The perfect Instagram feed. The perfect photo. Once you get it, you are hooked. You want another and another. If you are an Instagram influencer, then your livelihood depends on being able to produce that perfect photo. Not just once, but every time.
Once the initial thrill of successful perfection wears off, reality sets in. You end up spending too much time (and in this world, time really is money), getting your photos “just right.”
I have a secret to share…
There is an easy way to get perfect photos but there are some tricks you can use!
The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is just as important on Instagram as creativity. Your photos should tell a story! They should progress in a logical manner from one to another. You don’t want it to look like a family photo album, where different categories of photos are just tossed together.
Telling a story with your photos is also one of the things that sets art apart from snapshots. Have a story, an emotion, a thought in mind each time you create a photo. A picture is worth a 1000 words, if you know what you are trying to say.
Select some type of theme. This can be literally anything, but it should be a common thread that runs through all your photos. Your theme could be women sitting alone. Adding something whimsical to each picture. Using a creative angle to take your photos. Or certain colors. Just have something that makes your photos instantly identifiable as yours.
Here are the examples:
Using a consistent color scheme is also important. What color scheme you select is totally up to you and your personal sense of style, but once you’ve chosen it, you should stick with it.
You’ll find consistency helps to keep your followers engaged. If they start following you because they like a particular style or composition, they will keep following you when they see what they enjoyed in your other photos. Not being consistent can feel like a bait and switch, which will lose you, followers, fast.
The Rule of Thirds
To use the rule of thirds, imagine a grid with three lines running vertically and horizontally over your photo. This creates 9 parts. You’ll want to put focal points where the lines intersect, because this is where the eye travels naturally.
Instead of simply trying to center your focal point in the photo, try the rule of thirds. It can create some stunning shots and makes it easy to balance your photos.
If you would like to go beyond the rule of thirds, I suggest reading about The Golden Ratio. Phi Grid and FIbonacci Spiral take the rule of thirds to the next level.
Change Perspective or Depth
One way to add harmony and variety to your feed is to plan your Instagram feed layout. A grid layout is how your posts are positioned in your feed. It’ll help you know what photo to put next to another photo. Photograph similar or even the same object at different distances or perspectives.
For example, a close up is followed by a full body shot or a portrait. You can also change the perspective, for example, one-shot looking straight on at the model, and then another shot taken from the side. Also try to mix your photos (or photos with people) with photos of food or maybe a work desk, or a puppy.
Also I’d recommend to use a apps for grid planning. My favorite are Preview and UnUm.
Lightroom Presets: Winning or Cheating?
Lightroom presets are a controversial topic. Some photographers see using them as cheating. However, others (me included!) see it as a great way to improve your Instagram feed without spending a lot of time.
It’s a Game Changer!
There was a time when you had two options when shooting photos.
Option 1: Spend a lot of time getting lighting everything just right before you begin to shoot.
Option 2: Spend a lot of time editing your photos after a shoot.
Now we have option 3. Enjoy your photoshoot knowing that you can quickly and easily improve your photos during editing.
The Right Tool (and Expertise) For the Job
No matter what business you are in, using the right people and tools for the job is essential to success. Lightroom presets are a tool that can greatly enhance the quality of your photos.
It’s like having your own professional editor. It brings your photos a professional look that you may find it difficult or time-consuming to create on your own.