Listen, I get it, you may not always be thinking about lighting, body spacing, and angles when taking photos with your phone. I guess it’s ingrained in my brain forever to always be looking for the best shot wherever I go. Let me help you with some key steps in taking better portraits with your phone that you will love and enjoy. Cameras on phones are getting better and better and it’s time to educate you on what to look for or think of when capturing a sweet moment.

1. Shadows are EW! It is better to have the sun behind your subject so there are no shadows on faces. If you put them directly looking into the sun, then they will have squinty eyes. If you are going for a more artistic feel, then look for the shadows but I highly suggest staying away from them. It makes for smoother skin when there are no shadows.

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2. Portrait mode for close-ups! This seems like a given, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. For those close up photos, you’ll want to change your settings to portrait mode to capture more of a clear subject and fuzzy background. Then, if you feel like the background is too fuzzy, you can change the aperture (fuzziness) when you go to edit it on your phone.

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3. If you are taking a photo indoors, find a window and face it! Natural lighting is the best lighting! You will want the clear light to be facing you when taking a photo. If the window light is behind you then you photo won’t be as clear and you’ll have a halo affect around you.

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4. The closer the better with big groups! It may sound weird and it may feel uncomfortable being that close to someone but trust me, it makes for a better photo. If you are doing a selfie with a big group make sure everyone is close to you and you are all touching! The closer the faces the more connected the photo will be.

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5. Chin forward, turn to the side, and love yourself! I know I’m not the only one who feels like I have a double chin or my arm feels too big, so here are a few tips to hide those insecurities. Move your chin ever so slightly forward to avoid the double chin. Higher angles, where you look up, are also a great way to eliminate a double chin. If you position your body slightly turned, then the camera won’t capture you full-on, which takes away a few pounds. Also, LOVE YOURSELF! You are beautiful, so stop being so critical about yourself. 🙂

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I hope these few tips help create some memories that will last forever!