Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and switch to either ProRAW (iPhone 12 Pro and above) for maximum editing flexibility, or High Efficiency for smaller file sizes without quality loss. ProRAW captures significantly more color and light data than standard JPEG, giving you far more room to edit in post.

This is the single most underused iPhone feature. Tap and HOLD on your subject in the camera app until you see the AE/AF Lock banner appear at the top of the screen. This locks both the focus and the exposure so they do not shift mid-shot. Particularly powerful in high-contrast scenes like a person standing in front of a bright sky or a lit-up castle at night.

The ultra-wide lens (0.5x) dramatically distorts faces and body proportions — avoid it for any portrait. The standard 1x lens is the most flattering for people shots. The 2x or 3x telephoto (if your iPhone has one) is excellent for candid shots where you do not want to be right on top of your subject.

Portrait Mode adds a depth-of-field blur effect (bokeh) behind your subject that makes any photo look far more professional. Use it for individual shots and small group photos. The Lighting options within Portrait Mode — particularly Studio Light and Contour Light — add a subtle editorial quality to any portrait. Switch between them by tapping the cube icon after taking the shot.

For moments that move — parade floats, kids running, jumping shots, characters waving — hold down the shutter button to shoot in burst mode. You will get dozens of frames to choose from and at least a few where everyone looks perfect. On iPhone 11 and newer, swipe the shutter button left and hold to engage burst.

If you are shooting on a tripod or propping your phone against something, use the 3 or 10 second self timer (the clock icon in the camera app) to eliminate camera shake when you press the shutter. The 3 second timer is ideal for most setups and gives you just enough time to get into position.

Almost every Android flagship has a Pro mode that gives you manual control over ISO (light sensitivity), shutter speed, white balance, and focus. For vacation photography you do not need to go full manual — but understanding two settings makes a huge difference. Lower ISO (100-200) in bright outdoor light for clean, grain-free images. Raise it slightly (400-800) in dim indoor or evening conditions.

If you shoot on a Google Pixel 6 or newer, Real Tone is already enabled by default. It significantly improves the accuracy and naturalness of skin tones across all complexions — particularly for people of color who have historically been underserved by smartphone cameras. The results are genuinely beautiful and require zero editing.

Samsung's Expert RAW app (available free in the Galaxy Store) gives you access to RAW capture with multi-frame processing, astrophoto mode, and significantly more editing latitude than the standard camera. If you shoot on a Samsung Galaxy S or Z series phone, Expert RAW is worth downloading before your trip.

On most Android devices, tapping once sets focus and exposure together. To lock focus independently, look for a small lock icon that appears after you tap — or in Pro mode, switch to manual focus (MF) and set it precisely on your subject. This prevents the camera from hunting focus during the shot, which is a common cause of soft or blurry portraits.

Instead of facing the camera dead-on, turn your body about 45 degrees to one side and look back toward the lens. This is universally flattering for every body type — it creates a natural slimming effect and gives the photo a sense of movement and dynamism. One hand on a hip, shoulders back, chin slightly forward and down. This is the foundation pose that editorial photographers use constantly.

Ask your photographer to shoot while you walk naturally toward them. Moving subjects almost always look more natural than standing still ones. The slight blur of motion in a walking shot looks intentional and cinematic. Bonus: you never have to worry about what to do with your hands.

Some of the most beautiful travel portraits are taken when the subject is not looking at the camera at all. Look off into the distance at something interesting — a landmark, the horizon, a parade float. The resulting shot captures a sense of genuine wonder and presence that direct-to-camera shots often lack.

For groups, avoid the horizontal lineup at all costs — it produces a flat, passport-photo feel. Instead create depth by positioning people at different distances from the camera. Some up front, some slightly behind, some leaning in from the sides. Staggered heights and positions create a photo that feels alive and three-dimensional.

Tell a joke. Do a silly countdown. React to something happening around you. The best vacation photos are almost never the ones where everyone is rigidly smiling at the camera — they are the ones captured in the middle of a genuine laugh, a shared reaction, or a candid moment. Brief your photographer to shoot continuously and capture in-between moments.

