Verizon has some simple smartphone tips for capturing drone shows and fireworks:

• Check for night mode: New smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 feature Nightography, ensuring photos stay vibrant in low light. Check to see if your phone has “night mode” to capture the contrast of the glowing drones against the dark sky.

• Stabilize your shot: Use a tripod to stabilize your smartphone, preventing blurry fireworks and drone images.

• Ditch the flash: Turn off the flash — fireworks and drones already provide all the light you’ll need.

• Capture the action: Take photos in burst/live mode to help you select the best image from multiple options.

• Play with exposure: Experiment with long exposure for photos or slow-motion mode for videos to better capture the colorful streaks of fireworks or the synchronized movements of the drones.

• Take your time: For longer fireworks or drone displays, try using the time-lapse camera feature.