5 Photo Apps That You Need To Own

I have a big, fancy camera (Canon 7D) that I use for photographing weddings, kids, and families (including my own). I used to use it for everyday photos of my kids — I still do, sometimes — but it's much easier to capture the little moments with my iPhone as they happen. I often don't have my big camera with me when those little moments happen, and it's so much easier to share them instantly when I use my phone.

I remember the days when I would photograph an outfit while heading out on a date with my husband, download it, edit it, then share it via Flickr/FB/Twitter. I would do the same with a photo of my kids dressed in their Sunday best. A quick edit on my phone before shooting a photo out into the Internet is so much easier. Here are the apps that I use, and that I think you might want to use as well.

1. Camera+. This is the app I use to take a photo, every single time. All of the editing features aside, there is one reason that you should use this app. When you want to take a photo, you use one finger to chose your focal point, and you use another finger to adjust your exposure. Try it. It will change your (photography) life.

(That's part of my backyard. Come visit any time.)

2. Snapseed. After doing any editing that I do in Camera +, I save the photo and open it in Snapseed. I click on 'Tune Image' to adjust the brightness, white balance, contrast, etc. and will save it. If I want to get extra artsy, then I will choose another section to edit it in. One of my other favorite editing tools is the 'Straighten' one. A crooked horizon drives me crazy, and the straighten tool makes my world better again.

3. Noise Master. Sometimes you take a photo in low light and you can't help the digital noise. Noise Master is your friend.

4. Diptic. Diptic is the app that you use if you want to make a collage. Choose your layout, drop your photos into it, and save it. Easy peasy.

I used the above collage in my recap of my Mom 2.0 experience.

5. Instagram. This is a no-brainer, I know, but I have to include it. When I want to share a photo, I use the apps I want from above, then use Instagram to fire it into the Universe. I rarely use their filters — no judgment from me if you do — but I love the community on Instagram and the ability to upload once and share it everywhere.