Smartphone photography tips for authentic comms
In my recent blog about comms trends for 2026, one theme kept coming up again and again: people are craving trust and authenticity. As AI-generated content becomes more common, audiences are increasingly drawn to things that feel real, human and grounded in lived experience.
One of the simplest ways to show that authenticity?
Imagery and video that genuinely reflect your work and the people behind it.
You can get very technical with photography – but you don’t need to. This blog is about stripping things back and showing that anyone can take a good photo (or video). If you’ve got a smartphone, you already have everything you need to give people a window into your world and the impact of your work.
Here are some simple, practical tips to help you get better visuals – without overthinking it.
Simple tips for taking better photos
1. Clean your lens (seriously!)
Before you snap away, give your camera lens a quick wipe on your sleeve or a soft cloth. A smudged lens is one of the biggest causes of blurry or “low-quality” photos – even when your phone camera is actually very good.
2. Think about your background
Take a second to look at what’s behind your subject. Fire exit signs, stacked chairs, bins, bags or general clutter can easily distract the eye from what you want people to focus on. A small step to the side – or asking someone to move a bag or chair – can make a huge difference.
3. Take a few snaps
Don’t rely on just one photo. Take several – you can always delete them later. This massively increases your chances of:
- Everyone having their eyes open
- A sharper image
- Capturing a more natural moment
(And don’t worry about storage – you don’t need to keep them all)
4. Use the “rule of thirds” (easy version!)
This sounds technical, but it really isn’t. Imagine your screen is divided into nine boxes. Try placing the main subject slightly off-centre rather than directly in the middle.
Why does this work? Photos often feel more natural and balanced when the focus point isn’t dead centre. Our eyes like a bit of space. Most smartphones let you turn on grid lines in camera settings and you can always crop later if needed.
5. Think about the light
Lighting doesn’t need to be perfect – but it does matter.
A simple rule:
- Don’t take photos facing the sun or a bright light
- Try to have the light on the subject, not behind them
If faces look dark or shadowy, change your position rather than fighting the light.
6. Try candid shots
People often look more relaxed and authentic when they’re not posing for the camera. While there’s a time and place for a formal group photo, candid shots of people chatting, working, laughing or concentrating often feel warmer and more human. These are the kinds of images that build trust.
7. Don’t be afraid to be “bossy” (when needed!)
If you’re doing a group shot, it’s absolutely fine to:
- Ask people to shuffle closer
- Move a distracting plant, bag or chair
- Suggest where people stand
A little direction can turn an “okay” photo into a really usable one.
8. Practice and don’t overthink it
Like anything else, taking photos gets easier with practice. The key thing to remember is: we’re not aiming for AI-level perfection.
We’re looking for:
- Real people
- Real places
- Real moments
Good-quality, natural images tell your story far better than something overly polished or generic.
What about video?
The same principles apply when filming video, but there are a few extra things to keep in mind…
Add movement (with care)
Adding movement to your footage can engage your audience even more. For example, you might walk while you talk or film short clips of activity rather than static shots.
Just remember: always ask permission from anyone who may be in shot or within eyeshot, especially in public or shared spaces.
Simple video filming checklist
If you’re filming a short video (around 45 seconds), here are some practical guidelines to help it look and sound professional:
- Film in landscape (1920 x 1080px)
- Make sure there’s no background noise
- Check sound quality first before doing the final recording – this is really important
- Use a mic wherever possible
- Film so your eyes sit roughly mid-screen
- Film in daylight (avoid artificial lighting)
- Don’t film in front of a window
- Be aware of what’s behind you
- A plain wall or bookshelf works well
- Avoid clutter
- Don’t wear the same colour as your background
- If you’re filming at home, a blank wall is absolutely fine – just make sure you don’t blend into it.
Quick summary
For photos:
- Clean your lens
- Think about your background
- Take a few snaps
- Use the rule of thirds
- Consider your lighting
- Try candid shots
- Practice!
For video:
- Keep it short and simple
- Prioritise good sound
- Use daylight
- Think about framing, background and movement
