📸 Holiday Phone Photos: How to Take Better Pictures with Your Smartphone (with Don Feria)

We’re diving into one of the most practical skills you can use this season taking better pictures with the camera you already carry everywhere: your phone. So this episode is called\, “Holiday Phone Photos: How to Take Better Pictures with Your Smartphone”.

Whether you’re snapping family moments, capturing that perfect holiday meal, or chasing kids and pets around the living room, this conversation with professional photographer and Stanford instructor Don Feria will help you turn ordinary phone shots into frame-worthy memories.

Episode Summary

Don and I first met years ago at the Palo Alto Weekly, where he was a talented photojournalist. Since then, he’s gone on to shoot Major League Baseball and teach cell phone photography at Stanford University Continuing Studies. In our conversation, we talk about how phone cameras have changed photography for everyone — making creativity more accessible while still rewarding those who understand a few key techniques.

We compare phones and DSLRs, discuss what the High Efficiency vs. Most Compatible setting on iPhones actually means, and cover practical advice for everyday photographers: how to find good light, clean up your backgrounds, frame group shots, and capture fast-moving kids and pets. Don also shares simple holiday-specific ideas — like using multiple phone flashlights to create soft light around the dinner table, or using burst mode and autofocus lock to nail that perfect candid shot.

We wrap up with editing and organization tips — from adding a little contrast for pop to keeping photo libraries backed up and labeled — and Don’s encouragement to plan your “mental shot list” before big events so you can focus on being present while still getting the photos you’ll treasure later.

Key Takeaways

• 📱 Know your phone’s settings: “High Efficiency” saves space and works great for sharing, while “Most Compatible” (JPEG) offers wider support for printing and uploads.
• 💡 Light is everything: Move near a window or large light source for softer, more flattering light. Avoid harsh overheads or direct flash when possible.
• 🖼️ Watch your background: Step left or right to eliminate distractions because even small shifts make a big difference in composition.
• 🐾 Use burst mode and autofocus lock: Great for kids, pets, or any moving subject; it helps you capture the right moment without stress.
• ✨ Plan before you shoot: Think through the photos you want, the table, the laughter, the action, so you’re ready when the moment happens.

Links & Resources

• 🎧 Listen to the full episode
• Don Feria Photography – donferia.com
• @donferia on Instagram
• Stanford University Continuing Studies – ARTSTUDI 173E “Cell Phone Photography”
• Referenced tools: iPhone Camera App (Portrait Mode, Burst Mode, Live Photos), Google Photos, iCloud Backup

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Have thoughts or photo wins from this episode? Email me at frank@yourtechmakeover.com. I’d love to hear from you.

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Thanks for listening and happy shooting!