Every year, I plan to book a photographer in advance to take those print-worthy holiday shots, which I'll send to loved ones. But between busy schedules, surging fees and life in general, I always end up doing it myself. I've gotten surprisingly good at capturing almost pro-level shots with just my iPhone , Apple Watch , and a tripod. Here's how.

Level up your portrait mode

Portrait mode is what creates that blurred background effect in a shot, and it's my go-to camera mode for holiday photos, people and pets. This is what professional photographers call the "bokeh" effect, which adds contrast between the background and foreground, making your subject stand out. Just slide to the Portrait option at the bottom of the camera screen, tap on the subject, wait until the focus box

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