Taking good group travel photos of yourself by yourself, can be challenging to say the least…
Either you’re missing someone from every picture, you’re a floating head in a selfie, or you have to find a someone to take the photo for you…which can be awkward and you might not end up with a great photo anyway…
So what if I told you I had a simple hack to take the best travel pictures of yourself, by yourself! All you need are a few photography gadgets and to learn some basic rules of photography!
This hack works for everyone from solo travellers to traveling couples, and even friends and family vacations!
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Traditional Issues Taking Photos Of Yourself By Yourself…
Whether you’re traveling alone or in a group, we all want full body photos of ourselves at some point on vacation.
There are currently three traditional ways to take photos of yourself on vacation: someone from your group takes your photo (not applicable for solo travellers), taking a selfie, and asking a third party person to take your photo.
But there are problems with all these travel pictures…
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1. A Group Member Takes Your Photo (The Missing Person!)
If you’re travelling in a group (as a couple, with family or friends), an easy way to get a full body photo of the group is to essentially leave someone out. Obviously, this method just doesn’t work for solo travellers at all!
But if you’re travelling in a group, there always seems to be a designated photographer and it’s as if they just weren’t on the trip with you. They are missing from every. single. picture!
My family vacation photos growing up is always my sisters, my mom, and I. My dad is left out of every photo! Today, I’ve taken the role of photographer and are left out of most travel pictures.
Every once in a while, you might realize this and swap places to snap one that includes the photographer. But wouldn’t it be nice to get everyone in the same picture all at once?
2. Take A Selfie (A.K.A The Floating Heads!)
In recent years, with the invention of the front facing camera, the selfie has risen to popularity. So although it’s convenient and you can fit everyone in the frame, it’s not a perfect travel photo in any way.
A selfie is more to remember the moment by, and a good option to get a quick picture. But they’re not the travel photo that you’re going to want to print out and frame (p.s. see how to display your favourite travel pictures here!).
Everyone is a floating head, and depending on how many people you are, you might not even see the background…
And let’s be real, the glorious front facing camera on most phones doesn’t take the same quality photos.
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How to Make A Removable Photo Wall (Perfect For Your Travel Photos)
3. Asking Someone To Take A Photo Of You
Asking a stranger to take a photo of you might seem like the best of both worlds: you have the whole group, and your full body in the frame. So what’s the problem?
For starters, it’s always awkward asking someone, and trusting that they won’t just steal your device.
That’s also if someone’s even there – if you’re traveling to more remote destinations during low season, there might not even be anyone around to ask!
But my biggest issue with asking someone to take a photo of you is that they rarely take good travel pictures.
In my experience, people like to put you directly in the centre of the frame, sometimes even covering what you want to see in the background… In case you didn’t know, this isn’t at all how you want to frame a photo; it’s all about following the rule of thirds (continue reading to find out what that is to take even better travel pictures!).
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Travel Photography Tips For How To Take Photos By Yourself
So, how do I get the best group travel photos every time?
It’s not about having the best camera, or even the best photography skills, but you do need some extra equipment and some knowledge of photography.
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What You Need To Take Better Group Travel Photos By Yourself
As I mentioned, you have to invest a bit to buy the proper equipment to take travel pictures of yourself by yourself.
A good camera is never a bad things to have for better travel pictures, but you can use your phone (I use my Google Pixel and LOVE it!).
You’ll also need a few extra things, a bluetooth shutter remote, a mini and flexible tripod, and a phone mount. You can buy each item separately, but I like this bundle on Amazon that comes with everything you need.
If you want, you can also invest in some phone lenses (like these on Amazon) for some wide angle photos.
Travel Photo Gear
Why A Mini Flexible Tripod?
The mini flexible tripod is ideal for travel and on the go.
It’s small and lightweight so it will fit in most bags to take wherever you want to go.
But more importantly, it’s very malleable. This will let you set it up almost anywhere!
I’ve place it on anything from ledges, wrapped it our lamp posts and park benches, to even garbage bins! The possibilities are endless!
I used to have a Joby Gorillapod (like this one on Amazon) but I like the tripod from this bundle on Amazon better. It’s easier to manipulate the legs to wrap around objects and flatten them again to fit inside my bag.
Buy A Mini Flexible Tripod – Travel Picture Ideas
- 2019 Upgraded: This cell phone tripod is upgraded in 2019 with stronger material for peerless durability, the defect rate is down more than 80% from this year. And your purchase is guaranteed by UBeesize lifetime service.
- Get The Perfect Angle – Adjustable OCTOPUS style legs help to capture clean shots from any angle even in the move. Want a view difficult to get with common tripod. This is your best choice.
- Stable On Any Surface – Made of very strong durable foam and plastic, the ball head and no-slip feet make positioning and straightening devices easy
- Universal Compatibility – Works well with smartphones, digital cameras, GoPro and webcams up to 3.7 inches wide
- Control it from distance – The wireless remote serves a wireless range up to 30 ft. Ideal for taking individual, group photos & wide angle views.
A Phone Adapter For The Tripod
If you don’t buy the bundle, you might also need a tripod phone adapter.
Tripods aren’t originally designed for phones but for actual cameras. So a phone mount, like this one on Amazon, allows you to attached your phone to any tripod you buy.
