Hello! I’m excited to join the loveliest mamas/bloggers of #TheMomBlogCollective – every other week week a rotating group of us will share tips on all-things blogging, branding Instagram, collaborations with brands, etc. Check out the hashtag #themomblogcollective to see everyone on Instagram and I’ve linked everyone below!This week it’s all about Instagram feeds + photography tips of which I am a total master. Just kidding! I’m still learning and love being a know-it-all when I semi have my act together. That said, taking photos of a two-year old is something every mom does, but when your family isn’t within driving distance you tend to really document everything. You’re welcome mom 🙂
I love being able to easily scroll through my feed and easily see all of the best moments of the last few years, and I’m constantly stepping up my game in terms of learning how to take better photos, and edit them in a way that makes sense for my feed. Let’s go!
Share a little about your Instagram Feed and Style – what is the look you go for and why?
P.S. I’m from the Midwest is all about being stylish, but practical with some humor mixed in. I love showing real life moments, which is a lot of comfy wear-to-the-playground looks with Juliette in-tow looking cute!
How do you create a cohesive feed on Instagram?
I almost always use the same filter which I think is the best tip. I also usually have two people, my daughter and I, in 75% of the photos, and have pops or white or beige as a reccuring “color story” . We have a white wall in our living room that gets great light, so that’s served as great place for mini-photo shoots and keeps the feed color scheme intact.
I went to an Instagram Fashion Master Class (which really isn’t as fancy as it sounds) and got some great tips from Eva Chen (who’s feed/style/sense of humor I LOVE). The biggest tip I really ran with was starting a content series! Mine is #morningswithmini where I take a picture with my daughter right before I rush out the door for work. I make my husband (thanks Shawn!) take a few pics in the same spot, and Juliette is in her jammies 95% of the time. It was an easy choice for coming up with a way to keep a recurring theme and that fits with my working mom vibe.
What do you use to take your photos and how do you typically edit them? (ie fav apps, filters, editing tips, etc)
Have you heard the saying the best camera is the one you have on you? Thats usually the case for me, and so many photos are taken with my or my husband’s iPhone. If you have good lighting (natural light in the house, early morning or late afternoon). I’ll often use Facetune2 to fix bruised calves, whiten teeth, smooth out baby drool, etc. It’s an addicting app where you can totally transform the way a person looks, but I’ll usually go with under-editing to keep photos more natural. I always use Afterlight’s Russ filter.
How do you get your kids to participate and smile for the camera?
The amount of mugging my husband has to do to get Juliette isn’t exactly socially acceptable…but we do it anyway. Also a good tickle works, taking photos when she’s already in a good mood, and an ice cream cone shot means everyone is happy (there just may be an ice cream beard situation or chocolate drips on clothes).
I hope these tips help anyone wanting to rev-up their brand and I’m free for any questions or extra tips! Remember to check these amazing women/bloggers/mamas and their take on all the Q’s I answered:
