Your athlete is out there giving it their all, and you want to capture those unforgettable moments—the game-winning shot, the record-breaking sprint, the intense focus before the play. But let’s be real: taking good sports photos with a phone is tricky. Action moves fast, lighting is rarely ideal, and those blurry shots are absolutely frustrating.

The good news? Whether you’re wondering how to take sports photos with your iPhone or an Android, a few simple tricks can help you get better shots—without needing an expensive camera. Here are five tips to improve your sports photography with just your smartphone.

1. Use Burst Mode to Capture Fast Action

Sports move fast, and if you’re only taking one photo at a time, chances are you’ll miss the best moment. That’s where Burst Mode comes in.

On iPhone: Hold down the shutter button (or swipe left on the shutter in newer models with latest software).
On Android: Hold down the shutter button to take a series of rapid-fire shots.

This gives you multiple frames to choose from instead of just hoping you caught the right one. After the play, scroll through the images and keep the sharpest, most dynamic shot.

2. Get Low for a More Dramatic Angle

Want your athlete to look like a superstar? Change your perspective. Instead of shooting at eye level, kneel or crouch down and angle the phone slightly upward.

This makes the athlete look larger-than-life, adds depth to your shot, and gives your photo that professional feel.

3. Adjust Your Camera Settings for Better Focus & Exposure

Your phone’s auto mode does a passable job, but tweaking a few settings can make a big difference.

Tap to focus: Always tap on your athlete before taking the shot to ensure they’re sharp.
Adjust exposure: If the photo looks too dark or too bright, slide your finger up or down on the screen to adjust.
Use a fast shutter speed (if available): Some apps allow manual settings—faster shutter speeds help freeze the action.

If your phone has a Pro Mode (Android) or third-party camera apps like Halide (iPhone), you can manually control settings for even better results.

4. Avoid Zoom—Get Closer Instead

It’s tempting to zoom in, but most phone cameras use digital zoom, which just crops the image and reduces quality. Instead:

✅ Move closer to the action if possible.
✅ If you can’t, try cropping the photo later instead of zooming while shooting.

If your phone has a telephoto lens (some newer iPhones and Androids do), use that instead of digital zoom. But be careful, digital zoom usually kicks in automatically if you zoom in too far.

5. Use Good Lighting to Your Advantage

Lighting is everything in photography. Since phone cameras struggle in low light, follow these tips:

Shoot with the sun behind you, not behind your athlete, to avoid silhouettes.
If indoors, position yourself near brighter areas of the gym.
Use night mode for low-light games, but don’t expect miracles—night sports photos are tough on phones and often lead to photos with a lot of blur or weird artifacting.

Why Hiring a Professional Is Even Better

Now, let’s be honest. You can take decent sports photos with your phone—but at what cost? You’re stuck behind your screen, missing the actual game while trying to snap the perfect shot.

That’s where a professional sports photographer (hey, that’s me!) comes in. When you hire TriStar Visuals, you get:

📸 Stunning, high-quality action shots—way better than what a phone can capture.
🙌 The freedom to actually watch and enjoy the game instead of stressing over photos.
⭐ Photos that make your athlete look like a pro, using lighting and angles you just can’t get with a smartphone.

So, go ahead and snap a few shots if you want—but when you’re ready for truly next-level sports photos, let’s talk. Your athlete deserves more than a basic phone pic.

📩 Ready to capture your athlete’s best moments? Contact me today and let’s plan a shoot!