How To Create a Beautiful Instagram Feed
Many bloggers will tell you that Instagram doesn’t really drive a lot of traffic to their blogs. Technically, this is true. The rate of people viewing your Instagram page and then clicking the link in your bio to your online shop or blog is lower than maybe the conversion rate from your Pinterest or your Facebook.
But this doesn’t mean your Instagram account isn’t good enough or isn’t helping. It’s just like this because Instagram is for looking at pictures.
Instagram is going to help you bring people to your site. Sure they might not click the link in your bio, but they’ll see that picture of you in the cutest jumpsuit telling them to come to your blog to learn more about how you scored it on mega sale. Most people will have that in their minds all day, and then remember to open up their browsers and visit your site.
So, all in all – Instagram is a marketing tool. Brand yourself, market yourself, and take better Instagram pictures.
I’ve shared some tips on how I take my photos before, but I really want to dig deep today and give you my no-fuss, no-nonsense guide to creating a beautiful Instagram page. Hopefully you’ll have some Instagram ideas cooking up in your brain by the time you reach the end of this post!
Hold your phone up
Look at the difference between these two photos. Which is more aesthetically pleasing to you?
It’s totally your opinion, but if you said the second one, you are correct. (Heehee.) Now these aren’t in my usual aesthetic since I prefer light backgrounds and more natural light, but this example will do.
Photos like this look more….I don’t want to say artsy, but…artsy. There is more white space to your picture (which is something you really want) and less sharp, awkward edges. Phone up at your head, camera hovering over like a bird’s eye view, and SNAP.
Turn off lamps
When I take pictures in my room, I open the blinds to my window and turn off my ceiling fan light. It’s a bit dark in my room at this point, but it resembles a cloudy day which is optimal for taking pictures. You can always brighten the photo after you take it, which is usually what I do in VSCO cam.
Shoot in 3’s
It’s better to take a picture of 3 items strewn on your comforter, than 4. It’s scientifically proven that pictures of objects in groups of 3 are more aesthetically pleasing. Obviously, if you’re taking a picture of your desk, there’s going to be more than 3 objects, so this picture really applies to more flat lay options.
You kinda do need a theme
I’ve said this before, but I hate saying “Instagram theme” because of the negative connotation with it. People just don’t want to have to stick to one type of picture – it’s really limiting. I think there’s a healthy balance with this “theme”. I think you want to take and edit your pictures similarly and maybe opt to include a few key colors as branding. However, not every picture needs to be exactly the same.
I love clean, white background photos and most of the things I photograph are in soft tones. But if you’ll look at my feed, every now and then, I need a burst of color to stay sane.
Find your Instagram inspo and hang on tight
If you find an Instagram account you *love*, follow them! Take notice of how they take their photos. Maybe they shoot their food on a picnic blanket. Maybe they seem to edit to a certain rhythm. Draw inspiration from that to help your feed!
Insta accounts that I love:
@_ssblog
@samimast
@katriinamai
@heleneinbetween
@jacimariesmith
Engage people in your captions
Congrats! You took a beautiful photo of your latte art…but why should your followers care? Instagram captions are crucial. Engage your audience and they are more likely to respond positively to your picture. Ask them what their Starbucks order is, ask them if they’ve checked out your blog post that day, ask them what they’re having for dinner. Instagram isn’t a collection of your pictures – it’s a marketing tool and a way to build relationships!
Let me know some of your favorite Instagram accounts below and follow me on Instagram for more tips on how to make your feed as pretty as can be! (@cristina96x)
X,
Cristina
