Mastering Self-Portraits: From Snow to Stormy Desert
Self-portraits are more than just a click of the shutter—they are a conversation between the artist and their environment. For me, they are an exploration of light, emotion, and the landscapes that shape my story.
Recently, I set out to capture a series of self-portraits in vastly different environments: a quiet snowfall, a moody desert, and sweeping sand dunes. No tripod, no assistant—just me, my Canon R5, and a bit of creative problem-solving.
Collage of the 3 different landscape selfportraits. Top left clockwise: snow, sand dunes, dessert, dessert again
"No Tripod? No Problem! How I Captured Self-Portraits in Wild Landscapes"
Forget the tripod—self-portrait photography is all about creativity and problem-solving. From wedging my camera in my car during a snowstorm to balancing it on a jacket in the desert, I found ways to capture sharp, cinematic portraits using what I had. In this post, I’ll walk you through my setups, focusing techniques, and how I work with natural light to create dynamic images—no fancy equipment required.
Self-portraits are more than just taking photos of yourself; they are about storytelling, emotion, and capturing a moment exactly as you envision it. Whether you're braving a snowy mountainside or standing in the middle of a desert storm, mastering the art of self-portraiture allows you to create images that are both personal and powerful.
I often get asked: How do you take your own self-portraits? So today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my process—my camera setup, lens choices, and how I achieve focus and composition without an assistant.
How I Shot These Without a Tripod
One of the biggest misconceptions about self-portraits is that you need a tripod. While they can be useful, I often find them limiting, especially in unpredictable locations. Instead, I used what was available to stabilize and level my camera.
📍 Snowfall Scene: I wedged my camera vertically between the roof of my car and the headrest of my passenger seat, shooting through the window. Only my phone and I were outside in the snow, triggering the shutter remotely with the Camera Connect app and my prime 50mm lens (check out this affordable nifty 50!)
📍 Stormy Desert Scene: I opened my sunroof and used a jacket to level my camera, positioning it just off the road. This setup allowed me to get a straight, cinematic angle without worrying about the wind knocking over a tripod. I also used the 50mm lens for this.
📍 Sand Dunes Scene: Here, I relied on my 70-200mm lens so my vehicle could be further out and not get stuck in the soft sand (yes… i’ve done that before!). I placed my camera on the trunk of my car, using a jacket to level and for stability, and zoomed in to create that soft, dreamlike separation from the background.
An example of my efforts of desired angle while avoiding the wind
How I Triggered the Camera
I primarily used the Canon Camera Connect app on my phone, paired with the 2-second or 10-second timer to give me just enough time to pose naturally. If I was confident in my focus, I switched to the interval timer—a built-in feature that lets the camera take photos at set intervals. This allowed for more fluid movement without constantly running back to the camera.
here you can see me hitting the shutter button on my phone and making sure i was in the right plane of focus
How to Get Sharp Focus in Self-Portraits
Focusing for self-portraits can be tricky, but these techniques help ensure crisp, well-composed shots:
✔ Use a placeholder – Position an object (like a rock, bag, or tripod) where you plan to stand, then focus on it before switching to a timer or interval mode.
✔ Fine-tune autofocus – Use your camera’s built-in autofocus, then make manual adjustments if necessary to lock in precision. If you're using the Camera Connect app, tap your subject on the screen to adjust focus before triggering the shot.
✔ Adjust your aperture if needed – Shooting at a slightly higher f-stop (around f/4-f/5.6) provides more depth of field, giving you extra room for error while keeping you in focus.
✔ Embrace imperfection – Not every shot needs to be tack-sharp. A slightly softer focus can add emotion, mood, and a painterly quality to your images—so don’t be afraid to lean into it.
cropped in photo to show use of log to aide in focal point
Composing a Self-Portrait in Nature
Location is everything. I love the contrast of wild landscapes against human presence—wind-swept deserts, moody forests, and stark winter scenes. The last time I drove from San Diego to Yuma I noted ho beautifully yellow the dunes were and how perfect my blue denim dress would be if I wore it there (complimentary colors). When composing a shot, I think about:
The leading lines in nature—a curving sand dune, a break in the trees, or a path of footprints in the snow.
Negative space—allowing room around my subject (me) to create a feeling of isolation or vastness.
The color palette—muted earth tones for a timeless look, or high contrast for drama.
Working with Natural Light
Overcast skies are my favorite for self-portraits, but I also embrace overcast days and stormy skies. Harsh midday light? That’s when I’ll seek shade or shoot with the sun behind me for a natural rim light. Snow acts as a giant reflector, bouncing soft light onto the skin (when its not actively downpouring like it was for me), while desert sand creates a warm, golden glow.
Snow Scene—8am! In the middle of the snow storm. I left my camera inside the car so it was protected.
Dessert Scene— 845am It was soo windy… But the clouds were immaculate it gave off the perfect soft light.
Sand Dunes Scene—10am. The sun was starting to come out but I had enough cloud coverage to still take the portraits without harsh lighting.
Final Thoughts & Why Self-Portraits?
Taking self-portraits isn’t just about capturing an image—it’s about telling your own story, exactly as you want it to be seen. With the right gear, some patience, and an understanding of light and composition, you can create stunning portraits of yourself in any landscape, from snow-covered peaks to stormy deserts.
Self-portraiture is more than just taking pictures of yourself—it’s storytelling, self-discovery, and sometimes, pure problem-solving. Whether wedging a camera in your car or balancing it on a jacket, the process teaches adaptability and creative thinking. Your vehicle, a jacket, or even a rock might be all the support you need.
So, if you’ve been waiting to try self-portraits because you don’t have the "right gear"—just start. Have questions about self-portrait photography? Drop them in the comments or reach out—I love talking about the process! Would you try this method? Let me know!
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"No Tripod? No Problem! How I Captured Self-Portraits in Wild Landscapes"
Forget the tripod—self-portrait photography is all about creativity and problem-solving. From wedging my camera in my car during a snowstorm to balancing it on a jacket in the desert, I found ways to capture sharp, cinematic portraits using what I had. In this post, I’ll walk you through my setups, focusing techniques, and how I work with natural light to create dynamic images—no fancy equipment required.