Hey friends!!  I’m super excited about today’s post because a) it was fun to write b) I love sharing advice with you guys and c) this is my most highly-requested post EVER!  Since starting Instagram about a year and a half ago, I’ve learned a lot.  From how to scout locations to the best ways to get engagement, a lot of trial-and-error has gotten me pretty far.  So… today I’m writing to you about How to Pose for Instagram Photos!  This will be a 2-part series (stay tuned for part 2 next Sunday), and I will be sharing 4 tips for posing with examples in each.  You’ll be posing like a fashion blogger in minutes 😉  Let’s get into it!

Related blog posts:

Instagram 101: Getting Engagement

Instagram 101: Getting Real

Instagram 101: Getting Connected + New Photo Series!

Instagram 101: Answering YOUR Questions (Q&A)

use what’s around you

The key to posing lies in your surroundings.  It’s in the stairs, the bike racks, the walls, the abandoned cars, the random chairs, and the trees!  Whenever I’m in my location to shoot, I always look around and think about what’s around me that I could use to make my photos and poses a little more interesting.  Go stand on top of the wall, sit on the stair railing or squat underneath it, climb in the tree, peer through a fence, or use an object already there as a prop and pose, pose, POSE!  For me, doing something as simple as using what’s around me, makes it easier to pose in different, unique ways.

movement is everything!

Captured movement can be the most captivating photos to look at.  I love scrolling through my feed and seeing a perfectly timed twirl or jump that conveys emotion and is exciting to look at.  One thing I always do when shooting is to consciously change my pose every few shots.  This gives you many options to choose from when picking the one you want on the ‘gram and easily gives a sense of movement to the viewer, making the photo seem more real-time.  If you’re feeling it, take some action shots as well!  Run, leap, spin around, jump, and dance are all ways to make your poses more intriguing and editorial.  When doing action shots, make sure to repeat the action multiple times so you can have different photos to choose from.

think outside of the box

To really take your poses to the next-level, you have to think outside of the box.  One of the guidelines I go by is: if it feels weird, it looks good.  How can you move your legs to show off your outfit without just standing there?  How can I show off the rings on my hand in a cool way?  How can I make sure my make sure my shoes are noticed?  Ask these questions and then get creative with the answer.  Sometimes it all comes down to trial-and-error (which is why fashion bloggers take hundreds of photos to get the perfect one), but a pose that felt strange when you did it might just end up being the one you post!

how does the outfit make you feel?

This might sound strange, but whenever I’m posing I always try to channel the mood of the outfit.  If it’s a fun, summer-y look, I’ll laugh or twirl or jump, but if it’s a darker fall look I’ll be a bit more moody or take the photos from a lower angle.  Think about how the outfit makes you feel and the vibe it is portraying then pose it out!  Also, make sure to choose the location that goes with your outfit as well, this can help create a mood for your poses 😉

Woohoo, I hope you all enjoyed this post and learned some new, unique, and exciting ways to post.  I can’t wait to share Part 2 with ya very soon 🙂  Leave a comment below with any questions or blog post ideas you may have, I love getting feedback form you all.  Thanks so much for reading!!

💜Love, Olivia

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