How to take Instagram-worthy photos like a professional


Game of Thrones Filiming Location in Spain
Game of Thrones filming location – Dragonstone / San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain

Best mobile camera accessories at a glance

Looking for unique and practical travel gifts? Here are my favorite iPhone camera accessories at a glance. They also work with other mobile phone models. Just make sure you select the correct model when you place your phone camera accessories order.

This post contains affiliate links to recommended products and services. While you will not accrue any additional costs to support my blog, I may receive compensation if you purchase those products and services. All images are taken by kmf and available for digital download.


The other day someone asked if the photos I post on Instagram are mine.

The answer is, “Yes, all photos I post on my blog and social platforms are taken by me on my iPhone.” There are a few exceptions here and there taken by family or friends (who get proper credit). And, occasionally, I’ll scan in a throwback photo.

Family vacation in Lower Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona
Lower Antelope Canyon | Page, Arizona
Sunrise at Lake Superior in Duluth Minnesota
Sunrise over Lake Superior | Duluth, Minnesota | Photo cred: My husband



I don’t consider myself a professional photographer, but back in the darkroom ages, I could possibly have passed as one when I worked as a daily newspaper journalist. I took all my photos on my 35mm Nikon (the kind that required real film). I even learned how to develop my own pictures.

Just don’t ask me to do it today. That was more than two decades ago.

Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior
Split Rock Lighthouse | Two Harbors, Minnesota

One of my never-leave-home-without-it accessories is my battery charger. I’ve found Anker to be the best portable charger for phones. It charges quickly and retains a charge for hours…sometimes days. My two favorite portable chargers are:

  • Anker PowerCore 10000, One of The Smallest and Lightest 10000mAh External Batteries, Ultra-Compact Portable Charger, High-Speed Charging Technology Power Bank for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and More
  • Anker PowerCore Slim 10000, Ultra Slim Portable Charger, Ultra-Compact 10000mAh External Battery, High-Speed PowerIQ and VoltageBoost Charging Technology Power Bank for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and More



Street art in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Street art | Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Here are a few of my favorite mobile phone camera accessories that I use frequently with my iPhone 7 (yes, I need to upgrade soon) and recommend if you take photos on your phone. Again, make sure when you order your mobile phone accessories that you are ordering for your specific model.


If you’re not great at group selfies or want to include more in your shot without any distortion, try the Moment wide-angle lens for iPhone, Pixel, Samsung, Galaxy, and OnePlus camera phones.

Note: This product requires you to purchase an M-series Photo Case or Battery Photo Case to attach the lens to your phone (see below for details.) When ordering, please make sure the product is compatible with your phone model.


And when I need to zoom in, I use the iPhone 7 Moment tele 58mm lens for iPhone, Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and OnePlus Camera Phones.

Note: This product requires you to purchase an M-series Photo Case or Battery Photo Case to attach the lens to your phone (see below for details.) When ordering, please make sure the product is compatible with your phone model.


Butterly garden at Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo | Apple Valley, Minnesota

And the lenses are durable. I may have dropped my lenses once or twice with no damage. To keep your hands free, I also recommend the Moment adjustable camera neck strap or the Moment camera wrist strap. Also consider the Moment lens pouch, which holds up to two lenses.

These lenses attach easily to the required photo case. All you do is line the lens up with the line as indicated and rotate. When ordering, make sure you are ordering the correct lens and case that’s compatible with your mobile phone.

Here are a couple of recommended mobile phone camera cases. I own a regular black case and am considering the battery version.

Note: When ordering iPhone camera accessories, please make sure the product is compatible with your phone model.


Beach - Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii - Fisherman
Fisherman | Maui, Hawaii


I only recommend products and services that I use or would use. These are, in my opinion, the best iPhone camera accessories and perfect gift ideas for travelers and shutterbugs.

Pin it for later – travel gift guides and photography gift guides

Pin a post for later when you need to purchase the best gifts for travelers.


water lilies on a lake in Minnesota

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Author

Twin Cities-based blogger sharing memorable emptynester, solo, family and girlfriend-getaway adventures, as well as my day hiking adventures (including all 66 Minnesota state parks), latest book reviews, and updates on my quest for the best adult mac and cheese. Also two WIPs: historical fiction and psychological thriller

32 comments

  1. I’ve always wanted a lens for my camera. I suppose this confirms that desire. Thanks for the tips!.

    1. You’re welcome! I really like mine and am looking into the new Moment lens that adds 2x zoom (reviews say it provides even better quality than the one I have).

    1. I actually used the zoom lens today at a botanical garden…Moment now has a lens that adds 2x zoom and reviews say it provides even better quality than the lens I have so looking into that.

  2. Love this – I just saw someone the other day with a lens on their iPhone and wondered about it. I just may look into this!

  3. This was really great info we will be able to use in our photos and video. Also love the photos. ❤️

  4. I just got a nicer iPhone – XR. I always rely on Tom for the pictures with his Canon Rebel, but there are some pictures from Rome that I told him to take because I think I have an eye for what makes a good shot. Maybe I’ll start including some of my pics in the blog posts.

  5. This is great! I am a professional photographer so I do take my big camera everywhere with me and it’s a pain. I only take pictures on it that I am planning to sell and everything else I do with my phone. So much easier that way!

  6. I have traveled a few cities. My dream is to travel 100 cities before my 50. One of my college friend already traveled more than 100 cities. She is not from any millionaire family. I had to spend around $1k to travel a single city. So, I am curious how can I afford traveling… Would you suggest me any budget way…!

    1. Wow! 100 cities is an ambitious goal…love it! Many factors play into planning affordable travel – departure city, destination city, attractions, dining, events, lodging, transportation, etc. Here are a few of my tips when I’m planning a getaway.

      Transportation: Is it cheaper to fly or drive? If you’re located in the states, one of my favorite places to find great air travel rates is thriftytraveler.com (and follow on social). He provides daily unpublished airfare rates and I’m signed up for the Premium account where we sends us even better deals. It’s only around $30 and pays for itself (I just returned from Spain a couple of weeks ago, and my airfare was only $250 roundtrip! A deal I learned about on his site).

      Sign up for credit cards where you can earn points toward airfare or hotels; and also sign up for all loyalty programs at hotels and airlines.

      Visit during the off-season. You can usually find better rates for everything if you go when they are at low capacity. Search your destination + off-peak season to learn more.

      I also combine some locations into one trip. If I’m going to Europe, I may plan to visit other cities or countries since I’m already there (taking EuroRail is more affordable than flying to Europe each time). Or look into having overnight layovers in some of the hub cities (Amsterdam for example).

      For great deals on vacation packages, subscribe to my brand new travel agency website I launched yesterday where you can subscribe and look for great deals on vacation packages. You can find my site at: karenmellottfoshier.inteletravel.com.

      You can also subscribe to my blog and monthly newsletter where I’ll share travel tips, travel deals and promos. https://kmfiswriting.com/signup.

      Good luck and safe travels!

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