Yeah, Ok, we get it, the classic โFollow Me Toโ photos captured and created by Russian professional photographer Murad Osmann and his stunning wife Natalia Zakharova are drool worthy enough to make anyone re-think their travel, relationship, and wardrobe goals. Couples (and even โfakeโ couples) around the world have tried to copy what is probably the most perfect duo-pose ever created, some with great success, and some with utter (yet hilarious) failure.
But what if you donโt have a professional photographer boyfriend? Or for that matter, what if you donโt have someoneโs hand to hold in a photo because you choose to travel solo? Hi, Iโm Alyssa, I travel solo full-time and I take all of my own photos (of the back of my head) with a GoPro and a โselfie stickโ.
I never meant to attempt copying the infamous couple pose, but I do always joke that for halloween Iโm going to put a fake hand on my โselfie stickโ and claim to be Murad and Natalia (Iโm going to call them โMurataliaโ for short). In fact, it actually didnโt occur to me that I had created the solo-travel-follow-me-to style until I happened to see an article in the Indian Express that basically explained my novice-photography skills for me...I swear thatโs a #humblebrag.
Granted, as a budget solo traveler, my camera gear and wardrobe arenโt nearly as incredible as Murataliaโs, but I do have some mad skills with a GoPro, and tend to pick up local traditional clothing wherever I am to add to my photos. As long as they can fit in the one carry-on that I travel the world with.
Anyway, the goal of the back-of-head angle, which Iโm sure might be somewhat relative to Murataliaโs, is to personalize travel photos, and add an interesting subject, without overpowering the photo with your face. I personally aim to capture the beauty of the place Iโm traveling in, and divert the focus to the landscape, rather than make the picture mostly about me.
I also like this angle, because I personally hate taking photos of my face. Itโs not that I donโt like my face...itโs that not only is it awkward to pose for your own camera, but also awkward when people catch you doing it. Do you have any idea how long it took me to get people to shut up about the fact that I use a selfie stick to get all of my photos?
Thatโs right. All of these photos were taken with a selfie stick that I strategically whipped out when no one was looking, angled, got the shot, then shoved everything back in my purse or backpack. My selfie stick makes incredible angles, and allows me to be in the shot without having to ask someone to take my photo. It also doubles as a tripod when I prop it up inside my purse, which I love to show on Snapchat for those, โWhoโs taking the picture if you travel solo?โ people.
Then, once my selfie stick is in place, I use my iPhone and the GoPro app to preview the shot and take my own photo, making me the Murad and the Natalia, but maybe mixed with a little Lara Croft, all at the same time. Itโs a little harder when youโre holding a metal pole instead of someoneโs hand when youโre hanging over a cliff or out of a helicopter to take a photo, amIright? But PS: Donโt try that at home.
For a full tutorial on how I take my own photos click here.
Wondering how Iโm typically the only person in my travel photos? Along with the back-of-head selfie, Iโve also mastered techniques for getting photos with no people in them, which usually involves getting up at 5am. I donโt use Photoshop, nor do I even know how to, but I do like to add a little bit of pizazz (AKA HDR) to my photos using the Snapseed app on my phone.
So yeah! Who says you need a man (or woman...or professional photographer...) to lead around the world and get token follow-me-to photos with? You can travel solo and still get just as stunning as a shot, and with more street cred because you took โem yourself!