So, You Want To Post The Perfect Flatlay On Instagram...

Instagram styling tips and tricks from the CEO of POSH PR®, The Caroline Doll!

I always tell my clients to do whatever it takes to protect their brand.  For the POSH PR® brand, we take our online presence very seriously.  There is a lot of work that goes into a curated Instagram feed that is consistent with your digital marketing strategy!  As you read this message, I am on my honeymoon in Santorini, Greece!  However, this blog and social media post was pre-scheduled before I left in order to keep my business running while I am away. So, as you can see, I find your brand's online presence one of the most important tools in order to connect and engage with your audience.

True Story: Costa (my new husband!) has literally found me downstairs in my studio styling photos for multiple hours at a time until I get the “perfect” shot. I’m not even kidding, sometimes it takes forever to get what I want and make a photo look amazing.

“Styling a flat lay requires patience, dedication, and a sense of humor while standing awkwardly to fight the unwanted overhead light glare.” 

I always start by asking myself a few questions before I post. Who am I targeting by publishing this post? Why is this post relevant? Does this post make sense on my feed right now? And where am I directing my followers? Answer those questions before you even begin to make sure you’re not wasting time styling a photo that doesn’t fit with your overall branding vision.

Here are a few other tips to styling a photo that falls I line with your brand and aesthetic: 

Lighting

STUDIO LIGHTS my friends….studio lights. It feels like it’s been raining for 40 days and 40 nights here in Richmond recently so my studio lights are my best friend when there’s lack of natural light available. Desk and floor lamps tend to give off a yellow hue, and overhead lights can produce a major glare, so studio lights are a total game changer. And they don’t have to break the bank, I found mine on Amazon for less than $100!

Angle

Invest in a stool! Or stand on a chair, whatever you have to do but get up and above your picture for a good angle. This also helps with editing later because you have a nice flat background to work with in terms of color and brightness!

Details

You want to incorporate cute details in your styled photos while still keeping it neat and clean! Too many details can make your picture look messy and overcrowded, so pick out 2-3 of your favorite small details and really focus on 1 main object. Remember, less is more!

Styling photos is honestly one of the most frustrating and time consuming parts of my day sometimes. Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t getting the perfect shot on the first go, just play around with it and keep trying! The more you practice, the better you will become! 

I leave you with this: Before you are about to post a photo, ask your self if you are obsessed with the content. If you are, then post away! If you're not in love with the image or content, how do you think your audience will be?

Xo!