3 Keys to Make Your Brand's Instagram Feed Look Cohesive
Today, we’re talkin’ about how to make your brand’s Instagram feed look cohesive.
If you’re reading this article you probably already know what it means to have a cohesive Instagram feed (and you want one!), but just to make sure we’re on the same page, this article is about how to make your Instagram pictures look amazing not just individually, but how to give your Instagram photos a cohesive look as a set.
Here are a few accounts that I think do this really well:
You can see how each of the brand’s above have a unique style, and how all their pictures flow really well together and definitely have a cohesive look. I’d say all of these accounts have totally nailed their aesthetic in every way.
Although I can’t take credit for the great style in the accounts above, if you want me to help you nail your brand’s Instagram aesthetic, I go super deep into EVERYTHING it takes to figure out what your brand’s signature photography style is and how to DIY killer photos for your brand (even if you’re not a photographer and even if your only camera is your phone!) in my e-course “Master Your Instagram Aesthetic,” If you’d like to learn more about what’s in the course, click HERE.
Below, I’ll give you the top 3 things to look out for while you’re taking your Instagram photos, so you can get photos that will flow together really well and create a cohesive looking Instagram feed. But, before I dive into the three areas I want to be sure to mention a common misconception people have about how to make their Instagram feed cohesive. A lot of people think that if they could just find the right filter, their feed would look cohesive. While I 100% recommend picking a great filter (or editing style) and sticking with it, getting consistent looking photos really comes down to more than just slappin’ a filter on your pictures. The best way to get a consistent looking feed is to focus on the three areas I’m about to share while you’re taking your pictures, and then use a consistent filter or consistent editing style after that.
Let’s dig in….
KEY to cohesive instagram photos #1:
Lighting
While having good lighting is certainly key to having a good photo, in order to have a consistent looking feed, you’ll need to pick your favorite style of light and stick to it. For example, if you’re going for a bright-n-airy feed, you’ll probably always want to photograph during daylight hours and avoid shadows in your pictures. If you want a moodier vibe you may want to take your photos after the sun goes down. Regardless of the type of lighting you like, figure out how to do it and make sure to photograph in similar lighting every time to really help create consistency across all your photos.
KEY to cohesive instagram photos #2:
Colors
If you haven’t thought about what colors you want associated with your brand, this will definitely make a big, big difference in creating a cohesive look on your Instagram feed. Choose 2-3 colors that represent your brand (or however many colors make sense for your brand) and always include at least one of those colors in each photo you upload to Instagram. You don’t have to include all your colors in every photo, but do include at least one of your colors in each photo. If you do this, when you look at your feed as a whole, it’ll create a cohesive color palette. And, if there are any colors that distract from your color theme, just move them out of the frame before you capture the photo, or if you notice it after you’ve already taken the photo, you can crop or edit the colors out.
If you’re not sure how to pick your brand colors or if you want make sure you picked the right ones, I have an awesome free download for you today. It’s called “What Your Instagram Theme Colors Say About Your Brand”. The PDF guide explains what each of the top 8 brand colors mean, so you can make sure your feed is communicating the right message about your brand. Click the graphic below to download the PDF.
KEY to cohesive instagram photos #3:
Mood
Pick a mood for your Instagram feed. Whatever mood you’re going for (energetic, elegant, chic, playful, or whatever else), make sure to photograph poses (or arrange objects) in a way that align with that mood. If you have trouble deciding which colors and lighting to choose, picking your feed’s mood first may help give you clarity about what colors or lighting style to choose. As you’re deciding what mood you want to communicate in your feed, definitely give some consideration to how you want your followers to perceive your brand.
Once you’ve nailed consistent lighting, colors, and mood, your feed should be INCREDIBLY cohesive!
Alright, that’s all for this post. I hope it was helpful. If you’d like access to all of the free resources I have for entrepreneurs to make their business better, more strategic, and more beautiful, head over to sarahdeshaw.com/free-resources
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See you guys next time!