THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S SKETCHBOOK: WHY YOUR iPHONE DESERVES A PLACE IN YOUR PROCESS
In my recent Oregon Coast workshop, I found myself talking about a topic I’ve become increasingly vocal about over the past couple of years: the value of using your iPhone as a photographer’s sketchbook.
This shift in perspective started during my time leading weekly photowalks at the Four Seasons in Maui. These walks were designed for non-photographers—guests who were curious about experiencing photography but had nothing more than their phones in hand. I wasn’t sure how rewarding it would be for me, as someone who typically works with expensive cameras and long exposures. But I quickly realized something profound: it’s always about the art of seeing. Whether you’re using an iPhone or a $10,000 camera, the goal remains the same—creating visual harmony within the frame.
Since then, I’ve completely changed my view on mobile photography. I see the iPhone not as a compromise, but as an essential creative tool—a modern-day sketchbook for working through ideas and scenes. Here’s why I believe it belongs in every photographer’s process.
Framing and Composition: Training Your Eye with Intention
It's nearly impossible to determine the best composition for a scene with your eyes alone—you need to frame it to see how the elements interact. The iPhone in your pocket makes this process simple and immediate.
Composing with your phone allows you to experiment quickly with different arrangements, perspectives, and framings without the setup time of your primary camera.
This process is the equivalent of making quick sketches before committing to a final painting.
You can fine-tune a scene's visual harmony using your iPhone before using your primary camera.
Documenting the Scene: GPS and Memory Cues
Every iPhone image you take carries valuable metadata—GPS coordinates, time of day, and more. These details become incredibly useful when you revisit your work later to reflect, write, or research.
It's not just about remembering "where" you were—it's about recalling subtle details that enhance your experience of the place.
Those quick iPhone shots sometimes capture fleeting moments of light or background elements that enrich your memory of the scene.
Mindfulness Matters: Bringing Intention to Every Shot
The iPhone's convenience can lead to mindless snapping, but it doesn't have to. The key is to bring the same mindfulness to your mobile shots as you do to your primary work.
Slow down and ask: What's the story here? What are the primary and secondary elements? What draws me to this scene?
Shooting with intention reinforces good habits rather than cultivating "throwaway" tendencies.
Bridging the Sketch and the Final Shot
Sometimes, the iPhone captures something raw and true—a visual spark that informs your final work or reminds you of why the scene moved you in the first place.
This isn't about creating a "finished" product—it's about exploring and gathering impressions that shape your artistic vision.
Your "sketch" might even show you something your larger composition misses, acting as a creative bridge between observation and expression.
A Favorite iPhone Capture: The Story Behind the Shot
One of my favorite images from 2024 was taken—not with my medium-format gear—but with my iPhone. During the Oregon Coast workshop, Ron, one of the photographers joining me, was photographing a long exposure of the sea stacks. While he was deeply focused on his composition, I took a step back and arranged an interesting scene: my camera on the tripod, "framing" Ron as he worked.
I grabbed my iPhone and composed a layered shot of the scene—my camera photographing Ron, who was photographing the ocean. The image was playful and intentional—a "meta" shot of a photographer at work.
What made it even better was Ron's reaction. He's known for texting his colleagues photos of his camera's LCD screen to show what he's working on. When he saw my picture, he laughed and said, "That's exactly how I share my shots—a photo of a photo of a photo!" It was a moment of shared connection and humor—and a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful images are the ones that capture the process itself.
The iPhone isn't just a convenience—it's a creative tool that, when used with mindfulness, can deepen your photographic process. It helps you sketch ideas, capture fleeting details, and frame your vision before committing to the final shot. Whether you're shooting on the Oregon Coast or exploring your local neighborhood, your phone can be the perfect companion to your creative journey—if you let it.
