Phone Snaps! Simple Tips to Instantly Improve Your Phone Photography of People

A little while back, I went to breakfast to support one of our little loves before her SEA exams. It was a moment of celebration, with some of her aunties and her mom gathered to praise her for all the work she’d done to prepare, to encourage her to do her best, and to add a bit of calm and fun to the day before the big test. As we were leaving, we wanted to take a group photo, so we asked a man who had just stepped out of the restaurant to take one for us.

Now, usually when you ask a stranger to take a picture, you hope for the best—but you never know what you’re going to get. This guy, though, surprised us all. He didn’t just snap one photo and hand back the phone. He took ten! He moved around, changed angles and orientations—like a pro. We were impressed. I figured he had to be a creative, or someone (his girlfriend or sister lol) trained him well!

Even when I’m just using a phone, I take the time to shoot thoughtful photos—of friends, family, strangers, whoever. Yes, I’m a photographer, but when the tables are turned and someone’s taking my photo—or a group shot I’m in—I always hope it’s not rushed, badly framed, or at a weird angle. (Side note: I actually take more issue when my friends do this than when strangers do. Strangers don’t know how much I love photos. Lol. My friends, on the other hand? I’ve spent time carefully capturing great images of them, and they know how much I cherish those moments! Lol!)

So, in the interest of getting everyone’s photography game up—friends and strangers alike—here are a few practical, super simple tips to instantly improve your phone photography of people. Your photos will feel more intentional, more flattering, and way more frame-worthy.

1. Frame the Subject Well

The person (or people) you're photographing should be the clear focus of the image. A common mistake? Way too much space either above or below the subject.

• Too much ground: If you’re showing more floor and cutting the frame closer to the head of the person, you’ve probably tilted the camera too low. Tilt it up just a bit so the person feels grounded—not like the tiles are the star of the photo.

• Too much sky/ceiling: Likewise, if there’s an excessive amount of sky or ceiling and the subject’s feet are cropped or pressed to the bottom, adjust. Give them a little more room on the bottom of the frame. A balanced frame makes all the difference.

That said, if there’s something worth highlighting—like a beautiful tile design, a textured wooden floor, or a striking sky—then yes, include it. But only if it's intentional. Otherwise, those extra bits can distract from your subject.

We could get into more technical stuff like the rule of thirds—a simple technique that helps place the subject in a more visually pleasing part of the image—but for now, just start by minimizing extra ground or ceiling.

2. Check the Background

Before you snap the photo, take two seconds to look at what’s behind your subject. Is there a garbage bin? A stranger walking past? A distracting sign or pile of laundry? Try to either move the person or slightly adjust your angle. A clean background helps the viewer focus on the subject and gives the photo a more polished feel—even if it's casual.

3. Light is Everything

Lighting makes or breaks a photo. Is your subject well lit? Try to find soft, natural light when you can—like the kind coming from a nearby window or the shade of a tree on a bright day.

Move the person around a bit and look at them. You can usually tell where the light is falling just by eye. Is their face in shadow? Are they evenly lit?

Be aware of harsh overhead lighting if possible (hello, restaurant ceiling lights)—those tend to cast unflattering shadows on faces. Even a small shift in position can make a huge difference.

4. Play With Angles

Don’t be afraid to move. A straight-on shot is fine, but sometimes changing your angle adds interest. Try a slightly higher perspective—many women prefer this—or shift a bit to the left or right to add depth and dimension.

Encourage the person you’re photographing to turn their body slightly or adjust their posture. Since we’re working with digital, there’s no cost to experimenting.

5. Take Multiple Shots

This one’s for the one-photo-and-done folks: take more than one. Especially if it’s a group shot. People blink, move, talk, or look away in the blink of an eye.

Snapping a few options gives you (and them) choices. You might end up with a candid gem or avoid the dreaded closed-eye moment. Trust me, people appreciate options.

6. Use the “Live” Feature (iPhone)

If you’re on an iPhone, use the Live feature! This is my go-to for group shots and especially when photographing kids. It captures a few seconds of video before and after the photo is taken.

Later, you can scroll through the frames and select the best one—like the exact moment when everyone’s smiling and looking toward the camera. You can even save it as a short video or use it as a boomerang in Instagram Stories.

Other phones have similar features with different names, so check your camera settings!

I hope these tips help! They're not hard-and-fast rules, but they're a great starting point to get you really seeing what’s in the frame. The next time someone hands you a phone, take an extra moment to be thoughtful about the photo you’re capturing. You might just give someone their new favorite picture. Big up my little sis J. She is the photographer of the phone snap which I used as the main photo for this post! :)