Capture Your Style: Transform Your Instagram Photos, Showcase Your Life, and Build the Ultimate Platform

1

THE INS & OUTS OF INSTAGRAM

Congratulations, you just made the decision to up your Instagame—and, by default, your mobile-photography game! When I started working on this book, it was really important to me that I create a true manual that everyone could use—from the Instagram hobbyist with ten followers to the entrepreneur using the platform to launch a multimillion-dollar clothing line.

It takes some major elbow grease and dedication to get to the top of the Instagram heap, but that doesn’t mean that you should feel any pressure to dive in headfirst—unless that’s what you want. Above all else, Instagram should be fun. It’s not only about taking the perfect picture; it’s also about capturing your favorite moments. And this book—no matter how serious or playful your Insta goals—is going to help you become a better mobile photographer who will be well equipped to use Instagram however you want.

Let’s start with the basics. In this chapter, you’ll become well versed in:

• The nitty-gritty of a camera phone—my personal equipment of choice when gramming.

• How to pick a memorable and effective Instagram handle.

• The best way to find interesting people to follow and start building your feed.

• How to plan your grid (and what the hell a grid even is).

So grab your gear and let’s do the damn thing.

Camera Phone 101

It’s probably safe for me to assume that you’ve heard about Instagram. But for anyone who has been taking a digital (and cultural) detox a little too seriously, here it goes: Instagram is the world’s fastest-growing media platform that has more than 300 million users who share more than 70 million photos. Every. Single. Day. That’s incredible (and kind of insane), and it shows just how vast your Insta audience can be if you want to promote a blog, project, business, or the like. (Or you can totally make a private account and only let your mom and sister see your vacay snaps, if that’s more your speed.)

To get started, you’ll need the right equipment—a mobile phone or tablet with iOS/Android capabilities or a Windows 10 phone (or better). Nothing else will do (Zack Morris phones not accepted). You’ll need to download the Instagram app and create your account from your mobile device, not a computer (though you can look at accounts on a desktop). Even though a quick spin around your average fashion blogger’s Insta feed feels like you’re looking at a series of elaborately planned magazine photo shoots, you absolutely do not need a professional photographer to follow you around or even a fancy pro camera in order to take flawless Insta pics. Even an iPhone 5 from 2012 has the same 8-megapixel camera with similar picture quality that’s featured on Apple’s newer models, albeit without some of the autofocus and video