The holidays are here, and you know what that means: twinkling lights, cozy vibes, and the perfect backdrop for dreamy photos.

Ever wondered how to get that soft, glowing blur of light (a.k.a. bokeh) in your pictures? Don’t worry, you don’t need a fancy camera. Your phone can absolutely do the job!

Let’s break it down so you can snap those magical shots like a pro.

Step 1: Find Your Sparkle

Bokeh magic happens when there’s a light source in the background. Holiday string lights, candles, a glowing Christmas tree, these are your best friends. The more lights, the better!

Step 2: Create Some Depth

Bokeh works when your subject is up close to the camera, and the lights are farther away in the background.

For example, hold a mug of hot cocoa or have a friend pose about 4 feet from the lights. Make sure there’s more space between your subject and the lights than between you and your subject. This creates the space needed for that dreamy blur.

Step 3: Switch to Portrait Mode

Most smartphones have a portrait mode (sometimes called “Live Focus” or “Depth Effect”). Turn that on! It’s designed to blur the background and make your subject pop. And that’s exactly what we want for the bokeh to appear!

Step 4: Focus on the Details

Tap on your screen to focus on your subject (the person, mug, or whatever you’re highlighting). Your camera will adjust the background to get that delicious blur of lights.

Pro tip: If the bokeh isn’t strong enough, move your subject closer to the camera and make sure the lights stay further away.

Step 5: Experiment and Have Fun

Play around with angles and distances to see what works best.

This season, take a second to capture the twinkle around you. Whether it’s your tree, your people, or just a quiet moment with a candle, bokeh adds a little sparkle to the everyday.

Tag me in your holiday bokeh shots! I’d love to see the magic you create!

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