how to get a blurry background in photos

How to Get a Blurry Background (Bokeh for Beginners)

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Ever wondered how to make your background look beautifully soft and dreamy — while your subject stays sharp?

You’re not alone! One of the most common questions I get from moms learning photography is:

“How do I make the background of my photos blurry?”

That creamy, blurred look you see in professional portraits is called bokeh (pronounced boh-kuh), and while your phone’s portrait mode can simulate it with software, your camera can do it for real — once you understand a few basics.

Let’s break it down in simple, cut-to-the-chase terms. You’ve got this.

What Is Bokeh?

Bokeh refers to the aesthetic quality of the blur in the out-of-focus areas of an image — usually the background.

You’ll often see it in portraits where the subject is crisp and clear, but the background is buttery smooth, with soft shapes or light spots. It makes your subject pop and removes distractions.

What Controls Bokeh? (Hint: Aperture!)

The key to creating bokeh is shooting with a wide aperture — which means a small f-number (like f/2.0 or f/1.8).

If that sounds like I am speaking another language, it’s because I kid of am, haha! If you’re wondering what aperture is, here’s a very quick breakdown:

  • The Aperture is the opening in your lens that lets in light.
  • It’s measured in f-stops (like f/11, f/5.6, f/2.8, etc.)
  • The smaller the f/number, the wider the opening — and the blurrier the background

So, if your camera is set to f/2.0, you’ll get way more background blur than if it’s set to f/8.0. It’s because that f/number is really a fraction, but math is complicated and we don’t ned that in our lives, so just think, little number, big blur.

How to Adjust Aperture on Your Camera

To take control of your aperture setting, you’ll want to shoot in either:

  • Manual mode (M)
  • Aperture Priority mode (A or Av)

Then look for the f/number on your screen. If you’re using a kit lens, it might only go down to f/4.5 or f/5.6, and that’s okay! Use what you have.

What If My Lens Doesn’t Open that Wide?

If your lens only opens to f/5.6 or f/4.0, try this trick:

👉 Pull your subject farther away from the background.
The more distance between your subject and what’s behind them, the blurrier that background will appear — even with a beginner lens.

Also, make sure you’re focused directly on your subject, so the camera knows what should be sharp and what can fall out of the focal plane.

Bonus Tips for Better Background Blur

  • Get closer to your subject (while keeping them in focus)
  • Avoid busy backgrounds — solid colors, foliage, or clean walls work best
  • Shoot in soft, natural light for creamy, flattering tones
  • Use a longer lens or zoom in if possible — longer focal lengths enhance blur

Want to Go Deeper?

Bokeh is just the beginning. If you’re excited to take better photos of your family and want step-by-step guidance that actually makes sense for busy moms:

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