5 STEPS TO TAKING SUCCESSFUL INSTAGRAM PICTURES

Saturday

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Since becoming more serious and consistent with my blog, I decided to try and grow my social media channels. Mainly Instagram and Twitter because I think these ones work best for my blog and I reached 3000 followers on Instagram recently. I did give Pinterest a good go in summer and it worked well for a while but I felt like it was taking up all of my time so I took a step back. Maybe I will try with Pinterest again but I just thought a break was needed and I haven't really gone back since.


Durdle Door, Dorset

Anyway, since I have been trying to grow my Instagram, I've been putting more care into the pictures I take and upload and I am going to be sharing how I do this. As you may have seen in my Goals for 2021 blog post, growing my Instagram is one of my main blogging goals this year.


I will also write a post all about how I am growing my Instagram in the near future too because that's the channel that is growing the quickest for me. But for now, I will just be sharing some tips on how I take my pictures. This could work really well for you or not work for you at all, it's just interesting to see different approaches in my opinion.


Tips on how to take pictures for Instagram


1. Upload content you love


Baked Camembert from The Wheatsheaf in the Woodfords, Wiltshire
In order to stand out from the millions of other people on Instagram, you need to be uploading content that is authentically you. If you are uploading content that you think your followers will like but isn't really you, then your followers aren't really going to engage with your brand and what you're all about. For example, if you're posting pictures of fashion when you are a book blogger then chances are your followers won't be interacting with your blog.

2. Try to create a theme


The accounts I see do well on Instagram are ones that have a theme. That means your photos on the grid look kind of similar to each other and there is a colour scheme. I don't actually focus on that too much because of my first point of uploading content that is you, but it can help to have a theme. This can be done by using the same preset on your photos, which I will come to in my next point.

If you are looking to create consistent branding for your Instagram then check out this Instagram Branding Pack.

3. Use Adobe Presets


Difference between ordinary image and Adobe Presets
This is not sponsored, I just use Adobe Presets for all of my Instagram pictures and it makes such a difference and really enhances my photos, making them look more professional. Presets can also help you create a theme without being inauthentic. You can take pictures that you love and that express you and enhance them and try and create a theme with presets. You can create your own presets on the Adobe app or there are a lot of people out there that create and sell great ones - whatever suits you best.

4. Treat everything as a photo opportunity


It's better to have more than enough photos because posting consistently is important for Instagram growth. If I am going out, a lot of the time I will take pictures even if something doesn't really look that Insta-worthy. You can always delete them later and they could look Insta-worthy once you have worked your magic in Adobe Presets. Even if they don't get uploaded, it's nice to create memories through photos.

5. Show your face


Lauren Kenny at Sculpture by the Lakes
For me, my most liked photos are the ones that have me in them. I read somewhere that audiences prefer to see your face across your channel because they can put more trust into you that way. I know lots of selfies and images of yourself might not fit with everyone's brand, but you should be uploading one or two, even if it's just introducing yourself. Then, people can see the face behind the account and know who they are following.

Sorting your content and deciding on the type of thing you are going to post and being consistent with it is the key to success on Instagram. At the end of the day, the images you put out there are the line between someone following you and connecting with you or not. 

If you found this post helpful, I will post about how I have been and am still growing my Instagram and will share my top engagement tips too. It's not just the pictures you post, engaging with others and using your insights is also important if you want to grow.

For more consistent branding across all of your social media channels, check out these Social Media Templates for Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram Stories.

Do you have any Instagram tips? I am always looking for new strategies.


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Wool of the King

29 comments

  1. These are some really helpful tips. I'm really trying to focus more on growing my Instagram this year and would definitely love to read more posts about how you are getting on with yours.

