5 Tips for Taking Better Boat Photos on Your Phone

Even for experienced photographers, boat photos can be tricky. After all, you’ve got movement, unpredictable lighting, and constantly shifting angles, even if you aren’t sailing across the water at a hundred miles an hour. But when the backdrop is that stunning stretch of open water or a glowing Georgian Bay sunset, it’s worth getting it right.

Here are five tips for taking better boat photos on your phone, so you can capture those moments clearly and confidently—no fancy gear required.

1. Understand Your Phone Camera Settings for Motion

A rocking boat doesn’t wait for your camera to catch up. That’s why knowing your phone’s motion settings in advance matters.

Of course, it depends on the brand, but most newer phones tend to have a built-in “Action” or “Motion” mode, designed specifically to sharpen fast-moving subjects, and you’ll want to enable this setting if you're shooting while cruising. If your phone lets you adjust shutter speed manually, opt for a faster shutter (like 1/500 or quicker) to freeze motion and avoid blur.

For even better results, turn off “Live” photo mode if your camera app uses it, as it can cause ghosting in moving shots (unless you’re going for that look!).

2. Know How to Avoid Blurry Boat Pictures

Blurry photos often happen when movement meets low light or shaky hands. The good news? You can outsmart that combo.

These simple adjustments help keep your shots crisp:

• Anchor yourself by bracing your arms or leaning against a stable surface.

• Use burst mode for action scenes to increase your chances of a sharp frame.

• Tap to focus on your subject before taking the shot, especially if you're switching between foreground and background.

And if it’s a cloudy day or dusk is setting in, don’t be afraid to bump up the exposure slightly to brighten things up.

3. Use Water Reflection Photo Tips to Your Advantage

Water can be a mirror or a mess. It really depends on how you work with it.

For the most part, the key to strong water reflections is angles and timing. It can help to shoot early or late in the day when the sun is lower, and position yourself so the reflection isn’t directly facing the light. That soft glow will give you more control and less glare.

Also, avoid using flash. It can flatten the shot and bounce off the water in weird ways.

4. Frame the Shot with Intention

In boat photography, framing is half the battle. You’re surrounded by motion, which means even small compositional shifts can change the feel of a photo.

To create balance in your shot:

• Use the horizon line to anchor your composition (but don’t always center it).

• Give breathing room around your subject, especially with wide-open water scenes.

• Consider including parts of the boat itself (like the railing or bow) to add depth and scale.

Don’t underestimate the impact of a well-framed shot! It does more than look nice — it tells a story.

5. Edit with a Light Touch

You don’t need to go full Photoshop to make your phone photos pop. A few thoughtful edits go a long way.

One of the best boat photography tips to keep in mind is that the editing process should be about enhancing, not overhauling. For example, you can try to boost contrast slightly to bring out textures, warm up the tones if the shot feels flat, and gently sharpen for clarity.

And as fun as they can be, the best shots often avoid heavy filters. They tend to crush details, especially in reflections or skies. Keep it clean and natural, and let the scene speak for itself.

The Bottom Line

Taking better boat photos doesn’t have to mean lugging around a DSLR. With a few mindful tweaks, from understanding motion settings to working with reflections, you’ll get sharper, more intentional images right from your phone.

And if you’re looking for a stunning setting to test your new skills, Collingwood Charters offers scenic boat tours perfect for capturing the beauty of Georgian Bay. Check out our events calendar to book your spot today.