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If you want to learn how to take awesome Instagram photos, this article is for you.
Whether you’re an influencer, a content creator for your client’s account, or just want to improve the look of your Instagram feed, this article can help.
What Makes a Great Instagram Photo?
Credit: Karsten Winegaeart
It goes without saying that a great Instagram photo needs to be technically perfect. There shouldn’t be unintentional underexposure or overexposure, digital noise, blurriness, etc.
However, this alone won’t be enough. People scroll through thousands of images daily on Instagram, so you need one that creates more engagement.
Good storytelling skills are needed to hook the viewer at first glance and then connect on a deeper level.
Most importantly, you need to publish photos that reflect your style and interest your audience.
8 Tips for Taking Awesome Instagram Photos
Do you want to take awesome photos for Instagram? Here are a few tips to help you out.
Tip 1 – Find good lighting
Credit: Ivan Samokov
Good lighting is key to taking good Instagram photos. Whether you use artificial or natural light, you need to be aware of its intensity, angle, and quality.
You can use natural light outside and indoors. If you’re outdoors, avoid direct sunlight, which creates unflattering shadows. Indoors, stand close to a window to get the best lighting.
Otherwise, you can use artificial light. Make sure you use soft light by adding a softbox or a beauty ring.
Tip 2 – Take multiple photos
Credit: Sam Lion
Regardless of the subject, having different choices will help you find the best shots instead of settling for the only one you have.
Try different angles and camera settings to create variety. In portrait shots, you should also consider that the person’s expression will differ slightly every time.
Pro tip: If you’re taking pictures of a moving subject, remember to use burst mode to capture the best moment of an action.
Tip 3 – Composition is vital
Credit: Saliha Sevim
Whether you’re shooting a landscape, a food photograph, or a portrait, composition can make or break your photo.
The rule of thirds is the most basic composition guideline, and you’ll have grid lines on almost any camera or phone. But you shouldn’t stop there.
Learn more composition tips, use camera apps with composition overlays, or recompose while you’re photo editing. This will automatically improve your Instagram posts.
Tip 4 – Learn about camera settings
Credit: Alena Darmel
Camera technology is so advanced that it can take good photos in almost any situation. However, it’s difficult to take amazing Instagram photos if you leave everything up to the camera.
You should be in control of the exposure so you can achieve the results that you want.
Even if you’re using a phone camera, you can adjust exposure settings when shooting in Pro mode. If your camera app doesn’t have this feature, download one that does.
Tip 5 – Prepare poses in advance
Credit: Mizuno K
Knowing how to pose your model is important for taking great portraits. When choosing the best poses, consider the photograph’s mood.
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It’s also important to consider your model’s age and body type. If you’re not great at directing your model, bring sample photos on your phone to show them what you want them to do.
You can get some posing ideas in our dedicated article on Instagram poses, but you should also consider photo prompts – especially if your subject is not a professional model.
Tip 6 – Get inspiration from the pros (tip for guys)
Find Instagram accounts you admire and take inspiration from them. Learn what you like about them and apply it when taking your own photos.
Some influencers to follow:
@iamgalla. If you’re into fashion and style, Adam Gallagher shares stunning photos with a classy, minimalistic look.
@davidgandy_official. David Gandy has classic and sophisticated content showcasing fashion, cars, and a luxury lifestyle.
@thetrendspotter. Dasha and Colin Gold include photos together and separately. Either way, they showcase the latest fashion trends in beautiful locations worldwide.
@gazoakley. Gaz Oakley mixes photographs of his dishes and his country lifestyle – definitely one to follow if you like the easy, casual look.
Tip 7 – Get inspiration from the pros (tip for gals)
Just as it is for guys, there are some amazing women influencers that you can follow for inspiration. This will help you understand your own style and learn about current trends.
Some influencers to follow:
@nnennaechem. Nnenna Echem showcases fashion and accessories by portraying her life in Oslo.
@taneshaawasthi. The original @GirlWithCurves, Tanesha Awasthi, has a modern and elegant style that promotes a healthy body image as a “curvy fashion girl over 40”.
@emmachamberlain. Emma Chamberlain uses her Instagram account to share a mix of professional and personal content. She shares her life with a down-to-earth approach, while the next post might be from a professional shoot for Miu Miu.
Tip 8 – Don’t forget about photo editing
If you want your Instagram feed to look pro, you need to start editing. Your edit can be the difference between an average photo and one that goes viral.
5 Tips for Taking Photos of Yourself for Instagram
Take your Instagram selfies to the next level with these tips.
Tip 1 – Use a tripod
Credit: Blue Bird
Using a tripod will help you get good Instagram photos because it allows you to stand further away from the camera.
If you’re shooting with a smartphone, use the back camera whenever possible. This usually has a better resolution than the frontal one, resulting in better image quality.
Tip 2 – Be confident
Credit: Mizuno K
Confidence is your best feature; you’ll always look good if you feel empowered and self-assured. A good way to gain confidence in front of the camera is to try all your angles.
It’s also a good idea to practice – take so many pictures of yourself that you no longer feel awkward! Try to relax before your photo, and learn how to smile naturally.
Tip 3 – Choose your outfit wisely
Credit: Anna Shvets
Your clothes need to fit you perfectly – not too tight or too loose. Use flattering colors and avoid busy patterns.
