Beginner's guide to great content photos
You don't need to be a pro. A few habits make anyone a great photo buddy.
Hold the phone low
Shooting from hip height, tilted slightly up, makes legs look longer.
Rule of thirds
Turn on the grid. Place the person on a line, not dead centre.
Tap to focus, slide to darken
Tap the face, then drag the sun icon down a little to keep skies from blowing out.
Burst, burst, burst
Hold the shutter for movement. One of 20 frames will be perfect.
Vertical for Stories & Reels
Ask what it's for. Most content today is 9:16.
Avoid harsh midday sun
Find open shade, or put the sun behind them.
Clean the lens
A quick wipe makes a huge difference.
Direct with kindness
"Walk towards me, look at the cup, now laugh": simple prompts beat posing.
Shot-by-shot tips
๐ถ Walking shot
- Use burst mode while they walk towards you
- Crouch slightly and hold the phone low for longer legs
- Leave space in front of them, rule of thirds
โ Coffee in hand
- Shoot from eye level or slightly above
- Include the table details in the foreground
- Ask them to look away, then back at you
๐ Mirror selfie assist
- Stand beside the mirror so you stay out of the frame
- Keep the phone straight and check the reflection
- Use soft window light, then tap the face to focus
๐ Candid laughing
- Tell a joke or ask a silly question, keep shooting
- Burst mode is your best friend
- Stay close, around 1โ2 metres
๐ Outfit full-body
- Hold the phone at hip height, tilted slightly up
- Keep feet near the bottom of the frame
- Step back and zoom 2x to avoid distortion
๐ Detail shots
- Coffee, shoes, hands, jewellery: get close
- Tap to focus on the detail
- Shoot from above for flat-lay style
โฉ๏ธ Over-the-shoulder look
- They walk away, then glance back on your cue
- Shoot vertical for Stories
- Keep the background clean and simple
๐ Hair flip
- Count down and use burst mode through the hair flip
- Leave room around the head for movement
- Use bright soft light to keep every frame sharp
๐ฌ Reel clips
- Always vertical, 4K if available
- Move slowly, hold each clip 3โ5 seconds
- Avoid harsh midday sun, find open shade