7 Easy Tips for Getting Instagram-Worthy Photos of Your Kids (With Just Your Phone!)
Let’s be real—some of the best photos of our kids aren’t the ones we plan out. They’re the unexpected, joyful, sandy, snack-covered moments that happen when we’re just living life. As a dance photographer (and a mom), I’ve learned a few tricks for making those everyday moments look beautiful and feel like us.
And no, you don’t need a fancy camera. Just your phone and a few easy tips can take your photos from “cute” to totally frame-worthy.
Here’s how I capture the kind of photos I actually want to post—and print - with only my phone.
1. Flip Your Phone Upside Down
Okay, hear me out—this one feels weird at first, but it works magic. Flip your phone upside down so the lens is closer to the ground. It helps you get more background and sky in the shot, which makes your photo feel bigger and more interesting.
Think of it as giving your photo room to breathe. Plus, it makes your kiddo look larger-than-life in the best way.
2. Get Down to Their Level
One of the biggest game-changers? Getting eye-level (or even lower) with your kid. Shooting from adult height flattens everything out, but when you drop down, you get a whole new perspective—and so much more emotion in the shot.
Photos feel more connected this way, and you’re seeing the world from their view, which is always way more fun anyway.
3. Use Portrait Mode to Blur the Background
If your phone has portrait mode, use it! It’s perfect for keeping your kid in focus while gently blurring everything behind them. This effect is called depth of field (aka. f-stop)—basically, it helps your subject stand out and gives the photo a soft, professional look.
Look for the little f symbol when you’re in portrait mode. That controls the f-stop (which affects how blurry the background is). The cool part? If you’re using an iPhone, you can adjust the blur after you take the photo. Just hit “Edit,” tap the f icon, and play around until it looks just right.
Rule of thumb: Small f-stop = more blur (left image below) vs. Large f-stop = more in-focus (right image below)
4. Use the Colors Around You
If your child is wearing something colorful or fun, use that! Look for colors in the background that match or contrast in a cool way. It makes a huge difference and helps your photo look intentional—even if it totally wasn’t.
In the photo below of my daughter at the beach, I used all these tricks—and the colors around us. The green from her floaties and blue sunglasses echoed the sailboat in the background, and that little orange pop made her stand out beautifully against the cool tones of the sky. Total happy accident, but it worked!
Here I use all 7 tips! I then went back into Canva and used the handy magic-eraser tool to get rid of a few unwanted details. Can you spot them?
5. Edit with Intention (But Don’t Overdo It)
Editing doesn’t have to be intense. The built-in tools on your phone can do a lot with just a few small tweaks. Here’s what I use most:
Brilliance: Brightens and adds contrast without making it too harsh.
Vibrance: Boosts the softer colors without messing up skin tones.
Temperature & Tint: These are your secret weapons. If your kid’s skin looks too cool or too yellow, slide these until the skin tones and whites look natural again.
It’s like seasoning a meal—just a little goes a long way.
6. Take a Bunch, Then Choose the Best
Real talk: I take way more photos than I ever post or keep. Burst mode is your friend—especially with wiggly kids. Then just scroll through and pick your favorite expression, best light, and cleanest background.
7. Keep It Light + Fun
No one wants to be in a full-blown photo shoot when they’re just trying to play. Keep it casual, make it a game, or just snap while they’re doing their thing. You’ll end up with way more natural moments that actually reflect who they are.
That’s It!
You don’t need studio lights or perfect outfits. Just some intention, a little creativity, and the camera you already have. Next time you're out adventuring (or just playing in the yard), try one or two of these tips—and let me know how it goes!
And if you ever want me to help you capture those in-between moments with a real camera, I’m just a message away. 💛
