According to Techcrunch Instagram is the fastest growing social media network globally, increasing its users by 23% in 6 months during 2014. This Facebook owned platform is one all social media lovers are taking to, to post visuals of their lives.
So how can it help you grow your business?
Whether you’re showcasing your latest product range or creating business lifestyle envy people love visuals. Now as a writer it pains me to say this but words can overwhelm people and lengthy text can be particularly off-putting to some. Which is why Instagram is preferred because all you need to do is load up your camera take a snap and upload it…well that’s the theory of it but the principle is somewhat different. People do love visuals but they love aesthetically appealing illustrations, so I’ve created the following 3 top tips to get you thinking like a photographer and encourage people to hit that ‘like’ button.
1. The Lighting
Dull lighting leads to drab imagery, so try to use natural lighting or switch on a lamp if you’re taking the snaps inside. You want the detail to stand-out in your images so if you can’t really see it when you’re taking the photograph consider moving the object within a close parameter of a light or take the snaps outside where you’ll also get more picturesque scenery.
Quick technology tip: For iPhone users tap the part of the screen where you want the camera to focus and this should automatically adjust the lighting too. You can also adjust the lighting within tools part of Instagram – just look for the icon which looks a bit like a wrench (it’s on the same upload page where you can select a filter).
2. The Saturation
Vibrancy brings photographs to life and displays all the beautiful hues within the imagery – unless of course you’re opting for monochrome photography or sepia. Try to pick vivid coloured objects for your imagery or place your products onto a neutral or contrasting coloured background to make them really standout.
Quick technology tip: If you haven’t quite got your saturation right when you’ve taken the image this can also be adjusted in the tools section of Instagram; just beware not to overdo the colour boost, small adjustments can make a big impact!
3. The focal point
Now in photography terms this means the part of the image your camera will be focussing on when taking the image. However the question I want you to be asking yourself here is – what is it you want the audience’s attention to be on? If you’re a multi level marketer promoting your working lifestyle then make sure you’re thinking about what you want the viewer to envy about that particular image? If you’re promoting a product then think about its positioning; are you placing it in front of lots of other objects, which could distract the eye? Could you create interesting lines or shapes within the frame using the other objects? There’s a handy tool in the Instagram settings called ‘tilt shift’ which allows you to select the focal point and effectively blur the surrounding part of the frame giving an illusion of a shallow depth of field.
Quick photography tip: Photographers usually work in the rule of thirds, imagine your photograph is broken up into thirds both horizontally and vertically which would mean you have 9 squares. Now try to position points of interest along one of those lines or intersecting points, for landscape photography, paths or horizons can look particularly effective when placed along one of those lines.
– H.E. Horton
Quotes & stuff 