How to Take Good Photos of Yourself on Solo Trips

September 25, 2026

Travelling solo means coming home with 400 photos of views and none of you. A few simple tricks fix that - no awkward asking required.

Honest note: we design and print cards, badges, prints and party decorations in the UK. The tripod is a recommendation from elsewhere.

The kit

This lightweight gear setup suits independent adventurers who want to capture beautiful memories without relying on strangers. Use it during quiet morning walks or when exploring scenic spots. A practical tip is to keep these small items in an easily accessible outer pocket of your daypack so you can set up quickly whenever inspiration strikes.

Flexible tripod with remote. A 25cm flexible tripod with bendy legs, a phone holder and a wireless Bluetooth remote. The legs wrap around railings, branches, cupboard handles and lamp stands, and the remote lets you take the photo from a few metres away.
Wrap it round a railing, signpost or park bench when there's no flat surface.
Check the legs are wrapped tightly before you let go - and don't hang a phone over water or a drop.

Taking the shot

These simple techniques suit any traveller who wants to upgrade their holiday gallery from basic snapshots to professional-looking compositions. Use them when you find a stunning backdrop and have a few spare minutes to experiment. As a practical tip, always take a quick test shot of the empty scene first to check the lighting and framing before you place yourself in the frame.

Use burst mode and pick the best one later.
Walk towards or away from the camera for a natural shot.
Put yourself on a third of the frame, not dead centre.
Shoot early in the morning when landmarks are quieter.

Poses that don't look posed

This relaxed approach suits camera-shy travellers who want to capture the genuine, peaceful spirit of their journey. Use these ideas when you want your holiday album to feel authentic rather than staged. Our practical tip is to take a deep breath and consciously drop your shoulders right before you begin, which instantly makes your posture look more natural and comfortable.

Look at the view, not the lens.
Sit on a wall with a coffee.
Hold your bag or hat to give your hands something to do.

Key things to remember

Keep the tripod in your day bag - it's small enough to forget it's there.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I take photos of myself without a selfie?

Use a tripod and a remote or timer, set up a few metres away.

Is a remote better than the timer?

Yes - you can take shots when you're ready, rather than rushing back.

Do you sell the tripod?

No. We design and print greetings cards, enamel pin badges, art prints and party decorations in the UK. The tripod is a recommendation from elsewhere - only the things linked to our own shop are ours.

What is a good example of how to take good photos of yourself on solo trips?

"Wrap it round a railing, signpost or park bench when there's no flat surface." is one of 10 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

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