How to Take Great Photos with Your Phone
Photography is an essential part of your brand's online personality and can make or break a digital presence. Make sure you’re adding the most value to your time on social media my sharing clear, strong photos that highlight the best of your business. You don't need to be a professional photographer or have expensive gear to take quality pictures if you've got a smartphone and a willingness to get creative.
The best camera is the one you have with you.
Use your phone camera and use it all the time!
The best camera is the one you have with you, so you're lucky to have an excellent camera right in your phone, ready for action at all times. My first (very expensive) digital camera is garbage in comparison to my iPhone 7. Even now that my fancy camera is extra good, I reach for my phone more often simply because I have it on me. I feel blessed to live in a magical world where pretty, high-quality photos are always possible. Even if you take a bad or low-quality photo, getting in the habit of taking one when you see something photo-worthy will hone your eye and encourage you to create better pictures.
Go into the light.
Natural light is your friend, especially when shooting with a phone. The well-lit photos I take with my phone are totally acceptable for social media. My best advice here is to take your time. If you're taking a selfie, spin around slowly until your face is well-lit. Make sure to check your light before taking a photo by tapping the brightest part of the photo (before capturing it) to balance the photo. In harsh lighting situations, move into the shade or embrace those dramatic shadows. Everyone's artistic sensibilities are different, so keep an open mind and experiment with different types of lighting situations until you find something that resonates with you.
Follow accounts that inspire you.
If you surround yourself with people and brands that get your creative juices flowing, it's bound to rub off on you. Exposure to the types of photography you like will help guide you in taking photos of your own and train your eye to notice subjects worth taking pictures of.
I wish you the best of luck on your adventure into phone photography! It is truly gratifying to take a good picture and I hope you get all the good feelings out of observing and engaging in this thing we call life from behind a lens. Stay vigilant and the photo gods will reward you!
