Photo Mode Guide

Overview

Photo Mode is a full-featured camera system in Pokemon Pokopia that goes well beyond simple screenshots. You can photograph Pokemon in their habitats, take selfies with your Ditto character, document items with Reference Photos for the 3D Printer, and unlock new decorative frames by capturing Photo Ops as they happen around you. The camera supports filters, frames, poses, facial expressions, and a tripod for remote shots.

This guide covers every aspect of Photo Mode, from the basic controls to advanced tips for capturing the perfect shot. For the full technical reference, see the Photo Mode article.

How to Access the Camera

There are two ways to open Photo Mode:

Photo Mode is available from the moment you receive the Pokedex early in the game. You can use it anywhere on your islands, indoors or outdoors, and during multiplayer sessions with friends.

Camera Controls

Photo Mode has its own dedicated control scheme that differs from the main gameplay controls. The following table lists every button mapping while the camera is active.

Landscape Mode

Landscape mode is the default camera view. The camera floats freely behind your character, and you can rotate it with the Right Stick to frame the shot however you want. Use ZL and ZR to zoom out and in.

Clicking the Left Stick lets you raise or lower the camera height. This is useful for ground-level shots of small Pokemon or overhead views of your buildings and layouts. Low angles looking upward at large Pokemon like Tyranitar or Mewtwo make them look much more imposing in photos.

Press D-Pad Up before any group shot. This makes every Pokemon and character currently visible in the frame turn and look directly at the camera. It works on any Pokemon, whether they are following you, idling in a habitat, or performing a specialty task. Combine this with D-Pad Down (pose changes) and D-Pad Left/Right (expression changes) to set up the perfect group photo.

Selfie Mode

Press X to toggle from Landscape to Selfie mode. The camera swings around to face your Ditto as if you are holding the camera yourself, simulating a selfie stick. This is ideal for close-up portraits with your favorite Pokemon standing behind or beside you.

While in Selfie mode, clicking the Left Stick switches which hand your character holds the camera with, changing the angle slightly. All the same expression and pose controls (D-Pad) work in Selfie mode.

During multiplayer sessions, other players in the frame can change their own poses independently, making group selfies possible. Coordinate with friends for the best results.

The Tripod

If you purchase the Tripod from the PC Shop, you can leave your camera in one spot and take a picture of yourself from a distance. This allows you to appear fully in frame without the selfie-stick angle, producing cleaner full-body shots and group photos.

Reference Photos

Press Y to toggle the camera into Reference Photo mode. In this mode, the camera identifies and labels the names of items, blocks, and objects visible in the environment. A label appears when the camera recognizes an object.

Reference Photos serve two important purposes:

• Item identification: Useful for figuring out what specific blocks, furniture, or crafting materials are without picking them up.

• 3D Printing: Photographed items in Reference Photo mode can be duplicated at the 3D Printer in any rebuilt Pokemon Center for 4 Pokemetal each, even without knowing the crafting recipe.

Reference Photos are stored separately from regular photos in the Album. This also works on items in other players' worlds during multiplayer and on items found on Dream Islands. It is one of the most powerful collection tools in the game.

Filters and Frames

Filters

Press Plus (+) while in Photo Mode to open the Frames and Filters menu, then use L and R to switch to the Filters tab. Filters change the overall color grading and mood of your photo. Available effects include sepia tones, high contrast, warm lighting, cool tones, and other visual styles. Scroll through the available filters and press A to apply one. You can preview the effect in real time before taking the shot.

Frames

Frames add decorative borders around your photo. You start with a small selection of default frames, and additional frames are unlocked by completing Photo Ops (see below). Frames can reflect different themes, seasons, and Pokemon designs. After completing the main story and watching the credits, you receive the special Memories Frame.

Photo Ops

Photo Ops are spontaneous events that occur as you play. A popup notification appears in the upper-right corner of your screen alerting you that a Photo Op is happening nearby.

When a Photo Op triggers:

1. Open the camera quickly (press Minus).

2. Look for an area highlighted by a yellow rectangle that guides you toward the Photo Op.

3. Position the rectangle within your camera's viewfinder.

4. Press A to take the photo.

Successfully capturing a Photo Op rewards you with a new frame for your collection. Photo Ops typically feature Pokemon interacting with the environment in interesting or amusing ways: playing with furniture, dancing in the rain during a weather event, or interacting with another Pokemon. These moments are time-sensitive, so keep an eye on notifications and react quickly.

Completed Photo Ops are added to your Highlight Reel, which can be revisited under the Collection Menu at any time.

The Album

All photos taken through Photo Mode are saved to your in-game Album, divided into two categories:

Photos taken with the in-game camera are stored within the game's save data, not directly to the Nintendo Switch 2's system album. If you want a copy saved to your Switch 2's screenshot gallery, use the console's native capture button (on the left Joy-Con) in addition to the in-game shutter.

Camera Settings

The game's Settings menu includes a Camera Auto-Adjust option. When turned On, the camera automatically repositions to keep a Pokemon centered in frame. This is a meaningful advantage when trying to photograph Pokemon for the Album collection, especially fast-moving species. It is recommended to keep this setting enabled.

Security Cameras

Security Cameras are a related but separate feature. These are placeable items unlocked early in the game that you can position near a habitat to monitor Pokemon activity from a distance. The camera sweeps the area for movement, and when it detects something (such as a new Pokemon spawning), you receive a notification. Place Security Cameras near habitats with rare spawns, such as those for legendary Pokemon or time-of-day-specific habitats.

Tips for Taking Great Photos

• Press D-Pad Up before group shots. This makes every visible Pokemon face the camera simultaneously, avoiding shots where half the group has their backs turned.

• Use weather to your advantage. Rain, fog, and sunset lighting create dramatic backdrops. Wait for specific weather conditions for atmosphere.

• Experiment with camera height. Click the Left Stick in Landscape mode to adjust vertical position. Low angles make large Pokemon look imposing.

• Hide the UI for cleaner shots. Press Minus (-) to remove the on-screen control overlay before snapping the photo.

• Use Reference Photo mode when exploring. The item labels help you catalog materials and furniture you encounter, and the photos power the 3D Printer.

• Buy the Tripod from the PC Shop. It lets you set the camera at a fixed point and take a photo of yourself from a distance, producing full-body shots.

• React quickly to Photo Op notifications. These events are time-sensitive. Open the camera immediately when you see the popup and look for the yellow rectangle.

• Coordinate during multiplayer. Each player can independently choose expressions and poses using their own D-Pad. Plan group poses before taking the shot.