The 10 Shots You Need to be an Instagram Star
Let's face it — when it comes to social media, Instagram is still king, and chances are you scroll and double tap several times a day. Might as well learn how to use it to your advantage and amp up your feed with gorgeous images that make others hit like and follow.
Let's face it — when it comes to social media, Instagram is still king, and chances are you scroll and double tap several times a day. Might as well learn how to use it to your advantage and amp up your feed with gorgeous images that make others hit like and follow.
Nailing this particular type of shot is tricky and, not surprisingly, a number's game, explains Malay. "Slip into a chic outfit and have your photographer walk with you while snapping as many photos as possible while you're in motion. One of them is bound to be good!"
Nailing this particular type of shot is tricky and, not surprisingly, a number's game, explains Malay. "Slip into a chic outfit and have your photographer walk with you while snapping as many photos as possible while you're in motion. One of them is bound to be good!"
The perfect beach shot isn't all about a beautiful body posing in a two-piece — a breathtaking clear blue landscape can (and will!) steal your thunder. "Play your position and work with the ocean," suggests Malay. "Situate yourself off to the side and capture the water in all its glory with the panoramic setting on your phone." This particular setting is key here — you'll get a higher shot than if you used the normal default setting.
The perfect beach shot isn't all about a beautiful body posing in a two-piece — a breathtaking clear blue landscape can (and will!) steal your thunder. "Play your position and work with the ocean," suggests Malay. "Situate yourself off to the side and capture the water in all its glory with the panoramic setting on your phone." This particular setting is key here — you'll get a higher shot than if you used the normal default setting.
Play matchy-matchy with your surroundings and your
Play matchy-matchy with your surroundings and your
Adventurers love a good wing shot, especially when it's surrounded by a beautiful blue sky and fluffy, cotton candy-colored clouds. To ensure you get the exact perfect angle, Malay suggests requesting a window seat a few rows behind the wing so you can capture a large surface and crop in as much as you like.
Adventurers love a good wing shot, especially when it's surrounded by a beautiful blue sky and fluffy, cotton candy-colored clouds. To ensure you get the exact perfect angle, Malay suggests requesting a window seat a few rows behind the wing so you can capture a large surface and crop in as much as you like.
Who doesn't drool over a delicious dessert shot? Malay advises to get two scoops of different flavors (the more colorful, the better), and snap it against a clean background. And if you have a fresh mani, "Make sure you get your scoop in a cone so that you can hold it up and show it off at the same time," adds Malay. Two wins in one!
Who doesn't drool over a delicious dessert shot? Malay advises to get two scoops of different flavors (the more colorful, the better), and snap it against a clean background. And if you have a fresh mani, "Make sure you get your scoop in a cone so that you can hold it up and show it off at the same time," adds Malay. Two wins in one!
Arrange your favorite primping products on a stark, clean background and start snapping. "Sneak a bouquet of flowers into one corner of the shot to add a little something extra," explains Malay. "Also, gorgeous natural lighting is key here — I always take flat-lay photos near an open window."
Arrange your favorite primping products on a stark, clean background and start snapping. "Sneak a bouquet of flowers into one corner of the shot to add a little something extra," explains Malay. "Also, gorgeous natural lighting is key here — I always take flat-lay photos near an open window."
Put on something cute and ask your photographer to play around with the camera aperture to control the depth of field. Translation: Make the background a bit blurry so only you are in focus. "Don't forget to stand up straight, walk tall, and know that you are a BOSS," adds Malay.
Put on something cute and ask your photographer to play around with the camera aperture to control the depth of field. Translation: Make the background a bit blurry so only you are in focus. "Don't forget to stand up straight, walk tall, and know that you are a BOSS," adds Malay.
A dreamy floral display comprises three things: a mixture of colors, tons of texture, and an assortment of various blooms. And since a stunning shot of pretty petals can rack up the likes, Malay says to snap photos of several arrangements at different distances and angles. That way you have plenty of shots banked to post on a whim for months to come.
A dreamy floral display comprises three things: a mixture of colors, tons of texture, and an assortment of various blooms. And since a stunning shot of pretty petals can rack up the likes, Malay says to snap photos of several arrangements at different distances and angles. That way you have plenty of shots banked to post on a whim for months to come.
Your home is an extension of your style, so your decor should be in line with your social feed aesthetic. "Shop for interesting pieces that you can repurpose in unconventional ways, like this Moroccan wedding blanket that doubles as artwork on my wall," says Malay. Another pro tip: Always take the photo when the most natural light is entering the room.
Your home is an extension of your style, so your decor should be in line with your social feed aesthetic. "Shop for interesting pieces that you can repurpose in unconventional ways, like this Moroccan wedding blanket that doubles as artwork on my wall," says Malay. Another pro tip: Always take the photo when the most natural light is entering the room.
