The Solo Traveller’s Guide to Getting THE Shot

How I take my own photos while travelling solo (without asking strangers)

I used to come back from trips with barely any photos of myself.

Not because I didn’t want them.
But because I didn’t know how to take them.

I’d either:

ask a stranger and hope for the best
balance my phone somewhere questionable
or just… not take the photo at all

And honestly? I hated that.

Because I wasn’t just travelling.
I was living moments I wanted to remember.

And I wasn’t in them.

Let’s be real.

Getting a good photo of yourself while travelling solo isn’t always easy.

There’s no one there to play photographer.
And strangers? It’s usually a blurry mess… or a headless photo.

But here’s the thing:

It doesn’t have to be that way.

With a few simple tools, your phone, and a little bit of confidence…
you can take photos you actually love.

These are the exact things that changed everything for me 👇

Solo Travel Photo Gear Checklist

(Screenshot this for your next trip!)

- Confidence → the most important tool of all

- Lens Buddy App → burst shots & hands-free photos

- Tall Tripod (160–180cm) → flattering, eye-level angles

- Portable Light → glow indoors & on cloudy day

- Lightleap App → easy editing for colours, skies & tones

1. My Secret Weapon: Lens Buddy

The first time I came across Lens Buddy, I genuinely thought:

Where has this app been all my life?

Before this, I was juggling:

10-second timers
bluetooth clickers
awkward sprints into frame

(not a good look)

Now?

I just set it up, press start, and move naturally.

Walking. Turning. Laughing. Existing.

It takes photos continuously or in bursts so I can focus on the moment instead of timing everything perfectly.

And that’s the difference.

What makes it so good:

Delay start → gives you time to get into position
Center guide (with audio cues) → tells you if you’re in frame
Burst / motion modes → captures movement naturally
Custom photo limits → no more 500-photo chaos
Live feedback + sounds → feels like your own mini photographer

Why it works:

You stop performing for the camera…
and start just being.

And those are always the best photos.

2. Invest In A Good Tripod

Please… forget those tiny tripods.

They will humble you 😭

My biggest upgrade?

A tripod that extends to around 160–180cm (roughly eye level).

It changes everything:

your angles look natural
your proportions look balanced
your photos feel instantly more professional

No more awkward “shot from below” energy.

And it’s not just about height.

It’s about stability.

No shaky hands.
No rushing.
No stress.

You can:

take photos
film content
move freely

All hands-free.

Why it works:

A good tripod makes your photos look like
someone else took them.

And that alone is a game changer.

3. Light Makes Everything Better

Lighting will make or break your photo.

My favourite? Always natural light.

It gives that soft, effortless glow
that no filter can replicate.

A few simple rules I follow:

Don’t face harsh sunlight directly (hello squinting)
Turn slightly → let light hit at an angle
Step into shade if it’s too strong
Indoors → face a window

For melanin-rich skin especially, natural light is magic.
It brings out warmth, depth, and glow so beautifully.

And when natural light isn’t an option?

I use a small portable light.

Perfect for:

cloudy days
dim restaurants
night shoots

Why it works:

Good lighting doesn’t just improve your photo.
It enhances you.

4. Movement & Posing

This changed everything for me.

I stopped trying to pose perfectly and started focusing on movement.

Now I:

walk into frame
glance over my shoulder
laugh at nothing
twirl, adjust, pause

And suddenly the photos feel alive.

If you’re using burst mode (especially with Lens Buddy),
hold each movement for a few seconds before switching.

You’ll get variety without overthinking it.

—

And here’s something important:

Movement is also your best friend on low-confidence days.

I live with endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Some days I feel bloated, uncomfortable, not like myself.

On those days, I:

shoot from behind
focus on angles
capture moments, not perfection

You don’t have to show everything.
You just choose what you do want to capture.

—

Pose & Movement Ideas:

Walking away shots
Looking out at the view
Leaning on a wall or railing
Holding a coffee / bag / hat
Side profiles
Twirling clothes
Seated relaxed poses
Silhouettes at sunset

The goal isn’t to hide.

It’s to give yourself options.

Why it works:

Movement adds emotion.
And emotion is what makes a photo feel like a memory.

5. Edit To Enhance, Not Erase

Editing is where your photo comes to life.

I use the Lightleap app – simple but powerful.

I’ll:

brighten shadows
enhance colours
adjust tones
sometimes swap a dull sky

But the goal is never to change the photo completely.

Just to highlight what’s already there.

Why it works:

Editing keeps the feeling of the moment…
while making it shine.

6. Take Up Space Anyway

This one matters most.

Yes, setting up a tripod in public can feel awkward at first.

People might look.

But honestly?

They forget about you within seconds.

What matters is this:

You walk away with a photo
that makes you smile for years.

So take your time.
Wait for the moment.
Don’t rush.

You deserve the shot.

A Final Reminder

Travelling solo doesn’t mean
you have to disappear from your own memories.

You deserve to exist in your photos.

Not just behind the camera.
Not just as the one who took it.

Whether it’s:

a tripod in a busy square
a quiet beach at sunset
or a low-energy day where you take just one photo

It all counts.

The goal isn’t perfection.

It’s capturing how it felt to be there.

And you deserve to be part of that memory too 🤍