I get so many questions about photography and most of them come from my Instagram friends.
I deleted my personal Facebook profile years a go, I suck at Twitter, I’m too busy to Snap all the time (but you can follow me: Paula13t ;) ) but when it comes to Instagram and Pinterest, I am obsessed. For the record, I am the type of person who can’t stand it when people overuse the word “obsessed” so if I’m saying I’m obsessed- I mean it. I think it has to do with the fact that both of those outlets are so visual, which is something that a photographer and blogger in me loves.
In today’s post, I’ll tell you all about how I take my Instagram photos and a couple of things that are very important for me- like a clean background and good lighting.
FIND THE LIGHT
Bright pictures always look better so take your photos by the window or another place where there’s a lot of natural light. If you have a blog and most pictures in your feed are blog-related, always take your pictures during the day (especially if using your phone). The lights in your home can leave an ugly, yellow cast in your photos and colors will not look true to what they are. If you can’t find a spot bright enough to take your pictures, use a reflector to brighten it up and minimize shadows.
DON’T OVER-FILTER YOUR IMAGES
I never use filters on my photos anymore since I noticed that pictures that are filter-free, bright, shot on clean surfaces get a lot more interaction/likes. If you take your picture in a bright place and use a steady hand, your colors and textures will already work for you, and you won’t feel the need to use a filter. If you do like using filters, you can use the scale to tone it down a little, making sure that they don’t look too intense.
EDIT
This one is a must for me. I usually use my camera to take my IG shots, and even when using good settings, bright light and awesome set up, I always edit my pictures. Now, I’m going to share a little secret with you guys. Usually I just edit my photos in Photoshop, but when I share pictures that don’t come from my blog (like motds, etc) I edit them using a beauty app- an app you’d use to edit your selfies that smoothes and brightens your skin. It’s very easy to overdo it with these apps, because they make your images look overly smooth and give it that “photoshopped” loo, so you have to be careful when doing this. The app that I use is called Beauty Cam and usually I just auto adjust it on the lowest level. Here’s a before and after (these are from my phone, so they’re not the best quality, but you’ll get the point):
CLEAN BACKGROUND
This is also important, especially when taking “flatlays”- clean, uniform background won’t be distracting and pull focus away from your subject. I love simple, neutral backgrounds- they seem to work the best for me. Another thing to keep in mind when “styling” your shots, is not to put your subjects too close together- unless you work with perfect lighting. Otherwise it can create shadows- especially when working on simple and clean backgrounds. Having a reflector helps out a lot here too.
Are you guys as obsessed with Instagram as I am? Link your accounts down below so we can check them out!
92 Comments
Lina Khalifa
March 13, 2016 at 11:23 amLoved this post! I’m downloading the BeautyCam app right now! Thanks for sharing, Paula x
Lina / lina-khalifa.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 4:58 pmThanks so much Lina!
Nameless Gap
March 13, 2016 at 11:31 amLight is such an important part of my pictures, I always like my pictures to look very white and bright :)
Paula | http://www.namelessgap.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 4:58 pmSo do I! :)
Giada Graziano
March 13, 2016 at 11:54 amI completely agree with you!
light is absolutely fundamental . I also try to take photos with natural light and when i can’t I use soft boxes (especially during winter when the natural light is not always so good)
Giada
Glam Observer
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 4:59 pmI love my soft boxes for winter, too! :)
Ambar Syed
March 13, 2016 at 12:00 pmLovely tips – I love using a bright background and natural lighting too – and lots of pretty props! My Instagram is @ her_little_loves if you want to check it out :)
– Ambar x
http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:03 pmThanks Ambar!!
