![\"Shalee](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Facebook-header.png\" "\\"Facebook-header\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\nMarch 19, 2022<\/p>\n\t
![\"](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/250-19.png\")
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Let me start this article off by saying I am the furthest thing from an “Instagram model.” In fact, this is what I look like on 90% of my travels:<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/DSC00035-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
But when it comes to how to take good Instagram photos, all you really need to do is learn three key elements:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Angles<\/li>\n
- Posing<\/li>\n
- Editing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Below are two images from my Instagram account @shaleewanders<\/a> taken a few years apart. The first shows how I used to post images. They aren’t bad photos, but they definitely could be better. The second photo showcases what my feed looks like today:<\/p>\n
How to Take Good Instagram Photos: Equipment<\/h3>\n
I shoot on a lot of different pieces of equipment. As of 2024, I shoot with four main pieces of equipment:<\/p>\n
- \n
- iPhone 15 Pro (stories, vlogging)<\/li>\n
- Canon R6 Mark II<\/a> (landscapes, travel)<\/li>\n
- Canon M50<\/a> (compact travel, backpacking, vlogging)<\/li>\n
- DJI Mavic Air 2<\/a> (Drone)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you are looking to invest in a great beginning camera that is lightweight, portable, and takes incredible images, I recommend either the Canon 80d or the Sony a8000. I shot with the Canon 70d (one model earlier) for over five years. I still have the camera, who I have named Nigel, and shoot with him occasionally even though I have upgraded equipment.<\/p>\n
The Sony a6000 is a mirrorless option, making it quite a bit smaller than the canon. I have tried Sony cameras in the past but I have always enjoyed shooting with Canon more.<\/p>\n
The Canon 80d sits around $1000 for a body and kit camera.<\/p>\n
The Sony a6000 sits around $879.<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/320A4214-2-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"How](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/320A2943-3-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow to Take Good Instagram Photos: Photo Tips<\/h2>\n
1) Rule of Thirds<\/strong><\/p>\nStudies show that having the subject of the photo slightly off-center increases the appeal and makes the image more interesting to the viewer. This is a basic photography principle known as the “Rule of Thirds.”
\n\nIf you were to put a dot in the center of your image, it might not be the subject. That’s OK, and actually preferred in a lot of cases. Here are a couple of examples:<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/320A0602-1-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
2) Don’t over-pose<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0When I am shooting clients, I always push them to just be themselves. Overly-posed photos can turn out awkward and be hard for the viewer to relate to.<\/p>\n
And don’t be afraid to post candid moments that aren’t perfect. If a friend catches a photo of you laughing and your laugh lines are visible – post the photo! My highest engaging photos on @shaleewanders are the ones where I am sharing real stories and real photos.<\/p>\n
3) Be natural\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
4) Take it easy on the filters\/edits\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
5) Avoid other people – and visit unique places\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
6) Test different angles and use them to your advantage <\/strong><\/p>\n
7) Communicate with your photographer<\/strong><\/p>\n
8) Learn to edit in Lightroom (it’s super easy!)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Adjust tone curve for every photo.<\/li>\n
- Brightness – My photo “vibe” typically leans towards bright & colorful. I typically adjust brightness on photos to reflect this.<\/li>\n
- Increase contrast but decrease clarity – I like doing both edits when wanting to make my photos have a ‘dreamy’ style.<\/li>\n
- Brightening the subject – in 2022 Lightroom implements a handy new feature that has made bringing out your subject easier than ever. Make sure to only add subtle brightness, as increasing it too much can make it look unnatural. In Lightroom, select the masking tool, then hit the ‘+’ button and select the “select subject option. Your subject will highlight and red. From there, you can make adjustments only to the highlights section of the photo.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Capture-1024x522.png\")
![\"How](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Capture1.png\")
<\/p>\n9) Take a shit ton of photos.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
When you’re taking photos 99 can turn out horrible and 1 can turn out great. That 1 great one is all you need.<\/p>\n
I don’t like to spend too much time shooting because even though we’re taking photos for Instagram everywhere I hate being places feeling like it’s just<\/em> for Instagram. Especially on DSLR cameras, there are often rapid-fire options that take many photos in quick succession. Combine the previous points of acting natural and rapid shoot them.<\/p>\n
For example, walk toward the photo and run your hand through your hair. You could easily get 20-40 shots from a short 10-second walk. Do that a few more times and you’ll have a pretty good pool of photos to look through later. You’ll hit the mark with one of them.<\/p>\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/blog.png\")
<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t![\"travel](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Meet.jpg\" "\\"Meet\\"")
\n\tAt any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.<\/p>\n
Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure and outdoor tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats<\/a> and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tJoin the Adventure \n\t<\/h2>\n\t\n
\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Shalee](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/shaleewanders.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tshaleewanders<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\t\t\n\n \n Moments from Patagonia - \n\nOn day one we all looke<\/span>\n![\"Moments](\"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png\")
\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n We\u2019ve been traveling with cats since 2017 - and <\/span>\n \t\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n Annual photo round up - stoked for this year to be<\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n Back home in WY\u2014 the cats think i smell weird an<\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n It\u2019s been so fun this year to watch another cat <\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n The BEST fall weekend camping, canoeing, and hikin<\/span>\n \t\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n I know we\u2019re supposed to be all about fall at th<\/span>\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n He would ride on the roof if we\u2019d let him. \n\n#ca<\/span>\n \t\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n If I\u2019m being 100% honest, the most disappointing<\/span>\n \t\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLoad More...<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\t\n \n Follow on Instagram<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\t \n\t<\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t![\"Blank](\"https:\/\/img.shaleewanders.com\/\/2019\/01\/Blank-4-x-2-in-1.png\" "\\"Blank")
\n\tA Complete Guide to Road Tripping Western Scotland\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford it.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
The Michigan Bucket List<\/a><\/p>\n
Everything You Need to Know About the Eurail Pass<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
![\"ironwood](\"https:\/\/img.shaleewanders.com\/\/2019\/10\/IW_LOGO-RGB.png\" "\\"IW_LOGO-RGB\\"")
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