It takes a long list of ingredients to cook up the perfect travel photograph, including the perfect setting, timing, and, of course, the right travel photo pose.
The ideal poses complement the environment and capture the magic and majesty of the moment, bringing out the best in the final image.
But it’s not always easy to find or choose those poses, which is why so many travel photography shots look similar to one another or feel a bit lifeless.
Nail the pose, and you can transform bland travel snaps into inspiring images that people will truly want to dive right into.
With that in mind, let’s look at 14 travel photo poses for photographers to try.
1. Back to the Camera, Arms Outstretched
You’ve most likely seen this pose before, especially on Instagram. The subject is standing with their arms outstretched and back facing the camera.
Usually, a fabulous vista or dramatic backdrop extends beyond them, like a city skyline, mountain view, or seaside scene.
This pose is certainly a little ubiquitous, but there are two big reasons behind its popularity: it’s simple, and it’s effective.
I also like the fact that this pose doesn’t put much pressure on your subject. They simply have to turn and enjoy the view, so they’re more likely to relax while you work on finding the right angle for your shot.
For a more dynamic photo, capture the subject in the movement of extending their arms.
2. Sitting and Looking at the View
This is another back-to-camera pose, and another proof that travel photos don’t always need to involve the subject looking forward.
In this one, have your subject seated comfortably.
If you’re in a natural or green setting, they can sit themselves down on a log, rock, or just the ground. In urban spaces, benches, chairs, and steps work fine.
Take place behind or to the side and slightly back from your subject, so that you’re essentially capturing the exact view or scene they’re looking at.
This creates a cool effect in which the subject and the person viewing the photo can essentially share the same sense of wonder.
3. Checking a Map
There was a time long before the age of Google Maps when it wasn’t uncommon to see travelers folding out big paper maps to figure out where they were in a large city, somewhere far from home.
Times have changed, but I feel like that olde-worlde appeal of paper maps hasn’t gone away, and they make for really pertinent props in travel snaps.
Get your subject to sit or stand with the map opened out in front of them. They might gaze down at it with a concentrated expression or look out at the world around them, as though trying to discern their location.
The result, in my experience, is usually a very classic and elegant photograph.
4. Leaning Out of a Car Window
One for the road trippers, next.
This pose sees your subject lean their head or upper body out a car window, maybe even sitting on the window frame and resting their hand on the car roof (if safe to do so).
Keep the car in the frame while taking a position behind your subject, so you can snap the scene they’re looking at.
It’s a great way to meld nature and technology in a single, stylish shot, and it works particularly nicely if you have a large and iconic object as your backdrop, like a billboard or a “Welcome” sign.
5. Sitting From Above
Positioning your camera at a high angle can add more depth and drama to your photo.
This is especially true for travel photography, which often involves trying to capture a whole lot of elements in a single frame, like your subject and all the glorious scenery around them.
For this particular pose, you’ll want your subject seated.
Then, lift your camera up above them or seek out high ground for an even more dramatic birds-eye view. Take the shot from above, pointing down.
I find this shot gives the best results when taken in high places, like mountain peaks, clifftops, the rooftops of skyscrapers, or even just the top of a tall staircase.
6. Standing From Below
Here, we’re flipping the script on the previous pose. This time, the subject stands, and the photographer goes low, looking up to snap the shot.
This perspective is also known as a worm’s eye view.
The key here isn’t necessarily the subject, but their surroundings. You want to take a shot like this in front of something tall and impressive – think towers, cathedrals, mountains, anything like that.
To take it one step further and create a more dynamic low-angle shot, place your camera at ground level and ask your subject to jump above it.
7. Shielding Eyes, Looking at the Horizon
We’ve all seen this travel photo pose, and many of us might have done it ourselves – the classic “holding a hand over your eyes and looking dreamily at the horizon” look.
Some might even call it iconic in the travel photo space, and it can contribute to some stellar shots if you get the framing right.
Position yourself at a 90-degree angle for best results, capturing the profile of your subject as they look out at something with wonder in their eyes.
8. The Twirl
Many professional photographers agree that adding motion to photos is a surefire recipe for success.
Movement creates more dynamic, lively, and exciting images. That’s why subjects are so often encouraged to move their hands, turn their heads, or spin and twist around, not stand still like statues.
To get some movement in your travel snaps, I like to ask my subject to do a little spin/twirl as I snap my shots.
The movement should result in the person’s hair and clothes flowing slightly, for an injection of energy in each frame.
This works best with female subjects, but can work with males, too.
9. The Dress or Skirt Flick
Another way to bring motion into your travel photo poses is by instructing your subject to flick or lift their clothing. This works best with dresses and skirts, but can function with any sort of flowing or loose fabric.
Just before the photo is taken, the subject lifts part of their garment into the air. They can hold it in place with their hands or flick it up for a more energetic image.
