6 Best Travel OOTD Poses for Social Media

Outfit of the Day or OOTD shots are a great way to drive engagement on your socials.

Fashion brands and fans use them to highlight their favorite looks, hauls, or top finds. Influencers can create entire calendars of content based solely on their wardrobes by posting a different OOTD regularly.

But what works even better is when you combine the engagement magic of OOTD with the time-honored content gold that is travel photography.

As a photographer, I’ve taken photos all over the world, and some of the most striking images are of a single person in a gorgeous outfit admiring the scenery. Figuring out how to pose your subjects effectively, though, depends on what they’re wearing, where they are, and the goal of the photo.

Learn how to take better fashion and travel photos with this guide to travel OOTD poses that you can use all over the world.

Why Fashion and Travel Go Together

Fashion is a great vehicle for engagement, whether you’re running a fashion brand online, working as a designer, or building a following as an influencer.

People love to share amazing looks. Social media users will stop scrolling and hit the like and share buttons when they see something on-trend or unique.

Travel content works in a very similar way.

Everyone can post a photo of the beach, but a photo of a stunning sunset, perhaps with a dolphin jumping over the waves? That’s shareable content.

With both fashion and travel, it’s about the inspiration the photos bring to people’s lives. They don’t just want to view and share the images; they want to be a part of the lifestyle you’re offering through your striking visuals.

That’s why combining travel with fashion works so well. You’re showing followers and new viewers that you’ve got your finger on the pulse of life.

OOTD travel photos highlight a lifestyle that’s outgoing, exciting, and fascinating, particularly when you share a range of poses, locations, and environments. If you’re heading somewhere windy, for example, your poses will be different: check out this guide to wind-friendly poses for travel and hiking.

1. The Whole Outfit

So many travel photos show only a tiny part of the person; the back of their head, a hand, or even just their bag.

OOTD photos are most effective when they show off the whole outfit. After all, that’s what influencers and brands are promising to their followers.

In the same way that a #GRWM (Get Ready With Me) video on TikTok shows the whole process of preparing for an event or a night on the town, an OOTD photo should give at least some idea of the entire outfit.

With that in mind, be sure to grab at least some snaps of your subject (or subjects) from head to toe, perhaps against the side of a building at their destination.

The background shouldn’t be too eye-catching, as the whole purpose of this pose is to capture as many aspects of the outfit as possible. You want to see shoes, pants or skirt, tops, accessories, hats, and jewelry.

If you have more than one person in shot, get them to stand side by side, perhaps moving across the image to further lean into the theme of traveling.

They could be looking at each other or talking, perhaps snapped mid-conversation. Avoid fixed smiles or stares at the camera, as these can seem inauthentic.

Remember that the outfits should be appropriate to the location. So, no high heels on the hiking trail, for example.

Instead, encourage your subjects to tailor their outfits to make them uniquely theirs. They can use splashes of color, scarves, hats, or layers of fabric to create looks that won’t appear anywhere else on their socials.

More: How to Pose for Vertical Photos (Reels, TikTok & Shorts)

2. Besties Admiring the View

Adventure buddies with a view: it makes a great story to add to Facebook, Instagram, or your own blogs. It’s also the perfect opportunity to highlight two travel-ready outfits.

Position your subjects so that they’re clearly looking at the beautiful view. Try to frame it so that they’re off to one side, essentially framing the view so that it’s as visible to the viewer as it is to them.

I find that the trick here is not to lose focus on your subjects. With some photos, you can get a nice effect by focusing sharply on the view in the background and softening focus on the foreground, or vice versa.

However, this is an OOTD photo. That means you want to see every detail that’s visible in the outfit, from hats to backpacks.

Use a narrower aperture (such as f/8–f/11) when you want both the subjects and the scenery to appear sharp. You can often achieve this by making the focal point a little way past the closest image to the camera.

Another technique I sometimes use is to focus halfway between the closest and furthest objects. For very expansive views, a wider lens may help.

The pose should be relaxed, natural, and engaged. Wait for organic moments to snap, such as pointing at a local landmark or a hand slung around a shoulder.

Remember that the outfit is the star of the shoot. You can opt for bright clothes that stand out, but a balance of tones usually works better to ensure that both the view and the outfit get the viewer’s attention.

These types of shots are ideal for showcasing hiking outfits, adventure gear, or outdoor-focused brands. Don’t forget accessories like bags and boots, which can all add to the engagement factor.

3. I Know Where I’m Going

Every experienced adventurer knows the joys of both getting lost in a strange place and then finding your way again. This pose captures that feeling, while showing off the fashion of the moment.

Pose your person looking away from you, as if they’re looking for something. They can have a map or a GPS app in one hand, and it’s clearly visible to the viewer.