Hands hanging loosely at the sides is one of the most common pose problems. Give your hands a job: hold a coffee cup, touch your hair, hold your partner's hand, adjust your bag strap, point at something, or hold a prop. Even resting a hand lightly on a surface gives the photo a natural, unstaged quality.

Golden hour is the 30-60 minutes immediately after sunrise and before sunset. During this window, sunlight travels through more of the atmosphere, which filters out harsh blue tones and produces warm, soft, flattering golden light that makes every person and every landscape look extraordinary. If you can only prioritize one photo session of your entire trip, make it golden hour. At Disney World, arriving at Magic Kingdom right at park open on a clear morning gives you golden hour light with Cinderella Castle — a combination that is genuinely breathtaking.

Blue hour is the 20-30 minutes just after sunset when the sky turns a deep, rich blue and artificial lights begin to glow. This is the window that produces those extraordinary photos of illuminated landmarks against a perfectly balanced sky — where the artificial light and the ambient sky light are at exactly the same exposure level. EPCOT at blue hour with Spaceship Earth lit up against a deep blue sky. A European cathedral glowing gold against an indigo sky. Blue hour is magic and almost nobody specifically plans for it.

Direct overhead sunlight between 10 AM and 3 PM produces harsh shadows under eyes and noses that are unflattering in portraits and blow out bright colors in landscapes. If you must shoot at midday, look for open shade — under a tree, in a covered walkway, or on the shadow side of a building. Open shade produces even, soft light that is far more flattering than direct sun.

The iconic castle photo is one of the most photographed spots in the world, which means the standard version is just that — standard. Elevate it: shoot from a lower angle looking up to make the castle appear more dramatic and imposing. Use a person in the foreground to give the shot scale. Arrive at rope drop when Main Street U.S.A. is empty and the morning light is golden. Return at blue hour for the illuminated version. These two windows — morning rope drop and blue hour — produce the castle photos that stop people mid-scroll.

Disney PhotoPass photographers are positioned at iconic locations throughout the parks and are free to use with a Memory Maker purchase. What most guests do not know is that PhotoPass photographers can take photos on your personal phone as well — just ask. They are professionals who know exactly where to position you for the best light and composition at their specific location. Always ask them to take a few on your phone in addition to the official shots.

For character meet and greet photos, kneel or crouch to get on the same level as shorter characters rather than towering over them. The resulting photo has a much more natural, eye-level feel. For taller characters like Mickey or Goofy, let them stand tall and lean in slightly from the side. Ask the PhotoPass photographer to shoot in burst mode during the meet — some of the best character photos are captured in the seconds before and after the official pose.

Fireworks confound most smartphone cameras because of the extreme contrast between bright explosions and dark sky. The fix: as soon as the fireworks begin, tap and hold on a burst in the sky to lock exposure. Then drag the exposure slider (the sun icon on iPhone) down slightly to prevent overexposure. On Android in Pro mode, try a shutter speed of 1/4 to 1/2 second to capture light trails. Position a landmark in the foreground — the castle, a building, a person in silhouette — to give the fireworks context and scale.

Handheld night photography on a smartphone is all about stability. Press your elbows into your body and hold your breath at the moment of capture. Tap to focus and then wait for a half-second before pressing the shutter. Better yet: prop your phone against a wall, railing, or bag for a truly stable base. iPhone Night Mode and Google Pixel Night Sight handle the rest automatically — just hold still for the 1-3 second exposure.

The most flattering selfie angle is the camera held slightly above eye level and angled very slightly downward. This elongates the neck, minimizes any double-chin, and captures a natural, proportionate face shape. The difference between camera-at-chin-level and camera-at-forehead-level is dramatic — test it for yourself.

For selfies, always position yourself so that the primary light source — the sun, a window, a light fixture — is in front of you, illuminating your face. Light coming from behind creates a silhouette. Light from the side creates half-shadow. Light from in front creates even, flattering illumination. This one change will immediately improve every selfie you take.

A compact selfie stick (the discreet, pocketable kind rather than the large monopod) allows you to fit more context into your selfie — more background, more group members, more landmark. At parks like Universal Epic Universe where the environment is part of the story, getting that backdrop in frame transforms a selfie into a travel photo.