Stop us if you’ve heard this before: The new iPhone 16 camera is a game changer. Whenever the latest edition of a smartphone comes out, a lot of focus is inevitably placed on the camera upgrades, so it can be hard to track what’s actually different and improved—which is why Toronto-based artist/photographer Briony Douglas wanted to put her new device to the test in a stunning photo shoot with The Birds Papaya content creator Sarah Nicole Landry. “When I approached [Landry] about shooting, I knew I wanted to create something that showcased the incredible details of the iPhone, so I asked to do a close-up portrait using tulle,” she tells us over email. “The reason I opted for tulle is because capturing all those tiny holes is not an easy task, and you can see the power of the new camera in these photos. Also, I just love an ethereal moment.” 

It’s safe to say that Douglas was immediately impressed with the new features she saw, such as the Camera Control button (more on that below) and the 12 megapixel ultra-wide lens (which is perfect for capturing a larger field of view up close with less warping at the sides). There are also new Photographic Styles, which make it easier to experiment with different looks on your images. “The iPhone is great for people that necessarily don’t know how to adjust settings on a DSLR, for example; adjusting [the iPhone] for them allows the user to automatically have amazing photos,” she tells us over email. “That being said, as a photographer (and a control freak), I want to be able to control those settings on my own, so I love that with the new update I can control those on my own in the camera. I have always loved shooting with my iPhone but the iPhone 16 took it to another level.”

That’s why we asked Douglas for some of her best photography tips when using an iPhone 16. (Douglas shot Landry with an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but many of the features apply across the lineup.) After all, you don’t need to be a pro to capture IG-ready photos that will impress everyone on your feed—or that just make for a very happy memory.

Hold Your iPhone 16 Camera Like A DSLR

An iPhone may be much smaller than a professional camera, but that doesn’t mean you should treat it all that differently, according to Douglas. She sets up her shots in the same way—something that’s become so much easier with the new Camera Control feature, which enables you to access the camera app and certain settings with a dedicated button. You can click it to open your camera and snap a photo, hold it to record video and slide your finger over it to adjust things like your zoom, exposure, depth and more. “Camera Control made it much easier to shoot, and allowing me to have more control in frame is a photographer’s dream,” she says.  

Watch Your Light

“Although the iPhone does compensate for dimly lit scenarios, I try to make sure we are angling our subject towards the light,” Douglas says. “This will illuminate the face and make sure they are not back lit.” Another lighting tidbit that may surprise you? “A cloudy day is more of your friend than a sunny one! The clouds act as a natural diffuser.”

Exposure Makes a Difference

As Douglas already mentioned, adjusting the exposure—the amount of light reaching the sensor—on your iPhone 16 camera is easier than ever thanks to Camera Control (just slide your finger!), so she recommends getting comfortable with trying different things with it. This is perfect for, say, capturing the-ever-hard-to-photograph moon, but also has plenty of practical uses. “I also use this trick when I am photographing subjects near neon lights or other bright light sources,” she says.

Consider Your Perspective

“I like to take a moment to think about the angles I am shooting,” says Douglas. “When I want to evoke a sense of empowerment, I shoot the subject from below rather than straight on.” 

Don’t Forget About Portrait Mode

By now, Portrait Mode is a feature we’re all used to on our iPhones, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about it. “It will forever be my favourite lens on the iPhone—it always makes me feel like my images are elevated,” Douglas says. “Take a moment to centre your subject and really make the photo pop.” 

The One Thing To Never Forget

“This isn’t technical, but remember to clean your lens!” says Douglas. “My iPhone 16 adventures with me everywhere I go, and sometimes I can get a smudge on there, so I always take two seconds to clean it off before shooting.”

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