Ever looked back at your travel photos and realized that everyone of them looking embarassingly alike? We always take the "been there, done that" photo by having ourselves inside the photo. Yet we stand dead straight in front of the places of interests, give off our brightest smile, and wait to hear the sound of the shutter.
Ain't that boring?
How nice would it be if you looked like how the fashion bloggers looked in your travel photos. We want good photos in our daily life, more so during our travels. So get a little more creative with your poses and get your friends to snap away for you on your trips.
Most compact cameras come with photo filters for more artistic shots. Do use them so that there is no need to waste time using photo filters from your phone apps after that.
Here are some tips on how to pose for travel photos to help you a little!
1) Eat and Drink
Be captured looking as natural as you can. Capture the nice food and restaurant setting in the foreign land. Bring the coffee cup to your lips, or pretend to eat your pie. No slurping of noodles or chewing food poses please. However, some of us do look cute at that isn't it!
2) Be Yourself
Laugh out loud, or just do your thing. Got the habit of playing with your earring when you are bored? No problem. You look best when you are most at ease.
3) Keep Walking
Keep walking naturally and get your friend to snap a few photos for you while you are at it. Frame the entire scenery into the photo. Be it an open space or a busy street, this pose never fails.
Front view or side view. Just walk it.
4) Turn Back
Walk away from the camera and do a turn back for the most natural effect. If not, just take a step forward and do a half turn. It allows others to see you at different angles.
5) Use Props
We are not asking you to lug a bag of props while you are out. Luggage space is always tight and we need to save them for our shopping! Make use of whatever that is in your bag. It can be a magazine, your handphone, a lipstick, a press powder, or your bag. If not, pose with the displays you see on the streets! They make very good "props" too! Using props is exceptionally helpful for those who get awkward in front of cameras, and not know where to place their two hands.
Posing with road signs.
A bar table along the streets.
A mannequin outside a shop.
An abandoned trolley by the roadside.
Or even that dry stalk of hay that our model found on the table!
6) The Leaning
Lean against a wall, or a railing. It's a great pose if you happen to see a nice wall with interesting textures or bright colours.
The "backwards lean" at a railing.
Great for colourful or textured background.
Leaning on your back, or on your side, like the photo below.
A table works as well.
7) Backview
It doesn't always to be your face all the time. Backview photos can evoke a different feeling.
8) Look Down
Oops you dropped something? This pose is just casually candid.
9) Touch Your Hair
A very natural and sexy pose, regardless of whether you are pushing your fringe off from your face or tucking your hair behind your ear.
10) Waiting
Look up, look at your watch, or stick your head out for a closer look. The waiting pose adds some dramatic effects to your photos.
11) Hands in Pockets
Models love this pose for a reason. Your arms are lifted so the fleshier bits on your arms wouldn't be squashed against your body. Adds a touch of supermodel chic too.
12) Shopping Time
What do we do best on our trips (or even at home)? Shopping! Be captured while you are at it, and capture the local shopping flavours too!
13) Take a Seat
Not every photo needs to have you standing. If there are good spots to sit down. Please do. Play with your arms and legs to pose while sitting down. While dainty poses are great, adding edginess like the photo below is interesting too. However, that will depend on your outfit. Sitting with your legs opened wide in a little cute lace dress may not be the best idea.
14) Relax And Play With Your Hands
Sit down, lean back and play around with your hands. Criss cross them, fold your arms, or rest them on your knees.
15) Drama Queen
Let your inner drama queen out! Act cutesy, or give us your whackiest pose!
And now, all you can do is to pray that your friend who is taking the photos for you can at least frame a photo properly! Have fun!