The bigger the map or device, the better. This photo is about capturing the essence of exploration, not necessarily an accurate snapshot of travel etiquette.

To emphasize the theme of discovery further, have them hold the map up high as if they’re trying to show it to someone.

I also like to do the opposite of the method described in the last pose and blur the background, either slightly or dramatically. It’s a technique that has the double impact of emphasizing the mystery of traveling to a new place and bringing the OOTD more sharply into focus.

Regarding the outfit, what you show depends on how much of your model is visible. If you take the shot from low down or far away, you can frame the whole person and the back of their outfit.

Alternatively, get in closer for a tighter shot, and draw attention to hats, scarves, bag straps, and other details.

4. On Top of the World

Is there any better feeling than climbing up high and seeing the world spread out below you? That’s the emotion you’re trying to capture with this pose.

Be mindful that you don’t actually have to climb too high to create the effect of height. A drop into a valley or a vista of hills from an opposite cliff can offer the illusion of height without the need to climb a mountain.

This gives you the advantage of being able to ask your subject to wear just about any outfit you like, as long as it’s suitable for the weather. Shorts, a dress, or a shirt and pants can all work for this type of shot.

In fact, I find that some fashion brands love it when I bring semi-formal or smart casual outfits out into these nature-based settings. The contrast is really striking and shots like this can really make people pause mid-scroll.

Have your subject looking away from you or off to one side. You want the viewer to feel that they’re enjoying the experience of being up high, not simply posing for the camera.

5. At the Airport

A key aspect of travel is the journey itself. Social media followers love to know what to wear when traveling.

Should you dress for the destination or the place you’re leaving? Do you keep a change of clothes in your carry-on bag?

These are the types of queries that travel and fashion influencers can answer to drive engagement. The photos that accompany this type of content should showcase the outfits discussed, and clearly show that a journey is underway.

I like to snap my subjects just before they enter the airport. They’ve got their tickets ready, their luggage is packed, and they’re ready to fly.

Unless you have hats or jewelry to show off, consider waist-up or neck-down compositions if the emphasis is entirely on the outfit. It makes the whole image more about the journey rather than individual personalities.

Get your subject or subjects to put a hand on their case. They’re just about to head in, and that sense of urgency will strike a note of curiosity with viewers.

6. Finding the Hotel

Showing the trials and tribulations of travel, such as your subjects trying to find their hotel, can help your viewers relate to your content.

This is a great opportunity for a group shot. If you’re traveling with friends or photographing a group of travelers, capture them while they’re on the sidewalk, suitcases in hand.

Have one or two of them looking around, being curious but also on the lookout for something specific. Maybe you could capture some passersby, perhaps slightly out of focus where possible (to maintain their privacy), to bring your subjects more sharply into view.

The outfits here can speak for themselves. A full-body view of several people in different, fashionable gear opens up plenty of opportunities for showcasing specific items.

Your subjects can add jewelry and accessories, but for travel shots, outfits are likely to have practical elements, such as bags, scarves, and gloves, depending on the weather.

Top Tips for Travel OOTD Poses

The main thing to remember about OOTD poses is that they’re there to showcase the apparel.

It’s all too easy to focus on breathtaking landmarks, menus of delicious food, or natural wonders. But if doing this draws focus away from the subject, it’s no longer a fashion photo.

It’s also worth remembering that not every OOTD needs to be a designer outfit. In fact, most social media followers will relate better to influencers and brands that show everyday wear.

Bookmark these tips that I try to follow for OOTD travel snaps:

• Don’t try to snap posed shots in crowded areas. You will annoy people and your subjects are likely to get upset dealing with pushy crowds.
• Be aware of which areas are public and private. A photoshoot in a stunning building lobby might sound great, but being escorted off the premises by security is less than ideal.
• Snap organic moments. Keep the outfit in focus, but capture smiles, laughs, and interactions with locals for the most engaging images.
• Take advantage of local events, festivals, and shows to highlight even more types of outfits, such as glamorous dresses.
• Similarly, head to a range of locations – from botanical gardens to museums – so you really can try a different OOTD every day.

If you’re the designated photographer working with models or influencers, it’s worth ensuring that they’re comfortable in the outfits they (or the brand) have chosen.

Discomfort will come across in your images, and the resulting content won’t be as engaging. Plus, everyone will have a much more enjoyable time if they’re happy and comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Travel is one of those great privileges that you can’t take for granted. I love getting the opportunity to photograph interesting people in beautiful locations, and it’s even more interesting when there’s a fashion element.

If you get the opportunity to take your camera overseas for fashion photography, grab it with both hands. You’ll expand your portfolio and could even have some of the most amazing experiences of your life.