Pro-quality photos with your phone!

Whether you’re snapping candids, group shots or selfies, take your pics to the next level with these little-known secrets from photographers

For kid shots switch to this mode

Children can be tricky moving targets for photographers. The secret to capturing them in the perfect pose? Take a video instead of a still shot. “It’s a quick way to get a lot of options,” says Amanda McConnell, a photographer who has spent the past 24 years taking photos of her nieces and nephews. To find the winning shot, watch the video clip, hit pause when you see the optimal moment, then take a screenshot. “Ta-da!” says McConnell. “Perfect photo—no yelling or retakes needed.”

ALSO SMART: Switch off your phone’s noise alerts. Nothing ruins a video (or photo) more than trying to capture a moment at the exact second your phone begins to ding from an incoming text message or call.