Or, How to Be Included in Group Photos Without Taking a Selfie
With the holidays approaching, special gatherings of friends and family are memories to be made and preserved, moments captured that will be treasured long after by all involved. Without having to gang up for an awkward and iffy selfie, wouldn’t it be great to stage a “regular” group photo that everyone could be in, including the photographer?
We have (and verily, have long had) the technology in place – all that’s needed is an adjustable but stable platform (more on this later), a smartphone, and YOU knowing how to set the camera timer!
Assuming you’re sporting a capable modern smartphone, you’re already 1/3 there. Read on to reach 2/3 and become the “high-tech” hero this holiday season.
Note: If you’re currently suffering upgrade envy, paying too much, or having tech issues, give the friendly experts at Russell Cellular a jingle at 1-800-221-4408 or visit one at your nearest location immediately!
Your Camera Carries Its Own Tools
In newer smartphones, you can access the countdown tools directly from the top or bottom toolbar within each phone’s native camera app. Below is a direct comparison of the available timer intervals, followed by the step-by-step instructions for each system.
Quick Feature Comparison
| Phone Model | Available Intervals | Visual Location |
| iPhone 14 & newer |
3 seconds, 10 seconds | Under the hidden slider menu (Arrow button) |
| Galaxy S23 & newer |
2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds | Top toolbar menu (Clock icon) |
For iPhone 14 & newer (iOS 16+) – 5 Steps to Setting the Camera Timer
The timer on newer iPhones is located inside a slide-out adjustment menu to prevent the viewfinder from looking cluttered. For more detailed instructions on native tools, check the official Apple Support iPhone Camera Guide.
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Open the Camera app and ensure you are in Photo or Portrait mode.
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Tap the Chevron Arrow (∧) at the very top center of your screen (or swipe up from the middle of the viewfinder) to pull up the tool shelf.
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Tap the Timer icon (looks like a classic clock) from the row of options that appears right above the shutter button.
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Select either 3s or 10s.
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Tap the Shutter button. The flash will blink, and a countdown timer will display on your screen before the camera captures a burst of 10 photos.
Note: To turn it off, follow the same steps and select Off.
For Galaxy S23 & newer (One UI 5.1+) – 4 Steps to Setting the Camera Timer
Samsung places the timer tool directly on the primary quick-settings bar at the top of the camera interface. For alternative capturing methods, view the Samsung Support Camera Settings Guide.
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Open the Camera app and make sure you are in Photo or Portrait mode.
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Look at the toolbar at the top of your screen and tap the Timer icon (an open circle clock outline).
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Select your preferred delay interval: 2s, 5s, or 10s. The icon will change to reflect the number of seconds you selec
ted. -
Tap the Shutter button. A circular countdown graphic will appear on your screen, accompanied by an audible beep before the photo is taken.
Tip: You can also go to Camera Settings > Shooting methods and turn on Palm swipe to trigger the timer just by holding up your hand to the camera.
Last (1st really) But Not Least – an Adjustable but Stable Platform for Your Phone
PRO TIP: Select and order/buy your photo stand immediately or ASAP – long before you think you’ll need it. Pat yourself on the back when complete. Practice your new skills upon delivery!
You can find great smartphone photo stands ranging from pocket-sized magnetic grips to tall, adjustable tripods depending on your shooting needs, starting around $10-20 at most major retailers and online outlets.
This author is biased and just can’t be bothered writing about selfie sticks, except to mention that some models do, in fact, conveniently double as desktop stands and come with remote controls, so manual timer-setting becomes irrelevant. That, admittedly, is pretty cool too.
Care to know other fascinating and easy to use features of your smartphone? Call a professional at Russell Cellular at 1-800-221-4408 or visit one at your nearest location. Note: more simple Smartphone Tech Tips are coming soon to the RC blog.
For the record, yes, we do know – smartphone cameras have moved far beyond this basic, near universal feature, but RC issues no apologies for covering the fundamentals first. Stay tuned for more!
#RussellCellular #TeamRC #TechTips #SmartphonePhotography #InclusiveGroupShots #CameraControls #WirelessLifestyle
