How to photograph yourself when travelling!

As you may have noticed, in most travel photos from our friends and acquaintances, we only see landscapes and buildings – it’s rare to see our friend themselves in a frame!

This usually happens on solo trips as the traveller is either shy or doesn't know how to photograph themselves within the chosen frame.

Check out the useful guide below that will help you take amazing photos with yourself in the frame!

 

Get high-quality, easy-to-use equipment

 

The first thing you need to do is get quality equipment that is easy to use. I personally use the following two cameras, but you can achieve excellent results even with your mobile phone!

 

GoPro: The GoPro is an affordable and durable camera, ideal for both videos and photos. With its ultra-wide-angle lens, it captures everything in front of it. It’s quite lightweight, so you can always carry it with you!

 

With a GoPro, you can get excellent results in your photos and include yourself in the frames you're shooting!

 

DSLR or mirrorless camera: If you want to take high-quality photos and have a good optical zoom, then buying a DSLR or mirrorless camera is the only way to go.

 

We recommend looking into a mirrorless camera, as its lighter weight means you can comfortably take it with you on all your trips.

 

With the above equipment, you can cover all your travel photography needs.

 

Don't feel awkward when photographing yourself or taking a selfie! You’ll feel more embarrassment if you return home after your trip and realise you don't have a single photo of yourself!

 

Following this advice, I personally decided not to care at all if people look at me strangely when I’m taking a photo with myself in the frame!

 

The pleasure I get when I return home and see my completed photos is incomparable!

 

Find an interesting pose

 

To make your photos more interesting, find an unusual pose or shoot from a different angle.

 

Photos taken from an unusual angle or with a frame that differs from the usual tend to attract more public interest.

 

So, try to find an alternative body pose or a shooting angle that stands out from the conventional!

 

Ask someone else to take your photo

 

If you are in an area with other visitors and see people with cameras hanging around their necks, then feel free to ask them to take your photo – they will very likely ask you to do the same!

 

It’s highly probable that someone with a camera knows how to take photos, so they might take a good one of you!

 

Try using a self-timer and remote control

Find a nice spot to place your camera, with an interesting background for your photo behind it.

 

Set your camera to self-timer mode, after first adjusting and focusing where you want.

 

By setting the camera to count down, e.g., 10 seconds, you have enough time to get into position and strike the pose you want for an interesting photo!

 

Buy a tripod!

 

A tripod will literally take your photos to the next level. Although it can be used for a plethora of photography techniques like long exposures, night shots, etc., a tripod is an excellent tool for taking photos of yourself on your travels!

 

Simply set it up where you want to photograph, frame your subject remembering that you also need to be in the shot, and set your camera's self-timer.

 

Then quickly run to take your position and bingo! The photo is taken!

 

Selfie stick

 

Remember the selfie stick craze? Well, they're always useful! With selfie sticks and the right camera, you can photograph an area with yourself in the frame.

 

Especially if you use a wide-angle camera like a GoPro, then the camera will capture both you and the scenery behind you.

 

With the above tips, you can take amazing photos when you're travelling alone and don't have someone to photograph you, along with the landscape you're in.

 

Personally, a GoPro camera will be incredibly convenient for your travels, as you can use it even without a tripod, and both you and the background will be in the shot!