Chelsea van Egmond
March 13, 2016 at 12:36 pmI love your tips! Thanks for sharing! My account is @_jointhecreativeside
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:03 pmThanks Love! :)
Aleksandra
March 13, 2016 at 12:42 pmMy instagram is, surprise surprise, @bunniesaremagic – but since it is mostly cats and squirrels I struggle less with indior lighting :) Great tips though!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:04 pmThank you! :)
Darina
March 13, 2016 at 1:54 pmLove your tips and Instagram :) my account is @darinanykl
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:04 pmThanks so much Darina!
Sarah
March 13, 2016 at 2:43 pmThese are great tips! I totally agree that lighting is crucial – I usually end up upping the brightness in most photos. I stick to a similar set of guidelines most of the time, but I still have a long way to go.
My Instagram is @sweetspontaneity :)
Sarah
Sweet Spontaneity
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:05 pmThank you Sarah! Lighting is definitely a key :)
Paula Loreti
March 13, 2016 at 3:11 pmFirst of all, can I say that I loved all of the items in the first picture? It made me thought of a great outfit haha. The tips were really good and I agree with the no over-filter point, a lot of times it makes the pic unreal!
http://www.blossomikebana.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:06 pmHaha :) Thanks so much Paula!
Cuteinstgram
March 13, 2016 at 3:21 pmYou have a very clean and beautiful feed, loved your photos. I totally agree about how much difference lighting and editing can make to a picture.
JULIE || cuteiintsgram.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:07 pmThanks Julie! :)
Annelise Golfarelli
March 13, 2016 at 3:59 pmYes, I love Instagram and your photos. My account is @annegolfarelli
http://modernastrega.blogspot.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:07 pmThank you!
Lisa
March 13, 2016 at 4:04 pmFab tips. I love Insta and I’m always trying to improve my photos. I’m huge fan of clean airy pics and try not to over edit which is hard. Your pictures always look amazing
Lisa X
Beauxdiaries.com
Instagram.com/lisa_wickens
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:08 pmThank you Lisa!
Ela BellaWorld
March 13, 2016 at 4:29 pmYour Instagram game is strong! Your feed is my favourite, I love how bright and clean your photos look. I mostly take my photos with my camera, since my oldie iPhone5 doesn’t seem to be enough for HQ photos :)
Ela BellaWorld
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:35 pmAww thank you Ela!!
Carol Lander
March 13, 2016 at 5:06 pmPaula, your photography tips have been so helpful. I’ve only had my DSLR for a couple of months and I’m definitely in newbie photo land. Love your clean, bright look. blueskykitchen.net @blueskykitchen
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:08 pmThank you so much Carol, I’m so happy to hear that!
Emma Bought What
March 13, 2016 at 6:05 pmThese are great tips! You have really nice Instagram photos x
http://emmaboughtwhat.blogspot.co.uk/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:09 pmThank you Emma!
MARGARITACHI.CO
March 13, 2016 at 6:46 pmWhat great tips! I totally agree with not using filters – I mostly just edit my photos and make them a little brighter. It’s hard because sometimes I want to share something but it’s dark or there isn’t a nice background… but I always try and make it work as I like having some sort of “theme” in my Instagram photos.
Thanks for sharing, your photos are always so beautiful!
Margarita Chi | MARGARITACHI.CO
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:12 pmYour photos always look gorgeous Margarita! Thank you lovely!!
Klaudia.
March 13, 2016 at 7:05 pmAmazing tips, thanks for sharing! There’s never enough photography tips out there so I’ll make sure to keep yours in mind! xo
Klaudia // klaudiam96.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:15 pmThanks Klaudia!
Samantha Frances
March 13, 2016 at 7:17 pmSince I’ve started taking my photos with natural lighting I’ve seen such an improvement in their quality! Such good tips! xxx
http://www.samanthafrances.co.uk
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:15 pmMakes a big difference, doesn’t it? :)
The Sunday Mode
March 13, 2016 at 7:39 pmI have Twitter but I feel like I kind of suck at it as well, I do love Instagram though- not yet on board with Pinterest quite yet. Love these tips and I need to get myself that app asap.
http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:15 pmHaha yeah, I’m just not too much of a Twitter person :)
LV
March 13, 2016 at 7:47 pmGreat post. Will check out beauty cam – thanks! My Instagram is lisa__ven
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:16 pmThank you!
