Tips for Capturing Instagram-Worthy 4th of July Photos

— -- Get ready for a weekend of fireworks, hot dogs and all things red, white and blue.

In honor of the 4th of July, here are a few tips for taking Instagram-worthy photos that will make your friends -- and your fellow countrymen and women proud.

Landscape Mode

Hold your phone sideways to better fill up the frame and capture more in the background, too. Your photos will also look better if you download them to your computer because there will be no black space on the sides.

Less Zoom

Zooming in may seem like an easy photo hack, but the result can be blurry. Forgo zoom and instead get closer to your subjects. You'll capture more detail and have crisper images.

When to Use Flash

Unless you're outside at night, it's probably best to turn off your flash. Make use of natural light whenever possible.

The Perfect Lighting

Natural lighting is always best, whether it's through a window or being outdoors. When shooting outside, it's best if you shoot with the sun behind you and shining on the subject of your photo.

Clean Your Camera Lens

A smudged camera lens can ruin your photos. Make sure it's wiped clean.

Take a Bunch of Photos

Variety is the spice of life, right? Having more photos will help you find one where everyone looks their best. (Or at least leave you with some hilarious outtakes you can keep as memories.)