As you build your character and dream squad to venture around Faerûn in Baldur’s Gate 3, there will be many iconic moments you don’t want to forget. Using photo mode to capture them is a great way to ensure you can look back on your adventures.
Since photo mode wasn’t always part of Baldur’s Gate 3 and was only introduced with the final major update, Patch 8, there’s a solid chance you’re not familiar with this feature. It’s a fun way to capture memories of your journey and it’s absolutely a tool worth knowing about, so here’s how to use photo mode in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Table of contents
How to use photo mode in BG3
You can open and use photo mode at any point during your BG3 playthroughs. The exact controls for accessing it vary by platform, but it’s fairly simple and accessible regardless of where you play.
- On PC: Press the F9 key to open photo mode.
- On console: Press R3+L3 / R1+L1 to open photo mode.
Once you have photo mode open, you can freely use a wide variety of functions to get the exact shot you want. Photo mode has plenty of poses and key camera features like death of field, focus, exposure, frames, stickers, and more to ensure you can truly customize your shots.
To make the most of photo mode, you need to know the exact camera controls for your platform.
PC photo mode controls in BG3
| Control | Effect |
|---|---|
| W/A/S/D | Move the camera around. |
| Q/E | Rotate the camera. |
| Z/X | Raise and lower the camera. |
| P | Show or hide the photo mode UI. |
| Space | Take a photo. |
Console photo mode controls in BG3
| Control | Effect |
|---|---|
| Left Stick | Move the camera around. |
| Right Stick | Rotate the camera. |
| R1/L1 / RB/LB | Tilt the camera. |
| L2/LT / R2/RT | Raise or lower the camera. |
| L2 / LT | Show or hide the photo mode UI. |
| R2 / RT | Take a photo. |
Is photo mode always available in BG3?
Photo mode can be used while exploring, during dialogue scenes, combat, and cinematic scenes in BG3. It’s always an available feature, but the level of customization you have with it varies depending on when you’re trying to use it.
Dialogue scenes, for example, don’t have as many options available as the free shots you take while adventuring. If you want the means to fully customize your shot, it’s best to do so while you’re not in dialogue or a cinematic moment. Combat and general adventure are the best times to take pictures.
How to find photo mode screenshots in BG3
The process for accessing your screenshots looks slightly different depending on which platform you’re playing BG3 on. Here’s where to find your photos across all platforms.
- On PC: Screenshots can be found in C:\Users[username]\Documents\Larian Studios\Baldur’s Gate 3\Screenshots.
- On Mac: Screenshots can be found in ~/Pictures/Larian Studios/Baldur’s Gate 3/Screenshots.
- On console: Screenshots can be found in the PlayStation and Xbox media galleries.
There’s plenty of other content worth exploring in Patch 8 after you master photo mode. You might consider trying one of the 12 new subclasses or grabbing the best armor and clothing mods to dress your team up in the finest gear so you can snap some great photos of them.
Published: Apr 15, 2025 08:30 am