In case you missed last weeks post, I shared 2 of my favorite apps for growing my following on Instagram by 600% in 30 days. The response was so overwhelming that I decided to write a follow-up post!
The most common question I got was:
“but how do I take Instagram-worthy photos”?
So this week I wanted to answer that question in detail:
1. Keep it simple. Think about the Instagram profiles you love they all usually have one main focus and a fairly neutral background.
So even though you may not have the best home office, or beach, or mountain to be your backdrop… you can still have a pretty awesome Instagram picture.
How can you achieve the above look?
FOAM BOARDS. Yep, remember back to middle school days where you would pick up a foam board for a school project? It's time to get those again! You can pick up this nifty pack of 10 foam boards on Amazon… you might be wondering why I suggest 10… stick with me on this… so you know those super luxe photos you probably drool over:
Well what if I told you, you could make that happen for under $10?!? That's right! You can pick up textured vinyl adhesives to stick on the foam boards and create an entirely different look. They come in marble, rustic wood, and white wood! How cool?!?
2. Use the “Rule of Thirds”. In photography there is something called the Rule of Thirds. You probably have seen the gridlines at some point while taking a photo (if not, get out your Iphone, go to settings, then to photos and camera, scroll down until you see grid, and switch it on)… well that grid helps you with the rule of thirds, see how it the frame is broken down into 9 sections? or 3rds? The goals with the rule of thirds is to have your main focus point/subject at the intersection of 2 or 3 points, rather than just centering the photo.
It makes the photo more interesting and engaging, as opposed it just being centered or really far off center.
3. A DIY Lightbox! Cheap and easy!
Want more lighting tips? Check it out–>
[RELATED] How To Create An At Home Photography Studio On A Budget!
Want more Instagram advice?
Click to get my full checklist of favorite apps for Instagram!
These are wonderful tips! To take my insta pics, I use a plain white poster board and the effect is beautiful. I’m going to have to try out some vinyl adhesives for a different look! 🙂
Chelsea | http://coffeewithchels.com
Love the white poster board! They come out so beautifully!
Great tips! I recently bought some foam board and marble contact paper and made my first super cheap background! Can’t believe that for so long I thought everyone except me had fabulous marble countertops …. when all along it was contact paper;)
OMG yay! I thought that too for so long haha
This is great advice! I’ve actually been looking into getting a marble background off amazon because photos always look great! Also I’ve never really heard of the ‘3rds’ rule but that look me like a great idea so in definitely going to try that! Thanks!
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed!
I love my foam board! I need to get some other backgrounds off Amazon to switch it up now 🙂
Yay! can’t wait to see what new backgrounds you choose!
Great post! I totally need these tips to help my Instagram feed out, I feel like a total Instagram newbie.
Haha I’m loving it! I just went HAM on Instagram and grew my following from less than 250 to over 3100 in less than 2 months!
Thank you for the tips, I have such a hard time keeping my IG cohesive. The foam board idea is brilliant!
Yes! It can be so tough to stay consistent! I have spent so many hours studying it and seem to finally have a system down!
awesome advice!!! I love my foam boards and contact paper or wrapping paper backdrops! Thanks for sharing the tricks of the trade! Great post!
Wrapping paper is great! I find it creases up really easily though which is why i made the switch to contact paper. Thanks for the support!
Foam boards are awesome! So is scrapping paper;)
Yes!! I just learned that the other day!
This is awesome even just for taking good photos with DSLR!
Agreed! Or an Iphone!
These are great suggestions! I’m always looking for better ways to use IG for a DIY blog 🙂
Thank you!
I love the IG account @abeautifulmess! Her photos are so pretty.
RIGHT!? I love it!
a DIY lightbox-genius!
haha that’s totally how I felt when I saw it!
these tips are so great! thanks for sharing! and i agree with jessica, DIY lightbox-geniius!!
Haha thank you!
I need to pick up some more foam boards. It looks like amazon is the way to go (always)
Haha it’s just so easy!
Rule of thirds is definitely one that I have been focusing on. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
These are all great tips – especially the foam board backdrops!
They are a game changer! I’ve also heard people buy the marble tiles form home depot as another option
This is great! Backdrops are my instagram bff for sure!
Same!
Ahh! These are all amazing tips! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome!
