5 in the morning. Alternatively, explore lesser-known spots that offer equally beautiful scenery without the crowd or long wait to get a picture.

Do Not Ignore Safety and the Warnings

This is a no-brainer, but safety should always come first, and you should always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid taking photos in unsafe areas or compromising your safety for the sake of a picture because you might easily become a target for theft. Be mindful of your surroundings and keep your valuable equipment secure. In many parts of Japan, you will see signs prohibiting the use of selfie sticks, respect the signs, and find other ways to capture your image without breaking the rules.

Related Post: Essential Travel Safety Guide for Women