Buy A Tripod Phone Mount – How To Take Photos By Yourself
- FEATURE: the tripod phone mount is adjustable by screw mechanism, 360 degree rotating, vertical(portrait mode) and horizontal(landscape mode) or any angle as you need, not necessary to take your cell phone out of a standard tripod or small tripod.
- EASY TO USE: two options for using tripod phone holder: 1. screw it directly to the tripod or selfie stick with pivoting arm, being able to 360 degrees rotating, 2. remove the phone clamp from pivoting arm and then mount on a tripod or monopod.
- ADJUSTABLE WIDTH: 2.2inch-4.1inch(55mm-105mm), attachable to any regular-size smartphone, tripod, selfie stick, monopod or camera; two standard 1/4 x 20mm female thread interfaces meeting your various needs. Very functional and compact.
Bluetooth Remote Shutter – How Can I Take A Good Picture Of Myself?
The remote shutter is what makes all the difference for taking unbeatable photos of yourself by yourself.
Of course, you can always put your phone on a timer, but it’s hard to coordinate timing, especially with more people!
A remote shutter allows you to take your time and take multiple pictures. For example, you can wait for the perfect timing to snap the photo.
Now you can wait for people to walk out of the frame, or take an awesome action shot of you jumping in the air!
But my favourite is when you capture some surprise in the moment shots you weren’t expecting at all!
Buy A Bluetooth Remote Shutter – How To Take Better Travel Pictures
- Handy Little Gadget ►This Bluetooth remote makes it exciting to take selfies, group and steady shots hands-free! Post amazing photos and videos on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube with the help of this shutter.
- Lightweight and Convenient to Carry ►The remote is easy to store. You can bring it anywhere! Just slip it in your pocket and keep it on a keychain. It comes with an adjustable wrist strap for quick access when in use.
How To Take Photos By Yourself: Setting Up The Tripod
Now that you have all the right equipment to take photos of yourself by yourself, you have to learn how to use them!
First, you have to find the perfect spot to put place your tripod. Sometimes it’s obvious, but more often than not you have to get a bit creative.
Like I said, I take full advantage of ledges, fences, and benches. But I won’t lie, sometimes I even put it on top of garbage bins (don’t worry I made sure it was clean first!).
You might even have to try placing the tripod in different spots. Sometimes the spot you think will work the best is actually awful and you have to either raise or lower the angle.
Finding the perfect spot might take a few tries, but the result is always worth the effort!
Before you place your phone anywhere, make sure it’s safe. If it does happen to fall (due to heavy winds!), make sure it can land somewhere safely.
Don’t put it on a ledge where it can fall into water, or a somewhere you won’t be able to reach it. And it’s also probably a good idea to have a case on your phone for added protection.
How To Frame A Photo For Better Travel Pictures?
Now that you’ve found a safe place to set up your phone, you have to learn how to properly frame your photo. This is the difference between travel photos for memories, and unbelievable travel pictures you’ll want to print and frame.
Don’t Block Important Subjects!
This is a travel photo after all, so you don’t want to block your main subject.
You’d be surprised at how many times I accidentally stand right in front of the main subject of the photo.
So set up your tripod somewhere you can see the main subject, and there’s room for you to stand!
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Follow The Rule Of Thirds
Remember I said you don’t want to stand in the middle of the frame?
That’s because of photography’s number one rule: the rule of thirds.
The rule of thirds separates the frame into three equal horizontal and vertical sections. You want to place yourself on one of the two lines that create these sections. So you’ll be slightly off-centered from the middle of the photo.
Preferably, you want to be on the left, to lead your viewer’s eye into the frame.
To make sure you’re composing your group travel photos properly, always take a test shot. Stand behind your camera, and ask someone to stand in different locations until you’re happy with it. That’s always my partners job, I can’t even tell you how many photos I have with him awkwardly standing alone as I test it out.
It’s important to also take note of where you’re going to stand once you enter the frame.
More Fun With Travel Pictures
Psst! It’s also a really great way to get fun animations! Take a bunch of photos turn it into a GIF with Google Photos. See how to here.
Or here’s a great way to showcase all your new picture perfect travel photos! Make your own expandable and removable travel photo wall!
Never forget a favourite travel memory
Keep track of your travels every day with my digital and printable travel journal. Use it on the go on your phone or tablet, or print it out!
My Travel Photography Essentials For Taking Better Group Photos!
Travel Photo Gear
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- How I Plan My Vacations
- Travel Hacks For Couples to Save Money
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Last update on 2024-05-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bea Adventurous
Saturday 18th of June 2022
These are amazing tips. It sure can be tricky to get great group shots and the amount of times strangers have taken them to turn out bad.. haha!
This will definitely come in handy! thank you!
Meghan
Monday 20th of June 2022
Thanks so much! I hope you can now get some great travel photos this way to look back on :D
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Mayi
Sunday 10th of November 2019
Very good tips. I usually take pictures without myself in before I travel mostly solo. I have to invest in a tripod so I can take with myself in the background.
admin
Sunday 10th of November 2019
Landscape shots are always beautiful too, but definitely want some with you in them. A gorilla pod isn't too expensive either, worth the small investment!