Get a travel tripod and take better vacation photos!

A small tripod might seem unnecessary when you’re trying to travel light, but it’s one of the most useful pieces of gear you can own.

It steadies your camera, frees your hands, and encourages you to slow down and see more carefully.

Traveling with the mobile as your travel camera?

Choose a small tabletop mini tripod and a phone holder 

Why a Small Tripod Is Worth Packing

When you travel, you often shoot in low light, at dusk, or in museums where flash isn’t allowed. Hand-holding in those conditions can make your photos blurry. A tripod removes that problem. It keeps your camera still, so your images stay sharp.

It’s also a tool for independence. You can take self-portraits, group shots, or time-lapses without needing anyone’s help.

Set the timer or remote shutter, step into the frame, and you’re free to enjoy the moment. And most of all, using a tripod helps you slow down.

You stop rushing. You think about composition, balance, and timing. It changes the way you see and do travel photography.

How to Choose a Travel Tripod for your Camera

1. Weight and Size Choose one that’s lightweight and small enough to fit in your backpack or hang from your shoulder bag. 

2. Strength and Stability Carbon fiber is light and strong but more expensive. Aluminum versions are slightly heavier and more affordable. Always check the maximum weight the tripod can hold-your camera or phone mount should feel solid, not wobbly.

3. Leg Sections and Locks Tripods with fewer leg sections are sturdier, while those with four or five collapse smaller for travel. Try both before you buy. Twist locks are quieter and faster; lever locks are easy to use with cold hands.

4. Ball Head or Pan Head? A small ball head gives flexibility to tilt and rotate quickly. If you photograph landscapes, a ball head is perfect. For video, you might prefer a pan-tilt head for smoother movement.

5. Quick-Release Plate

This small detail makes a big difference. You can attach or remove your camera in seconds without fumbling.

Using a Tripod While Traveling

Raise your tripod safely. Extend the thicker legs first for stability.

Need more camera height?

Use what’s around you. Rocks, tables, and benches

Need more camera stability?

Hang weight from the center hook (a camera bag works) when it’s windy.

A tripod doesn’t need to be tall to be useful.

Sometimes the best shots come from low angles-close to the ground framing the scene in a way you wouldn’t notice while standing.

Why It Matters

A small tripod helps you create stability, control, and rhythm in your travel photography.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about giving yourself time to notice what’s in front of you and capture it in a way that feels intentional.

FAQ 

. Updated October 2025

Written by Marguerite Beaty, photographer, artist, and founder of 50 and Rising, a lifestyle and travel blog for women over 50.

Marguerite writes about living, photography, illustration, and slow travel in Portugal and beyond.