Ever since getting the iPhone 8, I only use my phone to take photos. We actually sold my camera since it wasn’t getting any use and was collecting dust. Taking pictures is one of my favorite things and I have the blog to thank for all the memories that are currently on my camera roll. I’ve never shared my favorite photo related apps in one dedicated post – so here are some tried and true favorites.
Original – no editing
Edited with PicTapGo
PicTapGo || I first shared my thoughts on PicTapGo in this post from January 2016 and here we are two years later and I am still using it. Here’s a perfect example of my favorite use of PicTapGo – I use the “Lights On” filter to give my photo more brightness without taking away from saturation. Huge fan of this app if you find that you are always taking pictures in dark places, then you may want to download this – especially if you’re a food blogger and take pictures in restaurants with very bad lighting! Cost $2.99
KiraKira || When we were in Iceland, Kathy and Jackie both had the KiraKira app that basically gives things a little bit more sparkle! You can do video, boomerangs or just a photo with the app and it’s always fun to give a little extra sparkle to things. While I haven’t shared a photo on my Instagramwith KiraKira, I do use it frequently for IG Stories. Cost $0.99
just slightly smoothed out 😉
BeautyPlus || Please meet my favorite face smoothing app! I’m absolutely guilty of touching up certain photos, especially if they are close up and I feel like the bags under my eyes are just way too scary! You can take the airbrushing to an extreme level which does tend to look fake, so I like to keep it in check. I feel like this app enhances your makeup and makes everything look smooth and there are different filters that you can apply once you’ve “beautified” the photo. You have the ability to take a selfie in the app or bring the photo in from your gallery. Cost Free, but there are in app purchases you can make.
TouchRetouch || Amanda introduced me to this app a year or so ago. It’s perfect if you’re taking pictures near busy streets, in the city where light poles, trash cans or other unsightly things come into focus. On more than one occasion, I’ve removed a sign that I didn’t realize was in the frame. Cost $1.99
HypeType || Thanks to Karly I downloaded HypeType to give a little oomph to my IG Stories when I’m sharing what posts I have live on the blog. There are plenty of animations to bring your text to the next level! Cost Free, but there are in app purchases in order to remove the “HypeType” logo if that bothers you!
Size comparison & front cover of the book
No collages, just one photo per page
ChatBooks || After looking into different ways to create albums from trips easily, I stumbled upon after we returned from Iceland. I created the album using photos that I had on my camera roll, you can also import photos if you’d like. In one album you can have 60 photos all on their own page and you can add commentary to each photo – even add the location if you want. Within 15 minutes and all from bed, I was able to create my ChatBook and have it ordered and for only $15! The quality is really nice and they are small and compact enough that they don’t take up much space. This is perfect if your a mom looking to chronicle your babes first year – each month can be it’s own book. you can even re-order the same book to send to family! P.S. not sponsored, just really happy to have found something easier than trying to piece together a photo album from a trip! ChatBooks Cost Free. While the app itself is free to download, of course you have to pay for the book to be created, but depending on the option you choose, it shouldn’t be more than $15!
Have you used any of these apps before? Would love to know some of your favorite photo related apps!
I love this post, Biana! There are so many great picture editing apps out there and this is a great list! I have been wanting to download KiraKira, but I'm going to check out PicTapGo and BeautyPlus, too. That's awesome it will help with bags under your eyes — I could definitely use that!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I was so excited to read this post today- I’m always looking for new apps to make my phone even easier ! I love hype type and touch retouch, but I need to check out Kira Kira! You know I love a good sparkle 🙂
I've heard you talk about PicTapGo before but showing the difference between those two photos has no convinced I need it! Maybe that BeautyPlus one too because #momlife has always got me with bags under my eyes lol! Give me all the things to make me, I mean my photos, beautiful please!
Super Duper cool and I am saving this!! For some reason I am in love eight that doughnut picture!! I need these apps in my life! Fun stuff beautiful!!
The KiraKira app is so neat! I don't have it myself, but love pictures with it!
This is so fun! I love this post and am totally bookmarking this for later!
Katherine | oneswainkycouple.com
I use my 8 Plus for almost all my pics now too, so amazing! And would you believe I've never actually purchased an app before? Crazy, right? I totally think I'm going to give in and get KiraKira though, so fun!
Love these!! And yes the newer iPhones definitely take so much better pics!
I keep meaning to download kirakira! I always love seeing the sparkle!
I remember you mentioning the PicTapGo app and still need to check it out! I'm so excited to finally upgrade to a new phone this year, mainly just so I can get a better camera out of it, because my 6 is so terrible!
Thanks for sharing these! KiraKira is so fun, and I love the cute sparkly effect that it gives. I don't know if you have tried Snapseed, but that I use it all of the time and it's free!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
This was so informative! Thank you for putting this together!!!
Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
As a photographer, I cringe at unedited pics, haha. Just a little minimum effort changes an entire look of a pic.
