Becoming Instafamous is such a real thing. Making sure you are taking good Instagram photos is the key to driving engagement. Opposed to Twitter and Facebook (two text-heavy platforms), Instagram is a social media platform based on imagery. Although using a smartphone can do the trick, invest in a mirrorless camera to instantly take your profile to the next level.
If you don't already have a great camera to rely on, check out a few of my suggestions:
FUJIFILM X-T30 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Silver)
Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens (White)
Nikon Z 5 Mirrorless Digital Camera with Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens
Canon EOS M6 Mark II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 15-45mm Lens and EVF-DC2 Viewfinder (Silver)
Once you've found a camera that best suits your needs, take a peek at the steps below on how to take good Instagram photos.
Invest in Light
Besides having your trusty sidekick (the camera), it's a good idea to invest in light. Having terrible lighting can completely ruin a possibly good photo. Having too much light will create overexposure which leads to you looking washed out, ick! On the other hand, not enough light will give you an underexposed photo that will lack in detail.
If you're indoors, you'll want to know where the windows are and when the sun will give off the best natural light. Are the windows north or south facing? When does the sun come up and, when does it go down? Almost always, a sunset or an early morning sun will give the softest glow. The afternoon sun can be way too harsh and cause overexposure. Using sheer curtains can also help filter out natural light, and white poster boards are great to bounce light when you need to highlight shadows.
Investing in a light kit such as the Godox SK400II 2-Light Studio Flash Kit will help with indoor photography. Traditional lamps and ceiling lights can not give off the proper lighting that light kits can provide.
Add Some Layers
Mix different textures within the foreground and background. You can always use a wide aperture to blur out the background elements and keep your focus on the main subject. However, adding a few other layers to the background/foreground of your photo will keep it interesting.
An example would be taking a photo in front of a wall made of flowers instead of a white wall or plain cloth backdrop. Doing this will give interest and depth with texture in the background.
Continuous Burst Photos
When taking action shots, it's best to take multiples instead of just one or two. Taking several photos during events makes it easier to get the best picture and capture some outstanding moments. You're bound to catch something great with a continuous burst of shots. Most cameras can do this. Make sure to have patience. You may take 80 and only have one good one.
Rule of Thirds
If you want to take good Instagram photos, you will also want to adopt some composition techniques. One of these techniques is the rule of thirds. Divide the frame into nine rectangles, three across and three down. Most cameras have a setting where you can see this grid to help with composition.
When using the rule of thirds, you want to avoid putting the subject in the center of the frame. Placing your subject in one of the other rectangles can provide for a more eye-catching photograph.
Play with your Angles
Try different positions when taking your Instagram photos. Taking a photo head-on versus a higher view can create something new.
Often a head-on shot might lack interest. Getting low, high, or going off to the sides can create different and unique perspectives.
Analytics, Always
Do some research and see what engages your audience the most. If you already have a large following, look back at a few older posts to see which photos have gotten the most likes. Another tip is to check out other influencers with a similar aesthetic to yours. What seems to be the most engaging photos to their audience? You can even look into Instagram analytic sites. These reports can help you find the most engaging social media posts to inspire your feed.
Once you've found your niche, keep it consistent. There's a reason why large companies have a brand. Brand marketing works to build a loyal audience, and it is something you should apply to your account.
Remember, Instagram doesn't have to be just photos. You can incorporate graphics and text to give other types of imagery to your feed.
I hope you've enjoyed my tips on taking good Instagram photos but remember, photography is an art, and there are always new ideas to make your photos better. When I mentioned doing research, don't let it stop once you've found your niche. Keep following other influencers or brands to see what they are doing.
Most people want to be relevant by staying on-trend, but thinking outside the box can also help lead your way into the world of influencing.