Either way, once you nail the timing, the effect is amazing. Your photos will look much livelier and more fun compared to those with still, rigid subjects whose clothes appear stuck to their sides.
10. The Hair Flick
Got a subject with long hair? Use it!
Ask them to flick or spin their head around while you hit the shutter button. Hair flows and moves in wild, unpredictable ways, and you can capture that pure, vivid energy in your shots.
Photos like this also tend to feel more fun and carefree, so they’re a good choice when you’re operating in typically relaxing, laid-back settings – think beaches, national parks, etc.
I find this works extra well when there’s a light breeze in the air, as it helps the hair flow more naturally in one direction.
11. The Hair or Hat Touch
Another hair-related travel photo pose is the hair touch, but this also works with hats, too.
All the subject has to do is raise a hand to their hair or hat, touching it, running their fingers through it, or even twirling a few strands of hair around their fingertips.
Again, this results in images that are packed with so much more personality than the more traditional “look at the camera and smile” images that make up so many travel photo albums.
12. Walking Towards the Camera
Here’s another pose that brings movement into the equation for a more organic and natural-looking result; the subject takes a step towards the photographer, often with their gaze down at their feet or beyond the camera to something in the distance.
This gives the impression that the traveler is utterly submerged in their surroundings.
When I’m working with a beginner model, I just ask them to walk towards the camera, slowly. With more experienced models, it’s best to ask them to take a “pretend step” forward and hold that pose naturally.
13. Raising a Glass
Vacations are always worth celebrating, as it’s so often a real joy to escape the mundane experiences of everyday life.
Asking your subject to adopt a happy, celebratory pose, like lifting a glass to the camera, is, therefore, a fitting way to take a fab travel snap you won’t soon forget.
It can be a glass of wine, champagne, fruit juice – anything you like. Just ask the subject to lift it up, ideally against a beautiful backdrop of a hotel balcony or a golden-sand beach.
Then, move around to find the right angle, keeping the glass in the middle of the frame for a truly iconic final image.
14. Hands in Pockets
We’ve seen some energetic, dynamic poses. Now, let’s shift tone to something at the other end of the spectrum. Something more chilled out and laid back.
For this pose, ask your subject to lean back against or alongside a wall or structure, maybe with one leg on the ground and the other raised up on the wall.
They should put their hands in their pockets and pull their shoulders back for a thoroughly relaxed and stylish vibe.
Expert Tips to Take Better Travel Photos
You’ve seen some stunning travel photo pose ideas. Now, let’s explore a few expert tips to help you make your photos even better.
1. Add Props
As mentioned earlier, props can bring a lot to travel photos.
They turn what would be bland images into exciting compositions. The best part? Travelers often carry whole bags or backpacks filled with relevant props wherever they go.
Items like guidebooks for travelers, maps, binoculars, and water bottles all work just great for these kinds of images, and it’s especially good to look for props that introduce little pops of color into scenes that might otherwise seem a bit monotone. For example, sunglasses, a scarf, a hat, or an umbrella in a bright color.
2. Start Simple
Even experienced models aren’t always used to pulling off many different poses in their pictures, and it can feel a bit daunting if they’re told to take different positions, one after another.
Keep things simple for you and your subjects when you start off. Pick a few poses, and work on them for a while.
Move around, capture different angles, and let your subject ease into the shoot, before working up to more elaborate options.
3. Introduce Motion
A flick of hair, the swish of a dress – many great travel photo poses incorporate some sort of movement.
When subjects move, even just a little, they tend to relax, focusing more on what they’re doing and letting their guard down in the process, which results in a more natural aesthetic.
So, use that to your advantage, especially if your subject seems somewhat tense.
Ask them to move about a little, and even minimal or “micro” movements, such as a slight turn of the head, can be enough to make a good picture great.
To capture the shot without any motion blur, learn how to freeze motion using shutter speed.
4. Experiment With Angles
Angles are so often the “X factor” that elevates photos to next-level excellence.
Every photographer knows it; you can capture the same scene from the left and the right and get two totally different results.
When I’m out taking travel photos, I don’t just ask my subjects to move around. I move myself, too—up, down, and side to side—until I find that perfect spot where all the pieces seem to slot into place.
5. Keep the Horizon Straight
This one might seem obvious for more long-term photographers, but it’s a tip that’s always worth remembering and reinforcing, no matter your skill level.
Keep your horizons straight. If they’re off-level, even slightly, it can wreck the whole vibe of the picture, as well as make it look less professional.
If you have trouble with this, check your camera settings and turn on a grid or overlay to help you line things up.
Final Words
Travel is an enriching, rewarding experience. For some, it’s the best thing about being alive.
That’s worth capturing, and with the poses and tips listed above, you’ll find it much easier to capture the sort of travel photos that people love to share with others and look back on, again and again.
So, give them a try on your next trip and keep our top tips in mind too, to build a timeless travel photo collection.
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