I get a lot of questions on how I get my photos to look so clean and bright. My secret is actually much simpler than you’d think! Whether you’re snapping photos of your new product line or you’re just wanting to capture a beautiful moment in an equally beautiful way, I’m sharing my top five tips for foolproof photos straight from your phone.

5. Just Say “No” To Filters

That’s right, folks. Those fancy built-in filters that your phone offers? Avoid them like the plague. There’s really no reason you should be shooting a photo with a filter already applied, so do yourself a solid and stick with the natural, full-color default option. If you need to make an image black and white or apply a filter to boost the vibrancy, use a photo editing app like Instagram or VSCO Cam to edit your original image. It’s always easy to add a filter during the editing process, but you’ll never be able to take a photo that was shot with a heavy filter and tone it down easily. If you added a filter to these super pink donuts via @joythebaker, you wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate how bright they are or how they really pop against that white background.

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4. Take Your Time

The very nature of cell phone photography indicates we’re in a hurry. Maybe you’re trying to snap a quick photo of a moment that will quickly pass or maybe you’re just feeling the pressure to share your image, like, right now! But just take a deep breath, step back and examine what you’re trying to capture. It’s possible you could frame your photo differently. Maybe there’s a prettier background nearby you could shoot against. If anything, having a steady hand and not rushing through the shot will ensure your photo comes out as crisply and as in-focus as possible. There’s nothing more frustrating than realizing you took a blurry snap of a moment you can’t recreate!

3. Be Angular 

Play around with different angles to see which captures your subject in the best way, or simply which one fits your personal style best! I’m a sucker for a good overhead shot, but try using close up shots taken from an indirect angle to highlight a fun detail or certain attribute of your subject. Head-on images are great for snapping a photo of your friends and wide angle images give you the chance to include more detail in a photo. @shopbando always seems to be finding new and vibrant ways to capture adorable images!

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2. Get Creative

What background you use for a photo has the potential to make or break an image. For example, if you’re trying to snap a photo of the super cute outfit you’re wearing one day, your audience will have a better chance to take note of and appreciate all the different elements if you’re not standing in the middle of a parking lot surrounded by parked cars. As a good rule of thumb, try using a solid or more neutral background for detailed, bold and intricate subjects. Simpler subjects really pop against a bright or patterned background. For example, @waitingonmartha has an amazing polka dot wall in her home that serves as a beautiful backdrop for small, simple products. Super eye-catching, right?

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1. Use Natural Light

This is my secret weapon, y’all! I prefer images that were shot in bright, natural light, so I only use available light in my images. Natural light does wonders when I am shooting my foil products, and it adds an airy quality that can’t be replicated. If you can, try setting up a shot next to a window or in an area that’s flooded with soft, bright light. Keep in mind that direct sunlight isn’t always the answer, as it often casts harsh shadows. I try to use soft, diffused light that shines in through indirect sunlight whenever I can to make sure my subject is evenly lit. This little snapshot of my messy desk looks much brighter and cleaner than if I’d relied on the overhead lighting fixture. Remember that artificial light will cast a slightly yellow or warm glow on your subject which isn’t always a desirable effect.

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For those of you who want the full scoop on how I shoot and edit my photos, I use my iPhone’s built in camera to capture an image. I then tweak the exposure and possibly the sharpness in the VSCO Cam app. If I’m feeling really wild, I’ll bump up the contrast one or two spots. And that’s it! For photos of my products, I usually shoot against a bright white background in natural light to get really clean images. Finding your photography style, even if it’s just off your cell phone, is a lot like finding your writing voice. Ultimately, find an aesthetic that’s a good fit for who you are, what you like and what portrays your subject in an accurate and flattering way. And don’t forget to have fun!