This is where Sked’s visual feed planner really come into its own. Rule of thirds. .alerts { Trusted by employees at 800+ of the Fortune 1000. Should you scout locations that will make your images pop? But, when they click... 2. Use your phone’s internal camera. Keep an eye out for leading lines and use them to add motion or purpose to your photo. It’s hard to get a good shot under direct sunlight, which can be harsh in photos. As with anything, Instagram photography isn’t a skill that you’ll hone overnight. Watch for glare coming from windows, artificial light sources and that big yellow thing in the sky. border-color: #82c1e3; The most important thing you can do is change how you look at the world. As you can see from the video, my first step to taking great Instagram photos is to research on Instagram! A post shared by LIZ (@really_really_lizzy). Not so fast. But, if not? There’s no simpler change that will so drastically improve your photos than paying attention to your lighting. border-color: #82c1e3; But, if you can practice some patience and tweak and refine as you’re shooting, you’re far more likely to end up with an image that you’re happy with. No, you don’t need to be an expert photographer to land some quality snapshots. With practice, you’ll learn how to frame them to produce stunning photos. Of course, you know that stepping up your game with your Instagram photos will lead to a far more appealing presence for your brand. We’ve pulled together eight key steps that will take your Instagram photos from shoddy to stunning. Instead, just tap your photo subject or focal point to focus the camera. and post. Kat Boogaard is a freelance writer, who writes for Sked Social about marketing strategy. Do you want something bold and colorful? Now that you know how to take good Instagram photos, why not start carving out hours in your social media workflow by signing up for. But, you can also use a ring light if you just can’t get great natural lighting inside your home.. My apartment faces the east, so … Look closely at the four photos above. One of the most important tips when learning how to take good Instagram photos is lighting. Consistent posting is important. Even further, all of that time spent on experimentation with your photos will reveal what you do like and don’t like, as well as what’s working well and what isn’t. Symmetrical composition often enhances a subject that might not be exciting otherwise. In this post, you’ll learn how to take good Instagram photos using only your phone, and some Instagram picture ideas to inspire your feed. Add layers to create interest. But if you have an adorable pup at your disposable (or, just putting this out into the universe, a miniature pony) it would be a mistake not to use them. Insider Tip: If there’s an Instagram feed that you really admire, reach out to that person to ask if he or she is willing to share the details of what apps or settings are used to edit those photos. Instagram for Business: The Definitive Guide for Brands and Agencies Turn off the Flash, Watch the Light. The last one is especially important, because the people eating next to you definitely don’t want to be interrupted by your flash. It’s something that’s refined over time—after much experimenting and plenty of trial and error. If you want a great looking Instagram account, you need to take great photos. How to Take Better Photos With Your Android Phone. color: #000000; Now that you have the basics of your aesthetic ironed out, think of the groundwork that you’ll need to lay in order to achieve that look. To start planning your grid, go to your Sked account’s dashboard and click on the Planner icon in the sidebar menu, like in the image below. In this case, the flowers are arranged in the lower-right area of the photo, and are balanced by the sun in the top-left corner. But, beyond the vanity, why are good Instagram photos important? I wrapped my Gorillapod and camera around this tree. If you’re highly interested in finding out more in-depth information about various photography techniques, don’t hesitate to roll up your sleeves and dive right into all of the tutorials, how-to articles, or even classes that you can find! You have plenty of tips and tricks to help you get you started. I often see this on some Instagram accounts and, to be honest, it makes me cringe. In fact, plenty of the gorgeous photos that you’ve seen on Instagram have been shot with nothing more than just a phone. In fact, photos with people get up to 38% more likes than photos without. Since most Instagram photos are square, shooting that way will help you see exactly what the composition will look like—as opposed to being disappointed when you need to crop it. Just take a quick look at Apple’s branded hashtag #ShotoniPhone on Instagram, and you’ll see plenty of stunning images that were captured without any high-tech equipment: However, despite the fact that you don’t need to invest in anything expensive or overly complex, it’s important that you do understand how to best leverage whatever it is you’re using—even if it is just a phone. Here’s another way to think about it: When you walk into a high-end clothing boutique, you expect to find well-made (and likely expensive) clothing items. That’s what everyone else does, too. Obviously, there’s a lot more involved with stellar photography than we could possibly touch on here. border: solid 4px; Are you wondering how to take good photos for Instagram? It’s the reason you always want to take a selfie in a restaurant bathroom with killer wallpaper. Try incorporating a cup of coffee or tea to make your photo … It turns even an ordinary subject into something lovely: A post shared by stella blackmon (@stella.blackmon). Start with a Plan. So, ask yourself what makes the most sense for your brand’s voice and style. Once you’ve got your shots, it’s time to start thinking about how you can turn them into an attractive Instagram grid. Sure, we love posting pictures of ourselves when we go to cool places. Lighting is the foundation of a good photo. Warm photos