Serein Wu
March 13, 2016 at 9:02 pmI love creating product shots for the my blog and Instagram. Always admire your clean photos. Thank you for sharing your tips ❤️ @sereinwu
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:16 pmAww thank you Serein!
Kierra Lee
March 13, 2016 at 9:34 pmI’m the polar opposite of you! I never have enough time to take the type of photos I want for Instagram., so I love Twitter because it’s quick and easy. But practice makes perfect so I’m making a better effort to work on Twitter! I love the white clean background as well!
Xx
http://www.inthegreyonline.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:18 pmThanks Kierra!
Kathy
March 13, 2016 at 11:26 pmI’m not a huge instagramer at all but I loved reading this post because I feel like you can definitely apply it to a lot of social media and even blogging :)
Kathy x
http://www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.co.nz
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:18 pmThanks so much Kathy!
Kristina Wilde
March 14, 2016 at 2:50 amI always love reading your posts! I’ve said it so many times but you’re an inspiration!
Content always soo good!
http://www.kristinawilde.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:18 pmThank you so much Kristina!!!
Conor Rees
March 14, 2016 at 5:59 amA really informative and well researched article :)
http://www.99percentlifestyle.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:18 pmThanks!
Linda
March 14, 2016 at 7:37 amYour feed is gorgeous! I tried so many times to keep a clean & white feed but I’m so impatient that I gave up having a theme, haha. I just post any pictures but I envy everyone who has a theme for their instagram. I don’t have the patience for it haha! Yours is so lovely!
http://www.llindatt.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:19 pmThank you Linda! I don’t think you need to have a “theme” at all :) I wouldn’t say that I have a theme, just really love makeup haha ;)
Danielle
March 14, 2016 at 9:59 amThank you for the tips, I’ll definitely be trying out Beauty Cam. Never heard of it and it seems to make a huge difference! How do you feel about different frames? Do you think all Instagram pictures should be square or would you ever use the ones with white space?
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:20 pmYou’re welcome Danielle! I love it when people have different frames, I don’t think that there are any rules to that. Whatever it takes for you to express yourself :)
sofaastrout
March 14, 2016 at 12:38 pmBeautiful! My IG is Sophie.strout
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:20 pmThank you!
Amber But Better
March 14, 2016 at 12:58 pmI def need to up my photo game… great tips. I guess I need to spend some time practicing in daylight with different backgrounds. Thanks!
Amber
amberbutbetter.blogspot
IG – @amber.butbetter
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:21 pmYou’re welcome Amber, thanks so much for visiting!
Biana Perez
March 14, 2016 at 1:27 pmI’d have to say instagram is my favorite social media channel!! Love your pictures always! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:21 pmSame here! :)Thanks Biana!!
Lauren Pence
March 14, 2016 at 2:08 pmNice tips! lighting is key!
http://www.mytwopence.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:21 pmYes it is! :)
Mikéla Davelyn
March 14, 2016 at 4:26 pmYou are so relatable and this post definitely made me laugh. I HATE it when people use “obsessed” as a filler word too. It is a good word, but so many people say it NON stop. If there are two social media sites that I am obsessed with, though, they would be pinterest and instagram as well :)
Great tips hun!
xo, mikéla / simplydavelyn.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:22 pmHaha :D I know!! Some people say it WAY too much haha :)
Alina
March 14, 2016 at 4:44 pmI love Instagram and your account is one of my favourites, your photos are always so beautiful to look at. Love your tips as always and will definitely try out that Beauty Cam app. Do you stick to using your professional camera for Instagram or do you ever use your phone btw? I’m mostly using my phone but think I need to get my camera out more often x
Beauty with charm
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:23 pmAww thanks so much Alina!! I do use my phone sometimes, but I definitely take them with my camera more often.
