The Secret to Taking Professional-Looking Photos for Your Blog Using Just Your Smartphone

Who says you need high-tech equipment to take amazing photos for your blog? Most smartphones nowadays have good enough cameras and cost much less than a Canon. Plus, you can use photo-editing apps to add special effects, create collages, or adjust specific parts of an image. 

Whether you want to build your online portfolio or elevate your blog content, you can get crisp, polished shots using nothing but your phone.

The key lies in mastering a few simple techniques like framing your subject and leveraging natural light. Lens kits, gimbals, tripods, and other accessories can be helpful, too, but, ultimately, it’s your skills that matter. 

For starters, shoot every day. That’s the best way to practice. Meanwhile, use the tips below to hone your photography skills and create scroll-stopping visuals. 

Take Better Smartphone Photos for Your Blog in 7 Steps 

Photos and other visuals can make your blog posts more engaging while improving their readability. For example, you may use images to break up large blocks of text, highlight key points, and convey complex concepts in a clear manner. 

Visual content can also improve your SEO. If your photos are relevant and well-optimized, they may appear in Google Image Search, leading to more traffic and shares. 

Let’s say you run a food blog. By sharing high-quality photos of your recipes, you’ll get more eyes on your content and stand out from the crowd. A drool-worthy shot of your lemon tart could go viral on social media, drive massive traffic, and be featured in roundup posts. 

Ready to give it a try? Here’s how to make your smartphone photos so much better. 

1. Get the Right Gear 

Technically speaking, you only need a smartphone to take, edit, and share photos on your blog. For instance, you can use your iPhone to capture the shot, make edits, or even convert Live Photos to still photos. 

However, you can get much better results by investing in a few basic items like:

• Smartphone mini lights
• Bluetooth remote control
• Polarized lens filters
• Infrared filters
• Different types of lenses 
• A mini tripod with flexible legs

Infrared filters, for example, can transform ordinary outdoor shots into surreal images. These accessories are ideal for travel or nature bloggers and cost just a few bucks. 

Another good investment is a mini tripod with flexible legs. Not only does it reduce camera shake, but it also allows you to shoot from different angles—even in low light. 

2. Nail the Rule of Thirds 

Next, try various photography techniques to take better shots. Start with the rule of thirds, which requires visually splitting an image into a 3×3 grid.

After that, position your subject along the lines or where they intersect. If you do it right, you’ll achieve a more balanced photographic composition and direct the viewer’s eye to what matters most. 

Some smartphones have this feature by default—you just need to turn it on. Wait for the grid to appear on-screen, then align your subject using the rule of thirds. 

If your phone doesn’t have this function, train your eyes to follow the lines of the grid. The more you practice, the easier it gets. 

3. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible 

Natural light is softer and more flattering than artificial light, preserving true-to-life colors and subtle textures. At the same time, it reduces harsh shadows and gives your photos a clean look. 

To fully reap the benefits, plan your shoot just after sunrise or before sunset. This time frame is the so-called golden hour when the light is warm and diffused. Set the white balance to “shade,” adjust the exposure as needed, and take photos from multiple angles to catch that soft, directional glow. 

Say you want to take a photo of your breakfast bowl. Wake up early in the morning, place the bowl next to a window with sheer curtains, and take the shot. The curtains diffuse the light, making your food look fresh and vibrant. For best results, position your camera above or at a 45-degree angle. 

If you don’t have access to natural light, use reflectors and smartphone lights. Turn on night mode when shooting in the dark, but skip the flash. 

4. Shoot in RAW Format 

Enable RAW mode from your camera’s settings to get higher-quality shots. This technique allows you to capture the smallest details because there is no compression. Plus, you’ll have more flexibility with editing. 

If your smartphone doesn’t offer RAW shooting, install VSCO, ProCam, ProShot, or Lightroom Mobile. When you’re done, transfer the images to your computer and use software programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop Elements for editing. 

One aspect to be aware of is that RAW files are around 10 times larger than JPEGs, meaning they take up a lot of storage space. 

5. Use Everyday Items as Props 

Try your hand at forced perspective photography using your smartphone and everyday objects. 

For example, hold your house keys close to the lens and position your cat in the background to make her look like she’s hanging from the keyring. Or place a coffee mug in the foreground and frame a friend in the distance to make it seem like they’re stepping out of it. 

With this technique, you can create optical illusions that set your blog images apart. Why rely on overused stock photos when you can craft one-of-a-kind visuals? Forced perspective adds personality and creativity, catching the viewer’s eye. 

6. Play with Different Angles

Different photographers can shoot the same subject and get entirely different results. One explanation is that each uses different camera shots and angles. 

For instance, a close-up shot of a coffee cup might highlight the texture of the foam, giving viewers a cozy, intimate feel. By comparison, a low-angle shot of someone holding the cup will shift the focus from the object to the person. A wide-angle shot, on the other hand, will capture the entire scene, creating a sense of story. 

With that in mind, try new angles and perspectives to make your images stand out. Move around, get closer to the subject, tilt your phone, or shoot through objects like windows and snowballs. Your creativity is the only limit. 

7. Add the Finishing Touches 

As a final step, edit and retouch your images to bring them closer to perfection. Try these photo editing apps for iOS and Android, but don’t overdo it. 

Too much saturation, excessive filters, oversharpening, and other blunders can ruin an otherwise good photo, rendering an unnatural look. 

For instance, the image will appear flat if the contrast is too high or too low. Poor cropping can throw off the entire composition, while excessive vignetting can make the shot feel forced or overly edited.

Practice Until You Get It Right

Photography is an art, and you can’t expect to master it overnight. Start small, practice your skills, and experiment with different techniques. Most importantly, focus on developing a distinct photography style instead of doing what everyone else does. 

As far as photo editing goes, there’s nothing wrong with using HDR, filters, or special effects. Just make sure you know when to stop. Over-editing can make your images look artificial and put viewers off. 

Your blog, including the photos you post, should feel authentic and reflect your expertise. If your pictures are heavily edited, you’ll have a hard time building trust and credibility.