When I think about my most favorite photography themed trips, I only have two categories. Solo trips and collaborations are my main two categories here.

Of those two categories though, solo trips are my favorite.

I do enjoy both types of trips, I am just more inclined to solo trips over trips involving others. I don't know if this is a desire to enjoy the freedom associated with solo travel, if it is some sort of childhood learned behavior, or that it might just be therapeutic. Whatever it is, I just love solo photography.

Solo street photographer with Zeiss camera capturing urban evening scene in natural light

Why Solo Photography Works for Me

In fact I love it so much that I almost never collaborate with others on any sort of project whether it be a video or photo shoot or even to just hang out as they say. This is partly because I grew up pretty much by myself and learned to enjoy solitude instead of hating it.

When you spend enough time alone, you come to learn the freedom it provides and you actually crave it. So for me, I will operate alone for the most part.

There's something about being out with just my Leica CL and a lens that just works. No one to wait for, no one to compromise with on where to go next, and no one to apologize to when I want to stand on a corner for 20 minutes watching light change on a building. If I see something interesting down a side alley, I can just go. No group discussion required.

The Leica CL is practically invisible anyway. The small form factor means I can blend into crowds at markets or slip into doorways without drawing attention. Try doing that with a group of photographers bristling with tripods and camera bags - you'll clear the street in seconds.

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Minimal photography setup for solo street photography showing benefits of traveling light

The Freedom to Move at Your Own Pace

The standard recipe for success is pretty simple. Don't tell anyone you're going out shooting and then go. Lol… I was only half joking here, if you're serious then you will just go.

Another thing that is special about solo photography is that you can explore at a pace that is inconceivable by others. You can go as slow or as fast as you want and can even get into areas where multiple people just would not be feasible.

I've had photowalks where I covered 10 miles in an afternoon because I was following interesting scenes from neighborhood to neighborhood. I've also had sessions where I spent three hours within a two-block radius because the light was just right. Both were equally rewarding, and both would have been impossible if I'd been trying to coordinate with someone else's schedule or energy level.

When I'm alone with my camera, time sort of disappears. I'm not thinking about whether my companion is getting bored or hungry or tired. I'm just in the flow of observation and capture. That's when the best images happen - when you're not trying to make them happen, they just unfold in front of you.

The Drawbacks (Because There Are Some)

Now this is not without its pitfalls either. You see, when you don't collaborate with others your projects typically won't grow past a certain point. If you are the kind of person who has big ambitions for your projects, then operating like me is probably not the best idea.

To be fair though, it is not without its pitfalls too. For some people, being alone with your thoughts is actually terrifying. So if you need interaction with others, then what I am doing here is not for you.

I'm not going to lie and say solo photography is for everyone. Missing out on collaboration means missing out on second perspectives, on someone to watch your back, on bouncing ideas around. If your camera fails, you're on your own. If you get a flat tire on the way home, there's no one to help. And yeah, your channel or your business or your Instagram probably won't grow as fast without the networking and collaboration that comes from working with others.

But here's the thing - I'm okay with that. My photography isn't about building an empire or going viral. It's about the process, the meditation, the simple act of seeing and capturing. And that works best for me when it's just me and the camera.

Solo street photographer capturing urban scenes at dusk with minimal gear

Gear Considerations for Solo Shooting

Over the years I've learned that when you're shooting alone, your gear choices matter even more. You can't hand off a second camera body to someone else. You can't ask your buddy to carry the extra lens. Everything you bring, you carry.

This is why the Leica CL has become my go-to for solo work. One body, usually just one lens - typically my Voigtlander 35mm Nokton or the TTArtisan 35mm f1.4. A spare battery in my pocket. That's it. I've done full day photowalks with nothing more than that.

The SL2 with the APO Summicron is amazing, don't get me wrong, but that package is heavy and conspicuous. Great for certain kinds of work, but not ideal for wandering around a city for hours. When you're alone, you feel the weight of every piece of gear, and you notice when people notice you.

Minimal gear also means minimal decisions. I'm not standing there switching lenses and missing moments. I know what my 35mm can do. I know where I need to be standing to get the shot I want. It becomes instinctive. Photographer Eric Kim has written extensively about the benefits of minimal gear for street photography, and I've found his approach aligns well with solo work.

Safety and Awareness

Here's something nobody really talks about - shooting alone requires a different level of awareness. You don't have someone watching your back while you're looking through the viewfinder. You're responsible for noticing your surroundings, keeping track of your gear, and making smart decisions about where you go and when.

