Why You Shouldn’t Ditch Your Camera for Your Phone

It’s no secret our phones have become amazing little cameras. They’re quick, convenient, and always within reach. I’m guilty of documenting half my children’s lives on my phone, while my camera gear sits untouched just a few steps away. But as much as I love how easy it is to capture everyday life, I want to gently remind you: our phones can’t replace our cameras. Not entirely. It took a little month-long trip to New Zealand to remind me of that.

1. Your phone draws attention, your camera won't.

Phone photos are perfect for quick snaps. They freeze a moment, but often lack the feeling that a real camera captures. When I photograph my families, one of the first things I tell them is to avoid what I like to call “the phone smile and the hip pop”. You know the one standing in a line, arms around each other, a little tilt, and that practiced smile we’ve all perfected the moment a phone comes out. When I’m behind my camera, it’s different. I find people more often than not continue on with what they're doing. The camera documents the moments that often happen once the phone has been put away. It allows for depth, softness, and those fleeting in-between moments that make your story feel alive.

2. Our month in New Zealand reminded me why my camera matters

We recently spent a month exploring New Zealand as a family. At first, I wasn’t going to pack my camera. I had just come off one of my busiest months, and the thought of lugging around gear honestly daunted me. But my husband pushed me to take it, reminding me of our trip last year and how special those images are to us. I ended up packing my Canon 5D Mark IV, my 35mm f/1.2, and my Fujifilm X100T. Sure, my phone was there too, but the images that truly take me back, the misty mornings in the mountains, my kids running on the beach, those quiet coffee moments before the day began, they all came from my cameras.

The tones, the light, the depth… my camera caught what my phone simply couldn’t.

3. You’re more present with a camera

Funny thing, when I pick up my camera, I’m more intentional. I slow down.I see my family instead of scrolling, swiping, and snapping dozens of quick shots I’ll never look at again and end up culling when I am out of storage. Photography through a camera becomes an act of mindfulness. When I shoot with my camera, I notice the way my kids’ hair glows in the light, or the way their laughter fills a quiet afternoon.

4. A camera encourages creativity (and confidence)

One of my favourite things about my camera is that it isn’t just a tool, it’s a creative companion. It invites you to play with light, shadow, and perspective. Ever tried shooting at dusk, in a dim room, or under harsh midday sun with your phone? My phone automatically exposes to what it thinks it should, which often leaves that hazy white blown out sky. Cameras thrive in tricky light, heir sensors and lenses adapt far better to shadows, backlight, and fast-moving subjects. That means fewer blurry shots, less noise, and more true-to-life colours. You get photos that feel like the moment, not just a brightened version of it.

So don’t ditch your camera, dust it off.

Whether you’re documenting your newborn’s first days, your family’s Sunday morning chaos, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure like our month in New Zealand , your camera is a way to slow down and remember.

Of course, phone photos will always have their place, but your real camera helps you reconnect with your story in a deeper, more meaningful way. And if you’d love your memories captured for you, with all that depth, love, and light I’d be thrilled to help. Book your family or newborn session here

Some of our adventures