How to Take Gorgeous iPhone Photos of Your Kids

1. Use Portrait Mode (and Adjust It!)

Portrait mode is your best friend. It creates that soft, blurry background (aka “bokeh”) that makes your subject pop. Once you take a shot in portrait mode, tap “Edit” and adjust the f-stop (aperture)—a lower f-stop (like f/2.0) gives more background blur, while a higher one (like f/5.6) keeps more of the scene in focus. Need help learning how to adjust the depth effect on your iPhone? Apple’s official guide to Portrait Mode walks you through it step by step.

2. Get Down to Their Level

This might be the most important tip I can give: photograph your kids at their eye level. When you shoot from above, your child looks small and the image can feel distant. But crouch down, squat, or even lie on the ground if you have to—and suddenly, you’re capturing the world from their perspective. Want to see examples? Take a peek at my portfolio—you’ll notice how often I’m right at eye level with my subjects. It makes a world of difference.

3. “Say Cheese!”—But Then Say Something Silly

That first “cheese!” smile? It’s the classic teeth-showing grin—but the real magic often happens right after. That’s when the guard drops and the genuine smiles emerge. Keep your phone steady on your child and say something offbeat like, “Did you just toot, or was that the dog?” The goal is a real laugh, not a rehearsed expression. Even better? Try telling a tiny, silly story. “Once upon a time, there was a chicken named Sparkle Pancake who wore glitter boots…” Watch their eyes light up.

4. Find the Light—Then Use It Creatively

The best light inside your home often comes from a window. One of the easiest ways to use it is to position your child facing the window, with you standing between the window and your child (your back to the light source). This allows beautiful, natural light to gently fall across your child’s face and eyes. Avoid overhead lighting, which can create harsh shadows. Instead, use the soft, even window light to illuminate your child without distracting contrast. Make sure you’re low enough to shoot at eye level without blocking the light. Need a deeper dive into using natural light indoors? This article from Click Magazine on window light is full of helpful examples and easy explanations.

5. Make Simple Edits

After you take your photos, do a quick pass through your iPhone’s editing tools. Here’s a simple edit recipe that works almost every time: Increase brightness slightly, add a touch of contrast, warm up the photo by adjusting temperature (only if it feels too cool), and sharpen just a little. Skip the heavy filters—your child is already perfect.

Want More Inspiration?

If you’re looking for ideas on how to pose your kids, how to make them feel comfortable in front of the camera, or how to capture a candid moment that feels like them—check out my portfolio. You’ll find plenty of inspiration for lighting, posing, and eye-level perspectives that can help shape your own at-home photos.

Whether you’re documenting bath time curls, superhero costumes, or the quiet moments before bed, remember: the best photos aren’t perfect—they’re personal. So get on their level, find your light, and get a little silly. You’ve got this.