My new fun obsession is the Rhonna Design app. I've been making family collages for everyone ~ I know this is really an editing app, but it's really fun and creative!
I am dying to upgrade my phone! These photos look great and I am definitely checking out some of these apps!
xx, Elise
sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Yay! Thanks for sharing your favorite apps. It's crazy what a little editing can do. I love the idea of the ChatBooks, so cool.
I love Pic Tap Go but need to check out some of these other options as well! I have the iPhone 8 now too and definitely use my DSLR camera less often.
Kelsey
kelseypeacock.com
These photos look great!
xx
The Black Blush
Oh! Thanks for these, I haven't heard of any of them – I'm going to check them out!
Amanda Kids and Cabernet
Yay HypeType! Such a fun app. I definitely need to buy TouchRetouch, and PicTapGo is still my ride or die for photo filters. It’s so easy and the best!
Such a great roundup – can't wait to try some of these!
xx,
Lauren
Lauren Elyce
I'm all about adding sparkle to photos! And I always forget to use PicTapGo even after downloading it, definitely need to use it more <3
Green Fashionista
wow these are an amazing list! I love hearing about things that not everyone else is talking about! I definitely think I need to download PicTapGo!
ChatBooks– so easy but I haven't actually pressed "buy" yet. I will one of these days!!!
I need to check out all of these! I love a good app rec and these all sound good. Chat books is on my list to make!
great apps- totally downloaded beauty plus already 😉 thanks for the tip. I love Afterlight and usually use it most- it's great for brightening and saturation!
Thanks for sharing some tips & tricks! Also, making a Chatbook for a vaca is a GREAT idea!
Thanks for sharing these apps, I will definitly check them out, who doesn't want to have Instagram-ready pictures haha. Have a nice day. xx
Nina's Style Blog
I got pic tap go when you blogged about it and touch retouch when Amanda did. I need to use them more. I meant to download Beauty Plus when I met up with you in Boston, just did! I haven't gotten a chatbook in awhile, I need to do that. Have a wonderful day!
I use PicTapGo allllll the time! Thank you for recommending ChatBooks, I am absolutely going to make one!!
Chris just got an 8 plus and he now takes all of the photos. Sadly I am stuck with my 6 until it's officially time for a new one. I am definitely checking out those apps too! 🙂
What an incredibly helpful post, girl! I'll definitely have to look into these apps, which I haven't tried. I've only ever heard of the KiraKira app and that was only a couple of weeks ago. I'm especially interested in that ChatBooks app! I have SO many photos on my phone that are from years ago that I'd love to print out into an album and delete to make more storage on my phone. Thanks so much for these suggestions and I hope you're having a great week so far, beauty!
XO,
Jalisa
THE STYLE CONTOUR
I am against retouching, but I do need to clarify things sometimes or up the exposure! I use Camera Plus, Lightroom, and Typorama!
I always love your pictures and am really impressed they're all taken with your phone! I actually haven't tried any of the apps you mentioned! I sometimes use the Lightroom
App and VSCO. PicTapGo looks great!
Brooke
pumps and push-ups
My go to app for picture editing is Camera 360. I love it!
Great list, B! I've downloaded and paid for so many photo apps that I don't use because they are complicated or just not convenient. I'm with ya that the iPhone 8 takes really good quality photos but I'm now intrigued by PicTapGo since it made such a huge difference in the photo you shared so you can portray different "moods" for different photos! xo Emily @ Martinis & Bikinis
So many great apps! I definitely need to check these out! Another one of my favorites is snapseed! Its the best!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
Love the apps! Chat books is one of my favorites! I like Facetune to add a little white to my teeth. I’m a huge coffee drinker and I’m in the process of whitening them. But once in a while they look pretty bad in photos. 🤷🏻♀️
PicTapGo looks like it worked really well on your photo! I'm going to check that one out. Chat books look like such a great gift idea too!
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Downloading PicTapGo now!
Such a great post. I've never heard of any of these and will have to check them out!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
Your photos are always beautiful! I didn't know you only took them with your cell phone. My favorite editing app is VSCO. What are your thoughts on the free version? I've been super happy with it
Carly at A Modern Mom Blog
I really need to try Chatbooks! I have so many memories on my phone that I would love to have printed into a little book! The iphone 8 seriously does take gorgeous pics!
Rosy Outlook
I am so upset they don't have Hypetype for andriods 🙁 I love all the extra fun that gets added to stories. Chatbooks are amazing and their books come out so good! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I feel completely inept at iPhone photography. I feel like everyone gets these great images out of their iPhones and mine basically suck. lol. I also find myself overwhelmed by the editing apps. I think I'm too much of a purist and it's my own mental block that won't let me do iPhone photography well, lol. I used to use pictapgo though. It's a good app!
PicTapGo looks really good. I should definitely check that out. Thanks for sharing these tips dear.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com