Are you prepared and ready for your next (or maybe your FIRST) solo photography adventure? As women, we need to be extra cautious and more prepared when venturing out on our own. It does not mean men don't have to be careful, but we need to be more mindful of our actions as women. Does it suck? Yes, but is it necessary? Absolutely! 

My usual mode of travel is by car and often involves car camping and a lot of hiking. 

1) Planning - I start by deciding where I will go. I plan my routes on Google Maps and figure out how long it takes to get from one location to the next. It is essential to figure out if the place you are going has a campground or is an area within public lands where it is ok to camp. 

One thing that I consider when planning my routes is the time of day I will be at a specific location. Do I want to be there for sunset/sunrise? Does that matter?

I also include time for hiking and scouting. My hikes occur during the day, giving me time to get to know the area and figure out the story I want to tell about the location.

2) Sharing - Once you have a plan and know the days and time frame you will be at each place, share that information with someone; this can be someone at home, a close friend, or a travel buddy. It is good to have a check-in call with that person at the beginning and end of the day. 

You will often find that you are in an isolated location without cell service; that is the beauty of nature and landscape photography. Planning for this ahead of time will save you a headache. Often there is a nearby town with cell service that you can identify during your trip. Some phones have a feature to track people. Activating this feature helps the person you communicate with see where you are and find you should something go wrong.

3) Trusting - Trust your instincts. Women have a specific intuition and know when something is not correct. Trust your gut and remove yourself from that situation if something does not feel right.

There is a difference between your gut telling you something is wrong and having anxiety about being solo. Don't let that keep you away.

Bonus Useful apps for planning:

 Google Maps & Google Earth: Helpful for planning your routes. Google earth can show you what a specific location looks like. Available for iPhone and Android.

Gaia Maps: You can use Gaia GPS for free to navigate and explore different areas. You can drop waypoints, plan routes, record tracks, and follow your current location with a free download. Suitable for offroad camping. There is also a premium paid version. Available for iPhone and Android. 

The Dyrt: This is a comprehensive app for planning your camping locations. You get access to all campsites listings in the US, including National Parks, State Parks, County Parks, Bureau of Land Management, KOA, Good Sam, Thousand Trails, and Private Parks, with the free version. There is also a paid PRO membership. Available for iPhone and Android. 

iOverlander: It is excellent for finding locations off the beaten path. In addition to searching for places and amenities, you can also contribute to it – if you know of a site not included in the database. This app works without cell service and is free to use. Available for iPhone and Android.

NPS.org: This is a website you can use if you plan to visit National Parks and National monuments, you can use this service to help you book your campground.

Windy: A very comprehensive weather app to help plan your photoshoots. It includes cloud coverage, wind, snow, etc. All the main features are available for free. Windy. App Pro, a paid version, gives you access to additional features and more precise forecast models. Available for iPhone and Android.

Photopills: This is a great app to help you plan your photos. It requires some learning and getting used to so, not something you download last minute. It is a paid app and available for iPhone and Android,

Garmin InReach: This is not an app but a great tool to stay connected when off the grid. You can send and receive messages, navigate your route, track and share your journey and, if necessary, trigger an SOS to a 24/7 staffed global emergency response coordination center.

I hope you find these quick tips helpful. What other tips do you have? Share them on my Facebook page using #solotravelertips  

Martha Montiel Photography Facebook