How to take professional-looking images for your business with an iPhone

Photo by Los Muertos Crew

While having professional photography done for your business is great, it’s not always plausible to have those instantaneous moments captured. But what do you do if you don’t have a camera or a photographer at the ready? Here are a few tips to take professional-looking photos with your iPhone.

Use a good quality camera or smartphone camera

This will ensure that your images are clear and have good resolution. Most phones that have come out in the past 2-3 years will work perfect!

Pay attention to composition

Photo by Ron Lach

The most important element of a professional-looking photo is its composition. You need to make sure that everything in the frame looks balanced and that the subject is the main focus.

To achieve this, try using the rule of thirds. This rule states that your subject should be placed slightly off-center and that the other elements should be arranged in a way that divides the frame into thirds. This will create a more natural and balanced look. Experiment with different angles and viewpoints until you find the one that works best for the shot.

You should also consider how you want the photo to be framed. If you’re taking a picture of a person, make sure they are the main focus and that the background is not too distracting.

Avoid pinch-to-zoom

By using pinch-to-zoom, you’re instantly lowering the quality of your photos. This utilizes digital zoom technology, which is basically cropping in on your photos instead of actually zooming in. This results in a lack of sharpness, noise and other negative effects.

Instead, use the camera choices (0.5x, 1x, etc.) that your iPhone’s Camera app provides. Or, move with your feet.

Let there be light!

Lighting is another key element of taking professional-looking photos. Natural light works great for many scenarios, as it can create beautiful shadows and highlights which will make your photos look more artistic and interesting.

Try taking your photos outside during the golden hour (the hour before sunset and after sunrise) when the light is the most flattering. Or if you’re indoors, sit by a window and let the window light help light your scene.

Be sure to avoid harsh overhead lighting though, as it can create unflattering shadows.

Get the right accessories

You don’t need any special equipment to take great photos with your iPhone, but there are a few accessories that can help you get the perfect shot.

A tripod will help you keep your camera steady and reduce camera shake, which can ruin your photos. A remote shutter release can also be helpful if you want to get in the shot yourself. Other accessories such as lenses and lights like the Lume Cube can also be used to enhance your photos.

Taking professional-looking photos with your iPhone doesn't have to be difficult. With the right composition, lighting and accessories, you can create stunning photos with just your phone. With a bit of practice, you’ll be taking amazing photos in no time!