First things first: 5 Simple Habits Before You Even Snap a Photo

Before you even think about tapping that shutter button, do yourself (and your team) a favor. Check these five boxes. They take under 30 seconds and can instantly transform your smartphone photos from meh to “Wait, you took that on a phone?”

I teach this checklist in the first few minutes of my creative smartphone photography workshops for teams. Because whether you’re an HR leader organizing a fun online activity or a team member joining to try something new, mindset and small tweaks matter. These steps are about more than technical setup, they’re about slowing down, becoming present, and noticing details. That’s where creativity begins.

Let’s dive in.

1. Clean the Lens

Your pocket is not a photography-friendly environment. Smudges, lint, fingerprints — none of them add charm. Use a soft cloth or even your shirt. You’d be surprised how often this single step dramatically sharpens the image.

In workshops, we often laugh when someone realizes their “blurry camera” just needed a quick wipe.

2. Check the Light

Natural light is your best friend. Window light, outdoor shade, or even a cloudy sky beats overhead office fluorescents 90% of the time. Move your subject or your phone until you see a softer, more even result.

When teams do this together, it turns into a creative challenge. “Who can find the best light source in the room?” It becomes surprisingly fun and often sparks unexpected collaboration.

3. Turn On the Grid

Most phones let you display a 3x3 grid in the camera settings. This isn’t just for perfectionists, it’s a fast way to apply the rule of thirds, keep your horizon straight, and bring balance to your shots.

In a team session, this moment is usually when someone says, “I wish I knew this earlier.”

4. Lock Focus and Exposure

Tap and hold on the screen to lock focus and exposure. This prevents your phone from “hunting” for light or shifting things mid-shot. It’s simple, but powerful. And once you know it, you’ll never go back.

It’s also a way to bring intentionality into the moment, useful not just for solo photos, but for team selfies or visual storytelling activities in online sessions.

5. Declutter the Frame

Take one last look around the edges. Is there a trash bin in the corner? A tangled cord? An awkward elbow? Even a great shot loses its impact if the background distracts.

Teams are often amazed at how small framing tweaks elevate their photos, especially in our creative mobile photography workshops where storytelling is key.

Why This Matters for Teams

When teams learn to slow down and see like a photographer (even for just a few minutes) it changes how they show up. It’s not about perfection. It’s about curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.

In my workshops, we do this checklist together at the beginning. It sets the tone. Everyone’s engaged. And by the end of the session, they’re often surprised by how far they’ve come using just the device in their pocket.

Want to try it with your team? You can steal this checklist for your next team-building event or check out the full online workshop here.