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:
- 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!
- 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 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
Remember, your smartphone also has great features built right in.
- 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.
- 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.