Cassidy
March 14, 2016 at 4:54 pmGreat tips, Paula :) I was so excited when Instagram finally gave the editing option to scale down filters! Makes any filter look so much more natural if I do decide to use one.
Cass
http://www.lifewithcass.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:33 pmThanks Cass! :) I love that Instragram has that option now, too! Definitely a game-changer :)
Abi Bailey
March 14, 2016 at 5:34 pmAlways love your photography posts, Paula, I don’t know how I managed before I bought a reflector!
My Instagram is @abijbailey and my blog is abibailey.co.uk :) xx
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:33 pmThank you Abi!!
Danielle Beautyblog
March 14, 2016 at 6:19 pmOh I do love your photos Paula! My Instagram ain’t the prettiest but has got a bit better since I stuck my marble background down! Then I like to ruin my feed with a giveaway repost!
Danielle’s Beauty Blog
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:33 pmThanks so much Danielle!!
Vanesa
March 14, 2016 at 11:56 pmYour IG is definitely one of my favourites–so, so beautiful! I tried to do the marble background but it just didn’t seem to fit–so I opted for a plain, basic white background instead. I love how you make the marble look so lively and amazing!
Vanesa | The Beauty Anecdote
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:34 pmAww thanks Vanessa!! White is gorgeous! :)
Jess | The Indigo Hours
March 15, 2016 at 4:33 pmI’m loving Instagram at the moment! Your photos are gorgeous :)
I always tone down the filter, and I always use the same one to keep it consistent. good lighting is such a great tip, though!
Jess xo | The Indigo Hours
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:34 pmThanks Jess!!
Manique
March 15, 2016 at 4:56 pmI adore your photography tips they are always so helpful!
http://www.poshmodeave.com/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:34 pmAww thank you!!
Nia Nicole
March 17, 2016 at 8:02 amI love these helpful posts! I’m starting to get into flatlays and taking better pics for Instagram and your blog has really helped me out! Nianicole228
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:34 pmSo happy to hear that, thank you!
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
March 17, 2016 at 5:19 pmYou’re welcome, thank you so much for visiting !
Nereyda Gonzalez
March 23, 2016 at 1:14 amYour Instagram is one of my absolute favorites! I love looking at your photos :)
I haven’t used Instagram in a few days because I was away for the weekend and I miss it. Thanks for the tips!
Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
August 11, 2016 at 11:36 amThank you!
Lena F.
March 23, 2016 at 7:38 pmThanks for sharing your tips :) I can´t wait to try them out. xxx, Lena | ellecouture.blogspot.de
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
August 11, 2016 at 11:37 amThank you Lena!
Ashley Laughlin
March 26, 2016 at 5:28 pmYour blog is fabulous! I stumbled onto it today (I think via Pinterest) and I love it. I’m new to the blog world but I blog about beauty and books so if you want to check it out I would really appreciate it.
https://imaginationdevices.wordpress.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ashcake13/
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
August 11, 2016 at 11:36 amThank you so much!
Caitlin Louise
June 22, 2016 at 8:19 amYour instagram is to die for D: Complete jealousy! Will be using these tips!
http://www.photosbycaitlinlouise.blogspot.com
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
August 11, 2016 at 11:37 amAw haha thanks!
Keri Hill
July 28, 2016 at 12:52 amObsessed with your styling in all of your photos-defiantly goals for me! So glad I found your blog-def a fan!(:
Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
August 11, 2016 at 11:36 amThank you!
Kat
September 5, 2016 at 1:57 pmYou take BEAUTIFUL photos for your blog and I really enjoyed this post. Am now following you on Pinterest. Like you, I can not tolerate Facebook as the settings were beyond me and, as a photographer, I don’t believe they protect any copyright. I do like twitter but am slightly addicted to instagram. Keep it up, girl!