A system and method is provided for using a case and/or skin having various components for improving and/or enhancing a camera (e.g., photographic, video, etc.) feature of a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone. The system preferably includes a case and/or skin having a lens (e.g., focusable lens) that is aligned with a lens on the smartphone, a light (e.g., a flash, etc.), and at least one shutter release button. An application operating on the smartphone may then be used to control the light (or flash) and to capture an image in response to a user depressing the shutter release button. Communications between the smartphone and the case can be accomplished via either a wired or wireless communication link, which may involve the inclusion of at least one transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth transceiver) and/or processor on the case.