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Top 10 Ways I Get Photographs of Myself as a Solo Traveler

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Selfies!

 

What I Shoot With:

  • Canon 6D
  • Canon 15mm Fisheye 2.8
  • Canon 24-70 Mark II 2.8
  • Go Pro Hero 3 Black

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1. I take selfies, a lot of selfies. Like, an embarrassing amount. I also use a very wide lens so I can fully capture whatever waterfalls, mountains, skyscrapers etc. that I am at. I also sometimes use an iphone or my GoPro.

Selfie with a local island man in Belize
Selfie with a local island man in Belize
Selfie
Selfie on the Big Island in Hawaii
Selfie
Selfie on my journey to Belize

 

2. One of my most frequent methods of photographing myself is a wired remote called an intervalometer that works with my Canon 6D. I can set the amount of time before it starts taking photos, the time in between each photo as well as how many photos in a row that it will take. I either use my tripod or just balance my camera somewhere. In the past I have had an SLR Gorillapod, I liked it but lost it and haven’t replaced it yet.

Changing the settings on my wired remote.
Changing the settings on my wired remote.

13-IMG_1523 12-IMG_5081

 

3. I kindly ask people around me to snap a shot. If you photograph them they are even more likely to trade the favor. I usually look for someone who also has an SLR because chances are they’ll be more into photography and take a better photo.

Getting ready to take a fisheye selfie in Aspen, Colorado
Getting ready to take a fisheye selfie in Aspen, Colorado

 

4.If I don’t have my tripod I get creative as to how I set my camera up for a timer shot.

My make-shift tripod stump
My make-shift tripod stump

 

My Make-shift tree stump tripod+yoga
My Make-shift tree stump tripod+yoga

 

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I set my camera on the ground to get this shot at Occupy LA.

 

5. I make a game out of taking pictures with the kids I travel nanny for. They even did a lot of the photography for this article and are more talented than many adults I know!

One of the kids I travel nanny for snapping a shot.
One of the kids I travel nanny for snapping a shot.

 

Show one of the children I nanny for how I want the photo.
Show one of the children I nanny for how I want the photo.

 

One of the kids I travel nanny for snapping a shot.
One of the kids I travel nanny for snapping a shot.

 

6. Once in a great while I cross paths with a professional photographer.

I was able to be photographer by world renounced underwater photographer Sarah Lee on the Big Island in Hawaii!
I was able to be photographed by world renowned underwater photographer Sarah Lee on the Big Island in Hawaii!

 

7. Although I am a solo traveler, I constantly make new friends. We might photograph each other. If needed, I do all of my camera settings for them and show them how to frame the photo. Sometimes I frame it myself with my tripod and just have them push the button. I always edit these photos myself.

Shot taken by my friend Gladys in Belize.
Shot taken by my friend Gladys in Belize.
Shot taken by my friend Ron.
Shot taken by my friend Ron.

 

8. I ask friends to wear my GoPro helmet cam, I can then take screen grabs from the video footage.

My awesome friend Gladys filming with the GoPro head cam!
My awesome friend Gladys filming with the GoPro head cam!

 

Christine, filming with the GoPro head cam.
Christine, filming with the GoPro head cam.
Gladys with the GoPro underwater
Gladys with the GoPro underwater

 

9. I have used a few wireless remotes, I currently don’t have one but will buy a new one.

Wireless remote at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, it was freezing.
Wireless remote at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, it was freezing.

 

I took this shot at Machu Picchu in Peru with a wireless remote.
I took this shot at Machu Picchu in Peru with a wireless remote.

 

Wireless remote in Iceland, it was very very cold.
Wireless remote in Iceland, it was very very cold.

 

10. Once in a great while I pay a local to show me around and photograph me. Clearly this requires some trust. I think I have decent intuition and have only had good experiences.

An Ecuadorian woman, Julia- whom I paid to walk around with me and take some photos. It turned out to be a great cultural exchange as well.
An Ecuadorian woman, Julia- whom I paid to walk around with me and take some photos. It turned out to be a great cultural exchange as well.

 

 

 

 

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18 Comments

  1. Jenny Lee Paiva says:

    Great post, Anna. Definitely a question to answer! Thanks

  2. Katie @WorldWideVegetarian.com says:

    Thanks for this great post! I am often trying out new tricks to take photos of myself and there are some interesting ideas here. I also love the idea of paying someone to photograph you, why not?
    Thanks,
    Katie

  3. Katie says:

    Love this! I am oddly self conscious about taking selfies. I do it, but I feel dumb! Wish I didn’t! I usually just take pictures of the scenery, or my boyfriend, and sometimes we snap some selfies together. But I want to be in more pictures, damnit! You’ve inspired me!

  4. Jessie says:

    ahh nice tipps! thanks for sharing this with us 🙂

  5. ilona says:

    So awesowe and useful. Really like it, you inspired me:)
    No 4 is a master:)

  6. Sachi says:

    Such an interesting post! It has a lot of ideas for us.

  7. Bethaney – Flashpacker Family says:

    I hardly ever have any travel photos of myself because my husband is a terrrrrible photographer! Maybe I need to start practicing some of these tricks. 😉

  8. Noel says:

    That was enjoyable and comprehensive, loved it, even though I’m not much of a selfie person in general.

  9. Joanna Kalafatis says:

    Thanks for this article Anna, definitely something I have encountered – and definitely the tips I needed before my 6 week solo trip across Japan and southern Europe 🙂

  10. Tony Burgum Photography says:

    Michelle McCallum you should read The Legendary Adventures of Anna blog page and website.

  11. Priya’s Obsession says:

    Love it! I ask people to take pics of me too. Most of the time it turns out well.

  12. Sofie says:

    Having your friends wear the GoPro is such a great idea! Photographing myself is something I still struggle with when I travel solo, though. In more secluded places it’s fine, but I don’t dare to put my camera somewhere on the ground or on something when there are a lot of people around. I’m not that trusting:/
    I’ve thought of getting a selfie stick, but I have an old smartphone and the camera is not good enough to take travel photos with.

  13. Gilles Barbier says:

    Hi Anna,

    Interesting… I must admit I haven’t been that creative when I was traveling alone, and have far less pictures from me.
    But I never shot a selfie…
    Big mistake?

    Cheers, Gilles

  14. 11 Things We Bet Only Solo Travellers Will Understand | Tripigator Travel Blog says:

    […] Do what you want to – sans commitments by Crazy in the Rain […]

  15. Ruthie’s Routes says:

    I love this post! Thank you for sharing all of your secrets. Not everyone share their secrets. I have a Canon Powershot that I'm still figuring out.

  16. Nitin Chavda says:

    most enjoyable travel blog i have seen so far, thank you

  17. Marcellus P. says:

    You are amazing! I love this post as well! Thanks for sharing always! Blessings to you my dear!

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