3 Tips for Taking Photos for Your Website Using an iPhone

Photography is essential to your website. Imagery on your website is what helps depict your brand, service, and product to your potential clients or consumers. The design of your website can weigh heavily on the chosen imagery. In 2019, it is very apparent to users that your company is still using stock photography. Some small companies may not have the budget to hire a professional photographer. If you decide to take your own pictures for your website, it is important to make sure that you are still producing high-quality photos that reflect a high standard for your business. Here are a few tips on how to achieve the best results:

Tip 1: Utilize focus, proper resolution, and exposure.

• If you’re using an iPhone, navigate to Settings>Camera> and turn Grid on. This allows you to not only take level images, but also center align, left align, or right align the most important part of your photo.
• Make sure the subject is in focus by tapping it on your screen before you snap the shot!
• Another tip is to turn your phone sideways! Websites are still viewed on desktops, laptops, and tablets and these devices require wide-framed imagery to fill the screens. I would only take images vertically for your site when taking headshots.
• Invest in a tripod. It’s basic equipment, but if your phone stays completely still during the entire exposure, your images will appear a lot more clear. Tripods a very inexpensive and will make a HUGE difference in image quality as it allows the camera to piece together the exposure more easily.
• Turn HDR on for landscape shots and shots requiring more contrast.
• Step back if the item in focus goes from the edge to the edge of your screen. It is always easy to crop a photo!

Tip 2: Use Natural, Bright Light

• Turn off the flash on your iPhone. The LED can emit a strange hue and distort your photographs. Try utilizing natural light sources like a window or glass doorways.
• Keep the light source in front of you (The photographer). Shadow is important for photography, but it must not drown out the focus of the image. Unless the shadow is what you want to focus on 😉
  

Tip 3: Make use of the different camera modes

• Photo – This mode is best for general images. Make sure to tap the item you want in focus!
• Portrait – This mode is best for headshots. It focuses on a person and drowns out the background. (There are also multiple options for this natural light, studio light, and contour light)
• Square – This mode is best for social media posts. Most social media outlets utilize square imagery.
• Pano – Panoramic photos are fantastic for website headers and hero images. With these images being so wide, it gives your designer heaps of options.

Most importantly, I would say the best tip I can give to you is to experiment with your phone’s camera tool. The best results will be with experience and thought behind each shot. The camera itself is magic, but you must harness it. Get out there and start taking more photos!