4 Rules to Capturing the Perfect Instagram Photo
We all know that Instagram reformats our images after we post them. They get edited into a square frame (ugh!). Trust us, we know this can seem frustrating. We can help! We’ve put together a couple of tips in order to help you take the best possible photos for Instagram right from the start.
Before we go over advice for creating the perfect composition, lets quickly talk about taking the photo itself. The automatic camera app on your iPhone, as well as any extra camera app you may download, has the ability to directly take a square photo. If you know that you’re going to be posting this picture on Instagram, this is the way to go. When you take the photo in a square mode originally, it keeps you from having to crop it later. Cropping the photo later may result in a lower-quality photo on top of also having to change the original composition you worked so hard to create.
Now let’s talk about capturing the perfect square photo with a composition guaranteed to catch any viewers eye scrolling by.
1. Place Subject in Center. You may have heard in the past that you shouldn’t place your main subject in the direct center. Normally we might agree with this, unless it’s a headshot, particularly a business headshot, but when it comes to square photos, forget it! With square photos, if the main subject is strong and can tell its own story, then it can draw enough attention to be placed in the center of the photo.
2. Fill Entire Frame. Think about taking up the entire frame. Remember, these photos are probably going to be looked at on a small iPhone screen. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean completely getting rid of blank space. Some blank space is necessary in order to both keep balance and to be aesthetically pleasing.
3. Center Your Grids. We’ve talked before about how iPhones have the ability to show grids across the images you are taking. You can use these grids to either follow the rule of thirds as we’ve discussed before, or you can also use to do create another pleasing look. If you’re doing a larger landscape or a photo with smaller subjects, center those small subjects within the grid squares.
4. Make Your Own Rules. We like to remind people that while photography has plenty of “rules” or guidelines, to follow in order to help create an aesthetically pleasing composition, photography is still art. We like to remind people, make your own rules! Photography is about so much more than simply “taking the perfect photo”. Use your design, your eye, and your vision to take shots nobody else would take.
Need more ideas check out our post 5 ways to take better photos with your cell phone.
Jen Barker Worley Photography
555 Grant Street, Suite 337 Offices at the William Penn Pittsburgh, PA 15219
https://jenworley.com
412-370-4520
For a year, I've walked through a darkened lobby to go to my studio. It's inconceivable to Pittsburghers that the city's most iconic hotel, The William Penn, has been closed for a full year. For many of my clients, it was a shock and a sober reminder of Covid when they would come into this building: a lobby that was always filled with life, regardless of the time of day, was now silent.⠀ ⠀ Today is the hotel's first day opening back up to registered guests. I got to meet David at the first day back at his post. He's worked at this hotel for 24 years, and this was the first time I've met him. This past year I've got to meet many of the support staff who I never had opportunity to meet before. Usually I'm just in and out through our Grant St entrance.⠀ ⠀ Seeing David's happy countenance lifts my spirit even more than seeing our fully lit lobby. I'm grateful to the Omni Corporation for helping me out through this traumatic year, and to the Security guys and the engineers who have kept things going.
Apr 1
For a year, I've walked through a darkened lobby to go to my studio. It's inconceivable to Pittsburghers that the city's most iconic hotel, The William Penn, has been closed for a full year. For many of my clients, it was a shock and a sober reminder of Covid when they would come into this building: a lobby that was always filled with life, regardless of the time of day, was now silent.⠀ ⠀ Today is the hotel's first day opening back up to registered guests. I got to meet David at the first day back at his post. He's worked at this hotel for 24 years, and this was the first time I've met him. This past year I've got to meet many of the support staff who I never had opportunity to meet before. Usually I'm just in and out through our Grant St entrance.⠀ ⠀ Seeing David's happy countenance lifts my spirit even more than seeing our fully lit lobby. I'm grateful to the Omni Corporation for helping me out through this traumatic year, and to the Security guys and the engineers who have kept things going.
You can see the courthouse's new terra-cotta roof in the background. ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Mar 26
You can see the courthouse's new terra-cotta roof in the background. ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Jeff.⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #headshotcrew
Mar 25
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Mar 24
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Mar 23
Samantha of MBM.⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Wish I had this gorgeous hair.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Mar 22
Wish I had this gorgeous hair.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
It's going to be a great day!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Mar 21
It's going to be a great day!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #pittsburghprofessionals
Jim.⠀ #pittsburgh #headshots #pittsburghphotographer
Mar 20
Jim.⠀ #pittsburgh #headshots #pittsburghphotographer
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Mar 19
We've got things covered here. 😁⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghattorneys #pghlegal #headshotphotos
Accounting and tax professionals at Cohen & Co.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghaccountants #pghfinancial #pghmoney
Mar 18
Accounting and tax professionals at Cohen & Co.⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghaccountants #pghfinancial #pghmoney
Eye color matching hair color is beautiful. Wonder what that would look like on me, with my blue eyes?⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots
Mar 17
Eye color matching hair color is beautiful. Wonder what that would look like on me, with my blue eyes?⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots
I've photographed several of these bluish plaid suits as of late... loving it!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer⠀ #pittsburghprofessionals⠀ #pittsburghheadshot
Mar 16
I've photographed several of these bluish plaid suits as of late... loving it!⠀ ⠀ #pittsburghphotographer⠀ #pittsburghprofessionals⠀ #pittsburghheadshot
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Mar 11
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Mar 10
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Mar 9
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Mar 8
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Regis.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Mar 7
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Mar 6
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Katrina.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Mar 5
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Mar 3
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Mar 2
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Mar 1
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Feb 28
Wheytnie 2.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghdoctors⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Simone.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghphotographer #pittsburghheadshots #headshots #headshotcrew #canon #bhphoto⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #corporatephotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #downtownpittsburgh #pittsburghcreative #412project #steelcity #capturedpgh #LovePGH #burghsnap #coolpittsburghers #headshotphotographer #pghcreative #pittsburghprofessional #pittsburghactors #pittsburghlawyers⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #pittsburghmodels
Feb 26
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