How to Take the Perfect Instagram Photo

Why does it seem that all of you who signed in Instagram, know exactly how to pose and find your light, to get the best selfie or photo? In reality, you know that they probably took dozens or even hundreds of pictures to get the one they posted, but it feels like they all know that some of the codes you don’t.

Well the cheat codes are here baby. This is how you get the perfect shot.

DIY selfies are the best option

We’ve all been there. The outfit is fire. Makeup is great. The place is painfully cool. You think your followers just need to know that you were there and looked attractive. You pass your phone to a friend expecting him to do some magic, and after he takes a bunch of photos and gives you back the phone … all the shots suck . You look terrible! Now what?

You know yourself and your camera angles better than anyone, so if you really want a killer picture that gets likes, you can always just do it yourself. Phones have had front-facing cameras for a decade. It’s time to take a selfie, if you haven’t already, damn the opinions and extraneous embarrassment of other people in the room.

“Selfies are my favorites!” said Nivin Jay , a Los Angeles woman who has about 54,000 followers on the app, many of whom quickly double-click everything she posts. And “whatever she posts” is usually a selfie.

She continued, “You want to find a well-lit window, stand in front of it, open your lips slightly and click away. Try to look directly into sunlight whenever possible. Eyes are a little watery, but believe me, the photo is worth it! “

Practice makes perfect

Helpful Hint: It is not necessary to publish all the pictures you take. Some of them can be used just for practice! Some might be for a remote folder! This is fine.

“Don’t be afraid to try different poses and turn your face slightly in different ways to find out which one is best,” Jay said. “You want to feel confident and comfortable.”

Tatiana Katkova , a New York-based photographer, said: “If you feel insecure photographing, you can just practice doing some poses at home in front of the mirror to feel more confident and know your angles.”

Pose, baby! Pose! (But watch your hands.)

Midwestern photographer Brian Hempstead tells Lifehacker that body language is the key to getting a good shot, “so just try to relax as best you can.

“When it comes to shooting, try to keep the camera straight, not at a sharp angle. Do not cut off appendages such as ankles or knees. Turn on the grid on your camera or phone to practice framing, and try to keep things – like the horizon or a tree – from crossing your heads. “

He also mentioned that “most people don’t know what to do with their hands at the moment.” This is definitely true whether you are taking a selfie or someone taking a photo of you.

“To keep things simple, you can throw them in your pocket, put your hand on your hip, cross your arms, and grab your waist or jacket. Have fun and play with it, ”he said. Remember that you can take as many photos as you like; no one needs to know how much you have rejected in your quest to find the One.

Katkova added: “I would recommend the movement position. Step away from the person taking the picture, look at the camera and smile. It’s simple and always looks cute. “

Get a second opinion (or different)

Before hitting send, consider hitting send to a few friends you trust to be brutally honest and / or properly hyped you up.

Jay said she has a “constant group chat” with her best friends, where they all send in their latest selfies for judgment and support. They “make sure everyone approves” before they publish, which is not a bad idea. If you’ve spent 15 minutes taking photos of yourself, analyzing them closely, and fiddling with filters – let alone standing in bright light, which is likely to give you a few spots in your vision – your perception of photos may be skewed. … A couple of fresh perspectives can be really helpful here.

Support call

You cannot do everything yourself. Sometimes it’s really helpful to ask a friend to take a photo, joke you, adjust your posture, and tend to make you feel less awkward.

“I work a lot with people [who are] not used to being in front of the camera and not very confident in themselves,” Hempstead explained. “The best advice I can give is if you don’t feel confident or cool, ask the photographer to play the music you like to create a safe and fun space. Ask someone to tell jokes or do something funny behind the camera to take the pressure off you. An honest laugh any day is better than a forced smile. “

He suggested taking pictures in the outfit you like or while listening to your favorite song for an extra boost of confidence.

Have fun!

Yes, your mission is to get likes, comments, and the sweet, sweet rush of seratonin that comes with the approval of your face from strangers, but take a step back. Remember, you are beautiful the way you are. Even if your makeup isn’t perfect or you don’t look like your idealized version of yourself, you are still a cutie who deserves this outfit, this face, that day – whatever!

Jay reminds him that this is for fun. “We are all our own harshest critics. Any shot you take will be beautiful in good lighting! “

Katkova noted that it is important not only to have fun for your own good; the enjoyment of life also enhances the picture. “When you take a photo for Instagram, you should always remember that people love to see energy and emotion,” she said. “So if you have fun and smile, it always gets people’s attention.”

“Try not to be so hard on yourself,” Hempstead added. “Don’t wait until you lose weight, get your teeth fixed, or put on makeup. Just take photos, create memories and have a good time. I promise you will enjoy remembering this in the future. ”