are generally travel bloggers, while cold photos can best be seen in nature or landscape photographers. This is a classic rule of composition. Some phones even include a portrait mode, which will optimize lighting and focus. The best light is … Instagram photo tips 1. Try shooting from above or below, crouching low to the ground, or scaling a wall (if you’re feeling ambitious). Getting those jaw-dropping snapshots involves a little bit of luck, yes, but there’s also plenty of planning and preparation involved. The quality of your images is extremely important. Step 2: Don’t overexpose your images. A post shared by Charlie & Lee (@charlieandlee). Instagram has some great filters and editing tools already built in. Photos should never look as though they’re going uphill or downhill. Your internal camera doesn’t have the same size constraints, so you’ll be able to take large, high-quality photos and edit them to suit your exact specifications later on. You could then create a photo collage to display a whole array of images with a particular color scheme. This can all vary depending on which specific phone you have. color: #000000; Focus on Quality with your Instagram Pictures. This can limit your options for editing later, and you might miss interesting details, so avoid doing it. line-height: 1.5; You can use it to apply a whole range of filters to your images, as well as text, story stickers, frames and other special effects. Even with tons of advice at your disposal, it will still take some time to get things just the way you want them. establish a distinctive and memorable brand identity, posting engaging content boosts your visibility on Instagram, grainy, lackluster photos that damage your brand, photos with people get up to 38% more likes than photos without, schedule and publish photos directly to Instagram. Good photos on Instagram should be uncluttered and simple, instead of complicated, blurry, and vague. In effect, you are just pre-cropping your image. You just have to find some creative pictures to take at home that really make the most of your lighting situation, homemade meals, and colorful walls. Will you be shooting the great outdoors? That washed out look is created by too much light in the image. padding: 1em 1em 1.5em; Download our Ebook to learn everything you need to know about leveraging Instagram! Grab our ebook Instagram for Business to take your Instagram game up a notch! You want to stand out from other brands on Instagram, so always challenge yourself to find a fresh angle on a common subject. Take your photo from a close distance to preserve quality. But, sometimes quality really does carry a little more weight than quantity. line-height: 1.5; The more you’ll boost that post according to Instagram’s algorithm—which then increases your chances of appearing in more people’s feeds and even landing on the “Explore” page (which will widen your reach to others who don’t yet follow your account). Are there other supplies you’ll need—such as backdrops for flat lay photos? Once you complete this article, this daunting step will seem much easier. Pro tip: Turn on the gridlines for your phone camera in settings, and use them to practice aligning your photos. Understand light. Daring and adventurous? A sharp focus on an unexpected or interesting detail can be attention-grabbing, especially in a feed full of busy, dynamic photos. But photos that include layers, with patterns or objects in the background as well as the foreground, are naturally interesting because they offer more depth. In order for me to achieve the light and airy look I am going for in my Instagram feed, I make sure to photograph in natural light as much as possible. Instagram for Business 101 Try and shoot photos that tell a story about the person or place." Or, will your feed involve plenty of food photography? Instagram is a happy place, which means humor plays well here. Since Instagram is a social network, it’s easy to fall into that “rapid fire” mentality that seems to pervade all social platforms. Try it free today. In fact, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to turn pictures (even those taken with your smartphone) into eye-catching Instagram grids with the Sked (formerly Schedugram) image editor and feed planner, once you have some basic photography knowledge. RELATED: Want to learn how to run your Instagram content calendar on autopilot? Leaving space around the focal point of your photo can add more visual interest than zooming in. This is a simple technique, but it works: take advantage of an awesome background! Neutral is generally minimal and best used for fashion, lifestyle and home brands. Sure, your photos only show up one at a time in your followers’ feeds. This will also help you establish a distinctive and memorable brand identity. Have no fear—we have your comprehensive guide to taking good Instagram photos right here. It may feel unnatural at first, but get used to moving objects around or moving yourself to get a good shot. In fact, natural lighting is usually your best bet when it comes to photography. That diversity will empower you to truly choose the best of the best. A quick expert tip is to choose a warm, cold, or neutral color palette for your Instagram feed. Bright, rich colors make us happy and give us energy. At least familiarize yourself with the above basics of what makes for a great photo. Similarly, think about the types of things you’re planning on photographing. Clouds diffuse the light from the sun and create a softer, more flattering effect. Here are nine smartphone photo-taking tips to create the perfect photos for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter feeds—tips to help make your businesses’ social media stand out. If you want to take a picture of your hamburger, take a picture of your hamburger, not yourself holding your hamburger up to your face while you're making a duck-face with your friends. Before you dive into learning how to take good Instagram photos, it’s best to get acquainted with Sked’s Visual Planner. Weekly tips that