The Apple macOS Blog

Taking pictures on your Mac is easier than you might think! Whether you want to snap a selfie, capture your screen, or have some fun with photo effects, your Mac has everything you need built right in.
Today we're going to explore the different ways you can take pictures on your Mac.

Using Photo Booth for Selfies and Fun

Your Mac comes with a nifty app called Photo Booth that's perfect for taking quick pictures:

1. Open Photo Booth from your Applications folder or using Spotlight search.
2. You'll see yourself on screen when the camera turns on (look for the green light).
3. Click the red camera button to snap a picture.
4. Want to get creative? Click "Effects" to try out fun filters and distortions.
5. To save your masterpiece, right-click the photo thumbnail and select "Export."

Capturing Your Screen

Sometimes you need to grab an image of what's on your screen. Here's how:

• Whole screen: Press Command + Shift + 3
• Part of the screen: Press Command + Shift + 4, then drag to select an area
• Specific window: Press Command + Shift + 4, then press Space and click the window

Your screenshot will automatically save to your desktop.

Pro Tip: Using the Screenshot App

For even more options, try the Screenshot app:

1. Press Command + Shift + 5 to open it.
2. Choose from capturing the whole screen, a window, or a selected portion.
3. You can even record video of your screen!

Keeping Your Mac Tidy

Taking lots of pictures can fill up your storage quickly. Here are some tips to keep things organized:

• Regularly review your photos and delete ones you don't need.
• Use Mac's advanced storage management tools like the beautifully animated (and free) disk usage tool to find large files.
• Consider moving older photos to an external drive or cloud storage.

Le Tigre, Blue Steel, Magnum

Now you're ready to become a Mac photography pro! Whether you're jazzing up your social media, creating tutorials, or just having fun, your Mac's camera and screenshot tools are all you need.
Happy snapping (and posing)!

❤️ Maria