Do you ever find yourself standing in front of a breathtaking sunset or a majestic mountain range, only to have your photo look like a flat, blurry version of the real thing? You aren’t alone! Many campers struggle to capture the magic of their adventures, especially when relying on a smartphone.

In this episode of the Girl Camper Podcast, Lesa McDermott sits down with professional landscape photographer Mandy Lea from Mandy Lea Photo. Mandy shares her “photographer mindset” and practical secrets to help you level up your photography game without needing a heavy DSLR camera.

The Secret to Great Photos: The Photographer Mindset

Mandy explains that the biggest difference between a “tourist” and a “photographer” is intentionality. A tourist hops out of the car, snaps a photo, and leaves. A photographer slows down.

Pro Tip: Before you click the shutter, do an “edge check.” Look at the corners of your frame. Is there a stray branch or a trash can distracting from your subject? Reposition yourself to keep your composition clean and focused.

3 Essential Smartphone Photography Tips for Campers

Most of us carry a powerful camera right in our pockets. Here is how to use it like a pro:

1. Turn on the Grid Lines: Go into your phone settings and enable the “Grid.” Use the Rule of Thirds by placing your subject where the lines intersect rather than dead-center.
2. Use Portrait Mode for People (and More!): Portrait mode isn’t just for headshots. It creates a beautiful “bokeh” (blurred background) that makes your subject pop.
3. Master the Exposure Slider: When taking a photo of a sunset or the moon, tap the brightest part of the screen and slide the little “sun” icon down. This prevents the sky from looking “blown out” and preserves those vibrant colors.

How to Photograph the Moon with Your Phone

One of the most common questions Mandy gets is: “How do I stop the moon from looking like a white blob?” The secret is exposure. Because the moon is a bright light source in a dark sky, your phone tries to brighten the whole image, which overexposes the moon. To fix this, tap the moon on your screen and drag the exposure slider all the way down until you see the craters and detail. For the best results, use a tripod to keep the phone steady!

Editing Like a Pro (For Free!)

You don’t need expensive software to make your photos shine. Mandy recommends Snapseed, a free app by Google. It allows you to selectively brighten areas, fix colors, and add professional touches in seconds.

Connect with Mandy Lea

Want to dive deeper into photography or join an outdoor workshop? Mandy and her partner Kendrick offer incredible backpacking and photography trips, including excursions to the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Park.

• Visit her website: MandyLeaPhoto.com
• Follow her on Social Media: @MandyLeaPhoto

Ready to hit the road? Check out our upcoming Girl Camper Events and put these new photography skills to the test!

https://youtu.be/HfNsg4aoCFM