How to Take Incredible Hiking Photos with Just Your Phone

A fiery sunset captured with my cell phone at Elk Island  

Big thanks to Meg for having me as a guest blogger here on Take a Hike with Meg! I’m another outdoorsy Megan, and also a professional photographer based in Jasper.

I started my photography journey years ago with nothing but my cell phone because, at the time, that’s all I had. I was always out hiking, travelling, exploring, and I wanted to capture those moments.

Captured on a trail on Vancouver Island

That’s how I learned the fundamentals of photography, and even though I now shoot professionally with high-end camera gear, I still believe that the best camera is the one you have on hand. And for most people on the trail, that’s their phone.

Nowadays, phone cameras are surprisingly powerful. They capture clear, high-quality images that are perfect for social media, and with a little creativity, you can get some seriously impressive hiking photos.

There are some limitations, like reduced clarity when zooming in or printing images at a large scale, but for documenting your adventures, a phone is an excellent tool. Here are some tips to help you capture professional-quality hiking photos with just your phone.

1. Pay Attention to Composition

Good composition is key to making a photo stand out, whether you’re using a phone or a high-end camera.

Use the rule of thirds to balance your shot, frame your subject naturally with trees or rocks, and look for leading lines in the landscape to draw the viewer’s eye into the image.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles—crouching low can add depth with foreground elements, while shooting from a higher vantage point can create a more dynamic perspective.

(Left: A quick shot of Mt. Edith Cavell here in Jasper, note the leading lines)

2. Take Advantage of Golden Hour

Taken in Waterton National Park during golden hour

The best light for photography happens during golden hour—roughly the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. The lower angle of the sun creates softer, more flattering light and richer colours in the sky.

But if you’re out hiking midday and dealing with harsh light, try adjusting the exposure manually or using an editing app afterwards to balance the highlights and shadows.

3. Use a Polarizer (or Improvise One)

A polarizing filter can make a huge difference in outdoor photography by cutting glare from water and enhancing the blues in the sky. You can actually buy small clip-on polarizers for your phone, which work the same way as professional camera filters. If you don’t have one, you can improvise by holding a pair of polarized sunglasses over your lens—it won’t be perfect, but it can help.

Working with the sun using a polarizer and embracing the sun flares

4. Keep Your Lens Clean

It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget. When you’re out hiking, your phone gets handled a lot, and a dirty lens can lead to blurry or hazy images. A quick wipe with a soft cloth (or even your shirt) before you take a shot can make a huge difference in clarity.

5. Experiment with Manual Controls

Most phones allow you to adjust exposure manually, which gives you more control over how bright or dark your image is. If your phone has a Pro or Manual mode, play around with settings like shutter speed and ISO. A longer exposure (with a mini tripod or stable surface) can create cool effects like silky water or better night shots.

This photo of the Jasper Park Lodge was taken with a longer exposure on my cell phone

6. Use Burst Mode for Action Shots

If you’re trying to capture movement, like a friend hiking along a ridge or jumping across rocks, use burst mode. On iPhone you hold down your shutter button and drag it to the left.

On an Android you just hold down the shutter button and slide down, with that your phone should take a series of rapid shots. Later, you can go back and pick the sharpest frame. This is also a great trick if you’re taking photos of wildlife.

(Right: I captured this photo of a friend gathering up his rope using burst mode.)

7. Stabilize Your Shot for Long Exposures

This was captured using a mini tripod and an exposure time of 1 second, set manually in my phone.

If you’re shooting in low light or want to capture something like a waterfall with a soft blur effect, keeping your phone steady is key. A small tripod is ideal, but if you don’t have one, find a sturdy rock to rest your phone on.

Avoid trees unless it’s a completely still day—wind can cause them to move, which will blur your shot. Using your phone’s timer function can also help prevent camera shake.

8. Get Creative with Perspective

Some of the best hiking shots include a human element to give a sense of scale. A person standing in front of a massive mountain makes the landscape feel even more dramatic. I also like to have my subject facing away from the camera—it helps the viewer imagine themselves in that scene.

(Right: I shot this on a backcountry hiking trip to Geraldine Lakes in Jasper. You can really get a sense of the valley below in this photo.)

9. Edit Thoughtfully

A little bit of editing can go a long way in making a photo pop. I like using Photoshop Express to tweak highlights, lift shadows, and slightly increase warmth and saturation. The key is not to go overboard; overly saturated images can look unnatural. Keep your edits subtle so they enhance the photo without making it look over-processed.

Some editing, especially after shooting in harsh lighting conditions, can really improve your images.

10. Protect Your Phone

Hiking can be rough on gear, and your phone is no exception. If it’s not already in a weatherproof case, consider keeping it in a small dry bag. Cold temperatures can also drain your battery fast, so bringing a small power bank or keeping your phone insulated at night can help prevent it from dying on longer trips.

Just another day in paradise!

At the end of the day, the best hiking photos aren’t just about the view, they’re about the experience. The moments when you’re caught in the rain, taking a much-needed water break, or laughing at how many mosquito bites you’ve collected often make for the most interesting and memorable shots. So have fun with it, experiment, and capture the adventure in a way that feels real to you.

Thanks again to Meg for having me on her blog! If you ever find yourself in Jasper and are hoping to have your own professional photos captured, feel free to check out my work at Megan Posein Photography. See you on the trails!