Ayup! I tootled off on my first solo photography trip about 10 years ago. At the time, it felt a bit odd and strange. At least, telling people I was going away on my own did. Deep down, I craved time out, solitude, and contemplation.
A decade later, solo adventures have become a necessary break from the routine. A temporary departure from the comfort zone. A leap into the unknown and unfamiliar. Different cultures, different languages and learning to navigate a mysterious new environment.
Every trip also serves as a tool for self-development. The solo adventurer returns with a sense of accomplishment and wellbeing. Fresh energy to guide and improve your life as a photographer.
On a daily basis, I spend a lot of time surrounded by people, both at work and at home. Sometimes too much, considering how intense my work can be in terms of social interactions. And sometimes, I simply need some silence and a reset to come back to my duties at full speed.
A Commitment to Your Work
While I was away on the most recent expedition, I relistened to Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. In one chapter, Elizabeth talks about committing to your craft. Like, really making an actual lifetime commitment. Holy fuck, I acknowledged to myself. This is it.
Although only in an ammeteaur/enthusiast sense, photography is my thing. I may demonstrate strong commitment issues in other areas of my life, but I’m 100% here for this one.
Taking yourself off on a solo photography trip is, in my humble opinion, a vital part of this commitment. Dedicated time, just you and your camera. Well, along with the ridiculously heavy backpack, but let’s not dwell on that.
I find it hard to summarise the experience, but having an uninterrupted week where my whole itinerary was my own as a self-indulgent pursuit has pushed me in ways I couldn’t imagine. I have grown in confidence, and also appreciated the time to just meander, waiting for the next shot to reveal itself.
Fully Tailored
Solo travel isn’t everyone’s cuppa tea. I get it. In fact, if you know, hands down, you won’t enjoy it, there’s little point in pursuing any benefits. That said, you’ll never truly know until you try it.
The beauty of only having yourself to please is that you can do whatever the hell you want. This means you can tailor the entire trip around your interests and how far you want to push outside your comfort zone.
Your levels of introversion or extraversion will likely determine how you plan your itinerary. Personally, I like to keep myself to myself. I’ll embrace the hustle and bustle and happily engage in conversation, but I need a nice quiet hotel room to retreat to at the end of the day. Others may prefer a hostel and/or group activities such as walking tours. Packed schedule or no schedule whatsoever. Do what works for you.
Solo travel can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore the world when you enjoy calm moments, flexible plans, and moving at your own pace.
Mental Health Benefits
These trips work wonders for your mental health. Yes, it can be terrifying, but overcoming each obstacle builds your confidence and self-assurance.
If you’re a bit of an over-thinker or worrier like me, know that nothing is ever as bad as it seems. As long as you can muster up the confidence to figure things out as you go, your brain returns the favour with a good, wholesome pat on the back. Go you!
Once you get into the swing of things, you quickly realise that everything is doable. The more hurdles, the better. Nothing beats that quiet moment at the end of the trip: the subtle smile and pride in what you’ve achieved.
Paired with an insane step count, all of this positive energy fuels a massive boost in your overall wellbeing. It’s pretty powerful stuff. You tend to realise just how much you needed a challenge. The person you return as is rarely the same person you left as.
Solo travel helps you to tackle and overcome anxiety, because you have no choice but to deal with situations that arise. There is not another person with you to lean on for support and therefore you learn to trust your own judgement, which in the long-run reduces anxiety in uncertain situations. When you return to your day to day life after travelling, you are likely to feel more equipped to manage certain situations, as you will be able to think back to the time you overcame such obstacles whilst travelling.
Creative Inspiration
Lastly, new places and experiences will often spark fresh ideas and motivation. From a creative and artistic standpoint, this is a fundamental requirement of your ongoing photography practice.
New cities provide an endless source of visual inspiration. But it doesn’t end there. I always make a point of visiting as many galleries and museums as possible. Granted, I’m primarily interested in the architecture, but when you also stumble upon artwork or photography that you truly connect with, it ignites something inside you.
For me, this only ever makes me want to create better and better work. During a visit to the Ludwig Museum in Budapest, I had a literal aha moment. While immersing myself in some of the black-and-white photography on display, I realised something: sharpness doesn’t matter. In fact, the work that resonated most wasn’t sharp at all. Instead, it was deep, atmospheric and told a story.
Unless you already have a gem of an idea – and you know what to do with it – escaping to a country cottage or desert island may be a mistake. Instead, head for a place that offers a degree of urban turbulence, cultural diversity and a strong local creative scene. And don’t forget to take your notebook.
Go Solo
Solo photography adventures offer a powerful mix of self-discovery, mental health benefits, and creative inspiration. By stepping out of your routine and embracing the unfamiliar, you build resilience, gain complete creative freedom, and return with a renewed sense of purpose and wellbeing.