As many of you know, Instagram has become a huge platform for celebrities, influencers, and more. People love using Instagram for the fun filters, cool stories, and being able to create an aesthetically pleasing layout. I have been using Instagram for quite some time now and I have learned the do’s and don’ts throughout the years. It takes a while to be able to take that stunning picture, but once you capture that perfect shot, you know it needs to get put on the ‘gram. I will be teaching all of you what I personally have learned about Instagram and how to achieve “Insta-quality” pictures.
Photo by Emily Myint
One of the first things you need to do is be able to pose yourself. I have witnessed so many girls attempt to take a picture but they simply did not know how to pose. I would like to thank my years of dance training for giving me this ability, but some people are stuck doing the same thing in each picture. First rule is to never stand there straight on towards the camera with your arms dangling to the side. You will look straight up ~awkward~ and people will think the same thing. If you’re really feeling yourself, don’t be scared to do what feels best for you! Some of my favorite pictures have come from poses that I didn’t feel comfortable with initially. Be natural and don’t try too hard!
The next thing you need to do is find good lighting! My favorite (and basically the only) place I take and post pictures is outside. I hate lighting indoors because it is just straight up awful and makes for a poor quality photo. The light from the sun is literally all you need. The absolute best pictures are taken outside when there are some clouds so it is slightly overcast. This way the sun is not blinding your eyes or washing you out.
Photo by Harsh Varshney
Another important thing to think about when taking an insta-quality picture is the background and location. I am constantly looking for cute backgrounds to pose in front of when I am out and about in a cute outfit. The background is really important because people don’t want to see a messy bedroom or an overcrowded beach that has so many people you can’t even see the water. Be patient when taking these pictures and wait a few minutes for the prime time where the least amount of people will be seen. You will be glad you waited a little bit to take the perfect picture!
Photo by Emily Myint
I used to make fun of people who took pictures of their food, but here I am now. I am heavily invested in aesthetically looking food, especially breakfast. When taking pictures of food, it is important to take a picture of it from a high angle, above the plate. This is to ensure that people can see everything and all of the deliciousness that the food has. Foodies want to see all of the food so don’t crop the picture. I have found that this top angle is definitely the best for food pictures and if you have a food blog or Instagram, keep it consistent and use the same angle!
Photo by Harsh Varshney
Since we’re talking about angles for food, let’s talk about angles for people! Finding your best angle when you take photos are VERY important. Back in high school, I didn’t really know my angle and a lot of my pictures were trash. Once you know what your “good” side is, and which way your body looks best in the picture, you will thrive. Start experimenting around with different angles when you take pictures and look through all of them to see which one you like the best. After that, start to take your pictures that way and you will notice a huge difference in your pictures and your confidence!