Lifestyle Portrait Photographer

JENNA DUNCAN

5 Essential Tips for Beginner iPhone Photography for Moms in Houston: How to Capture Emotion & Create Beautiful Photos + Lightroom Mobile Presets for Beautiful Edits

April 9, 2025

As a mom, each moment with your child is a fleeting treasure—one you’ll want to hold close for years to come. From their contagious laughter to the quiet wonder in their eyes, these moments are rich with emotion, waiting to be captured. As a Momma myself and a professional photographer of twelve years, I want to help you freeze these moments at home so that you can hold on to them forever! Below I am sharing five essential tips to help you preserve the heart and soul of everyday life through your lens or iPhone. Plus, I’m sharing my Beautiful iPhone Photography Course and my brand new Lightroom Mobile Preset to help you create beautiful one-click edits on your photos right from your phone!

Toddler girl sitting on the couch at home, captured with an iPhone after iPhone photography course, edited with light and airy Lightroom mobile preset for bright, warm edits
  1. Get on Their Level: To truly capture the essence of your child’s world, step into their shoes—literally. By lowering your camera to their eye level, you can immerse yourself in their emotions. Whether it’s the sparkle of excitement in their eyes or the tender calm of a quiet moment, photographing from their perspective creates a more intimate, connected image.

  1. Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are where emotions live—the gleam of curiosity, the warmth of a smile, or the depth of a quiet thought. When framing your shot, make sure their eyes are sharp and in focus. It’s in those subtle glances and expressive gazes that you’ll find the magic of childhood, forever frozen in time. If you need help with how to focus from you iPhone, check out my Beautiful iPhone Photography course available HERE.

  1. Wait for the Unposed Moment: Some of the most powerful photos are the ones you didn’t plan. Rather than coaxing your little one into a posed smile, watch for moments when they are lost in their own world—playing, thinking, or laughing naturally. These candid, unposed moments hold a beauty that no amount of direction can replicate.

  1. Capture Movement and Connection: Kids are full of life and energy. Instead of waiting for stillness, embrace the movement—the flutter of their hair as they run, the soft giggle as they chase their sibling, or the way their hands touch something with wonder. These dynamic moments reveal the true emotion and joy of childhood.

  1. Use the Softness of Natural Light There’s a magic in the way sunlight dances on your child’s face. Whenever possible, shoot in natural light, especially during the soft, golden glow of early morning or late afternoon. The warmth of the light adds a dreamy, ethereal quality, enhancing the emotion and tenderness of each moment. If you need help with how to find the best lighting even for photos from your iPhone, check out my Beautiful iPhone Photography course available HERE.

I hope you will enjoy incorporating these simple yet powerful techniques to transform your everyday moments into beautiful memories, Momma. The laughter, the quiet moments, the hugs—these are the emotions that make life so sweet. And with each click, you’ll create a timeless story of love, joy, and childhood wonder.

Boy standing on beautiful white steps in Alys Beach, Florida, captured with an iPhone after iPhone photography course, edited with light and airy Lightroom mobile preset for warm, bright edits.

Want More?

If you’re ready to take your photos to the next level, I’ve created a course specifically designed to help moms like you capture beautiful, heartfelt moments using just your iPhone! With step-by-step instructions, I’ll teach you how to create stunning images effortlessly. This quick and easy course has received amazing reviews from all who have purchased it! I recently had the privilege of teaching it at the Northwest Houston Mothers of Multiples annual convention!

My Beautiful iPhone Photography Course is available to purchase HERE!

New Lightroom Mobile Preset Available!

I’m SO excited to now offer my very own, custom designed Lightroom mobile preset that you can use to transform your everyday photos into beautifully airy, timeless images with just one click! I created this just for YOU, drawing from my own experience as a mom who captures daily moments with her iPhone, while holding the eye and standards of a professional photographer.

Whether you’re capturing a candid moment or a quiet portrait, this beautiful preset will give your photos that soft, dreamy quality you love. Simply open your iPhone photo in the free Lightroom app and apply my preset and DONE — you have a beautifuly light and airy, edited image from your phone!

My Lightroom Mobile Preset “Everyday Airy” is available to purchase HERE!

Palm trees in Alys Beach, Florida, captured with an iPhone edited with light and airy Lightroom mobile preset for warm, bright edits for moms on the go.
Two kids playing on Galveston beach, captured with an iPhone after iPhone photography course, edited with light and airy Lightroom mobile preset for bright, warm edits

Jenna Duncan Photography has a studio wardrobe, with gowns for moms from her favorite designers along with a few wardrobe choices for babies and toddlers like the items worn above. She works with select hair and makeup artists who are available to book prior to your session if you choose. Jenna Duncan shoots her sessions in her outdoor field or her private, bright and airy in-home studio.

Jenna Duncan is a Texas family photographer and specializes in luxury, lifestyle maternity, newborn, and family photography in the Memorial area of Houston, TX.

If you love these photos, and are looking for a Texas family photographer or maternity photography I would love to work with you. Jenna Duncan has over 8 years of family photography experience and adores her job and clients! To see more of my portfolio please visit my homepage. To receive more details or begin planning a session for your family, please click the contact link at the top of this page or email me directly at jennaduncanphotography@gmail.com

Sessions are currently booking through June 2024. To ensure availability, please reach out to reserve your date early.

About Jenna