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How to take the *perfect* photo to glow up your Insta feed
Ah, the beauty of an aesthetic Insta feed. There's nothing quite like a well-planned and color coordinated account. Ever wonder how influencers get their feeds to look like that? If yes, you're not alone. But you're in luck, it's actually a lot easier than you think! Follow these simple tips and tricks and watch your Insta go from drab to *fab* and who knows maybe you'll be the next big influencer!
Here's how to get *the* shot in four simple steps!
1) Don't look! It's candid!
Everyone loves a good candid shot! Try having your friends take pics of you while you're just casually living life rather than always stopping to pose. The best shots are always the ones that show off your natural smile and capture what you're really up to. The next time you bake cookies, don't wait to take pics after the cookies are out of the oven. Get some fun shots of you messing up and getting flour everywhere!
2) The more the merrier!
We all know that annoying feeling when you've asked a stranger to take pictures of you and your friends doing fun poses at the park and then realizing after they only took *one* photo that entire time. Don't be an annoying stranger and instead use rapid fire mode and ask your friends to do the same for you. The more options you have, the higher the chance you'll find a good one that you like.
3) Lights! Camera! Action!
Getting the right angle, lighting and background is *everything*. Even if you take 100 photos of your friend living her best life, none of them will turn out well if you don't think about these 3 key components.
- Angle: Try out all the angles until you figure out which one is your favorite. Try bending down lower and tilting the camera up, or standing on top of something so you can get up high and point the camera down. Or even try tilting the camera sideways so it's not perfectly straight. All these creative angles can give you a whole new perspective and take a photoshoot from 0 to 100.
- Lighting: I'd argue this is the *most* important component to a good photo. Even with great angles, if you have bad lighting it's game over. Outdoor natural lighting is always much more reliable when trying to get a professional looking shot. Try and go outside when it's overcast rather than sunny so it's not too bright. Or try and take your pictures near a window instead of using artificial light. You'll be amazed at how much this can make a difference.
- Background: Try and look for simple backgrounds that will help you stand out and make your photo less busy. If there's too much going on, the photo will look messy and crowded. Try and find textured walls or a big open field. This way, the background isn't the focus and instead you'll be the star of the show! If you want to get even more technical, try finding a bridge, a staircase or something with two symmetrical sides and stand in the middle to create leading lines. This will help you use the background to your advantage and draw the viewer's attention to you.
4) Let's get it, let's edit!
When I say edit, I don't mean you should change anything about yourself or the photo. You are perfect the way you are! But enhancing the colors and making small adjustments to the lighting and overall vibe is a *must* to get that pro and consistent look. If you're just starting out, play around with the filters and edit options that Instagram already offers. If you want something easy and a consistent looking feed, use presets so that all your photos are edited in the exact same way and so that you don't have to spend hours making small adjustments because it's already been done for you. But if you want to get a little more complex, try using the Adobe app Lightroom. It has hundreds of options and allows you to edit every aspect of your photo. Don't worry if you don't get it perfect the first few times. It takes most photographers years to develop their personal style.
That's it! You're all set for your next photoshoot extravaganza! We can't wait to see what you create! If you get the *perfect* shot, be sure to share it with us by tagging us @girlslifemag!
POSTED IN instagram, lighting, weekend fun, Get Inspired
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