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The Best Travel Selfie Poses

09/21/2018 by Kristin Addis 7 Comments

What are the best ways to pose in front of the camera without looking totally staged, fake, or awkward?

I put this post together after years of struggling to look and FEEL natural in front of the camera. At first all I was comfortable doing was showing it the back of my head – but then that’s all I had pictures of – my messy brown hair.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Y7RbmGOxwN/?taken-by=bemytravelmuse

Sound familiar?

It took me a while but now I know the hacks and I’m here to spill the beans. I want you to have FUN with the experience of taking photos, and to help you be your own photographer – No Instagram husbands needed.

The following are some of the best poses for amazing selfies that don’t look like selfies:

The Eight Best Travel Selfie Poses

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 1) Tiny Human
  • 2) Classic Facing Away
  • 3) Move
  • 4) Use Your Hands
  • 5) Props
  • 6) Creative smiling
  • 7) Lean and take the camera low for long legs
  • 8) Look Fierce
  • READ NEXT:
  • HOW TO TAKE BEAUTIFUL TRAVEL PHOTOS OF YOURSELF
  •  A FULL GUIDE TO MY CAMERA GEAR

1) Tiny Human

https://www.instagram.com/p/BntnKN-nmqs/?taken-by=bemytravelmuse

You probably already know – when comparing a landscape photo with nobody in it to one with a human subject, the latter is just a lot more interesting!

So set up that tripod, get a remote or sync it with your phone, and get into your surroundings. As a tiny human I don’t have to worry much about what I do with my face or my posing too much, but I am adding scale and a human interest element to my photo. Try this one out first – it’s the easiest!

2) Classic Facing Away

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc2nNoMghfj/?taken-by=bemytravelmuse

This one is all over Instagram – just face away from the camera and toward your environment. You can do the #followmeto with your hand behind you (partner needed, or hand model, whatev), or just face away while looking at a gorgeous view. All you really need to think about is how the back of your head looks and maybe, how your outfit works with your environment.

I urge you to branch out and not only do this one. It’s great for making others feel like they could be there, but we want to see your pretty face! So let’s move on.

3) Move

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnwJgDtH76h/?taken-by=bemytravelmuse

To get over the awkwardness of taking my own photo (trust me, it still feels awkward sometimes!) I like to move. I’ll walk forward, then back, or just pivot between my two feet to simulate walking, or I’ll twirl, dance, or throw my hands up. Dancing and movement in a photo can convey so much joy and energy, and it totally helps me to remove stiffness in my posing and my body. Plus, it makes it so much more FUN. Ready to give it a try? Put your camera on burst mode and move!

4) Use Your Hands

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeatWd0Aj_A/?taken-by=bemytravelmuse

What do I do if it’s not a movement shot? I can still insert some movement and the look of a candid shot by running my hands through my hair, playing with my skirt or shirt collar, or putting a hand on my cheek.
Give your hands something to do in the photo and it’ll look more natural – easy!

5) Props

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kristin Addis (@bemytravelmuse) on Sep 29, 2017 at 8:17am PDT

The way that we involve props can be twofold: Either a prop can be part of a photo, or it can be what we use to put our camera on to take the photo when we don’t have a tripod.

I’ve used rocks, tree stumps, water bottles, my backpack, and chairs as tripods many times. It can often give me a creative angle that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise! So experiment with your camera placement. What angle will different props give you? Does it look cooler when the camera is down low vs. up high? What about right at eye level?
A prop is also perfect for using in the photo. It gives your hands something to do. It makes the pose obvious rather than awkward. I suggest using whatever is at your disposal. Grab a pair of sunglasses, an umbrella, a coffee mug, a hat, or something vibrant to wear, and make it a part of your photo. Props often help me know how to pose when I’m otherwise not sure. Like the other things we’ve tried, they help me be less awkward in photos.

