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    The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 🌺

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#stthomasvirginislands #stthomasusvi #usvi #usvirginislands #visitusvi
    Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on a budget ☝🏼

Although I have stayed in some nice hostels and tasted some delicious cheap street food throughout my life, this type of travel is for a VERY niche group of people.

So what about the rest of us? Those of us who love luxury travel and meaningful cultural experiences but also love comfort, security and convenience?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to luxury travel on a budget:

✔️Travel hacking flights.
✔️Using Google Flights to track down the cheapest flights.
✔️Booking 4/5-star hotels on Hotwire.
✔️Cruises (the newest addition to my budget travel tips)!

As always, I’m here to answer any budget travel questions you have (hmu in the comments or DMs). If you want to learn my exact strategy for how to travel on a budget, click the link in my bio. ✈️

#budgettravel #luxuryonabudget #travelonabudget #luxurytravel #travelreel
    I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the wind. 🌬

Where will the wind take us next? (Hint: it’s one of the biggest cities in the US!! 🌃)

#travelerlife #travelbloggers #travelblogger
    7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊 We were o 7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊

We were on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas ship, and, let’s just say, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Between the free comedy shows, karaoke bars, Olympic-level figure skating, rock climbing, zip lining, surfing, pools, hot tubs, Broadway musicals and MORE, there’s no way you can be bored while on board.

Would you sail on Oasis? 🚢 

#royalcaribbean #oasisoftheseas #cruisetravel #cruisevacation #travelreel
    My richness is LIFE. 💫 “Travel is the only t My richness is LIFE. 💫

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

#travelquotes #travelquote #lifequotestoliveby #travelinspired #travelreel
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25 Easy Poses For Travel Photos (With Examples)

November 10, 2021

How To Pose Better In Travel Photos (With Examples)

Sometimes, posing for photos is surprisingly difficult. There is a reason why it’s called “posing.” After all, posing correctly for location, outfit and body type does not come naturally to anyone. In order to help you advance in your photo-posing skills quicker than I did, I’m giving you access to over 25 easy poses for travel photos that anyone can do!

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If a product is purchased using one of the following links, I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you.

Posing Basics

Before we jump into the pose ideas and examples, it is important to know a few of the basics when it comes to posing:

  • Pose to evoke emotion: A good photo evokes strong emotion. Try to evoke the exact emotion someone should feel at the time of taking the photo. This can be done through facials, lighting, editing and, of course, posing.
  • Try to keep your hands busy: Touch your cheek, put your hand on your hip, run your fingers through your hair and use props whenever you can. Of course, there will be times where you have nothing to do with your hand(s), but when that’s the case, let them hang naturally.
  • Point your toes: Whenever you’re sitting or have a foot off the ground in a photo, your toes should be pointed. This will elongate your legs and look a lot less awkward. (If you can’t point your toes in the shoes you’re wearing, such as hiking boots, flex your feet. Basically, just don’t leave them dangling!)
  • Avoid touristy poses: Touristy poses (like jumping, peace signs, or awkwardly standing and smiling) are fun — sometimes. But, avoid them most of the time.
  • Combine these tips together! As you browse through the poses, you will start to notice that I often combine two or more of the pose ideas together. Once you practice and get the hang of it, it will become second nature!

Now, let’s get to the poses!

1. Make triangles with your arms.

Poses For Travel Photos: Posing in front of Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy
Poses For Travel Photos: Make triangles with your arms and legs

This may sound a little peculiar at first, but making triangles with your arms is an industry trick-of-the-trade in the world of photography. Making triangles brings definition to your muscles, elongates your torso and, overall, brings more life to the photo.

2. Make a triangle with one of your legs.

Leaning against a vintage car in Positano, Italy
Make a triangle with your leg

The same rule applies with your legs. Make a triangle with your legs by bending or popping one of them.

3. Hold on to the back of your hat. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Poses For Travel Photos: Hold on to the back on your hat to pose for travel photos
Sunset at Zion National Park

I always bring hats on my trips. As you can see, they make fantastic travel photo props! Plus, they give you something to do with your hands.

Often times, the wind is actually so strong where you are taking travel photos that you must hold on to your hat. Other times, holding the back of your hat can make the viewers imagine that there is wind, and this, therefore, helps the viewers imagine that they themselves are at the location.

4. Lean against a wall or other nearby object.

Poses For Travel Photos: Leaning against a balcony railing in Maui, Hawaii
Leaning up against a wall in Positano Italy

This pose is pretty self-explanatory; just be careful not to slouch too much while you lean. Leaning straight-up gives an element of calm-and-collected to the photo, which looks particularly fitting in luxury travel and beach photos.

