Want to take amazing photos at your resort without fancy equipment or complicated techniques? This guide is perfect for beginners using just their phone. Let’s make capturing those dreamy vacation memories simple and fun!

1. Look for New Perspectives

Get creative with your angles! Try shooting from low to the ground, looking up at palm trees, or capturing reflections in pools or windows. Changing your perspective makes photos stand out.

2. Use the Rule of Thirds

Turn on the gridlines in your phone’s camera settings. Place your subject along these lines or at their intersections for balanced, eye-catching compositions.

For this photo ↑ I could have cropped it so that the man was perfectly aligned with the gridline. However, I love how the extra beach in the frame adds balance and context, making it just as important as the subject. Rules are made to be broken, use them as guides and play around with it a bit to see what you like!

3. Pay Attention to Lighting

Natural light is your best friend. Early morning or late afternoon (golden hour) offers soft, warm light that’s perfect for photos. While most photographers recommend avoiding harsh midday sun, I kind of like the challenge of trying to work with it. If your subject is in bright sunlight, experiment with shadows, angles, or using a shaded background to make them stand out.

4. Look for Patterns and Fun Shapes

Patterns are everywhere – look for repeating shapes, lines, or colours in resort architecture, tiled floors, or beach umbrellas. Incorporating patterns into your shots adds visual interest and a sense of rhythm.

5. Focus on the Details

Capture small things that make the resort special: a colourful cocktail, unique tiles, or fresh flowers. These close-up shots add variety to your photo collection.

6. Use Leading Lines

Look for pathways, fences, or edges of pools that guide the viewer’s eye into the photo. Leading lines create depth and make your pictures more dynamic.

7. Avoid Overusing Filters

Editing apps can enhance your photos, but keep it simple. Adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation slightly to bring out natural colours without overdoing it. My tips for editing on an iPhone are as follows:

• Adjust lighting as needed – tweak the exposure, brilliance & brightness to get the right balance.
• Decrease highlights (unless I have a very white spot in my photo – like the cloud below) and increase shadows a tiny bit.
• Increase contrast moderately – too much can make the photo look over-edited.
• Adjust the black point to add depth—raise it for stronger contrast or lower it for a softer, film-like feel.
• Reduce the saturation slightly and then bring the colour back to the spots that need it using the vibrance slider.
• Add a touch of warmth and a bit of pink tint for a natural glow.
• Sharpen your image and enhance definition slightly for a crisp, clear look.
• If your subject is in the center, add a subtle vignette to make them pop – just don’t overdo it.

My Favourite Tip: Play around with the sliders and see what you like and don’t like for each picture. Eventually, you’ll notice common edits that you enjoy applying to most photos, helping you develop your own unique style!

8. Frame Your Shot

Use natural frames like doorways, windows, or arches to draw attention to your subject. This technique gives a really unique perspective to your photos!

Pro Tip: This works best when all the elements in your photo are symmetrical and straight. Try to avoid crooked lines or warped images by using the gridlines and level tools in your camera settings!

9. Practice Patience

Wait for the right moment—like when the pool area is empty or when the sun is just right. Taking your time can make a big difference in your results.

10. Look for texture

Textures can add depth and interest to your photos. Look for unique surfaces like rippling water, sandy footprints, woven beach chairs, or intricate stonework. Getting close and capturing these details can make your images feel more dynamic and immersive.

Most importantly, have fun and experiment! Some of your best shots might come from trying something new or unexpected. Enjoy capturing your vacation memories, and next time bring me with you 😜