When using Instagram there’s a certain expectation of how your feed should look. Blurry, dark and ill-thought out shots will rarely pick up traction, and could even cost you followers.
On the other hand, images that are intriguing, bold and detailed will earn likes and give your profile a boost. In order to create the perfect picture, you need to follow a few rules to ensure you’re making the most of your equipment and capturing shots that will be appreciated.
With that in mind, here are some top tips on how you can take the perfect Instagram photo.
Plan out your feed
Before you start snapping away it’s worth coming up with a plan of action. This will help your profile look appealing to visitors and planning out what you want to post shows that you’re not just posting for the sake of it – you’re instead adding value to the platform.
At this stage, you should think about what you want to post about and how you want to portray your business to followers.
Planning will help you create an overall feel and consistency which can help your page become more successful and your shots have more purpose. It’s not necessary to come up with a specific theme or to limit yourself, but understanding why you’re doing this can help followers get on board.
Find a point of interest
When you do decide on how you want to lay out your Instagram it’s time to start taking pictures for it!
The first thing to do when considering what you want to snap is finding a point of interest. In photography terms, this is something within the image that draws the eye and intrigues your audience.
This could be a subject in the picture or a focal point, such as a winding road that disappears into the distance.
When you start practising, try to look for focal points in your images that will draw the eye and add some interest to your picture.
Lighting
One of the most important aspects of your images is the lighting. Natural lighting is best for your pictures, especially for flat lays.
Different times of day will have different effects on how your images come out, so it’s worth playing around with this before you get serious and start uploading.
Artificial lighting is usually too harsh and unless manipulated to your advantage (such as by using a photo box to display products in a white space.
Bold colours and shapes
The perfect Instagram photo will be something that jumps out from your feed and grabs your attention, whether it’s a professionally shot photo or not.
This means you need to play around with bold colours, shapes and angles if you want to get that Gram-worthy shot.
When framing your image, think about using an angle that isn’t conventional and something no one will have seen before. If it’s of a famous landmark, for example, try hunting around for a different perspective – one that people may not be expecting.
Use an editing app
While you can do a limited amount of editing within the Instagram app itself, and in your phone’s gallery, it’s worth trying out a new app. These can contain features you don’t have access to and in some cases can do a better job.
If you’re not sure, try out Snapseed for photo corrections and SKRWT for perspective. Instagram is undoubtedly one of the best for filter applications, but make sure you adjust the contrast and brightness to get the best image you can before applying a filter.
Switch your equipment
While Instagram is geared towards those using their smartphones to take images, it can be worth investing in some different equipment to make the most out of the platform.
You may want to consider this after you’ve used the platform and already gained a decent following, as you then already have a feel for what you’re doing and will have a better idea of what to look out for if you do choose to buy a camera.
Cameras may work better for pictures that require more focusing or if the image has more depth.
However, it’s worth noting that you may not your camera for those spontaneous moments when you have to simply snap away. Phone pictures can work well for behind the scene or candid shots, and the burst feature is particularly useful if you’re trying to capture movement.
Are you in need of a helping hand with your business’ Instagram strategy? Our qualified team are able to help! Get in touch with us to see what we can do for you and your social media strategy.
