What to tell your boyfriend when he takes your photo: 12 scripts
Copy-and-paste lines that tell your boyfriend exactly where to stand, which lens to use and when to press the shutter, without starting an argument.
By InstaBF · · 2 min read
Start here
Give him instructions about the camera, not about the result. “Lower the phone to my waist” works; “make me look tall” doesn’t.
Lines for the setup
Say these before he takes a single photo. They decide 80% of the result.
- “Vertical, please. Shoes in the frame with a little space under them.”
- “Use 1x, not 0.5x.”
- “Hold the phone at my waist and keep it straight, not tilted down.”
- “Keep the doorway on the left edge of the screen.”
Lines for the moment
Use these once you are in place. They give him a clear cue for when to shoot.
- “Take a few while I walk slowly toward you.”
- “Keep shooting while I look away and back.”
- “Wait until I turn toward the light.”
- “Hold the button for a burst while I laugh.”
Lines for the review
Look at the first few photos together. Then change one thing at a time.
- “The light is perfect. Can you step back so my shoes fit?”
- “Same framing, just lower the phone a little.”
- “That one is great. One more set and we’re done.”
- “Your turn. Where do you want to stand?”
When words aren’t enough
Some framing is hard to describe. Take a test photo of him in your spot, show him, then swap. InstaBF makes this easier: lock the frame you want, or put a reference photo over the live camera, and he just matches it.
Before you hand over the phone
- Say orientation, lens and phone height first.
- Give a clear cue for when to shoot.
- Review together and change one thing.
A common question
How do I ask my boyfriend to take better photos without hurting his feelings?
Give specific, camera-based instructions instead of criticism, start your feedback with what worked, keep the session short and offer to take his photo too.
Keep learning: Help your boyfriend take better photos of you. Using a specific phone? See which lens to use on your iPhone.