How I Take My Instagram Photos | Tips!

Every now and then I get asked how I take my Instagram photos, and I figured it was time to sit down and go through it properly. This one is just me sharing the small things that actually make a difference in my pictures. It is not a super technical breakdown, because honestly the gear is only part of the story. It is more about how I see light, find symmetry, and make a frame work.

The gear I use

I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark 3. I will be very straight with you right away: this is not a beginner’s camera. I did not buy it for this purpose. I was lucky because my husband already had it when we got married. More than the body of the camera, the real secret is the lens. I use a Sigma Art 24mm F1.4, a wide angle lens, for all my photos. It captures an incredible amount of light and gives me that depth and dreaminess I cannot live without. I always shoot in raw format, never JPEG, and I keep the settings as neutral as possible so I can play with the colors later without restricting myself.

Chasing the right light

I do not use any artificial lighting. No flash guns, no reflectors, no diffusers. My life would become very difficult if I started carting all of that around. Instead, I make use of natural light wherever I am. A lot of people think bright midday sun is ideal, but actually when the sun is at its peak and the light is very harsh, that is the worst time. You get harsh shadows and end up squinting. I always take my outdoor pictures after 4 pm, when the light falls softly. At night, I look for interesting lights: fairy lights, streetlights, soft vanity lights in a store. In one photo, the light came from a barbecue smoke stall and it gave the frame a mood I loved.

A few things I always look for

Symmetry is something I actively chase. When you stand in the middle of a road and everything is balanced equally on the left and right, it pleases the eye in a very subconscious way. Depth is another big one. I make sure I sit or stand way ahead so there is a blurry, layered background behind me that makes me pop out of the frame. And I love playing with colors. I look for backgrounds that offer me blues and greens, because those tones make the brown of my skin really come alive.

You need an Instagram husband

Let me be honest, one of the first things you need is an Instagram husband. In my case it is my real husband, but it does not have to be. You need someone who is available to shoot for you. We find our spots together, sometimes in places my friends do not understand: a busy road full of motorcycles and people, but with the right lights and colors. On our anniversary, we put the camera on a bench, set a timer, and took a picture in a spot that was just pure green. It is still one of my favorite photos.

Gear helps, but noticing the small things matters so much more. Symmetry, the softness of evening light, a lens that lets you dream a little. If you start looking for these details, you can create something you love with whatever you have.