As much as you might love a photo session with a professional photographer, it's not possible to have a pro on hand for every album-worthy moment in your family's life. We're big proponents of preserving everyday life at Baby Notebook. Luckily, you can learn how to take good photos with a phone with a few simple tips. Whether you're documenting your little one's first steps or a fun family day at the park, these tips will help you take high-quality phone photos that you'll be excited to include in your memory book.
How to Take Good Photos with a Phone: 9 Practical Tips
1. Clean your lens.
Our phones go through it. Most of us drop them, shove them in diaper bags with apple sauce pouches, and prop them next to the sink while we're washing bottles. Is it any wonder smudged lenses blur our photos? Before you snap a picture of your little one, wipe your lens with a microfiber cloth (or, let's be real, your shirt hem). Your images will be crisper and clearer.
2. Use natural light whenever possible.
One tip you'll find on any tutorial for how to take good photos with a phone is to use natural light. Natural light enhances colors, makes skin tones more even, and reduces the amount of editing you have to do afterward. If you're taking pictures indoors, try taking them near windows and avoiding flash as much as possible.
3. Keep your phone steady.
An unsteady hand is just as likely to blur your photos as a smudged lens. Try these tips for keeping your phone steady:
- Use both hands when taking a photo.
- Rest your elbows on a stable surface.
- Use a portable tripod. There are some small enough to fit in your purse now!Â
4. Frame your photo thoughtfully.
Since you're learning how to take good photos with a phone, now's the perfect time to incorporate some basic composition principles into your photos. Try these composition techniques to improve your photos:
- Rule of Thirds: Enable the grid feature in your phone's camera settings. Place important elements along the grid lines or at intersections.
- Fill the Frame: Get close to your little ones when you take photos. It gives your images a cozier feeling.
- Leading Lines: Paths, fences, and even arms reaching toward something cand raw the viewer's eye into an image.
đź’ˇAre you looking for tips specifically to document your newborn? Download our free Fresh 48 Photo Guide and learn how to DIY photos of your new bundle of joy!
5. Play with angles.
Most of the time, I like to shoot straight on— whether it's looking down at your baby sleeping in the crib or getting eye-level with your toddler. But there's definitely a time and place for creative angles. Changing up your perspective can make your photos more interesting and help tell your family's story in a fun, engaging way. Instead of always photographing your family at your eye level, try:
- Kneeling down to your child's level
- Holding your phone higher up for a birds eye view
- Tilting your phone for a playful angle
Experiment and see what feels right for the moment.Â
6. Preserve candid moments.
Posed photos definitely have their time and place, but it's the unscripted moments that make family life so special. Embrace the candid moments. Photograph your family laughing at the dining table, running through the sprinkler, or cuddling on the couch. You'll be so glad to have these everyday moments as part of your memory book.
7. Adjust focus and exposure.
Focus and exposure are an important part of any conversation on how to take good photos with a phone. Your phone's camera lets you control both by simply tapping on your subject. You can adjust exposure by sliding your finger up or down on the line next to the light icon.
8. Avoid zooming in.
Zooming in can be so tempting, especially if you're trying to document a candid moment across a room. Resist the temptation! Zooming in lowers the quality of your photo, making it grainy or pixelated. You'll likely be disappointed in those photos when you print them out in your memory book. Instead of zooming in, get closer to your subject.
9. Keep editing natural.
With social media filters and in-phone editing tools, we have to mention editing in these tips for how to take good photos with a phone. Keep editing as natural as possible for your memory book. Baby Notebook offers in-app editing, so you can maintain a consistent, natural look for all of your photos.
You're ready to go snap photos like a pro! Want more visual examples and expert tips? Head over to our Photo Tips highlight on Instagram.
If you're feeling a little overwhelmed with all the new info, take it one step at a time. Most edits—like straightening your image or turning a live photo into portrait mode—can be done after you've taken the shot. So start simple: find some natural light in your home and start snapping!
Turn Your Photos into an Heirloom-quality Book with Baby Notebook
Now that you have a better sense of how to take good photos with a phone, you'll want to turn them into a beautiful memory book that you can share with your loved ones. The Baby Notebook app enables you to effortlessly create a custom memory book using the photos on your phone. Preserve the magic of your family's journey in a coffee table-worthy book that you'll treasure forever.
Download the Baby Notebook app and start creating your custom memory book today!