--- title: "Capturing School Memories: Taking Better Pictures with your Smartphone" description: Take better pictures with your smartphone using these valuable tips from Sanford parent and professional photographer Ann Manley. image: https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/WideAngleHDR_ChapelValley_Manley-_final.jpg --- Search - [mySANFORD HUB](https://sanfordschool.myschoolapp.com/app/) [![Sanford School](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/master-logo-horizontal-nofounded.png)](https://www.sanfordschool.org/) - [Admission](https://www.sanfordschool.org/admission) - [Discover Sanford School](https://www.sanfordschool.org/admission/discover-sanford-school) - [Why Sanford?](https://www.sanfordschool.org/admission/why-sanford) - [How to Apply](https://www.sanfordschool.org/admission/why-sanford) - [Upper School Shadow](https://www.sanfordschool.org/admission/upper-school-shadow-days) - [Tuition](https://www.sanfordschool.org/admission/tuition) - 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[Welcome Back!](https://www.sanfordschool.org/page/alumni/welcome-back) - [Stay in Touch](https://www.sanfordschool.org/page/alumni/stay-in-touch) - [Get Involved](https://www.sanfordschool.org/page/alumni/get-involved) # EDUCATION MATTERS—SANFORD SCHOOL'S PRIVATE SCHOOL BLOG *Learn more about current school issues and trends from Sanford School’s educational experts.  Sanford’s blog is sure to help you navigate your child’s educational journey.* ## Capturing School Memories: Taking Better Pictures with your Smartphone Posted by [Ann Manley](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/author/ann-manley) on October 4, 2016 at 5:24 PM ![Ann Manley](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/AM.jpg) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![photography.jpg](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/photography.jpg?width=320&name=photography.jpg "photography.jpg")As a professional photographer, I’ve learned that there is so much you can do with your smartphone to capture memories of school events, sporting events, the holiday, family trips or just candids at the park. But you don’t have to be a professional to be able to get the great shots. You just have to learn a few tricks of the trade. #### **Light** One of the first things I always check for is the light. Where is the sun? We all love sunny days, but quite frankly when taking pictures, I really do pray for a few clouds. With the earlier fall sunsets upon us, try to make sure the sun is *behind* the kids. This way they won’t be squinting into the sun, and you’ll get some gorgeous sun flare and backlighting to make it a stand-out snap. When the sun is in front us we tend to get some squinty eyes, but it can also offer great lighting on our kids. If they can bear with it, try a few this way. Always try a few different angles. A cute, funny sunglasses pic works when the sun is blaring on the soccer sidelines. Remember, it takes more than one shot to get the one you want. I always ask my kids for a redo. #### **Tools** Two accessories to capture great photos with your phone are: 1. The first is an inexpensive matte-finish screen protector to cut the glare. For just a few dollars, you’ll be able to see the photo you’re taking! 2. The second thing is a clip-on lens to help catch the shots most smartphones just can’t capture well. Think of the time you zoomed in and ended up with a grainy photo, or tried for an action shot that just didn’t turn out quite right. There are different brands, but I love the [olloclip](https://www.olloclip.com/) 4-in-1 Lens and their Active Lens, which offers a larger wide-angle and telephoto lens for my smartphone. These pocket-sized lenses cost less than a point-and-shoot camera and mean less to pack when you head out the door. From sporting events to autumn's bonfires and corn mazes, these must-haves will help you capture some great memories. #### **On-board Features** ![No Talent Lies Latent at Sanford School](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/WideAngleHDR_ChapelValley_Manley-_final.jpg?width=320&name=WideAngleHDR_ChapelValley_Manley-_final.jpg "No Talent Lies Latent at Sanford School") Remember, your smartphone also has great features built right in. 1. Both Android phones and iPhone now have the HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature, which takes multiple photos at different exposures at once and combines them to create one image with the best quality. I recommend using this feature, which is simple to turn on. 2. Don’t forget to make use of your phone’s editing tools and special effects, too. Use them to correct color, banish red eyes, or turn a regular shot into a unique creation. #### **Back Up Photos** When the day is done, and you’re home scrolling through your phone to check all the amazing moments you just captured, do not forget to back up your photos to your computer. I recommend buying an external hard drive. Photos are large files, even ones from your smartphone, and you won’t want to miss a memory. --- *Ann Manley is a professional photographer at [Ann Manley Photography](http://www.annmanleyphotography.com/)*. ---     Topics: [Parenting Tips](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/parenting-tips) [![Register for a Tour of Sanford School Today!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/701565/e1e66f9c-c920-4456-90ee-3abd44e94300.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/701565/e1e66f9c-c920-4456-90ee-3abd44e94300) ### Subscribe Via Email ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Parenting Tips (73)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/parenting-tips) - [Education (64)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/education) - [Health & Wellness (45)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/health-wellness) - [Academics (42)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/academics) - [Community (35)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/community) - [Elementary Education (16)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/elementary-education) - [STEM (15)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/stem) - [Summer (15)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/summer) - [Diversity (13)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/diversity) - [Arts (12)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/arts) - [Sanford School (11)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/sanford-school) - [High School Experience (10)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/high-school-experience) - [Athletics (9)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/athletics) - [College Guidance (9)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/college-guidance) - [Admission (8)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/admission) - [Financial Aid (7)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/financial-aid) - [Middle School (7)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/middle-school) - [Affordability (6)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/affordability) - [Distance Learning (6)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/distance-learning) - [Alumni (4)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/alumni) - [School Counseling (4)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/school-counseling) - [Preschool (3)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/preschool) - [After-School Programs (1)](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/topic/after-school-programs) see all ## Sanford School [6900 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Current+Location/6900+Lancaster+Pike+Hockessin+DE+19707) Phone: [302.235.6500](tel:302.235.6500) Email: [admission@sanfordschool.org](mailto:admission@sanfordschool.org) - [![pais](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/large_link571018_49581.png)](https://www.paispa.org/index.cfm) - [![nais](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/large_link571017_49580.png)](http://www.nais.org/Pages/default.aspx) - [![advis](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/large_link571015_49579.png)](http://www.advis.org/RelId/33637/ISvars/default/Home.htm) ## Connect With Us - [![facebook](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/large_link571026_49585.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SanfordSchool) - [![twitter](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/large_link571024_49584.png)](https://twitter.com/sanfordwarrior) - [![instagram](https://blogs.sanfordschool.org/hubfs/Sanford%20School%20March2018%20Theme/Images/large_link571023_49583.png)](https://www.instagram.com/sanfordwarrior/) ## No Talent Lies Latent Located on a beautiful 100-acre campus in Hockessin, Delaware, Sanford School is a college-prep [private school](http://mainsite.sanfordschool.onmessagestaging.com/Page/Admission/Why-Private-School?) for boys and girls in preschool (age 3) through high school. 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