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  2. Really helpful tips here! I try and keep my Instagram as consistent as possible - I especially love your tip about using presets, that's something I need to try xx

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  3. You’ve shared some really helpful tips Lauren! I want to work harder on my Instagram, so I’m definitely going to be taking photographs of random things out and about and work my magic with presets! Thanks for your help 💛

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  4. I think uploading photos you love is a key one for sure!

    https://www.emilyclareskinner.com

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  5. Hi Lauren
    This post is v useful and I have definitely taken something away from it so thank you 🤗
    I would also had that having fun is just as important because if you don't enjoy it then you'll soon lose the love for it! I've begun having fun on my insta and it's paying off! I'm trying not to get too caught up in the numbers, but using a preset has definitely helped my photos look better! Which feeds into me actually wanting to post more! 🤗🤗
    Happy Saturday sweets xoxo
    Sarah xo

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  6. Such a helpful post, I'm not the biggest Instagram lover but decided to use it for my blog and have found it's been quite fun trying things out though I still haven't managed to grow much. I've tried to use the same preset on all my pics as I could never keep consistent to a theme I don't think!

    Tash - A Girl with a View

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  7. I love all these tips. I have never used Adobe Pre-sets before but I have just downloaded the app and wow! It makes such a difference to photos.

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  8. These are great tips! I've taken a break from Instagram for the last few weeks and focused more on Twitter and my blog itself. I'll defo be returning to Instagram soon though and will be using a few of your tips x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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  9. I was always so nervous to show my face on my instagram! But since I have, I feel like my engagement rate has gone up and I'm really enjoying it!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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  10. I love that one thing you said about treating everything like a photo opportunity, that is so true and I usually try and do that more often now! x

    Lucy | www.lucymary.co.uk

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  11. These are some great tips! I definitely try to upload more pics of my face of Instagram. I definitely think it's more personal. I would love to follow a theme or certain aesthetic but I post way too infrequently to worry about thast

    http://thesydneysider.com/

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  12. These are some great tips and I honestly could recommend tip number 1 more! Being authentic really does matter to be honest x

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  13. These are great tips! Whenever I am anywhere I take about 100 photos just incase I can use them for a future blog post or Instagram. Adobe presets are an absolute gamechanger! x

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  14. This is a great post! I’ll defo check out Adobe presets, your feed is beautiful!

    ~ Holly @ Elegante Eclipse

    https://elegante-eclipse.com

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  15. I have a tendancy to avoid showing my face. I think I'll take your advice and show it more. So ppl know who their connecting with.

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  16. Great tips! I'm always looking for ways to improve my social media. You are definitely on to something about showing your face. Whenever I post pictures of myself, I get so many more likes.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  17. This is such an informative post, thanks for sharing! I'll definitely be taking a look at Adobe presets x

    Sophie | https://www.loveandliterature.co.uk

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  18. Thank you for the tips! I'm working hard on growing my Instagram and I use presets too :) I want to engage more this year x

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  19. This is really helpful. I never used Adobe Presets...will try that...thank you for sharing.

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  20. I adore instagram so much but I mainly use it for personal stuff, I do have a blog one and it does well when I do use it but I really need to be consistant.

    I do treat everything as an opportunity to take a photo as you said and it really does mean you are getting a real mix of your life to share x

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  21. Helpful tips. I don't focus that much on Instagram but since last October, I have grown to love taking pictures a bit more. Although I probably wouldn't go out of my way too much to get an Insta photo!x

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  22. such a great post - I relate to so much of it! I totally agree with making everything a insta worthy opportunity, it just becomes second nature. Thanks for this!x

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  23. My Instagram followers are fickle creatures and seem to like underwear pics the best! I’m trying to expand more and get back into my presets, I used to love love love them!

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  24. Great post, really helpful tips! Ive been trying to up my instagram game recently so Definitely going to take your points on board! Especially the one about showing your face! I never thought about that!

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  25. Thanks for sharing, these tips, I have found that sharing photo's on insta more a challenge to get likes on them :)

    Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

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  26. Thank you for this! I just started my blog’s Instagram and have been planning my feed through UNUM to make sure it has the aesthetic I like.

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  27. So many amazing tips! I tried to focus on Pinterest, but find that it takes a lot of time too. Definitely something I need to practice to try and get quicker. Treating everything as a photo opportunity is such a great idea xx

    Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/

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  28. Great tips! I've found success in these tips too! A purchased a set of presets from Etsy in 2020 and they have been so helpful in keeping my feed aesthetic consistent! Thanks for sharing x

    www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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