One of the top questions I get asked is, “who takes your photos when you travel solo?” The answer is simple: I do. Sometimes with a little help from a stranger, sometimes with a gadget clipped to a café table, and sometimes with me awkwardly balancing a phone against a water bottle while praying it doesn’t fall into a bowl of pasta in Italy.
It’s easy to look at Instagram and assume there’s a photographer following me around the world (I wish!). Occasionally, my husband will be with me to act as my human selfie stick, but most of the time it’s just me, myself, and a Bluetooth remote.
As an introvert, I get that taking photos of yourself in public can feel uncomfortable. But here’s two travel tips I’ve learned after years of solo travel: First, having the proper gadgets help so much and second, most people are too busy thinking about themselves to care what you’re doing.
So here’s exactly how I take selfies and solo travel photos, including the tools I actually use and the situations where each one works best.
Swap Shots with a Stranger
This is still one of the easiest tricks when traveling solo. If I see another couple awkwardly trying to squeeze themselves into a selfie in front of a landmark, I’ll often smile and offer to take their picture. About 99% of the time, they immediately offer to return the favor.
I specifically look for couples, groups of friends, or other solo travelers because they usually understand the struggle. The key is to make it easy for them. Before handing over your phone, quickly open the camera app and have your settings ready. If there’s a specific angle you want, don’t be afraid to say, “Would you mind getting the whole building in the background?” or “Can you take a few vertical shots too?” Most people are happy to help when you give clear direction.
➞ Tip: if you feel weird asking them to take multiple photos of different poses, then just ask them to take a video instead and do slow movements that you can screenshot later.
Use Gadgets & Tools
Over the years, I’ve built a little toolkit of travel photography gadgets that help me take photos without needing another person around. I use different ones depending on the situation, how crowded the area is, and honestly, how introverted I’m feeling that day.
Here are the ones I actually travel with:
51” Selfie Stick
The Atumtek 51” Selfie Stick is the one I use the most outdoors, especially when there aren’t too many people around. Think beaches, viewpoints, hiking trails, wineries, quiet streets early in the morning, or anywhere I want a wider shot that doesn’t scream “obvious selfie.”
What I love most is how versatile it is. When folded up, it’s only about 12 inches long, so it easily fits into most of my travel bags. But once extended, it turns into a tripod and reaches up to 51 inches.
The detachable Bluetooth remote is the real game changer. Instead of setting a timer and sprinting into position while pretending to casually laugh at nothing, I can simply stand where I want and click the remote naturally.
3-in-1 Extendable Selfie Stick
The Atumtek 3-in-1 Extendable Selfie Stick is my “be discreet and keep it simple” option. I use this one constantly in restaurants, coffee shops, hotel rooms, markets, and crowded cities where pulling out a large tripod would make me feel a little self conscious.
It’s much smaller and more compact than the larger Atumtek, which also makes it my go-to when I’m carrying a smaller purse or crossbody bag. Folded down it’s only 7.7 inches long, but it still extends enough to help capture wider shots and better angles than simply holding your phone at arm’s length.
Magsafe Airplane Holder
Technically the JoyRoom Magsafe is designed for airplanes, but I use it for so much more than that.
Yes, it’s fantastic clipped onto an airplane tray table to watch videos during long flights. But I’ve also attached it to café tables, suitcase handles, shelves, shopping carts, hotel desks, kitchen cabinets, and even random ledges while traveling. Basically, if the surface is under about 1.5 inches thick, there’s a good chance this thing can clip onto it.
This is one of my favorite tools for discreet solo travel photos because it’s tiny and doesn’t look like traditional photography equipment. I can quietly clip it onto a table during breakfast and snap a quick photo without setting up a full tripod situation.
Magnetic Suction Phone Case
The amBand Magnetic Suction Phone Case is the newest addition to my travel photography toolkit and honestly, I’m obsessed with it. The concept is simple: The magnet sticks to your phone and the other side sticks to smooth surfaces using suction cups.
I’ve attached mine to hotel mirrors, windows, bathroom tiles, kitchen cabinets, glass doors, airport windows, and even the side of a rental car. It’s ridiculously easy to carry because it’s so small, and I can pull it out in seconds when inspiration strikes.
The downside is that your angles are a bit more limited since it depends on available smooth surfaces. But for convenience and portability, it’s incredible.
Join a Tour
One of the easiest ways to get photos while traveling solo is to join a tour. They naturally create opportunities to swap pictures with other travelers, whether you’re wine tasting, hiking, sightseeing, or on a boat excursion. After spending a few hours together, asking someone for a quick photo feels much more comfortable and natural.
Photography tours are even better because you’ll not only meet like-minded travelers, but also learn a few photography tips along the way.
You can search for tours and experiences on platforms like Viator before your trip.
Hire a photographer
Sometimes you don’t want to stress about photos at all. You just want to enjoy the experience and know someone else is handling it. That’s where hiring a professional photographer can completely change the game.
Services like Flytographer connect you with local photographers around the world. You choose your city, pick a photographer whose style you like, and book a route or neighborhood for the shoot.
The photographers also act like mini local guides, which makes the whole experience feel fun instead of awkward. They know the best lighting, hidden corners, and quieter streets that most tourists miss.
Other Tips
Get Up Early
If you want photos without crowds, wake up early. Sunrise light is softer, more flattering, and popular spots feel much calmer before tourists arrive. As an introvert, I also feel far less awkward setting up a tripod or taking selfies when fewer people are around. Some of my favorite travel memories happened before most people were even awake.
Get Inspired
Before a trip, I save photo ideas and scenic spots from Pinterest and Instagram. It helps me arrive with a plan instead of feeling awkward or unsure in the moment. I also check crowd levels, lighting, and whether there’s room for a tripod. Knowing the shots you want ahead of time makes taking photos quicker and less stressful.
Practice Your Poses
You don’t need to be a model to take good travel photos, but having a few simple poses and knowing your best angles helps. I rely on easy ones like walking, looking away, holding coffee, or adjusting sunglasses. Practice at home before your trip so you know your angles and feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
Ready to Start living your bucket? Use my Favorite Resources:
Finding Ideas
Of course this bucket list blog and my bucket list are great resources, but you can also use my free printable 2,000 bucket list ideas.
Naming Your List
Some people don’t love the term “bucket list”. But, what is most important is that you have a list, not what you call it, so here are 25 other names for a bucket list.
Storing Your List
I’ve created the perfect Google Sheets Bucket List Tracker Spreadsheet, that helps you store your list, plus keep track of all those checkmarks you’ll be making on it!
Save this Post to Pinterest
