5 iPhone hacks for print-worthy vacation photos
I’m a self-proclaimed wannabe photographer with a deep love for the art, but neither the tools nor the time to fully master it. But when it comes to my own photos, I admit that I’m a bit of a snob and have high standards for my holiday photos.
In an ideal world, I would hire a professional photographer every year to capture and send print-worthy memories. But due to budget and time constraints, I have to DIY the whole thing from start to finish (which I secretly love, and have become quite good at).
Whether you’re documenting a weekend get-together of friends or taking photos with the kids for your Christmas cards, here are a few simple tricks and accessories to help you take your own professional-looking photos with your iPhone.
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Know the nuances of portrait mode
Portrait mode creates that blurred background effect in a shot, and it’s my favorite camera mode for vacation photos, people, and pets. This is what professional photographers call the “bokeh” effect, which adds contrast between the background and foreground, making your subject stand out. Just slide to the Portrait option at the bottom of the camera screen, tap the subject, wait for the focus box and caption to turn yellow, then take your photo.
Although the iPhone uses software to recreate this effect, rather than adjusting the aperture and focus of the lens like an iPhone traditional DSLR — the result is still impressive and may not even be noticeable to most people. The edges of the subject may appear sharper and occasionally limbs or stray hairs may be unintentionally blurred. But it’s close to the real thing, and it’s a great option for portraits if you’re looking for a professional look without the hassle of a DSLR.
The other benefit of using portrait mode in your shooting is that you can adjust exposure, focus, and blur intensity even after you’ve captured the shot. To edit, click the slider icon at the bottom right of your photo and swipe the F icon at bottom left. Now you can click anywhere on the recording to change the focus.
When you take photos in portrait mode, additional editing features are available to help you perfect the shot.
To adjust the lighting of the subject, click the hexagon at the top left and then use the slider at the bottom of the shot to preview each lighting option and adjust the intensity of the effect. You can also click the F at the top left above the photo to reduce or intensify the blur.
Live Photo can save a group photo
The biggest disadvantage of using portrait mode is that your subjects must remain relatively still in order to focus. And if you’ve ever worked with pets or young children, you know this is no easy feat. When I have curvy subjects or a large group photo, I usually switch to Live Photo. You’ll find this option in the top right corner of the default photo mode on your iPhone (it’s the wrinkle icon with the concentric circles). Just tap the ripple icon until you see the word “Live” appear on the screen.
Live Photo automatically captures about 1.5 seconds of footage before and after you press the shutter button, giving you a short three-second clip for each shot. In your camera roll, the image will appear as a regular photo, but if you long-press on it, you’ll see it come to life.
If the pictured frame isn’t ideal (for example, if someone blinked or your toddler face-planted in the snow), you can go back (or forward) in time to select a better frame. To do this, tap the edit icon in the bottom right corner, then select ‘Live’ in the bottom left. Scroll through the images and choose ‘Take Key Photo’ if you find a more flattering photo.
Keep in mind that the key frame is at a higher resolution than the rest of the clip, so if you select a different frame you may notice a slight reduction in quality. However, it’s a small trade-off to turn a once unusable recording into something valuable.
Backlighting can be good light
Whether you use portrait mode or Live Photo, good lighting can make or break your shot. I’ve always known that sunrise and sunset are the best times to take photos because they provide the most flattering light, with fewer harsh shadows. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that this self-proclaimed iPhone photographer realized she hadn’t been taking full advantage of the golden hour.
Normally, placing your subject in front of a bright light source, such as a sunset, is not ideal. It’s great if you’re trying to be mysterious and artistic, but it’s not the best approach to let grandma enjoy the cute faces of her precious grandchildren. That’s why I positioned my subject directly toward the setting sun, even if that meant temporarily blinding it. Sometimes I managed to pull it off, but other times the lighting was too harsh and highlighted every imperfection.
Now if there are no clouds, I break my cardinal rule and do the exact opposite by placing my subject in front of the sun. iPhone cameras have evolved to the point where they can actually compensate for the bright background and also keep the subject well exposed. The backlight creates an almost halo effect around the subject, softening facial features and giving the entire shot a more flattering, whimsical look.
Phone cameras have gotten better at adapting to sunlight in recent years, and they’re more forgiving than in the past.
Add a tripod to join the fun
If you don’t need to be on screen, you can stop reading this section now. But if you want to get in on the action, you’ll definitely need a tripod and a timer. You can get creative and use some hair ties and a fence post (I did it in a pinch), or you can invest $20 in a good tripod and save yourself the headache.
Related: Best iPhone Camera Tripods and Accessories
Once your tripod is set up, position everyone but yourself in the frame and lock focus by pressing your subject until the focus box turns yellow and “AE/AF Lock” appears on the screen. Then tap the arrow at the top center of the screen, just below the selfie camera (or center left if you’re holding your phone in landscape mode). This will reveal a few icons on the other side of the screen.
Scroll left (or down depending on the direction of the recording) until you find the timer icon. Tap it. Now find out how fast you can run and set your deadline. Press the shutter and get into position. The flash on the camera serves as a countdown. When you’re in standard photo mode, your phone will take a series of 10 photos for you to choose from. Portrait mode is less forgiving; you only get one shot to get it right, so you may have to run back and forth between the tripod and your group until you run out of breath or get the right shot.
If you’re open to a different phone model, you may not need a tripod at all. The Pixel 9’s Add Me feature uses augmented reality and AI to merge images, meaning you can take individual photos and later combine them into one group photo.
Remote shutter on your wrist
If you don’t feel like breaking a sweat, consider using a remote shutter. Most tripods come with one, but pairing them is tricky – and I’ve yet to find a remote that I haven’t lost. Maybe you’re more responsible than me, but my favorite hack is using an Apple Watch.
Set up your recording, take a leisurely walk to take a photo with the rest of your group, and open the Camera Remote app on your Apple Watch. The app mirrors exactly what’s on your iPhone screen, so you can check your wrist to see if you’ve entered the frame. You can even adjust the focus directly from your wrist. As soon as you press the record button, a three-second timer is set by default, giving you just enough time to lower your wrist and strike a pose.
Use your Apple Watch screen to make sure you’re in view. Your watch can also function as a remote control for the shutter release.
Bonus: non-technical tips for parents
If I haven’t emphasized this enough, photographing small children and pets is in a class of its own and requires superhuman patience. They will very rarely cooperate unless you are armed with props and bribes, and even then they may burst into tears (or whine) at any time.
The best prop is one that can contain them, such as a wagon or a couch, but that still may not be enough to keep them from wandering off. Keep children’s attention by giving them a specific task, such as blowing a kiss to the camera or hugging a brother or sister. And if all else fails, keep a stash of candy or your pet’s favorite treats in your pocket. M&Ms work great as bribes for kids because they are discreet and can be consumed between shots.
The most important thing is that you are ready to roll with the punches. Even if you follow every tip, there is always a wild card; unpredictable weather, wine stains or family drama can easily derail the perfect shot. When that happens, you can master Photoshop (don’t worry, I’ll cover that in a future tutorial) or embrace the chaos and let the moment live on, completely imperfectly, on your Christmas card.