make you an Instagram genius? Overexposure kills photos. Take note, because posting engaging content boosts your visibility on Instagram. Since a larger f/stop number, like f/8, lets in less light, you’ll need to counter that by using a slower shutter speed to allow more light through. This shot comes across more natural if it includes everyday objects. Lay a variety of objects flat on a surface and take the picture from overhead. You’ll have a good idea... 2. margin: 2em 0; Don’t get so caught up in Instagram photo trends that you lose your creativity. Learn how to take good Instagram photos using only your phone, and some Instagram picture ideas to inspire your feed and gain new followers. A fun project for home iPhone photography is to shoot lots of items of the same color. recipe for great Instagram photos time and time again. Each layer of the photo offers something to look at, drawing you in. 4 tip. You’ll see a toggle for the “Grid Overlay.” Turn that on, and you’ll see a nine-square grid whenever you use your camera—which will help you easily use the rule of thirds to take awesome photos. food_glooby. In order to achieve that Instagram-worthy quality, put the tips and advice we’ve covered here to good use. Plus, unlike that bulky DSLR that you haul out for vacations, it’s always at hand. But, the end results? Michelle Cyca is a writer, editor, and digital content strategist. The choices feel virtually limitless when it comes to editing apps and solutions. Once you’re in the editing phase, click the editor icon to open the photo editor. Map Out Your Aesthetic Here’s the truth: It’s tough to take beautiful Instagram photos on the fly. Some Instagram accounts have even amassed huge followings by documenting beautiful patterns, like I Have This Thing With Floors. Great photos have multiple points of interest without feeling cluttered. Keep in mind that your Instagram aesthetic needs to complement the overall personality of your brand. Some things are true, even if we don’t really understand why. It feels good. Still not convinced? Lighting is the foundation of a good photo. And, even further, you’ll have dozens of different images—rather than ones that look nearly identical. Take Portrait Photos. Instagram. It divides an image into a 3×3 grid, and aligns the subjects or objects in a photo along the grid lines to create balance. Light is both a particle and a wave. What can you change? Get full access and see how absolutely easy it is to rock your visual marketing plans from here on out! Our all-in-one Instagram scheduler allows you to automatically post images, carousels, Stories, videos and more. } To take a stunning portrait, follow the principles above: use natural light, choose an appealing background, and explore shooting from different angles to capture a more interesting shot. That will help you at least start with a solid photo—which you can then polish up (more on that later!) This photo, rather than just cropping tightly on the flowers, also includes the railing behind them, a tree beyond that, and then a sunset and horizon. While a simple, minimalistic look is always en vogue, switch up your photos … So, you do your best to step up your game with your Instagram photos. What do they really accomplish for you? Resist this natural tendency if you want to take interesting, unexpected photos. But, when they click through to your profile? Watch this video for even more tips on how to take good Instagram photos on your phone: Now that you understand the principles of photography, let’s talk about subjects. If you can’t shoot outdoors,  take photos near windows or in well-lit rooms. But, one of the best ways to capture solid images for your brand’s account is to take your time—particularly when you’re actually shooting photos and especially when you’re just getting acquainted with our ‘how to take good Instagram photos’ tips and tricks. Nowhere is that more true than Instagram, where we can’t get enough of food photography. A good selfie is so much more than solid lighting and a clean background — from the best time of day to the most flattering angle, there are various factors to consider for that perfect selfie. By simply adjusting the clarity, contrast, and then adding a “refresh” filter, we were able to transform this previously dingy and dark flat lay photo: Into this end result that’s much brighter, cleaner, and far more striking: What exact settings and adjustments you make to your photos will depend on what overall look you’re going for within your brand’s Instagram feed. Sometimes you get a surprising detail that makes the photo even better, like the moon high in the sky of this photo: A post shared by nicole wong 〰 (@tokyo_to). A post shared by Caroline Cala Donofrio (@carolinecala). Are you wondering how to take good photos for Instagram? You absolutely don’t need to be an expert in order to craft some beautiful images for your brand’s Instagram feed. The best images are made in good … How to take good Instagram photos on your phone Step 1: Use natural light. Instagram is a fantastic platform for sharing your photographs such as from your day to day life, or travels. background: #d9edf7; .blue-alerts { The important thing to remember is this: Instagram is a totally visual platform. Or, do interior shots make the most sense for your business? and upload an image from your computer, Google/Drive, Dropbox, another Instagram URL or Canva. Research has found that people love looking at faces on Instagram (hello once again to Chris Hemsworth). There are plenty of other helpful solutions out there, and they might be just what you need to take your own photos up a notch. Need more help to figure out how to move forward? Save time managing your Instagram presence using Hootsuite. That’s valuable information you can use to streamline your process and land on a winning (and repeatable!) Put objects on a … Too much light and your subject looks washed out. A post shared by Kaia the Adventure Corgi (@whereskaia). Don’t Chase Likes. 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