How to Take Better Instagram Photos (+ posing ideas)

While the most beautiful blogs and Instagram feeds tend to seem effortless, the truth is, they are FAR FROM IT. Shooting and curating photos can take a *lot* of time and effort, and are often way more thought out & intentional than they seem from the outside. While this may be true, since we live in a digital world where photos are often the first thing we see, learning to take and create good photos is totally worth the time. A photo is truly worth a thousand words and it’s been proven time and time again that on visual platforms like blogs and social media sites (Instagram, Pinterest, etc), having good photos is half the battle and can really help to set you apart from the crowd.

Today, I’ve outlined my top 4 tips for taking better Instagram photos and posing ideas you can try ASAP! Let’s get to it!

1) Move Around

My first and favorite tip for taking better Instagram photos is to MOVE AROUND. Throw your hands up, whip your hair around, and just move your body! Everyone laughs because I’m always running around when taking photos but I personally think movement makes them FUN.

A few things to try:

• Stepping forward and backward to look like walking
• Putting your hands in the air (this one is a lot of fun!)
• Change up your feet. Put one in front of the other, spread them apart, kick one into the air.
• Spin around! This is great if you’re wearing clothes that MOVE with you like skirts, dresses, big shirts, etc.

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2) Try a New Angle

I for one know how easy it can be to get stuck in a rut of feeling like you’re taking the same photo again and again, so next time you feel bored, try to change it up with a new angle! Lately, I’ve been trying different angles than I’m used to and loving it. In both of these shots above, my camera was placed on the group and faced up. I love how big it makes the sky look!

A few angles that always look good:

• Have your photographer sit on the ground facing you while you’re standing and snap some shots! This works great with certain outfits like big dresses, etc.
• Find a fun wall or mural, and instead of taking the photo straight on, have your photographer get on a diagonal, creating a diagonal line with the wall behind you.
• Take it from afar – Have your photographer stand across the street, and snap some shots as you’re walking by. This creates a really fun in the moment look.

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3) Grab a Prop

Props are so helpful if you feel like you don’t know what to do with your hands (we’ve all been there!). Grab something easy like a coffee, hat, a purse, etc, and play around with it. It makes the photo look more natural! I’m always keeping my eyes open everywhere I go for the perfect props.

Some props I love for engaging photos are:

• A drink – Coffee or tea works great here to look like you’re on the go, but you can also grab a more fun prop like a slushie, old school soda, etc.
• A hat or scrunchie – This gives you something to touch and play within the photos.
• Seasonal things for holidays, etc. – For example, knowing that I wanted to shoot a 4th of July photo, I opted for red, white, and blue popsicles and a bandana.
• Food – Food always works great! Try to snap a photo when you’re out to brunch, or just grab a soft pretzel, an ice cream cone, etc.

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4) Laugh Out Loud 

For me, I’m not super great at edgy, straight-faced photos. As someone who’s smiling 24/7, I decided to embrace that and try to make it shine through in photos. Talk to your photog about something funny, and laugh it out! This helps photos feel more natural and candid then super posed and stiff.

And that’s it friends! I hope these tips help you take better Instagram photos and get your creative juices flowing. The best way to learn is to practice and try out new things, so don’t be afraid to experiment with each tip above and make it your own. You will only get better and better in time and become a pro before you know it!

Sincerely, Katerina 

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