The Digital Photography School has good guidelines on staying safe as a photographer, which become even more important when shooting alone."

I stick to populated areas during daylight hours. I stay aware of who's around me. If something feels off, I move on. My wife usually knows where I am and when I expect to be back. These aren't revolutionary safety practices, but they matter more when you're solo.

The flip side is that this constant awareness makes you a better photographer. You're tuned in to everything happening around you. You notice details. You see patterns. You sense when something interesting is about to happen. That heightened awareness feeds directly into better images.

Street photography example taken during solo shooting session demonstrating 50mm perspective

Finding Your Zone

When I wander the streets with my camera, I am at peace. No one to make sure you're not leaving behind or holding back. No judgement about equipment, it is just the process. If you have not found your zen activity then I recommend you start looking at what makes you really happy and focus on that.

This took me years if not decades to truly figure out. Looking back, things could have gone a very different way had I followed what worked for me instead of what other people said I should be doing.

For a while there I thought I needed to be out shooting with wide glass, getting close to people, being all up in the action like you see in classic street photography. That works for some people. Not me. I have a real problem invading personal space. It's a hard boundary for me, and trying to force myself past it just made photography stressful instead of enjoyable.

So I adapted. I shoot longer focal lengths (that 35mm on the crop sensor CL gives me a 50mm equivalent field of view). I find my scenes from a respectful distance. I wait for moments to develop instead of forcing them. And you know what? The images are better because I'm comfortable, I'm in my element, and I'm enjoying the process. Not everyone needs to shoot like Henri Cartier-Bresson to do great street photography - finding what works for you is what matters.

How to Get Started with Solo Photography

If you're thinking about trying solo photography, here's my advice: just start. Don't overthink it.

Grab your camera, one lens, and head out somewhere familiar. Your own neighborhood is fine. Walk around for an hour. See what you notice. Don't put pressure on yourself to come back with amazing images - just get comfortable being out there alone with your camera.

Once you're comfortable close to home, expand your range. Try a different neighborhood. Head downtown. Visit a park. Each time you go out, you'll build more confidence and develop your own rhythm.

The first few times might feel weird. You might be self-conscious. You might wonder what you're doing wandering around by yourself with a camera. That's normal. It passes. Eventually you stop thinking about yourself and start noticing everything else.

Solo photographer's lightweight Nikon Zf setup ideal for urban exploration and travel photography

Solo Doesn't Mean Isolated

Here's the thing people sometimes misunderstand - shooting solo doesn't mean you're antisocial or that you hate people. It just means you prefer the creative process to be solitary.

I still enjoy talking with other photographers. I still like sharing images and getting feedback. I still appreciate seeing what others are creating. I just don't want to coordinate schedules or compromise vision when I'm actually out shooting.

Some of my best photo conversations happen after the fact - showing someone what I found, talking through why I framed something a certain way, learning what others are working on. The difference is the actual capture happens on my terms, at my pace, following my instincts.

The Bottom Line

Solo photography isn't the only way or even the best way - it's just the way that works for me. Your mileage may vary. Some people thrive in collaborative environments. Some people need that external motivation to get out and shoot. Some people genuinely enjoy the social aspect of group photowalks.

Me? I enjoy the silence, the solitude, and the freedom to follow wherever my eye leads me. I love knowing that if I want to spend an hour photographing rust patterns on a fence, nobody's going to roll their eyes or check their watch. And when I get home and look through what I captured, those images feel entirely mine - for better or worse.

If you're wired like I am, give solo shooting a try. Start small, build confidence, find your rhythm. And if you discover it's not for you? That's fine too. The goal isn't to shoot alone - the goal is to shoot in whatever way brings you joy and produces images you're proud of.

Is solo photography safe? Solo photography can be safe with proper precautions. Stay aware of your surroundings, stick to well-lit public areas, let someone know your plans, and trust your instincts. The National Press Photographers Association offers additional safety resources for photographers working alone."

What gear do I need for solo photography? Keep it minimal - one camera body, 1-2 versatile lenses, spare battery, and memory cards. The lighter your kit, the more freedom you have to move and explore.

How do I get comfortable shooting alone? Start in familiar areas close to home. Build confidence gradually, practice being aware of your surroundings, and focus on the creative process rather than self-consciousness.

Is solo photography better than shooting with others? Neither is inherently better - they serve different purposes. Solo shooting offers freedom and personal creative flow, while group shoots provide collaboration and different perspectives.

Thanks for following along on my ramblings here. Check out my street photography portfolio to see what solo shooting produces, and I hope to hear from you soon!"