73 Easy Travel Poses To Capture Your Best Self & Travel Moments

Don’t worry! Whether traveling alone, with friends, a partner, or family, with practice and the right angle and lighting, your solo travel photo poses will help improve your confidence and travel pictures.

This list will show travel poses I have tried, tested, and found simple, natural, and NOT so difficult that anyone can try while traveling and taking pictures.

As a solo traveler, I have visited almost 40 countries and traveled 28 times alone. The travel poses and tips I will share are what I learned from previous travel professional photographers, my personal travel experiences, and my solo travel poses.

May these travel poses somehow inspire and help you in how you pose for your travel pictures on your next trip or photo shoot!

I hope these poses while traveling will help you capture your best self and create the best travel memories you will be so thankful and happy to share and look back to years from now!

Travel Poses

1. Know your “best” angle

Know your “favorite” side. Figure out which side of your face and body is more photogenic.

Show more of the side of your body and face you think you look best.

Try positioning your body at a 45-degree angle to appear slimmer in photos. This may not work for everyone, but it’s always a good idea to experiment. Take a few shots to see which angles suit you best and make you look more photogenic.

2. Show a good posture

Stand tall and keep your shoulders back naturally.

Practicing a good posture will turn into aesthetically pleasing photos as it prevents awkward angles and shots.

Good posture gives off confidence and poise, which improves your body language and results in more symmetrical and balanced pictures.

3. Shift your weight on one side. Pop your hip out.

This is often referred to as a “contrapposto” stance.

Shifting your weight to one side emphasizes the waist and lengthens the legs, contributing to a more flattering shape and natural posture.

Do not stay straight. Put your weight on one side or the other side. Then, put the other leg in front.

This position highlights the natural curves and lines of the body, resulting in a more appealing shape and aesthetically pleasing photos.

4. Touch anything you’re wearing

Ensure you continuously touch what you’re wearing while incorporating movement as this leads to a more natural look. Notice what you’re wearing and softly touch it. Adding movement conveys natural expressions and emotions.

You can experiment with other techniques of touching your earrings, necklace, bracelet, watch, belt, pockets, hats, hair pins, etc.

5. Continuously add movement

Avoid freezing into a pose.

You will be less focused on holding a perfect pose when you’re continuously moving. Adding movement reduces the feelings of self-consciousness and often leads to more relaxed and natural-looking poses.

Incorporating movement can enhance your creative expression and add a narrative element that creates more authentic and candid shots.

6. Look to the “side”

Not looking directly at the camera creates a more natural appearance and pleasing photos.

Keep in mind you can use your “best angle” (whether it’s the left side or right side or both) and position your face to look to that side for different ways and poses for photos

7. Look “down”

The looking-down pose is helpful when it’s very sunny or many people are in front of you, and you’re shy while taking photos.

At least for me, these are my reasons when I look down on photos or simply because I don’t know where to look, so it’s natural for me to look down.

8. Look “up”

Find something interesting above while looking up while taking photos as this will help you create feelings and emotions that can be captured.

As you can see, adding hand and foot creative placement into a pose while looking up, down, or to the side certainly can enhance your photos.

9. Fix your hair or anything you have with you

Don’t forget to add movement and actually “fix” your hair so it will look more natural and less awkward in photos.

Moving or turning your head to the side will help capture a similar shot.

 

10. Turn your body to the side (sitting)

Put one weight on one hand while sitting down and experiment with the other hand by placing it on your chin.

 

11. Stand sideways

Turn your body to the side while standing. Then, place your hands on the opposite side to enhance the visual appeal of your photos.

 

12. Twirl in a dress. 

Spin quickly and lightly around. If you’re wearing a flowy dress, this is one of the feminine poses you should incorporate for aesthetically pleasing solo shots.

13. Turn around and look to the “side”

Show your back to the camera, then slightly turn to the side to look at something interesting that can convey a story in your photos.

I tend to do this pose to let viewers focus more on the “highlight”, or “amazing view” I’m looking at, and also if I have a back outfit I want to show off!

 

14. Turn around and look “back”

This is probably my favorite pose. It conveys more of a traveler’s feelings and memorable encounters. If you have a famous landmark in front of you, walk towards it, then look back to accentuate that you’re about to explore that place or you’ve traveled there.

15. Use one hand to touch your (ear, neck, head, shoulder, or chin)

If you are NOT sure where to place your hand in photos, simply remember to touch one “side” of your body with one hand.

You can experiment by touching the “side” of your ear, neck, head, jaw, shoulder, hip, or leg. Don’t forget to add movement as you’re doing it.

16. Have your foot out

Want to show off your leg or footwear while standing? This pose is for you!

This pose elongates your leg and makes you stand out more against the background. It can also contribute to a more poised appearance.

 

17. Cross your ankles

If you have a similar environment as this picture, simply crossing your ankles evokes a graceful look in your photos.

This position is so simple but can create a classy and chic appearance.

18. Point your toes

If you want to highlight your leg or footwear, this may be the pose for you.

Pointing your toe helps enhance your body composition and solo shots resulting in a more natural and elegant look.

19. Rest your hand on an object

If there is an object around you where you can rest one hand, then use it. This will create a more relaxed pose and make your body less stiff.

 

20. Kick your leg forward

To do this pose, pretend to kick a soft snow with one leg. Lift both of your arms, lift the opposite leg, and kick it forward and back until you capture the pose you want to achieve.

