Let’s be honest – You don’t always need to hire a professional photographer for great photos. Yes, you read that correctly… A professional photographer saying you can take great photos yourself!! You are probably thinking “Yup, Calli has officially lost her mind! Having that second baby has gone to her head.” HAHA. Well yes, you would be correct! Here are some great Do It Yourself Tips for Great Family Photos!

Being a mom of 2 young babies is not easy and takes up ALOT OF TIME. Managing schedules for the family, having a full time job (maybe even 2), extra activities for family time, workout to loose weight, grocery shopping, house chores…. It never stops. I am reminded of the struggle, once again, of how difficult it is to prep kids to get ready for something; like a photography session. (#MomStrugglesAreReal) Don’t misunderstand me here! There is DEFINITELY a time & place to hire a photographer to capture those special moments & family portraits! Just not ALL THE TIME! After all, there are some insta-famous moms trending with stunning photos everyday on their social media without the assistance of a professional photographer. So how do they do it?

DIY Tips on How to Take Stunning Photos on your cell phone

Not everyone has an professional camera at the ready to take family pictures… BUT you do have a cell phone that most likely has a camera! Here are some tips to take your own great photos from your phone:

1. Natural Light is your Best Friend – Lighting is the foundation to any great photo. It is also the hardest thing to learn as a photographer, but practice makes perfect! Quick rule to remember is always try to pick natural lighting over flash for a full rich picture.
2. Shoot at the right time – Sunrise & sunset make the best conditions for perfect photos! Middle of the day can create very harsh lighting on the face. If you are taking a photo midday, try to find shade and take the picture there for a more consistent lighting. Another option is to use High Dynamic Range, or HDR, to help with the harsh lighting.
3. Composition – There are a lot of factors that make up composition. Let’s talk about grid lines. How you line up a photo is important to what you are trying to show. By centering your object, it shows that is what you are focusing on. However, Off centering can tell more of a story. Like a Child running towards a field. You would want to off center the child and show more of the field that they are running towards. This tells the story of where the are and what they are running towards.**Turn on the gridlines for your phone camera in settings, and use them as a guide on how to line up photos **
4. Angle – The angle of your photo is IMPORTANT! If you are taking picture of children, don’t take it from above them. Get on their level! Lower your camera to the ground to capture what your child sees.
5. Focus – Ensure your photo is focused on what you are trying to capture. On your phone screen, tap on the object you are taking a picture of and it will refocus on that.
6. Draw the eye – You do not want to take a picture full of clutter or a very busy background. Be sure to have a clear picture that draws the eye to what you are capturing. Taking a photo in an simple are, like a beach, provides a pretty background but simple.
7. Depth – Photos with objects or mountains in the background creates an interesting Point of View. Layers to any photo adds depth. For example, if you are taking a picture of your child playing soccer, take a picture with your child in focus & other kids of the goals blurred in the background. That way it shows they are playing and not just kicking the ball by themselves.
8. Burst Mode – Action shots can be difficult. The best way to avoid blurry photos is to use burst mode so several photos are taken in a second to make sure you take the best photo without those weird faces.
9. Third Party Apps – Consider purchasing apps for better editing options. Editing app that I love is Lightroom but you can always purchase apps with filters that can do all the editing for you. There are also apps to have better control over your camera settings; such as ISO, exposure, white balance, etc. Some Apps to consider are ProCam 7, ProCamera, or Camera+ 2

When should you hire a professional photographer?

Every Mom-tographer needs to remember there is a time to step out from behind the camera and CHOOSE to be apart of the moment! What are some of those moments you ask? The important milestones; such Birthdays, Newborn session, Maternity portraits, Senior Portraits, Yearly Family photos, Weddings, Anniversaries, etc.

With a professional photographer, you get to have a stress free experience & a guarantee of stunning photos that include YOU! (Who doesn’t love that?!) Even a professional photographer has to put down the camera and let someone else take over for capturing our family.

Are you looking for a family photographer in Southeast Georgia?

Hi! I’m Calli, a Georgia family photographer specializing in candid and authentic photos that capture the love, fun and true personalities of each person. I am happy to serve families along the coast line of Georgia, from Savannah Georgia to Jacksonville Florida. You ready to have an amazing time together for your family session? Message me today!