PHOTOGRAPHY

TOP TOOLS FOR CAPTURING STUNNING IMAGES

Moment External Lens Set

(Starting at $99.99)

I have tested several external lenses for my iPhone over the years, and these lenses by Moment are definitely my favorites. Not only do they make capturing stunning shots easy (I especially love the macro lens), but they are incredibly durable and easy to clean. After months of using the same lenses, they inevitably get dirty and your image quality suffers if you don't clean them regularly. While attaching the lenses to my iPhone is simple, it unfortunately does require you to use one of Moment's special iPhone cases. However, Moment's cases are beautiful, and I think the sacrifice is totally worth it if you love photography.

LitraTorch 2.0 ($89.95)

Even though Apple has improved the flash on newer iPhone models, I still avoid it because it has a tendency to make my subjects' faces look shiny. I recommend this light by Litra. It's rugged, waterproof, and offers professional-quality lighting for your portraits or videos. It illuminates your subjects without being too harsh, and unlike the iPhone flash, the LitraTorch's lighting is adjustable.

Mophie Powerstation Plus with Lightning Connector ($79.95)

Portable chargers are really useful when taking lots of pictures. I recommend this 6,040 mAh battery by Mophie. It packs a lot of power, is small enough to fit easily into your bag, and best of all has a Lightning cable built right in. That means you won't have to deal with any extra wires in your bag (and I don't know about you, but that is a big selling point for me).

Bumbag Co. Casual Bags (Starting at $19.95)

You're going to want a place to store all of your gear—and Bumbag has a variety of fun, affordable options! Hip bags can be really useful if you are out exploring the woods with your gear, as they allow you to test out different angles without your bag getting in the way. The company's simple shoulder bags are also great and offer an easy way to carry your accessories.

Joby GripTight One GP Magnetic Impulse Tripod ($59.95)

I can't tell you how many times I have had to balance my phone on my car or purse or other unstable surface in order to snap a photo of myself somewhere. This tripod has been such a great tool in those situations. Its bendable legs help me adapt it to a variety of surfaces. I particularly love its magnetic feet, which I have used to attach my phone securely to metal objects like my car or a flag pole. And best of all, this tripod is tiny enough that I can easily carry it in my bag.