The Secret to Capturing Stellar Photos When Traveling Solo!

Nestled between the damp cobblestoned walls, I lurk in the shadows like a lion waiting for it’s prey.   The on-and-off again rain left a fresh scent in the air and chilly temperature throughout the medieval city of Kotor.  Typically the cool temperature would have send a weather wimp, like me, straight to the gift shop.  But I was so focused on my mission that I didn’t even notice my bulging goosebumps or prickly arm hairs standing up straight.

Suddenly an elderly couple turns the corner and approaches my spot.  I promptly stick my head in my phone, pretending to be busy searching for something very important…meanwhile discreetly trying to ascertain who my best target is. 

The man looked jovial and entirely approachable, but the woman had a camera around her neck—and it wasn’t just a novice point and shoot, but a DSLR.  As they pass, I swiftly follow right behind like a stalker.  

“Excuse me!”  

They turn around.  

I smile sweetly.  “Could you take a photo for me?”  

One of the hardest parts of traveling solo is figuring out how to get pictures of yourself in these amazing places.  Because if it isn’t on the ‘gram, did it even happen?  

But really - great photos help you document your adventures and serve as a memento – that you can look back on for years to come. I can easily forgo souvenirs if I know I got terrific photos.  Who’s with me?

People are always DM-ing me to ask how I get such great photos – especially when traveling solo. Which first off, thank you, I take that as a huge compliment.  But also, know that for every good photo I take….I probably take 100 complete duds. 

That said, I’ve come up with a couple tricks up my sleeve that I’d like to share with you today, in hopes that it will help you step up your photography game and get killer photos every time you travel.

There are 3 general ways I capture photos when traveling solo (and I’ll dive deeper into each of these areas):

·     Ask a stranger

·     Shoot myself on timer (or bluetooth remote)

·     Travel photographer for hire 

Let’s start with…. 

Photo strategy 1 for solo travel: ask a stranger

Option 1 – Ask a Stranger

As you’ll see from my anecdote at the beginning – this is one option for taking photos when you’re traveling solo.  

A few general rules of thumb when asking a stranger to take your photo are:

Rule #1 – Choose who you ask wisely

This is obviously a gross generalization, but often times younger folks are going to be better photographers than older people, especially young females.  Ask a young female to take your photo and chances are she’s going to give you angles and multiple options.

Also look out for people who are holding expensive cameras – there’s a good chance these people also know a thing or two about composition and how to setup a nice shot.

If the person looks frazzled, is holding a lot of bags, or has her hands full with children running around – maybe not the best target and better to wait for someone else.

Rule #2 – Ask super nicely

Once I’ve identified who I want to ask, I usually put on my sweetest smile and act super apologetic about troubling them.  

Would you mind terribly taking a photo for me?  

Is there any chance I can trouble you to take a photo for me?

Hi, I’m traveling alone, any chance you could snap a quick pic?

If it doesn’t look like they speak English, let your eyes do the talking and look really cute while offering them your camera.

Rule #3 – Setup the shot so there aren’t any questions about what you want

Once I’ve identified my photographer, I then show them where to stand and setup the shot for them.  

Here’s how I’d like it framed and I’m going to stand right there!

Make sure to point to where you plan stand and specify how much of your body you want to see.

Rule #4 – Ask them to hit the multiple times in quick succession 

Once they’ve agreed to take one photo, now you hit them with the multiple photo request.  They are already standing there with your phone, so no one ever says no.  

Ask them to just hit the photo button a bunch of times in succession.  (If you plan to move around or do different poses, you can let them know that too)

Rule #5 – Be super appreciative & offer to reciprocate

Hopefully they took a bunch of photos and you got at least one good one for the gram!  I always give a super heartfelt thank you and offer to take a photo of them if they like, as a way to thank them for their kindness.

If after checking the photos, you realize that none of them are very (either due to the photographer’s lack of skill or maybe you just look bad), you can try asking a second photographer. Make sure you always wait until the 1stphotographer is gone so you don’t make them feel badly that you hated their photos.

Photo taken while I was traveling solo with a tripod

 Option 2 – Shoot Yourself on a Timer (or Bluetooth Remote)

This one often requires a little more creativity and ingenuity…but can be a great option when you’re traveling solo.

