We take a lot of photos when we travel, but very few of them include both of us in the same picture. Asking another tourist can be a bother and you ‘get what you get’ when you do that, so I decided to look for a solution.
While not a fan of the ‘selfie stick,’ I am completely in love with my new Iphone tri-pod, complete with blue tooth for remote operation. It is small enough to carry in a handbag and set-up takes just seconds. It can also be adjusted to landscape or portrait position. At under $25 it is a photography tool worth the investment.
cell phone tripod with blue tooth 
Tripod in Folded Position
Depending on what I plan to shoot, I sometimes carry just my Iphone 11 and the tripod. It works well in a variety of situations, but I have noticed that a good stiff wind will tip this particular model over when it is extended to its full height, which is about twice what is shown in the photo above. The remote shutter fits securely into the base of the tripod when not in use.
Malcolm and I clowning around at the beach, testing the new toy. I think the results are a nice alternative to a typical selfie!
What made me smile this week was discovering a fun new toy that enables me to easily take photos of the two of us. I was looking forward to getting some nice shots of us sitting on the deck of a ship while a magnificent glacier loomed in the background. But alas, that is a sad story and would spoil the mood of today’s challenge.
Trent’s World Weekly Smile Challenge is the place to go if you have a smile to share, so please visit his blog and attach a link. We could all use a few extra smiles right now!
Picture Retirement 
Nice! I love tech toys and appreciate bloggers posting about what works and doesn’t, for them. Thanks Suzanne!
Deb
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You are welcome Deb. This is a cool toy but I should have done a little more research regarding the stability of the base. There are better versions out there (more expensive of course) with more stability.
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It does look like a good toy. I’m not sure if I would use it a lot since I take few selfies and even less couple or group selfies, but there have been times when something like this would have been extremely handy.
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Trent, it is handy, especially for a blogger with a photo intensive blog – about two people during retirement! Taking family shots is a breeze also. They complain a lot less about the intrusiveness of a cell-phone!
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I bought a selfie stick for similar reasons, Suzanne. It even looks like yours. I got very good use out of it when I travelled with my sister. We now have lots of photos of the two of us as our memories.
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Natalie, it is a quick and unobtrusive way to grab a photo. Anything that does that is a win in my book.
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You’ve given me an idea for our daughter’s birthday (if she doesn’t hear of it and buy one first). Thanks!
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Glad to be helpful. Your daughter will love it.
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Hi, Suzanne – This is such a great idea, and very timely advice. Richard and I have recently reviewed all (…okay, most) of our travel photos from the past 20 years. Our goal has been to make a travel wall in our stairway. We finally selected 14 photos. Despite our best efforts, and despite the fact that we were usuallly travelling together, we are only together in three of our chosen photos. A phone tripod is now on my shopping list!
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Donna, same here. About once a year I set up the camera on a tripod and use the remote shutter control to get a few decent shots of Malcolm and I just so I’ll have something to add to our annual book. That is always a chore, but this little gadget is so convenient, I’ll likely have too many!
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I like it! I think I see one of those in my future! We’re like you. We hardly ever get pictures of the two of us when we are traveling. Whenever I really want to get a photo of us I will offer to take a photo of a couple or a group and then as them to take ours. It makes for some fun conversation,
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I want to add I think I know what you mean about dreaming of photos on the deck of a ship with glaciers in the background. I hope you’ll give o=more details later!
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Beth, I have enough out of focus, heads cut off, feet cut off, missed the background completely photos taken by really nice people… it was time to find a good tool. I will share more about the ‘great undoing’ as soon as I have the heart to write it.
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I just now added this to my list, Suzanne. I suspect there is likely only one model of an iphone tri-pod? I am still a little curious how you know where to place yourself (and significant other:) I suspect trial and error. Cute photos of you and your husband. My typical selfie is very scary. And, yes, not a great story right now about not sitting on the deck of the ship. Your post did make me smile. Thank you!
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There are several models Erica. Just make sure it extends (if you want that). There are a lot of very high quality table top sizes also. Go to Amazon and check it out. Your head will spin at the choices!
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I’ve thought about purchasing one of these (for the same reason – too few pictures of the two of us) so I appreciate you writing about your experience with this particular model. I’ll look for one with a little more stability. Thanks!
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Janis, when I can justify the purchase I will do the same.Definitely worth spending a little more for better quality and stability.
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Hi, Suzanne,
Did you get the tripod online? Would love to know where. Helen always takes pictures with an IPhone and would use it. I have seen a tripod for an IPad that was pretty neat for taking videos of a concert. Cute pics of you and the hubby. Joe
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Joe, I got it at Amazon. They offer several models, in all price ranges. Just make sure it extends. Otherwise, Helen will always be looking around for something to boost it up.
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Between my husband and I, we now own several tripods of different sizes – from very small to super-sturdy. Do you think we EVER remember to bring one with us?
We do get a lot of giggles trying to take a selfie though 🙂
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That’s funny Joanne, I am already getting into the habit of tossing it into my bag when we head out. You never know when the opportunity will present itself.
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That’s what I should do too. I already feel like Mary Poppins whenever I go out with my loaded bag. Why not add one more thing? 😉
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I hope the selfie sticks have improved as I had immense trouble with mine – the bluetooth was so iffy. They are a lot of fun, though.
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Hi Amanda, thanks for following and for leaving a comment. I like the tripod, with the exception of the stability in windy conditions. The bluetooth has worked perfectly for me. It is a fun tool that generates conversation from passersby each time I use it. I am heading over to learn more about you now. Welcome to Picture Retirement.
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Thanks Suzanne. I might consider one again.
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Suzanne, not only do we have few photos of the two of us together in our photo collection, but we also have few photos with me in them at all, as I am the main photographer. So we have a large collection of images of Rob doing interesting things all around the world.
Jude
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Hi Suzanne,
Great post. A blue tooth tripod. Very cool. We look on Amazon. Thanks for the tips!
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You are welcome. It comes in handy pretty often.
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Very Nice! I enjoyed to visiting your blog.
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