Do you feel like your photos on Instagram are repetitive,particularly when taking into consideration that we have to stay home right now? As a wheelchair user, when I first started using Instagram more, it was so hard to see photos of poses or in locations that I wouldn’t be able to do or have access to due to my disability. I could only focus on the fact that I wanted to change up my feed and struggled to do it. I know I still wanted to post on Instagram and have a fun feed, so I had to figure out how to work with what I could do and be open to trying a few new things as well. After a lot of trial and error, I’m having fun with Instagram again and I wanted to share my tips for changing up your Instagram photos, especially if anyone is feeling how I felt when I first started posting, disability, or not during these uncertain times.
Props Are Your New Best Friend
Props. Oh, how I wish someone had told me to start using props sooner. A hat, purse, your favorite nail polish or makeup palettes, etc. Props give you a little leeway for poses even in your wheelchair, change how you’re wearing something of holding it and you’ve got a whole new picture you can post to your Instagram feed. You can use almost anything as a prop which is why this is one of my favorite tips for changing up your Instagram photos
Crop Your Photos/ Change The Angles
It may seem silly, but cropping my photos for more than just fine-tuning problem areas has become one of my favorite things to do with my photos before I post them to Instagram. Cropping allows you to focus on a certain part of the photo so you can go from a simple full body shot with a caption about your outfit to posting the same photo cropped a few days later and write a caption about your makeup.
Similar to cropping your photos, changing the angles that you’re taking photos from can give you a completely different look. There are several different options when it comes to choosing an angle for a photo, you can have the camera lower than you, above you, or to side to name a few. One of my favorite times taking photos for Instagram, my friend behind the camera took several photos of the same pose from various angles. Afterward, we picked the best one, still, it was cool to see that one pose from various points of view and if I’d used some of them, I’d have some great photos for my Instagram feed.
Change Backgrounds, Locations For Your Photos
Change your background. I’ve taken photos sitting on a couch and all over the backyard while staying home, moving to different spots so the background is different. You can also buy wrapping paper or backgrounds on Amazon for great prices. Change the background, try a new pose or two, and the angles, and you have several new photos for your feed.
**When everything does open up, head to the mall or some of your favorite spots and take some photos for some different backdrops. Now is the perfect time to do some virtual scouting of locations and think of different poses you may be able to do. Stay home for your health and the health of those around you. **
One Friday weeks ago, just before everything started closing. I went to the mall specifically to take photos. I took photos in Sephora and a few and another store, I even found a bench that was perfect for me to sit on for a few poses. It was more fun than I expected it to be and I’m currently researching locations and poses that I might be able to, especially because when we make it through this scary time, I’m hoping the weather will be nicer.
If Possible, Get Out Of Your Wheelchair
“I wasn’t born with the wheelchair attached” I don’t remember who first said this to me, but I do remember laughing for a few seconds afterward. You are not in your wheelchair 100% of the time, so position yourself somewhere comfortable and take a few photos. (Obligatory disclaimer, Please don’t do this if it’s not comfortable for you or alone if you need supervision outside your chair No Instagram photo is worth getting injured over). Like said earlier, I have taken photos sitting on steps and couches, it was nice to get out of my chair for it.
Change Your Facial Expressions
Facial Expressions, there are days when I need content for Instagram so I take a few photos, but I know I just don’t have the energy to change outfits and transfer from my wheelchair to the steps or another chair. On those days I try to take shots with several different facial expressions along with changing the angles and/or cropping as well as adding props and I have some great photos for the next few days.
Use Those Filters
Play around with the editing the photo and use those filters. Remember, when everyone was using them? Instagram doesn’t have a great variety, but you can always take your photo with Snapchat so you can use the filters then post it to your Instagram feed.
Staying inside and social distancing from friends and family is difficult, but getting dressed up and taking a few photos for Instagram is making it easier for me. I hope these tips help you with changing up your Instagram photos and bring fun back into the process. Do you have any tips for changing up an Instagram photo that you think I should know about? Tell me in the comments below?
~Kimberly
