Hi darlings!
I hope your week is going well 🙂 Today is the last installment of the How to Grow Your Instagram series. So far, we have talked about branding, different growth strategies and I’ve given you a peak into my daily routine. A lot of you have asked about my photo editing so I thought I would share today!
Keep in mind that I definitely not a photography expert. In fact, I’m still very much a beginner and learning new things everyday. I have been experimenting with different edits and am still going through this process. With that being said, although I may change things up a bit in the future, I am going to share my current editing process with you.
Firstly, I edit both my blog photos and my instagram photos differently. I have a specific theme for my instagram: light, bright and airy. These are edits that I done completely on my own through trial and error. For the blog, I solely use Lightroom (no photshop) and for Instagram, I use either A Color Story or Vsco and then do additional edits in the Instagram app itself. I have been using VSCO a lot more lately, so I will use those edits for the two examples below. They are not exact because I change it up a lot of the time depending on what the photo looks like to begin with, but this will give you a good idea.
How I Edit My Instagram Photos: Lizzie in Lace
Lizzie in Lace Flat Lay Instagram Photos
1.) Original Photo (no edits): Taken with a Canon Rebel t6i with stock lens in natural lighting
2.) Lightroom Edit: I currently use presets from both Dreamy Presets and Pretty Presets. I use Pretty Presets 99% of the time and used one from the Pretty Films Collection for this photo which basically decreased saturation a bit, increased sharpness, decreased shadows and increased highlights. I additionally increased the exposure and upped the warmth a bit.
3.) VSCO Edit: I use HB1 for the majority of my photos, but also love HB2. HB1 gives that light and airy feel. I play around with it until I like it (usually between +5 and +7). After the filter is on, I increase exposure and sharpness once again.
4.) Instagram Edit: After VSCO, I upload the photo to Instagram and begin final edits. These edits vary depending on lighting, saturation and other things. For flatlays, I always increase the exposure quite a bit because I like them very white and bright. I will then decrease warmth (because I like it cool WHITE), increase shadows, increase sharpness, sometimes decrease saturation, put a slight color tint then crop.
*Sidenote: If you are having trouble with your flatlays, I recommend checking out these my two part mini-series here and here.
Lizzie in Lace Outfit Instagram Photos and Detail Shots
1.) Original Photo (no edits): Taken with the Canon Rebel t6i with 50mm lens in natural outdoor lighting (in shade – always in the morning, facing west)
2.) Lightroom Edit: Once again using one of the presets from the Pretty Films Collection for this photo which basically decreased saturation a bit, increased sharpness, decreased shadows and increased highlights. I additionally increased the exposure and upped the warmth a bit.
3.) VSCO Edit: Again using HB1 (usually between +5 and +7). After the filter is on, I increase exposure and sharpness once again.
4.) Instagram Edit: After VSCO, I upload the photo to Instagram and begin final edits. These edits vary depending on lighting, saturation and other things. I edit outfit and detail shots different than my flatlay shots. If I increase brightness, it will only be a little bit. I will then decrease warmth, increase or decrease shadows (I usually decrease when wearing black because I still want the photo very light feeling), increase sharpness, sometimes decrease saturation, put a slight color tint then crop if needed.
Editing Instagram Photos
I know this was a pretty general post because I don’t have an exact formula for editing. I edit based on what looks good to me and what I feel looks good with my feed, which means that most of the time I will edit an image multiple times before it’s posting (it’s the perfectionist in me haha!). With that being said, I do hope that it has been super helpful for those of you wondering what I do! Definitely experiment and see what aesthetic you like, whether that’s light and bright, dark and moody, colorful and fun, or a variation of all of these. Editing photos is where your brand really gets to shine and stand out from the others so I think it’s important to make it you own 🙂
Well, that concludes the series! I’ll have more for you once I get ready to launch my course (it will still be a little while) but I hope that what I have shared has been super helpful for you. If you have any other topics you’d like me to cover about anything at all, let me know in the comments below!
My question for you:
How do you envision your Instagram feed editing-wise (if you haven’t done so already and if you have, what is your aesthetic)? Don’t forget to leave your IG link below so we can all support you!
Hi Lizzie, thank you for sharing your tips. I used to use VSCO but stopped. I will look into it again and start using it because I really love your IG photos. And for Lightroom- I tried it but it seemed too complicated. But as above, I will give it another chance. :-)) thank you for inspiring me.
Hugs,
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
I love this. I have the canon t5i and I am still learning how to use it. How did you get your background blurry in your second picture? thanks in advance!
XO-Lisa
http://www.thatssodarling.com
Liz–I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see how others edit their photos. I know there are times after I take the photos that I’m frustrated because they don’t look perfect right from the camera! But to see that you tweak them too, makes me feel so much better!!
Thanks so much,
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Whoa apparently I need to use pre-sets so my photos match better! That’s super helpful.
These are perfect tips and tricks thank you for sharing!
I also gravitate towards a dreamy, airy feed, but with a bit more saturation. I love your Instagram feed so much, you definitely nailed the aesthetic! I did a lot of trial myself to get to the point where I am fairly happy with my photos, but I still play with it and still experiment, like you do 🙂
My Instagram is @ivegotsunshineblog <3
Sabina | I’ve Got Sunshine
Thanks for sharing! I usually use Color Story- they have a bunch of new flashes of delight filters that are really pretty! I try to make my instagram pictures colorful and bright but don’t have one color theme going on. I really love pictures like yours– with feminine colors!
I’ve heard such wonderful things about VSCO but personally use color story and love it! It’s so nice to be able to lighten and brighten photos in a way that still looks beautiful and natural. Great post with helpful tips!
I love how you edit your photos for instagram. I always know when I see a post if its from you. You really know how to keep your brand and your theme. Thanks for the share Lizzie. xx
http://www.prettyweirdbombshell.com/date-night-trump-champagne-lounge/
https://www.instagram.com/prettyweirdbombshell/
great tips on editing . your pictures always look so good
Thanks for sharing. What is VSCO?
I use Snapseed and VSCO! Love your pictures.
instagram.com/apintsizedlife
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlifeblog.com
First, I really need to use VSCO. I have it but don’t use it! Second, I know this is about Instagram, but you’ve just inspired me to seriously look into Lightroom. I just had a convo about it today. Makes such a difference!!
This is so helpful! I suck at editing photos so these tips will come in handy.
thanks for the tips! I never heard of lightroom before.
These tips are very handy as I am a similar perfectionist when it comes to my feed 🙂
My feed has a pastel pink and white feel to it, I LOVE pink and it totally works for me
http://www.instagram.com/petaramia
Loving these tips you provided! I love all the angles that you use! Can’t wait to incorporate these tips!
http://thebbar.org/
I love all of the filters you use! I use Vsco presets for lightroom and publish them straight to instagram. I find that I don’t need to do any additional edits on my phone. I am so happy I finally jumped into lightroom a few months ago because it has been a game changer!
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
I needed this!! Thank you so much for sharing. You have beautiful pics.
we have the same process, i also only use lightroom for blog photos but use both lightroom and color story for Instagram! I used to use VSCO but now i’m addicted to color story! I didn’t know you could do presets in Lightroom, I’ll have to check that out!
http://www.layersofchic.com
I do a very similar process. Your photos are really beautiful!
great tips, thank you
thanks for sharing this! 🙂
xoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net
It’s amazing what a difference those different processes made
Sounds like you have a great formula down! I always love your photos and these were such great tips!
This is super helpful!
I used to use VSCO but switched to a color story and prefer it. VSCO is really awesome though!
I love your tips! Super helpful. Your instagram is seriously goals.
xo Logan
https://peculiarporter.com
Wow, the edits make such a huge difference! I totally need to step up my game with VSCO. Super helpful tutorial!
Wow what a difference your editing makes ! Although the images are gorgeous to begin with 🙂
I feel I am still a novice at taking instagram pictures because my ipad mini can only do so much unlike my camera which can do so much more. I use filters, layout apps, and any other apps that are helpful. I try to keep my page real as it is a mixture of my personal life and blogging life. @marksvilleandme
I love this post so much I bookmarked it so that I can hopefully learn from this post and make my insta pics even prettier. Thank you so much for the inspiration and explaining in easy to use terms how to re-create what you do on your photos.
Love the theme of your photos! They make the feed look so pretty and clean!
This is such an amazing post!! Thanks for sharing the great tips. I love your photos so much!!
I write Mademoiselle Meets Maquillage and Macaroons and I would love for you to give it a read, maybe we can follow each other’s blogs and social media?
http://www.mademoisellemeetsmaquillageandmacaroons.com
Deepti xx