I am known to get around, the world that is. Most, if not all, of my recent travel experiences have been by myself. I truly enjoy solo travel, but sometimes if can be helpful to have someone accompany you. When it comes to capturing moments while on a journey, an extra set of hands and eyes can be very helpful. Traveling by myself truly doesn’t stop me from living in the moment and photographing the best occasions.
I have compiled a list below of all the essential tools I use for my solo travel photography.
Solo Travel Photography Essentials
Cellphone: I am team iPhone. I’m not here to put down Android phones, but when it comes to photography and ease of use, iPhones just do it for me. Most of the pictures that I take are from my iPhone. Your phone doesn’t have to be the latest phone either. I recently upgraded my phone 2 months ago, but I still capture most of my moments on my iPhone 8. Spend some time on social media watching tutorials on how to get the most out of your phone and its photography features.
Drone: I own an DJI Mavic Mini. I love this compact drone because its lightweight and easy to use. Since it weighs less than 15 pounds I am able to travel and use it without a permit. My Mavic Mini easily connects to my phone for controls and downloading my photos and videos. Before traveling with my drone I always check a country’s drone laws and make sure use is allowed.
DSLR Camera: My Nixon D7000 is my tried and true camera that I use for capturing those crisp, professional pictures. I’ve had my digital camera for over 10 years and the photography quality remains top notch. I recommend investing in a basic photography class and learn how to use your DSLR camera on Manual mode to get the best lighting and settings.
Pocket Action Camera: I originally owned a DJI Osmo Pocket 1, which I purchased after seeing it in action on my previous trip to Singapore. I recently upgraded to the latest version DJI Osmo Pocket 3 last month and I’m very glad I did. This tiny little camera is jammed packed with features. Some of the best feature is the stabilizer/ gimbal, the face tracking, and the 360 mobility of the lens. This camera also has the ability to switch from Reel to video format with a flip of the touchscreen.
Selfie Stick/ Tripod: I take my tripod stick almost everywhere. I love my tripod/ selfie stick because it’s so easy to set up for solo pictures and videos. I love that it comes with an embedded bluetooth shutter. I also appreciate the extension rod and the stability of the tripod stand. I separately purchased a phone adapter for the top, but I can easily screw my DSLR or pocket camera on top.
Tracking device: Before my recent purchase of my DJI Pocket, which comes with its own tracking features, I used my PIVO. If you want a smaller investment in tracking investments, I highly recommend this for all your action videos and shots. The PIVO comes with its own bluetooth shutter and compact carrying case.
Mobile/ Selfie Light: No matter what camera you’re using to capture your moments an extra light is essential. Natural lighting is best, but that’s not guaranteed. I always make sure to bring a mobile light with me. The best things about these lights is they’re super compact, come with different light settings and easy to recharge.
You can purchase my solo travel photography essentials here.