How to Take a Good Photo for Instagram

What Makes a Successful Instagram Image? What is it that makes an image stand out on Instagram? What makes an image likely to be shared to millions through the Explore and Feature Pages?

First we must understand the basics of how we view Instagram, literally. Which is 99% of the time on our phones, scrolling the Home screen, Explore Page or Instagram Stories, barely paying attention for longer than a second. So! What do you need to stand out?

1. Colour, Contrast, Symmetry, and Eye Contact

Colour, Contrast, Symmetry, and Eye Contact from your subject. These are just a few examples of the things that catch our eyes quicker than our thumbs can scroll on by. Try visiting your Explore Page and just see what catches your eye. Odds are, it’s eye contact from models, strong colours, shapes and high contrasts.

The answers are right in front of your eyes. Do that.

2. Follow a Trend

For better or worse, there’s no doubting that Instagram has changed photography. Particularly in the way of trends. Trends in photography can rise and fall in the matter of days, thanks to the internet and Instagram alike. First comes the originator, second comes the bandwagoneers and third, the over-saturation and death of the trend.

I like to call these “Instagramable” images. By this I mean they are perfect for Instagram. Maybe not a book, maybe not a gallery or museum but great for Instagram. And by no means, don’t go confusing a successful Instagram image with a great photograph because they almost never overlap.

However, we are here to be successful on Instagram, so! Follow a trend. Or at least a “tried and true” element of your niche. I can’t name all the trends that are current and especially not in every niche but it shouldn’t take much research to find your own. Here are a few examples:

Street Photography
- Basically anyone with an Umbrella
- Eye contact from your subject
- Photoshopped light and shadow in high contrast black and white

First from NY. 👋🏼 there! Sorry for the long absence, I'll make it up with a few shots from my last trip. Soon I will also put in the stories a small guide about the three cities visited, NY, Boston and Washington. I hope it will be useful if you are planning a trip there. * * * * * * * * #sdmfeatures #spicollective #friendsinperson #fromstreetswithlove #streetclassics #lensculturestreets #streetleaks #tonekillers #storyofthestreet #life_is_street #newyorkstateofmind #icapture_nyc #what_i_saw_in_nyc #ig_nycity #unlimitednewyork #thisisnewyorkcity #citykillerz #visualgrams #streetgrammers #strangertonez #clickcity #streetfinder #photocinematica #nowherediary #eyeshotmag #streetmagazine #loves_nyc #createcommune #street_vision #urbanromantix

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

Lifestyle/Fashion/Beauty
- Any nudity, or hint of
- Attractive women (duhh)

Angelic essence, dark intentions Muse: @ashleydelavegaa #portraitpage #ofhumans #expofilm #portraitmood #impliednude #miamimodel #bravogreatsenual #portraitsinspire #canonfeed

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

Outdoor/Lifestyle/Travel
- Coffee in the woods
- That overdone, girl holding the hand of camera guy dragging him forward, thing
- BLUE-ASS WATER (shoutout Cody Ko)
- Essentially anything from New Zealand, Iceland or that place in Greece with all the white buildings

A year ago 💙 . . . #yourbrunetteabroad #santorini #santorinigreece #santoriniengagement #greece #greecetravel #greeceislands #oiasantorini #oia #engagementring #engaged #engagedlife #travel #travelblogger #travelblog #greecetrip #santoriniisland #santoriniview #sophiacollectionsantorini #travelabroad #traveltheworld #traveladdiction

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

Got the idea? Cool. Find your trends, use them before they’re outdated, minus a piece of your creative soul = SUCCESS.

3. Have a High Quality Image

This one is a little more technical as it can have a lot to do with your file-size, dimensions and Instagrams in-built compression etc.

There are people who know a lot more about this than I do and even they can’t seem to agree but I have heard rumours (all things regarding the algorithm tend to be rumours) that the quality of your image may effect whether it will even be allowed to the Explore Page. But this one is a no-brainer. Whether this is factored in the algorithm or not, you’re going to want to have an excellent quality image anyhow.

4. Go Ahead and Read my Article on ‘How to get Featured on Instagram’

You can find that here!

Now that you have your shot, this article will give you some helpful steps on what to do upon posting.

- If this article helped you at all or your think it could help others, please do consider giving it a share! It helps me, it helps others and it’s completely free. Cheers and good luck!

And why not check out this video on how to best display your art whilst you’re here!