How-To ... Ask Strangers to Take Your Picture

I've had a bunch of people asking me about getting other people to take your photo. (Well, one, but I'm trying to sound popular. Shout out to Andrew!) Specifically, Andrew said:

"I want more context of how you ask strangers to take photos and how worried you are they'll run off with your phone, pleasethankyou"

This is a constant struggle for the small-group or solo traveller. You want to be in the picture and you don't want everything to be a selfie. At some point you have to ask a stranger to take your picture. 

(Selfie. Why can't I ever stand the camera upright and hit the button?)

Here is my approach:

1. Look around for people clearly not in a hurry at your picture destination. 

2. If multiple people fit 1st criteria, narrow it down by perceived friendliness and who you think will take the best picture. Ageism, sexism, and racism are all factors here. I, personally, think Asian* women in their teens-30's take the best pictures and my own photo history has confirmed that. If you see someone taking the exact same picture you want, they are also a good choice. If someone asks you to take their picture, you obviously ask them to take yours. 

(Taken by a Portuguese man who asked us to take his picture in the same spot.)

3. Once the target has been identified, look extra friendly and smiley and get their attention in a non-threatening way. Sometimes this means you say, "Oh! Excuse me!" several times before they notice. 

4. When the fish is on the line, continue smiling constantly, gesture to your camera, the view, and the people you want in the picture all at once while saying "would you take our picture?"

5. No one has ever said no to this face. 

6. If you have an Asian girl, you give them the camera and they automatically know what to do. If you have a non-Asian-non-girl, you set up the picture for them and hope they don't put the people in the center of the picture but off to the side like you clearly demonstrated. Fortunately, everyone the world over knows how to use an iPhone camera now so you don't have to show them how to use it unless you feel like a real jerk. 

(Taken by an Asian girl)

(Taken by an Asian girl)

(Taken by a man)

7. Smile for the picture. Laugh when they count off in their own language or say a word you all will understand. Examples: cheese, sushi, Mickey Mouse, etc. 

8. Take the camera back and friendly laugh and gesture "oh, it will be fine!" when they ask you to check it. If they're insistent on you checking it, fake click a few buttons before giving a big smile, a thumbs up, and saying excitedly, "ooh, yay!"

(In hindsight, this could have used some checking. We were aiming for the large golden thing behind us.)

9. Thank them in all the languages you know but especially English, the language of the country you are in, and the language you think they speak.

10. Continue being super nice because you're all tourists and odds are good you'll see them at the next picture spot. 

(This nice Austrian woman did not get the thing in the background but we saw her everywhere.)

If you follow all these rules, the concern for someone stealing your camera is 0, pleaseyourewecome.

I totally take questions now! Let me know your other pressing concerns!

-KT 

*Note: we are currently in Asia so this sounds like a very easy task. Not in Asia? Fear not!  Wherever you are, there will be Asian tourists.**

**Note: if you consistently find yourself somewhere where there are no Asian tourists, you need to seriously reevaluate your travel choices. You can only tour the backwoods of Alabama so many times.