Another Sunday, another post for all you amazing people who inspire me everyday. Hope you’re having a fab weekend! For this weeks post, I wanted to give you all some tips on taking great photos when you travel. From where I started a year ago to where I am now, there’s a massive difference. Through many trial and errors, I’ve learnt some handy tips which I’m excited to share with you all. Because sharing is caring right!

Research Your Destination… preparation is key

You’ve booked your ticket and now you’re scrolling through Pinterest boards and Instagram accounts, trying to find the best places to eat and explore. Sound familiar? Well, use this research time to your advantage. If you have key points attractions that you’ll be visiting, have a look at what photos people have already taken. Nine times out of ten, the photos you’ll come across are all the same. They’ve all been taken from the exact same angle. By doing your research and spotting this early on, you’ll know how to not make the same mistake. All you have to do is move a little more to the left or the right, and voila, you have an entirely new perspective that’ll make your photo stand out from the rest.

Plan Your Outfits… standing out against the background

Now I’m not saying you need to bring a different outfit for every photo (because nobody has time for that), just do your research on your points of interest, so you can get an idea of what the setting looks like. This will allow you to plan your wardrobe in advance, choosing the best colour palette for your scenery. There’s nothing worse than looking back on your photos, only to discover later that your red dress is blending into the red wall behind you, and you look almost invisible.

Get Up At Sunrise… great lighting and less tourists

Getting up at the crack of dawn can be a struggle. But you’ll be thankful post trip when you’re looking back on your photos and there’s just you and an incredible backdrop in them. Opposed to those times when there’s you plus hundreds or so other tourists. It’s also a well known fact that sunrise has the best lighting for photos. So you can snap away without worrying about the glare of the sun reflecting off your sunglasses, etc., etc.

Invest In A Tripod… in my opinion, the greatest camera accessory

You don’t need an expensive camera to take great photos. I mean, it’s common knowledge that phones today can do the job quite nicely. What I would recommend though, is purchasing a decent tripod. Not only is it an essential item when travelling solo, but I find that you’re able to get more creative with your photos (opposed to the standard selfie or front on angle). You can also spend the time getting the exact shot you want, opposed to keeping your fingers crossed that a stranger doesn’t cut the top of your head off, or completely miss the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

Be Natural… poses are so last year

The best photos are those that are captured when someone isn’t paying attention. Mid laugh, exploring the local markets, the list goes on. So throw away your “go to” pose and just be you. Set you camera or phone on timer and walk, dance or have a picnic with a friend. You’ll be amazed at what’s captured when you aren’t strategically posing.