5 Tips for Taking the Perfect Instagram
Instagram/@stealthespotlight1/7Like it or not, Instagram has taken cellphone photography to a whole new level. Avocado toasts are documented, filter choices define you, and suddenly your besties are basically professional photographers. From editing apps to clip-on lenses, people are constantly coming up with ways to enhance their photos (and, yep, get more likes). But what really works to move those numbers?
Everyone knows social media isn’t just for friends and family these days — and that’s a good thing! The photos you send out into the world offer a digital-first impression of yourself to colleges, potential employers, and even future friends, so it’s important to put your best filter forward. To assist you on your path to Insta-excellence, we enlisted the sharpest grads of the Teen Vogue x Parsons program to share their best tricks for channeling an eye for style into a winning work of Insta art. Whether your #aesthetic is dreamy pastels or sharp skylines, give these tips a try — even the tiniest adjustment can make a major impact.
Instagram/@vincentlohh2/7Look Sharp
For Vincent Loh, fashion reigns supreme. “If you’re going to take an outfit of the day, your main focus should obviously be your style,” he explains. “Both your outfit and location should go hand in hand to create an eye-catching composition for your audience. Always remember to balance out your color palettes, patterns, and textures.”
Don’t have a tripod handy? Don’t worry, says Vincent. “We don’t always have a photographer friend following us around like paparazzi. Instead, find a friend or passer-by along the streets (you can pretend you’re a tourist!) to take the photo for you,” he says, adding that it’s a good idea to always take more photos than you need. “Review them afterward. You will probably find one that’s the best out of the bunch.”
Instagram/@ade.pasch3/7Tell a Story
For Adelaide Pasch Bastero, one of the most exciting assignments she completed in the program involved creating “a consistent look [that] visually represented our personal story, giving the viewer an insight into our personal brand and storytelling skills.” Adelaide wanted to recreate her Mediterranean lifestyle, so she chose a blue wall that reminded her of the sea — providing a clever contrast in colors — and made sure to shoot in natural daylight to emphasize her inspiration.
“I paid attention to the details that reminded me of Spain,” she explains. “It helped me realize how important it is to tackle visual storytelling in every picture you take in order to make it credible for the viewer.”
Instagram/@viennaskye4/7Curate Your Feed
When Vienna Skye first heard about Teen Vogue x Parsons, she knew she had to sign up. “As a senior in high school it was a great way to help me decide which part of the fashion industry I wanted to focus on in college,” she says. “’Unlocking Visual Style’ was my favorite course. Creating your own look is really important.”
These days, you’ll most often hear the word “aesthetic” with regard to an Instagram feed, she says. “We all strive to have coherent photos on our accounts,” she says, but “don’t just post a selfie if you get bored and feel like posting. Limit them in order to make each one more special. Better quality photos will attract more likes.”
And don’t underestimate the power of the grid. “You want your entire feed to represent you, so be careful how you portray yourself,” she explains. “The best way to achieve this is to have your top six pictures highlight your favorite things in life. When someone comes across your profile, their first impression will be made from those.”
But it’s not all about the picture — add some text or emojis, too! “Using a quirky caption like, ‘In times of need, I pray to Saint Laurent,’ is always a good way to add a little something extra to your post,” she adds.
Instagram/@illustrationbybru5/7Style Your Still Life
One assignment in Bruna Andrade’s “Unlocking Visual Style” course involved gathering 10 items that truly demonstrate who you are and what inspires you. This leads up to Bruna’s advice: “The first thing to do is know how you want your image to look. I chose to use a white board as my background to make the elements pop.”
But setting up the still life is only step one. “Practice a little with different lights, locations, models, and objects, and you can get really nice shots with your phone,” she says. “Practice makes perfect!”
Instagram/@stealthespotlight6/7Get Inspired (and Filter It Up!)
“What’s a photo without a good theme?” asks Katie Orlowski. “Pinterest is the perfect place to start finding the inspiration you need. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference! Look at colors, accessories, hairstyles, and locations.”
Then, once you have the concept sorted, “it’s time to get into position,” she explains. “Natural lighting is great, but direct sunlight can often be too harsh, so try shooting as the sun goes down (aka the #goldenhour). Don’t be afraid to try some different angles. Although you might feel silly squatting down for a shot, it will pay off in the end when your model looks like they magically grew three inches.”
“When it comes to Instagram, it’s all about the filter,” she adds. “So finish off your shot with your favorite editing app (I recommend VSCO Cam), but make sure you don’t overdo it! A little change in contrast and saturation should do the trick.”
7/7Want more Teen Vogue? Like us on Facebook to stay in the know!
