Are you less mobile? Let photography technology work for you

Saturday 8 February 2025, 20:10 by Nando Harmsen | 2,439 views | 7 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Photography is not limited to people who can fully use their legs. Even if you are less mobile, or dependent on a wheelchair, photography is a wonderful hobby. However, it does come with limitations.

When judging photos, you do not know the circumstances. This applies to the surroundings, but also to the photographer's freedom of movement. It is easy to say that a higher or lower viewpoint 'must' be chosen.

This low viewpoint is not easy if you are less physically able. But perhaps it is still possible by using modern camera technology.
Whoever depends on a wheelchair will not always be able to follow this advice. That can be frustrating, of course. It can feel like a limitation, which it actually is. Still, you might be able to get around that limitation, at least partly.

Dealing with limitations is something a less physically able person knows more about than I do. However, I have thought about ways to photograph from different viewpoints, even if your mobility is limited.

Almost all cameras nowadays have WiFi and Bluetooth built in. This means you can control a camera with a smartphone or tablet. You can control your camera remotely, and you can even display the image on your smart device.

Find out how WiFi works, and you can control your camera remotely without any problems. Ideal when your camera is out of reach.
There needs to be a way to place your camera at different viewpoints. A monopod could be a good solution. You can then hold the camera at a greater height. You could also hold the monopod down in its shortest position, with the camera upside down, for a low viewpoint.

I sometimes use a high tripod and control the camera with WiFi. This can of course also be done with a monopod, as you do not need this much height.
Holding a monopod upside down for that low viewpoint can be difficult, and perhaps a small travel tripod would be a better choice. You can put that down. With a top handle in the hot shoe, you have a good grip for placing the camera low down.

An example of a monopod and a top handle.
Preferably choose a tablet to control your camera using WiFi/Bluetooth. You then have a large screen to work with. Make sure you have a bracket that you can attach the tablet to, so you do not have to hold it.

As I said, I do not know a great deal about what is and is not possible for the less physically able photographer. However, I hope this article has given you some tips and inspiration for getting around some of the limitations while photographing.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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7 comments

Margo kauwenberg wrote on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 12:36 | reply
How nice to hear advice when you have reduced mobility. Sometimes it also has advantages to photograph from a wheelchair because your perspective is lower. I've started doing more creative photography because this can be done more at my height and is easier in and around home. It would be nice if photography courses or photo walks indicated whether they are also accessible if you have difficulty walking or use a wheelchair.
Translated from Dutch.

Gina Heynze wrote on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 12:49 | reply
If you physically decline as a photographer, that is indeed frustrating but... You do become more inventive. If people think along with you, like you are doing now, and come up with useful tips, then that is something you can use. It is great that attention is being paid to it for once.
Translated from Dutch.

Gina Heynze wrote on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 15:02 | reply
I sooo agree with you. Especially that last part. Sometimes it is mentioned, but not often. Wouldn't it be nice if there were a fun workshop specifically for people with reduced mobility? I don't need a wheelchair, but my range of movement is very limited. Surely we can't be the only ones?
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 17:20 | reply
Nando, I am extremely happy with this article. Thank you. My appreciation for you is growing.
There are some good tips in the article.
You know, I have repeatedly drawn attention to the hobby photographer with a mobility limitation.
By the way, I have already adopted some of your tips. Since last year, I have had a carbon monopod that I can also use as a tabletop tripod. In addition, at the beginning of this year I also bought a carbon tripod and 2 tripod heads. So everything is quite a bit lighter. The RF lenses are also somewhat lighter than the EF lenses. So that saves weight as well.
At first, I couldn't go into nature alone. For a week now, I have been able to do so with a mobility scooter.
I also use a smartphone wherever necessary.
It was necessary to make the investments in order to be able to continue practising my hobby.
The fact that you are bringing the subject to people's attention in a forum like this is important. It is a step towards making photography more accessible to people with a disability.
I therefore also hope that photo trips, workshops, etc. will occasionally be accessible to the hobby photographer with a mobility limitation.
In addition, I hope that more and more photography clubs will have the possibility to include people with a disability and therefore have access to club premises that are accessible to wheelchair users.

Nando, thanks again!!!
Translated from Dutch.

Dini Bonet wrote on Tuesday 11 February 2025 at 17:46 | reply
How nice this is, that people are also thinkin
s about photographers with disabilities
because indeed that is much more difficult if you can still walk and stand.
I filmed quite a lot too, now I am 86 and no longer take photographs
because I can no longer walk, but for people in a wheelchair it is a godsend, thank you for all the explanations.
Translated from Dutch.

Kristof DECLERCQ wrote on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 13:39 | reply
I have been an MS patient since 2006.
Wheelchair-bound for quite some time now.
Going out on the mobility scooter is no longer an option for the time being either. ì took a lot of photos during those rides. My region is called the Houtland, with lots of greenery and several castles. I live in Torhout, West Flanders. You learn to photograph differently, I call it wheelchair perspective, or with the drone.
Translated from Dutch.

Lenie wrote on Wednesday 12 February 2025 at 17:09 | reply
Nice that you are paying attention to this, Nando! I have also had to deal with becoming less mobile. Fortunately, I can still go out by car. But unfortunately, I can no longer walk very far. What I have discovered is that with a mobility scooter, for example, you can no longer get to many places apart from the paved paths. You soon feel excluded then. I also read that in the comments here about excursions. I have also had to compromise when it comes to equipment, considering the weight of the glass. In the meantime, I have found a great camera in the Sony RX10M4. Your article has once again given me inspiration to try something new. Thanks!
Translated from Dutch.

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