How to take photos while solo travelling

Solo travel is more popular than ever, with 76 per cent of millennial and generation Z travellers planning solo trips, according to the American Express 2024 Global Travel Trends Report. No longer willing to wait around for someone else's schedule to align, people are instead deciding to explore the world on their own terms.

While travelling alone brings freedom and self-discovery, one often overlooked downside is that the memories are yours alone. Without someone to reminisce with, those incredible moments can fade over time. That’s why capturing photos of your solo adventures is so important – they help preserve the stories only you witnessed.

But that raises a critical question: how do you capture those unforgettable moments when there’s no one behind the camera?

Whether you're aiming for social media-worthy shots or simply want to preserve your memories for yourself, these tips will show you how to take photos when solo travelling. All you’ll need is a dash of problem-solving, a pinch of trust and a belief that practice makes perfect. 

Trust in humanity

In today’s world, our phones are more than just devices – they're lifelines. From navigation and communication to documenting our travels, we rely on them constantly. So, the idea of handing over one of our most valuable possessions to a complete stranger for a photo can spark instant anxiety. When solo travelling, you’ll find yourself depending on the kindness of strangers more than you might expect, and getting that perfect shot is one of those moments. 

If the idea makes you uneasy, take some time to choose the right person and trust your instincts. Look for fellow travellers who seem trustworthy: families trying to take group photos, a couple navigating a selfie stick, or a teenage girl who looks like she’s running her own mini photoshoot.

Beyond the photo, this is an opportunity to build connections and your confidence by speaking to new people. Asking for help from a stranger is something we rarely do in our everyday lives and, while it might feel awkward at first, you’ll be surprised at how much easier it gets the more you do it.

Lights, camera, action

Capturing an epic shot isn’t all down to the person behind the camera. You need to take control of the elements around you and pay attention to the following key factors:

• Lighting: while you can’t control the sun, you can choose locations with good natural light or avoid harsh midday sunlight. You can never go wrong with the soft, flattering light of golden hour at sunset.

• Angles: take the time to discover what your best angles and poses are. Experiment with your camera angle by placing it low to the ground or finding higher vantage points. A small change in perspective can transform how the scene feels.

• Composition: try using the rule of thirds by placing yourself slightly off centre and playing around with framing, symmetry and negative space to add depth to your shot.

Have the camera ready

If you ask someone to take a picture for you, it’s probably best not to turn it into a full-blown photoshoot with multiple requests. Make things as easy as possible by considering the abovementioned factors and setting up your phone or camera before handing it over.

That means choosing the right mode (whether portrait, wide, video), setting the zoom if needed and framing the shot in advance. If you have a specific angle in mind, show them exactly where you’d like the photo taken from and offer a quick explanation. 

A little preparation goes a long way in getting the shot you want, without making it awkward for either of you.

Utilise the self-timer

Maybe no one is around, or you’re just not in the mood to interact with humans today. This is where the self-timer becomes your ultimate solo travel hack. 

Set up the camera exactly how you want it – frame the shot, adjust the lighting and make sure your focus point is locked in. Hit the timer (most phones and cameras let you choose between three, five or 10 seconds), then press the shutter and get into position.

It might initially feel awkward (cue plenty of jogging back and forth) but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be snapping candid-looking solo shots like a pro, with no help needed. 

0.5x is a gamechanger

"Point five"' selfies completely changed the game after the world realised the ultra-wide lens on the back of a phone could be used to capture solo shots. Sure, your elongated arm will make a cameo in the frame, but since the trend took off in 2022, no one seems to mind.

Unlike regular front-camera selfies, 0.5x shots give you a wider, more dramatic perspective, ideal for showing off both you and the incredible place you’re in.

Use a tripod (or makeshift stand)

Tap into your problem-solving skills and you’ll quickly discover that nearly anything can become a makeshift tripod when needed – whether it’s a water bottle, a bag, a rock or even a face mask.

As a solo traveller trying to take photos, mastering the art of balance and improvisation becomes a newly acquired skill. Set up your phone or camera, start the self-timer, and get ready for your solo photoshoot. Of course, if you prefer to skip the balancing act, you could always invest in a lightweight tripod to make the process easier. 

Solo travel doesn’t always mean being alone

Many first-time solo travellers worry about being alone and not making any friends. The truth is that you’re rarely ever really alone.

There are countless opportunities to meet people along the way, whether that’s other backpackers at your hostel, a friendly local eager to show you around, or a stranger who strikes up a conversation over coffee. 

You're not out of luck if you still haven’t met someone. At popular tourist spots, it’s not unusual to find locals who’ve turned photo-taking into a hustle. For a small tip, they’ll take wallpaper-worthy shots.

They know the exact spot with the best lighting, the most flattering angle, and the right settings to capture a photo you’ll be raving about long after the trip ends. 

With your newfound friend or semi-professional local photographer at your side, the challenge of taking photos as a solo traveller becomes a thing of the past.

Fix it in post

Too many people in your photo? The lighting is off? Or you're not quite where you wanted to be in the frame? Even after following all these tips, sometimes the shot still isn’t perfect, but no stress! There’s plenty you can do to fix it. 

Apps like Lightroom and VSCO, or even your phone’s built-in editing tools can help you adjust lighting, crop distractions, tweak colours or straighten the frame. Even those annoying photobombers can be removed within seconds.

These apps get that not everyone’s a pro editor, which is why most now include a magic “auto” button that does the heavy lifting for you. Powered by AI, it analyses your photo and automatically fine-tunes its tone, colour and lighting to instantly enhance the image. Just like that, your photo is ready to be posted or added to your beloved collection of travel memories.