01. Smartphone Photography

As a mom, you're the family historian, capturing every milestone, every giggle, and every moment in between. And while professional photo sessions have their time and place, it's the everyday moments that truly make up the fabric of family life. Fortunately, with the powerful cameras now built into our iPhones, capturing these moments has never been easier.

In this guide, we'll explore how you can use your iPhone to take stunning family photos that you'll cherish forever. From mastering lighting and composition to finding the best photo editing apps, you'll learn everything you need to know to become the family's resident photographer. Get ready to capture every moment with confidence and style!

02. Finding the Light

When it comes to capturing beautiful family moments with your iPhone, nothing beats the magic of natural light. Unlike harsh artificial lighting, natural light creates soft, flattering shadows and vibrant colors that can elevate your photos from ordinary to extraordinary.

Soft, Diffused Light:

• Look for soft, diffused light, such as the light on a cloudy day or the gentle glow of early morning or late afternoon sun.
• Avoid shooting in direct sunlight, as it can create harsh shadows and cause your subjects to squint.

Position Your Subjects:

• Position your subjects facing the light source to ensure that they are well-lit and evenly illuminated.
• If you're shooting outdoors, consider having your subjects stand in the shade to avoid harsh shadows and overexposure.

03. "Un-Posing" Like a Pro

The Magic of Candid Moments:

• Candid photos capture genuine emotions and expressions, resulting in images that feel authentic and heartfelt.
• Encourage your family to interact naturally with each other, whether it's playing, laughing, or simply enjoying each other's company.

Tips for Capturing Candid Moments:

• Keep your camera at the ready and be prepared to snap photos at a moment's notice. Some of the best candid moments happen spontaneously. iPhones make this an easy task!
• Be patient and observant, waiting for the perfect moment to capture the magic.
• Consider using Burst Mode to capture a series of photos in quick succession, increasing your chances of getting that perfect shot.

04. The Power of Perspective

Experiment with Different Perspectives:

• Instead of always shooting from eye level, try getting down low to the ground to capture photos from a child's perspective. This can add a sense of intimacy and playfulness to your images.
• Alternatively, try shooting from above to create a bird's-eye view of the scene. This can be particularly effective for capturing group shots or candid moments from a unique perspective.

Play with Composition:

• When composing your shots, think about the elements you want to include in the frame and how they interact with each other.
• Experiment with framing your subjects off-center or using leading lines to draw the viewer's eye into the image.

Embrace Creativity:

• Don't be afraid to think outside the box and try new things. The beauty of iPhone photography is that you have the freedom to experiment and explore without the limitations of traditional camera equipment.
• Remember, some of the most memorable and striking photos come from taking risks and thinking creatively.

By getting creative with your angles and perspectives, you can add visual interest and depth to your family photos, resulting in images that are truly unique and captivating.

05. Editing Like a Pro

Snapseed has a diverse range of tools at the low, low price of zero dollars and zero cents. In addition to core edits such as brightness, sharpening, and perspective correction, it offers some advanced functions like the expand tool, which does an amazing and fairly accurate job of quickly extending the edges of the image in order to center your subject or make your image better fit a different crop size. It also offers an assortment of “looks,” filters designed to quickly punch up images without degrading them with the kind of washed-out approach often overused in Instagram posts.

Enhancing Your Photos:

• Use editing tools to adjust the exposure and contrast of your photos, ensuring that they are well-balanced and visually appealing.
• Experiment with saturation and color temperature to enhance the vibrancy and warmth of your images.

Less is More:

• While it can be tempting to go overboard with editing, remember that subtle adjustments often yield the best results.
• Avoid using excessive filters or effects that can distract from the natural beauty of your photos.

By experimenting with photo editing apps and mastering the art of subtle adjustments, you can enhance the beauty of your family photos and create images that are truly breathtaking.

06. From Phone to Mini Monthly Albums

When I create a mini photo book using Blurb, I take the following steps each time and make monthly mini albums to save my favorite iphone shots of the month. Here is why I highly suggest doing this as well:

Convenient and Compact: Mini monthly photo books are small enough to carry with you wherever you go, making them the perfect way to showcase your favorite iPhone family photos on the go.

Preserve Memories: With a mini photo book for each month, you can easily preserve and cherish your family's memories in a tangible format that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Affordable: Mini photo books are often more affordable than traditional photo albums, making them a budget-friendly option for preserving your family's memories.

Perfect for Sharing: Whether you're sharing them with family and friends or simply flipping through them together as a family, mini photo books are the perfect way to relive your favorite moments captured on your iPhone.

1. Choose your favorite photos you want included in your monthly mini album.
2. Make collages using a collage app.
3. Add your photos and/or collages to the Blurb app.
4. Arrange your photos within your Blurb mini album.
5. Create your front and back cover. I always recommend naming them for the month and the year so you will always know when these set of images are from.
6. Order and wait to get your memories in the mail!