Rule #1 – Create your own tripod

The first thing I usually look for when attempting to take a photo of myself on my own is something to create a makeshift tripod out of.  A few things that often work well are a chair, salt & pepper shakers, a tree branch, backpack, stick it in your shoe and play with a low angle, etc. 

Rule #2 – Use automatic timer and burst

Once you’ve come up with a solution to hold your camera in place, then put the camera on automatic timer and burst mode.  Putting the camera on an automatic timer allows you to hit record and have time to get into place; and putting it in burst mode allows you to capture many photos at once (including different poses)!

Rule #3 – Or bring in a Bluetooth tripod

If you’re traveling solo, I also recommend investing in a Bluetooth tripod for your phone – they are pretty reasonably priced, fold up small, and can really come in handy.  It also comes with a Bluetooth remote so you can easily take your own photos without having to deal with waiting around for the automatic timer to go off….all the while standing there awkwardly smiling…

Now onto the final trick for getting great photos….

Travel photo captured by an Airbnb Experience photographer

Option 3 – Hire a photographer for travel

If you’re traveling solo and can afford to spend a little money to ensure you have amazing photos for your trip, I highly encourage you to hire a travel photographer.  

And I’m about to let you in on the best-kept secret on how to find a vacation photographer….

Rule #1 – Use Airbnb Experiences to book travel photographers

But Lauren….hiring a private travel photographer sounds super expensive.

Wrong.  With Airbnb Experiences, hiring a photographer has never been more affordable & easy.  (Also this is completely unsponsored, I’m just a huge Airbnb Experience fan…but if anyone works at Airbnb and wants to collab, please get in touch!!!)

One of the first things I do when I book a trip is look up photographers experiences on Airbnb. These are sometimes called photo walks or photo sessions and are a fantastic way to get great photos from your trip.

Rule #2 – Find a photographer who fits your budget & style

I usually star all the photographers who seem of interest, then compare prices and look at their work. I want to make sure the photographers style feels in line with the type of photos I like to shoot.  I personally lean towards more of a lifestyle, street photography look and feel; but you’ll also find photographers who are more geared towards portraits, kids, couples, etc.  

Always check to see if they include an Instagram handle because this is a great way to see a greater collection of their work.  I also sometimes reach out to them via Instagram because often they will offer you a better deal than if you book thru Airbnb.  Just a little tip 

Rule #3 – If Airbnb doesn’t have what you’re looking for, consider alternative options

There is also a company called Flytographerthat will set you up with a photographer in your chosen city – and I’ve heard positive things.  The price point is just high in comparison to Airbnb.  Pricing starts at $250 for a 30 minute shoot (proposal shoots start at $350). To put it in perspective, I did a private 2 hour session in Hanoi, Vietnam for $26 and Flytographer (also operating in Hanoi) charges 10x that amount for a fraction of the time.  That said, if your destination doesn’t have many options on Airbnb Experiences & you have the money, it’s definitely something to consider.

Another option is to just search manually on the internet or Instagram – type in “London photographer” and see who pops up.  People usually love when you find them on Instagram so I’ll often use that as the first place I try.  Remember to comment on a photo and let them know you sent them a DM because some people don’t check DMs from people they don’t follow frequently.  

Rule #4 – Before your photo session, think about poses you may want to emulate

It’s usually a good idea to think thru a few ideas you have for photos.  Hopefully the photographer is experienced and comes with great ideas of their own, but two heads are always better than one!  

I actually have a folder on Instagram that I use just to save poses I like!  It’s a great way to give yourself inspiration on positions you might want to copy.  

Rule #5 – On the day, bring a few props!

If you’re feeling a bit awkward about having someone take your photo, bringing a few props always helps. It gives you something to do with your arms so they aren’t just hanging there.  

You can also research poses with your specific props ahead of time too!  For example, check out #umbrella on Instagram and see how people have utilized umbrellas in their imagery.

Not only does hiring a local photographer get you the photos you want from your vacation, but it also gives you greater insight into the culture and what it’s like to really live there.  You can ask your photographer for personal recommendations on where to eat, where to party…anything you want to know.  I’ve had the opportunity to connect with some amazing locals thru Airbnb Experiences….people I’ve continued to keep in touch with even months later.  So if you’re lucky, you might just walk away with great photos and a new friend.

Well I hope these tips were useful to you and that you use them on your next solo trip!  If you do, make sure to let me know about it!!

As always, if you enjoyed this article, I’d love for you to share xo