Be playful while doing this so your expression will naturally show.

 

21. Kick up a leg

This pose looks cute and natural if you have something to hold on to with one hand (as seen in this picture) whether that’s an object or person to help balance the pose.

If you’re having a spontaneous, unexpected, and fun moment, you’ll likely naturally lift one leg similar to this pose.

 

22. Move towards the camera or take steps back

Walking is the easiest pose and way to look natural in photos. Whether you’re feeling shy or confident in the camera, walking has the magic of creating visually appealing shots that always look very authentically good.

 

23. Walk away

If you want to emphasize your surroundings, this is a great way to draw the viewer’s attention more to the scene.

I like this pose when I want to spark mystery or curiosity that I’m about to travel somewhere far and embark on a journey on an off-beaten path.

 

24. Jump in excitement

Please do this pose when it’s safe to do, on a flat surface wearing the right footwear.

Use burst mode to capture multiple shots. Consider this pose if you want to capture a lively and exciting moment to convey your feelings!

Add energy as you jump and lift your arms up or out to show your overflowing excitement and maintain balance.

 

25. Do creative hands placement. Hold or touch the other hand.

Engage your hands to create a shy but elegant pose with the angle of your front foot.

In addition, choose this pose if you want to show off your front outfit. I especially like this pose when I’m wearing a high-waisted dress.

 

26. Cross your arms (standing up)

If you want to wear and style your leather jacket, cardigan, or coat this way (like in the picture), then the “cold” pose may enhance and create an aesthetically chic appearance in your photos.

 

27. Touch or pull your travel bag

This “ready-to-travel” pose is my go-to spontaneous pose while exploring.

Bring one foot back as you stand sideways and look at the camera to create a more flattering and stylish look.

 

28. Touch your sunglasses

Try this pose if you’re wearing sunglasses to highlight the background behind you.

I often look up when I do this pose to draw viewers’ attention to the sign or scenery I’m looking at.

 

29.Slightly touch your fingers together

For a more formal and elegant pose to match your outfit, photoshoot, or surroundings, this is a go-to pose to help you look natural.

Bring your hands together and gently and continuously touch one or two fingers to create a simple and graceful appearance.

 

30. Hold and show your hat

Try this pose if you have a hat you can use as a prop to elevate your photo shoot or travel vacation pictures.

Perhaps, your go-to pose to hide your tummy or arms while taking photos.

If you’re at the beach or wearing tight clothes during your vacation and want to look natural in pictures without being obvious or showing you are trying too hard to appear slim, try this tip of posing like this with a hat. No one will notice you’re hiding something.

Be creative and hold your hat this way at a comfortable height to add a gentle touch of uniqueness to your photos.

31. Touch or hold your camera

Do you travel with a professional camera that you don’t mind hanging around your neck? Then, use it as a prop when taking
pictures to look natural as a traveler exploring the scenery.

Having a camera you’re holding also gives you options of different ways you can pose with it when taking vacation pictures.

For example, another pose I do with a professional camera is taking photos of the scenery around me, and at the same time, someone is also taking shots of me doing it. You can also pose by looking at pictures in the camera adjusting its settings or actually facing forward and taking photos in front of the camera. Lastly, just holding it with one hand works too! Experiment and see what you like!

With these pose ideas holding a camera, you have some poses you can create just by holding a camera to capture your natural-looking and in-the-moment photos.

32.  Place hands in your pockets

 

33. Hands to the sides

34. Hand on hip

35. Fangirl pose. Palm on cheek.

36. Day Dream

37. Both palms on cheeks

38. Pray and express gratitude

 

39. Heart a monumental structure

 

40. Face the monument

41. Point to the view

 

42. Open arms

43. One hand up

44. Put up a peace sign

45. Show Korean finger hearts

46. Look at your watch or hand

47. Hello gesture or high five to the camera

 

48. Read a book

49. Hold a tea, coffee or any drink

 

50. Blow something hot

 

51. Look at your food

 

52. Reach for something

53. Kneel to touch the flowers

54. Bend over to look at the flowers

55. Pick a fruit

56. Lean on something

 

57. Cross your arms and wait patiently sitting down.

58. Cross your legs

59. Let the wind blow your dress

60. Hold a flowing scarf with the wind effect

Tip: Photos tend to look better when wearing a flowy dress or you can use a light scarf that can add to the wind effect

61. Interact with what’s around you

62. Play with what’s in front of you

 

63. Play with the sands

64. Play with the snow

 

65. Hug what you can around you  (an animal, 100+ years old tree, etc)

Hug a huge tree

 

66. Close your eyes and feel the sun

 

67. Float and relax

 

68. Laugh

 

69. Frame your photos

70. Rest. Sit pretty after a hike

 

71. Add props to “tell a story”

 

72. Candid

 

73. Be present in the moment. Just simply be happy

How to pose in travel photos?

Travel Poses + Tips : 

I hope these travel poses gave you ideas of different ways to pose for a picture for your vacation or photo shoot. Please note it may take some practice and many shots with some luck, right angle, and good lighting to get solo shots you’ll appreciate and love. However, I believe showing and giving good poses while taking solo pictures will improve your chances of capturing your best self and best moments in the pictures. Being prepared and practicing giving good poses you’re most comfortable with will help make your solo photos look professionally great, creatively simple, and natural-looking.

Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the moments!

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