These tips are so great! I have been meaning to buy some posters boards for flat lays. I want to be more intentional about the rule of thirds. Thanks for these tips!
You’re welcome! Happy they could help!
Love these tips! I’m off to check out those foam baords– I use wood and marbled paper rolls, which works great as well!
Do they roll back up when you are trying to shoot? or lay flat?
These are such great tips! I need those foam boards!!
They are SO helpful!
I need to get more foam boards! Not shockingly they don’t last all that long in my house lol! I really need to put together a DIY lighting area.
Haha! Yeah I keep mine in a protector thing tucked away to make them last, but they are so cheap it doesnt really matter!
I had no idea about the rule of thirds!! It definitely makes sense.
It totally adds a new dimension!
These are great tips! Your Instagram photos are always beautiful. 🙂 Love the backdrops idea.
Thank you!!
I love these tips! I actually used that hack for creating a marble backdrop, and it is so game changer. That acrylic paper is only like eight dollars, and a white posterboard is one dollar from target.
Perfect!
These are great tips!! This is something I definitely need to work on!
Happy they were helpful!
I love all of these tips, especially the one about the rule of thirds 🙂 I can’t wait to start putting these tips into good use!
Excited to see what you do with them!
Ooo the vinyl sheets and foam board idea is GENIUS! I have vinyl sheets that I just kinda… roll out. I’m definitely gonna start sticking them to some foam boards! So much easier
Yass! You do it once, then just take it out and don’t have to worry about weighing it down, rolling and unrolling ,etc.
I wish I had known this weeks ago! Love the ideas! We do a ton of DIY home remodeling, so lining up the shot in that 2/3 space is really helpful for me to be cognizant of as I post. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I also have like some tips for instagram worthy post on my blog and yeah! I am totally agree with you! Love your ideas as well! Such a great post babe! Have a nice day and hope you could visit my blog too as well!
Elisha | http://loveelisha.net/casetify-unicorn-pastels/
Nice! I’ll have to check them out!
Great tips! I’ve been looking for new backdrops for my photos so I’m totally going to check out the adhesive links you posted!
Hope they help!
I love these tips!! Thank you 🙂 Your IG is good 😉
http://thesofieyahdiaries.com/fashion/motored-up
Thank you so much!
I’ve always wondered what lightboxes were or how people used them. That video at the end was super helpful!
Haha when I saw it, I was like GENIUS!
It took me such a long time to get a good Instagram rhythm down! Definitely trial and error. 😉 Some good tips here!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
IT really is!
The foam board with adhesives roll is such a great idea! Going shopping now!
Glad it was helpful!
Lighting is everything IMO when trying to get that perfect shot!
AGREED! You can’t out filter bad lighting!
Great tips! I actually use a giant poster board for most of my pics haha! Definitely need to look into those adhesive rolls though. The lighting thing can be tricky sometimes, but thankfully we can tweak that a little bit!
They definitely add a new dimension!
Omg the foam board with vinyl adhesives is such an amazing idea!
Thank you!
Great ideas! I have a lightbox somewhere, I need to find it! Thanks for the tips 🙂
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
You’re welcome!
These are such fun tips! Who knew you can easily make your own props!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you! I have a whole box of props in my closet now!
This post is sooo good! I need to order all of that off amazon 🙂 my marble slab is too small so that’ll be way better
Thank you!!
Awesome tips!! I really enjoyed watching the video, it’s something I want to do!
Glad it was helpful!
Such great tips babe, I love posting bright and clear inst photos!
Great tips Rachel! I have a couple of foam boards that I’ve used for some flat lays but I need to get some variety in the backgrounds.
The tips are great! I have only recently put more thought into what I’m posting but don’t really have a clear concept yet.
It takes some time to refine for sure! I went through a few phases
I’m taking a photography class right now and we’re learning about rule of thirds! Great post!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
Oh no way! that’s so cool!
This is such a great post! I LOVE my marble vinyl adhesive but I haven’t been able to find rustic wood ones. 🙁 Thanks for the amazing tips x
They have them in the link above I think! The people that make the marble one I linked do a wood one too!
Your photos are beautiful! You are amazing at taking them – so inspiring
Thank you!
You are KILLING it on Instagram lately! I love these tips!! I really need to start using some of them.
Awe thank you!