August 19, 2014

Behind the Scenes: What's Really Happening When I Instagram


I love that this Bustle article has opened the door for bloggers to open up about what's really going on when we capture those (obviously staged, beautifully arranged) instagram photos. I can't tell you the number of looks and stares and "what the (explicative) is she doing" gazes that I've received out in public when I've tried to nonchalantly take a pic of my lunch, or the coffee/shoe shot, the list could go on. . .The most hilarious thing about it all is this - we really do look kind of ridiculous when we're in the instagram zone. And believe me, nothing is what it seems through a Valencia filter.

A couple of bloggers have already opened up and revealed their dirty little secrets and Ali even chatted about instagram etiquette on her blog a couple weeks ago. So, I figured it was time to give you the inside scoop. Here's what's really happening behind my instagrams:

WHAT I'M GOING FOR: A beautiful, nonchalant home decor photo
THE TRUTH: I rearranged everything on my buffet table to get this photo just right. And while we're talking about it, there's rarely a home decor shot that I post that isn't rearranged to make it ohemgee perfect. Guilty as charged!

WHAT I'M GOING FOR: Hey, check out my new necklaces!
THE TRUTH: I took about, oh, 50 selfies to get this right. I didn't like the angle of my face, crap not enough of my earrings are showing, too much smile, not enough smile, blurry, is the lighting ok, I'll just edit it anyway. . .you get the idea. Never, ever believe that those instagrammed selfies were on the first try! Puh-lease.

WHAT I'M GOING FOR: New mani!
THE TRUTH: I took this photo outside at my front door - most likely with my little old neighbors watching and wondering what in the world I'm doing. Also, why am I wearing that ring? No idea! I wasn't going anywhere (ie: literally in the my pajamas behind the scenes) but it added a little fashun to the photo. Also took about a million pics before I decided I liked the first one the best. Of course!

WHAT I'M GOING FOR: Happy National Lipstick Day!
THE TRUTH: I almost gave up on this photo when the lipsticks would not.stop.rolling. I promise, those are not just oh la la perfectly scattered around. Was it really worth it to go to all that trouble taking the lids off?? We'll do anything for the instagram.

WHAT I'M GOING FOR: Artsy top knot shot
THE TRUTH: This has been one of my most popular IGs to date. I had people asking me to do a tutorial. Y'all, this is literally a knot on top of my head - nothing technical about it! I'll give you three guesses how long it took me to get the pic I used. Too much forehead, not enough forehead, not enough top knot, too bright, too dark....yep, you got it!

(All photos via my instagram)
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7 comments

Carroll said...

What a fun post! So neat to hear about all the "behind the scenes" work. :)

Anonymous said...

HAHA I love your honesty! I hesitate sometimes to post on insta because I'm always questioning.... is it too staged? not staged enough? is there really a point? and that's all before trying to figure out a caption! But to be real I love instagram...in all her edited filtered glory.
XO
Katie (@websbmore on the gram)

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Haha lipstick shots are the worst! Somehow I always damage them when I take the lids off.

Cambron said...

Love this post! We're all guilty of trying to pose the perfect Insta photo. I think part of that is what makes it fun to look at the creativity of what others can do! Yours are always stunning!

Unknown said...

This is awesome, Julie and soo true! Part of the fun of Instagram is taking a not-so-instant photo. Thanks for sharing! xo - R&R

Lili said...

hahah love it! yup, that's my IG life right there.....

ali v. said...

a) "nothing is what it seems through a Valencia filter" = SO TRUE.
b) thank you for the shout-out -- you're the sweetest.

lots of love, pretty lady! xo