The wait is officially over! The Riley County Fair is kicking off today at Cico Park in Manhattan, Kansas. From the hard work of the local 4-H kids in the livestock barns to the smell of funnel cake and the neon glow of the carnival midways, there is no better place to capture summer memories.
While I always have my professional gear in hand when I am documenting local events, I know most families will be exploring the fairgrounds with just a phone in their pocket. All of the photos in this blog were taken with my professional gear. But, to help you capture the magic this week, I compiled five simple smartphone tips to elevate your fair photos from basic snapshots to memorable keepsakes.
1. Get Low for Livestock and Barn Animals
When photographing animals, resist the urge to take every picture standing up. Shooting from adult eye level often results in distracting backgrounds full of fence posts and crowd clutter.
Instead, crouch down to the animal’s eye level. Lowering your perspective fills the frame with the animal and creates a cleaner background. Always put your focus on the animal’s eyes. Or on your kiddo’s eyes if you can get some fun interactive photos!
2. Capture Action on the Rides with Burst Mode
Trying to capture a photo of your kids as they whirl past on carnival rides can feel nearly impossible. By the time you tap the shutter button on your screen, the moment has already passed. This is a challenge even if you are using professional gear!
Use your camera’s Burst Mode (or hold down the shutter button) as the ride swings past. Taking a rapid sequence of 10 to 20 frames increases the chance that you will catch that split-second moment of pure, unforced joy.
As a professional photographer, I try to avoid that midday light with the harsh shadows and blown highlights. But, if you are using a phone, more light is better. Unless there are overcast skies, you’ll most likely be dealing with those extreme lighting conditions to have a chance at a clear action photo.
3. Look for Clean, Natural Light in the Shade
Midday sun at the fairgrounds can create unflattering shadows under eyes and hats. Before taking a quick portrait of your friends and family, look for some shade. You can step under the awning of a barn or the shaded side of a concession stand. Or if you are lucky, the clouds will provide a moment of perfect lighting!
Open shade provides soft, flattering light that keeps your subjects from squinting and eliminates dark facial shadows.
4. Turn Moving Carnival Rides into Neon Light Art
Those glowing, spinning carnival rides look incredible at night, but a standard phone snapshot can end up looking dark or blurry. You can easily turn that movement into vibrant, glowing light trails using your phone!
- iPhone Users: Turn on Live Photo before taking your picture. Stand as still as possible while the ride spins, take the photo, then open the image in your Photos app. Tap the “Live” drop-down menu in the top corner and select Long Exposure. Your phone will blur the moving neon lights into a stunning, artistic circle while keeping the ground still.
- Android Users: Switch your camera app to Night Mode or Pro Mode. Keep your phone completely steady by resting it against a trash can, fence rail, or holding it with both hands anchored against your chest. The longer exposure time will naturally capture the light trails. This takes some practice, but the magical photos are so worth the patience!
5. Focus on the Unscripted Moments
The best fair photos are rarely the ones where everyone stops, turns, and says “cheese.” Keep your phone ready for candid interactions. Capture your little one washing down a calf, the excitement of winning a prize, or the quiet moment of sharing cotton candy together. These unscripted, story-driven moments are the ones you will cherish most years down the road.
Want to Enjoy the Fair Without Worrying About the Camera?
Capturing your own family memories is fun, but it often means one parent is stuck behind the phone screen instead of being in the picture.
A fairground session is one of the most vibrant, playful alternatives to traditional family portraits. From the soft afternoon light near the barns to the electric neon colors of the evening midway, I love documenting families in this lively environment.
If you want high-quality, professional portraits of your family soaking in the fun together without stressing over camera settings, let’s connect!
Enjoy the Riley County Fair, Manhattan!