25 Easy Poses For Travel Photos (With Examples)

5. Run! (Away from the camera.)

Running on the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii
Poses For Travel Photos: Running toward the Positano beach view in Italy

Make the viewer want to run toward the view with you! Create an element of FOMO (fear of missing out) by running to a primary object the photo.

6. Run again! (This time, toward the camera.)

Running toward camera pose for travel photos

The same rule applies here, too. Running happily toward the camera leaves a cheerful and frolicky impression on the viewer.

7. Face away at an angle and look back at the camera. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Poses For Travel Photos | How to pose in travel photos

This is, hands down, one of the most flattering travel photo poses.

8. Face away and pop one leg.

Poses in travel photos with mountains

Facing the view with your back to the camera and one leg popped is another extremely flattering pose. It brings attention to both you and the view without taking away from the view.

9. Look up and tilt your head back slightly. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Poses For Travel Photos: Spiaggia Grande/Main beach in Positano, Italy on Instagram

As previously mentioned, the goal with any travel photography is to evoke emotion. Looking up and tilting your head back will evoke a sense of freedom, which many people feel — or desire to feel — while traveling. You can smile or keep a more serious smolder here!

10. Focus on the background

Photo with focus on background of Delta Lake in Grand Teton National Park
Poses For Travel Photos: Photo with focus on background of Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota

This “pose” is more of a camera trick than a physical pose, but I add it to the list, nonetheless. Focusing on the view rather than the subject gives the viewer exactly what they would see if they were with you. If the viewer was at the location with you, and if you were standing slightly in front of them, you would be blurred as they look directly at the view.

To get the most focus-versus-blur contrast, you will need a camera lens with a low f-stop. (I suggest getting one with an f-stop under 2.0, like the Sigma 28-35mm F1.8 that I used in the above photos).

SEE ALSO: BEST BUDGET CAMERA GEAR FOR TRAVEL

11. Block the sun with your hand.

70+ Poses for Instagram pictures and travel photos
Blocking the sun with your hand in a photo | Poses For Travel Photos

Kind of like the wind-and-hat situation, sometimes you need to block the sun out of your face. Not only can this pose cast a unique shadow across your face for an extra element of pattern, but it also brings reality back to an idealistic photo location.

12. Play the main character.

Poses For Travel Photos

Indulge in a main character moment while you’re traveling! Act sassy (and maybe even a little prissy) if it fits the style of the location.

13. Look up in awe. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Outside Vatican City
Poses For Travel Photos

You know those moments when you go somewhere incredible, and all you can do is look up and mutter, “Wow”? Try to reenact that feeling in your travel photos.

14. Sit with your knees stacked.

Poses For Travel Photos: How to pose for a travel photo while sitting

Posing while sitting can be tricky. Sitting with your knees stacked on top of each other never fails to flatter, though.

15. Rock back and forth for a fake walking shot. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Poses For Travel Photos: Girl walking in front of Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park
Architecture of Vatican City in Rome, Italy

Would you ever guess that I wasn’t actually walking in the above photos?

No?

Exactly.

This posing hack comes especially in handy when you want to stand in a specific spot of the photo and still add motion. Nobody will ever know you aren’t genuinely waking a stroll.

SEE ALSO: 15 EASY BEGINNER TIPS TO ELEVATE YOUR TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

16. Face away and look down at an angle.

Posing tips and tricks and ideas

This simple pose for travel photos allows the view to speak for itself! Its simplicity is also very flattering.

17. Throw your hands up. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Travel photo pose ideas

Talk about evoking emotion!

Throwing one hand (or both hands) way up in the air and looking up will inspire the viewer to travel and feel as free as you do.

18. Throw a jacket or purse over your shoulder. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Poses For Travel Photos: Beach picture pose
Poses For Travel Photos: How to pose with a purse

In you haven’t noticed, props are amazing when it comes to adding a little spice to your travel photos. These props can be as simple as your jacket, coat, sweatshirt, purse or even scarf.

19. Hold an object in front of you to add foreground.

Unqiue sorority girl poses
Fall Instagram photo idea holding leaf in the foreground

A basic photography rule is to always have a defined foreground, middle ground and background whenever possible. An obvious foreground, such as a foreground that is created when you hold an object slightly in front of you, can bring a lot of dimension to the photo, which is very pleasing to the eye.

