Ask anyone who’s been out of high school for more than a few years what they wish they had more of and the answer is almost always photos. Not the prom photos or the graduation photos. Those exist and of course we love them. But candid, everyday photos are just too good. The Tuesday ones. The ones that didn’t seem worth taking at the time.

You know those everyday things that feel too ordinary to document but turn out to be exactly what you miss? Here’s a list worth thinking about before the year is done.

The photos that look professional from a phone are rarely about the phone itself. They are about light, timing, and a few settings most people never touch. Whether you are photographing friends at Dunnegan Park, documenting senior year at Bolivar High, or just want better photos in general, this is what actually makes the difference.

The goal here isn't to turn you into a photographer. I kind of believe if you can take a photo then you’re a photographer.

But the point is for you to like the photos you take because these moments are worth keeping. Here's what actually makes a difference: