The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays to photograph—parades, sparklers, red-white-and-blue outfits… and of course, the grand finale: fireworks! But as beautiful as they are in real life, fireworks can be surprisingly tricky to capture on camera—especially in the dark.
Whether you’re using your phone or a DSLR, here are five easy tips to help you get photos that actually do those bursts of light justice—so you can remember the magic long after the sky goes dark.
1. Steady Your Camera (or Phone)
The #1 key to a good fireworks photo is no movement—from your hands or the camera. Fireworks happen in low light and need longer exposures, which means any tiny shake = blur.
📱 Phone tip: Prop your phone on a railing, fence, or use a mini tripod. If you have an Apple Watch or a Bluetooth remote, even better—no screen tapping needed.
📷 Camera tip: Use a tripod. Period. And if you have one, use a remote shutter or your self-timer.
2. Turn Off Flash & HDR
These features can actually work against you in fireworks shots.
📱 Phone tip: Turn off the flash and HDR (if it’s on) to avoid washing out the sky or getting weird light flares. Use “Night Mode” if available—but hold very still while it works!
📷 Camera tip: Flash won’t help in the distance, so turn it off. Skip HDR and go for manual control if possible.
3. Use a Slower Shutter Speed
You want to catch the full burst of a firework—not just the split second it explodes.
📱 Phone tip: Use the “Live” setting on iPhones, or download a slow shutter or manual camera app (like Halide or Slow Shutter Cam) for longer exposures.
📷 Camera tip: Try settings like ISO 100, aperture f/8-f/11, and shutter speeds between 1-4 seconds. Use manual or bulb mode if you’re feeling fancy!
4. Shoot Early (While the Sky Still Has Color)
The first 5–10 minutes after sunset give you just enough light in the sky to create contrast and depth, without losing the wow factor of the fireworks.
📱 & 📷 This is true for both! A little blue or purple in the background gives your photo more interest than a flat black sky.
5. Compose Thoughtfully
Fireworks are fun—but photos with context are better.
📱 & 📷 Try to include silhouettes of the crowd, buildings, a ferris wheel, or even your kid watching with wonder. Fireworks alone are pretty. Fireworks + a story? Now that’s magic.
Whether you’re using your phone or a DSLR, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s capturing the joy and awe of the moment. So take a few photos, and then put the camera down and enjoy the show ✨
Happy shooting—and happy summer!