20. Act like a drama queen.

Poses For Travel Photos: Dramatic Instagram picture poses

No explanation needed. Just have fun with it.

21. Hold food or a drink in your hand. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Aperol Spritz at Franco's Bar in Positano, Italy
Eating pesto pasta in Rome resteraunt

Food and beverages are super simple yet impactful props in travel photos. Why? Because eating and food culture are huge parts of traveling to a new place, and chances are that you’ll already be eating out on our trip anyway. Demonstrate this portion of traveling by simply incorporating the foods you eat (and drinks you drink) into your photos.

(Plus, food and drinks act as props that give you something to do with your hands.)

22. Stand tall and proud!

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah iPhone photo

You don’t always need fancy camera equipment or stellar pose ideas to make a great photo. This one was taken on an iPhone!

23. Hold or adjust your sunglasses.

Portrait of girl in Positano, Italy

Like hats and jackets, sunglasses make great props as well! Adjust your sunnies to add a little attitude and pizzaz.

24. Get a bird’s eye view. (Poses For Travel Photos)

Drone shot of Makena Beach in Maui, Hawaii
Wai'anapanapa State Park: Black Sand Beach In Maui, Hawaii

Yes, these are drone shots. But, you don’t always need a drone to catch a bird’s eye view! Lay down on the ground and take a photo from above. A ladder or ledge will get the job done.

25. Grab your jacket collar or opening.

Style photo in front of Milwaukee Art Museum
Sunrise at Cave Point County Park in Door County near Green Bay, Wisconsin

Acting like your going to button your jacket (or pop your collar) adds flare and keeps your otherwise limp hands busy — not to mention that it brings more life to the stunning photo.

Believe it or not, I still have plenty of poses for travel photos where these came from! Would you like to hear more? Let me know in the comments below.

You May Also Like…

15 Easy Beginner Tips To Elevate Your Travel Photography
What Camera Do I Use? Best Budget Camera Gear For Travel

25 Easy Poses For Travel Photos (With Examples)

Save this post to Pinterest.

25 Travel Photo Poses That Never Fail
25+ Travel Photo Poses: Ideas & Inspiration
How To Pose In Travel Photos Easy - Indigo Sahara

By: Indigo Sahara

About Indigo Sahara

Indigo Sahara is a full-time travel blogger and photographer who has lived abroad twice, journeyed through 10+ countries and learned multiple languages. Since graduating with her master's degree, her goal now is to make travel accessible to all.

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Comments

  1. Brianna says

    January 29, 2023 at 5:00 pm

    Love these tips! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Indigo Sahara says

      January 31, 2023 at 4:39 pm

      So glad you like them, Brianna!

      Reply

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I'm Indigo, a 24-year-old full-time traveler who believes that travel should be accessible to all. Join me in pursuit of boundless exploration, peace, compassion and cultural competence!

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The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 🌺

📍Sapphire Beach & Magen’s Bay

#stthomasvirginislands #stthomasusvi #usvi #usvirginislands #visitusvi
Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on a budget ☝🏼

Although I have stayed in some nice hostels and tasted some delicious cheap street food throughout my life, this type of travel is for a VERY niche group of people.

So what about the rest of us? Those of us who love luxury travel and meaningful cultural experiences but also love comfort, security and convenience?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to luxury travel on a budget:

✔️Travel hacking flights.
✔️Using Google Flights to track down the cheapest flights.
✔️Booking 4/5-star hotels on Hotwire.
✔️Cruises (the newest addition to my budget travel tips)!

As always, I’m here to answer any budget travel questions you have (hmu in the comments or DMs). If you want to learn my exact strategy for how to travel on a budget, click the link in my bio. ✈️

#budgettravel #luxuryonabudget #travelonabudget #luxurytravel #travelreel
I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the wind. 🌬

Where will the wind take us next? (Hint: it’s one of the biggest cities in the US!! 🌃)

#travelerlife #travelbloggers #travelblogger
7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊 We were o 7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊

We were on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas ship, and, let’s just say, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Between the free comedy shows, karaoke bars, Olympic-level figure skating, rock climbing, zip lining, surfing, pools, hot tubs, Broadway musicals and MORE, there’s no way you can be bored while on board.

Would you sail on Oasis? 🚢 

#royalcaribbean #oasisoftheseas #cruisetravel #cruisevacation #travelreel
My richness is LIFE. 💫 “Travel is the only t My richness is LIFE. 💫

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

#travelquotes #travelquote #lifequotestoliveby #travelinspired #travelreel

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