Check out this guide for more tips on styling for a shoot.
Tip 4 – Hair and makeup for women
Credit: Monicaaaaa aaa
Hair and makeup are just as important as the outfit. For a professional-looking Instagram portrait, remember to take care of these details.
Tip 5 – Facial grooming for men
Credit: Julia Sakelli
You might think that men have it easier when they’re getting ready to take a killer Instagram shot. However, men have not only their hairstyles and looks to worry about but also their facial grooming.
Make sure your facial hair is well-groomed and clean. If you don’t have a beard or mustache, shave close to the photoshoot time for a cleaner look.
Tips for Taking Awesome Instagram Photos On iPhone or Android
You don’t need a fancy camera and expensive equipment to take good Instagram photos – you can use both iOS and Android phones.
Credit: Designecologist
Tip 1 – Get a good quality camera phone
Quality is important to take great photos. Find a phone with high resolution that performs well in most light scenarios.
Tip 2 – Shoot at golden hour
Since phones can’t connect to flashes and carrying LED lights can defeat the portable purpose of using a phone, it’s best to use good natural light lighting. The golden hour is your best friend!
Tip 3 – Use HDR if necessary
HDR mode helps you get details in highlights and shadows when there’s high contrast. Use it when the subject is in the shade and there’s a bright sky behind it.
Tip 4 – Portrait mode is not just for portraits
Shoot in portrait mode anytime you want to blur the background. This is especially useful for portraits but also for pet photography, product photography, etc.
Tip 5 – Download a good editing app
If the editing tool from your phone is not enough, download a good editing app such as Lightroom, Photoshop, Snapseed, or VSCO.
What is the Best Camera for Instagram Photos?
Using your phone for Instagram photography is very convenient because you can post right from there. Here are some of the best camera phones:
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Pixel 8 Pro
Xiaomi 13 Pro
If you prefer to use your camera, here are some popular choices that allow you to wirelessly transfer photos easily.
What Camera Settings Should I Use for Instagram Photos?
Aspect ratio. Your phone’s aspect ratio is 16:9. That’s the best one if you want portrait or landscape photos. Alternatively, use a 1:1 ratio, which is the traditional Instagram format.
Resolution. Set your camera to the highest resolution to ensure the best quality.
Photo mode. Set your camera to Pro photo mode to manually adjust the settings. If you’re taking portraits, switch to Portrait mode to blur the background.
AE/AF Lock. If you’re not setting the exposure manually, tap on the photo subject to set the focal point. Then, when you see the yellow box, swipe up or down to adjust the exposure.
Grid. Turn on the grid feature to see the rule of thirds overlay. This will help you improve the composition.
Filters off. Disable all the photo filters. It’s better to add them in post-production.
Where Are the Best Places for Taking Great Instagram Pictures?
Credit: Hong Son
The best places for taking good Instagram photos depend on the mood – whether you want a natural setting, an urban vibe, or something else. This Shotkit article has suggestions on how to find photo spots.
Look for places with good natural lighting.
Use coffee shops for a cosy, intimate look.
Find graffiti walls for urban portraits.
Visit botanical gardens for beautiful nature shots.
Go to a blooming flower field.
Use doorways to frame your subject.
Shoot in stairways to get a wide variety of angles and perspectives.
Instagram & Mental Health
Chasing the ‘perfect’ Instagram shot can damage mental health. Plenty of studies show this worrying reality. I suggest the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma to get a glimpse of how big the problem can be.
Not only that, but some influencers have been brave enough to share their experiences to create awareness.
Remember that you need to set boundaries between your online and offline identities. Never base your self-worth on a superficial judgement dictated by a like or a comment given in a fraction of a second by people who don’t know you.
It’s OK to make a living out of Instagram and look for likes, but you can create engaging content without sacrificing your health. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.
You can offer value in your content beyond appearances, and you’ll see how people respond to that.
Spend enough time offline and engaging with your friends and family. If you start to feel anxiety, depression or other side effects due to your relationship with social media, please seek help.
FAQs About Taking Awesome Instagram Photos
How do Instagrammers take such good pictures?
Taking good Instagram photos requires creativity, know-how, and practice. Instagrammers learn about photography and study current trends. They take their time shooting the best photos and fine-tune them with editing.
How do you make Instagram pictures look amazing?
Taking the perfect shot is not enough to make it a good Instagram photo. Editing photos is part of the process to make good Instagram photos. You can get more vibrant colors, adjust the lighting, enhance with filters, etc.
How do I take pictures on Instagram with filters?
Instagram only enables the camera if you’re doing Stories and Reels. To take pictures on Instagram with filters, you need to start a Story. Then, scroll through the filters on the bottom bar and tap on them to preview the effect.
At the end, there’s a search tool to find more filters. Once you find the one you like, take the picture. Remember that you can also upload photos to post and add a filter before publishing them – here’s a more in-depth guide.
What are the best apps for editing Instagram photos?
Plenty of editing apps are available paid and for free – Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed are two of the most popular. If you like using filters, you can try VSCO, which has some basic editing tools.
How can I learn to take better photos?
There are plenty of free resources online – including Shotkit’s articles. Alternatively, you can join a course online or in person. Then, you need to practice as much as you can.
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