Here’s a little secret from inside the marketing world: You don’t always need a fancy DSLR or professional photographer to create great-looking content. (Don’t get us wrong—we love a pro photoshoot when the moment’s right.) But sometimes, all you’ve got is your phone and an idea that needs to be captured right now.
The good news? Your phone is more powerful than you think. With a few simple tricks, you can snap photos that actually make your business look as polished as it is. Here’s how we recommend leveling up those shots.
1. Clean your lens (seriously)
We’re starting with the obvious—but you’d be surprised how many cloudy, smudgy photos we see that could’ve been fixed with a 2-second lens wipe. Use your shirt, a microfiber cloth, or whatever’s handy. A clean lens = crisp photos.
2. Find good light
Lighting can make or break a photo, and your phone loves natural light.
Try this:
- Shoot near a window for soft, diffused light
- Head outside during the morning or late afternoon (hello, golden hour)
- Avoid harsh overhead lighting or direct midday sun, which creates unflattering shadows
If natural light isn’t an option, try turning on all the lights in the room—or even using a cheap ring light to brighten things up.
3. Keep it steady
Blurry photos? We don’t know her.
- Hold your phone with both hands and tuck your elbows in for more stability
- Or, prop your phone on a solid surface or use a tripod (yes, there are super affordable phone tripods out there)
- Use your phone’s self-timer or voice command if you’re in the shot—that way, you’re not tapping and shaking the phone mid-photo
4. Pay attention to composition
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to frame a nice shot. A few easy guidelines:
- Rule of thirds: Turn on the gridlines in your camera settings and place your subject along those lines or intersections—it makes photos feel more balanced
- Leave breathing room: Don’t cram everything into the middle. Let your subject have some space
- Declutter: Before you snap, take a quick look around and remove any distractions (like coffee cups, cluttered backgrounds, or rogue cords)
5. Tap to focus + adjust exposure
Your phone lets you control more than you think:
- Tap on the subject to make sure they’re in focus
- Slide your finger up or down to brighten or darken the shot (exposure control)—this saves you from having to fix it later
6. Edit… but don’t over-edit
A little editing can take a photo from “okay” to “scroll-stopping.” But it’s easy to go overboard. Stick to simple adjustments like:
- Brightness
- Contrast
- Sharpness
- Straighten/crop
Use apps like Lightroom Mobile, Snapseed, or even your phone’s built-in editor. Our advice? Aim for natural and true-to-life—not filters from 2012 Instagram.
7. Know when “good enough” is good enough
We say this with love: Done is better than perfect.
Your audience isn’t expecting Vogue-level photos for your everyday posts. They want to see real moments, behind-the-scenes peeks, and authentic snapshots of your work. A clean, well-lit phone photo absolutely does the job.