6) Creative smiling

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kristin Addis (@bemytravelmuse) on Jul 22, 2018 at 9:13am PDT

I often feel odd just looking at the camera, hands at my side, smiling like I used to in middle school or in family photos. There’s no need to be boring or to stand awkwardly in photos anymore. There’s also no need to only show the back of your head. I admit, this one was hard for me to get used to at first. I felt so much more comfortable facing away from the camera, but then none of my photos had my face in them, and that’s kinda sad, isn’t it? Are you kind of the same too? Do you wish you could face the camera more to show your uniqueness? The easiest way is to display your smile. It’s approachable, lighthearted, and so nice to look at! Smile up at the sun, fake laugh until you’re actually laughing at yourself and your own silliness, combine movement and smiling like in the examples above, or scrunch your nose in that way that only you do best. There’s no wrong way to do this!

7) Lean and take the camera low for long legs

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kristin Addis (@bemytravelmuse) on Mar 28, 2018 at 7:28am PDT

Want to make those legs look longer? I like to find something to lean on, like the tree in the photo above, or a staircase to stretch across, in order to make my legs look long.

Take the camera somewhat farther away to avoid any unflattering angles, and take it low for a killer legs shot.

8) Look Fierce

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Kristin Addis (@bemytravelmuse) on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:15am PDT

It’s time to get real: Posing like a runway model with a serious face is probably the hardest pose out there, other than a headstand while holding your breath underwater or something. It can feel awkward and it might take more tries to get it right. It could also be that your first time doesn’t yield your fave results. BUT I have some tips to make it doable. It can come off fierce and smoldering rather than angry or totally blank. Try the following:

  • Smile then keep your eyes in the same position but drop your mouth shape.
  • Smirk: Raise an eyebrow, and/or just smirk slightly.
  • Use a mirror first: Get the look you like then keep it as you wander over to the camera.
  • My favorite: Pretend like that camera just gave you the best sex of your life. It’s amazing how well this works!
  • Tell yourself you’re a queen and pump up your self esteem – it helps so much.
Photo Muse Masterclass
Be your photographer AND your muse!

When it comes to posing for photos, we can take something that used to feel awkward and make it tons of fun. While it may take some time to get used to it and not every photo session will yield amazing photos (that’s just life!) this artistic form of self expression has helped me increase my self confidence and have even more fun with photography when I travel.

If you want more guidance and support, check out my 5-day email challenge with daily tips and hacks that expand upon these points to get to the next level – over 800 photographers have already done it, and it’s totally free. You can join here:

Happy snapping. I can’t wait to see what you create!

8 cute poses for your travel selfies! Forget the typical peace sign, these tips will help you pose better for your travel photos that will look nothing like a selfie! Click to read & join the 5-day pose challenge for free #Solofemaletravel #TravelSelfie
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READ NEXT:

HOW TO TAKE BEAUTIFUL TRAVEL PHOTOS OF YOURSELF

 A FULL GUIDE TO MY CAMERA GEAR



 

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About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    09/22/2018 at 10:44 am

    This is really helpful! I have a question, who helps to take the photos or do you set a timer? Would love to get tips on this for a total beginner. I mostly travel alone and not sure how to go about it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/23/2018 at 5:50 pm

      Gurl, I got you: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/how-to-take-travel-selfies/

      Reply
      • Kim says

        10/08/2018 at 5:05 am

        Thank you! You are so helpful this is great

        Reply
  2. GG says

    09/22/2018 at 8:24 pm

    This is a great supplement to the 5 day challenge! Wow 800 photographers. I learned a lot and feel less self-conscious about selfies. It is a type of photograph worth taking like any other and thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  3. Jo says

    09/23/2018 at 5:50 am

    Appreciate this writeup and the breakdown of your posing magic! I struggle the most with ‘move’, but the outtakes of those are the best. haha

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/23/2018 at 5:47 pm

      This is true!

      Reply
  4. Juan Ovalle says

    09/24/2018 at 5:02 pm

    Great tips! Might be used for the next trip!

    Reply

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