Our world is more digital than ever before, and so many people are now capitalizing on Instagram and similar platforms for earning a living. Influencers, internet celebrities, content creators — whatever you call it, there are more titles than ever before for people who earn money through posting content online.
Whether you want to secure lucrative endorsement deals or simply want to further your own personal brand, capturing and sharing content is the first step toward internet stardom. If your partner is an influencer, or aspiring to become one, then you know that any outing can turn into a photoshoot at a moment’s notice. The people need their content, after all.
You love your partner and you want to be supportive. You wouldn’t be reading this article if you didn’t. So how can you become the Instagram boyfriend every influencer wants in their life?
We’ve gathered some tips and a few products that will help you, their partner-turned-creative-director, take photos and videos they’re happy with. An amateur Instagram boyfriend knows their partner’s good side for that “candid” Instagram photo. A seasoned pro knows how to set up a ring light and snap the perfect Snapchat.
Remember: it’s all about those angles.
Instagram Boyfriend Photography Tips
Don’t be a dope. Be the guy who’s actually good at taking photos. Depending on who your girlfriend, boyfriend or partner is, you may have to take a lot of photos, so you might as well refine your skills now. Here are a few easy tips that can drastically improve how your photos turn out.
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GET SPECIFIC
Don’t be afraid to ask her exactly what type of photo she wants! Is it more a closeup portrait? Or an OOTD (outfit of the day) photo that captures her whole body? Does she want photos from the waist up or just her face? Ask all the questions. They’ll be happy you care so much.
TAKE MORE THAN ONE PHOTO
The more photos you take, the higher the chance there is that one will turn out perfectly. Don’t be afraid to snap a as many as possible. She’s trying to get multiple angles and poses and will help if you just keep taking them until she tells you to stop.
FIND A FLATTERING ANGLE
Not all angles are created equal. We know, your significant other looks beautiful from any angle and that’s very sweet, but it probably won’t be enough for her if you can’t get “the shot.” Try snapping a few pics from below if she’s standing up. Make sure you’re far enough back and the shot has good lighting. Also, feel free to suggest new poses or locations based on what you think is best.
Essential Instagram Influencer Gear: Cameras, Ring Lights and Tripods
Now, if you want to get a little more serious and actually invest in products, we recommend the following cameras and tools for capturing high-quality, feed-worthy content.
When it comes to cameras, there are two different types that are the most common amongst influencers — mirrorless and DSLR. Mirrorless cameras are smaller, lightweight and have more accurate viewfinder previews. DSLR cameras are a bit larger, have a longer battery life and the autofocus is more advanced. Both are great options, but one prioritizes the actual camera functionality whereas the other one is all about portability. We’ll include an option from either camp below.
Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Camera Bundle
If you want a solid entry-level mirrorless camera for Instagram, this mirrorless option from Sony is your best bet.
It’s highly-rated on Amazon for its focus sensitivity range and solid battery life. You’ve also got the option for up to 11 FPS continuous shooting so you’ll be able to capture every pose as your girlfriend frolics about. Plus, this bundle comes with a bunch of other items you’ll need to capture it all including wrist straps, memory cards, tripods and more.
Nikon D3500 DSLR Camera
This camera is super easy to use, very no-nonsense and has a compact, comfortable design that’s great for travel.
It’s got an image sensor that’s 15% larger than those in typical smartphones so your pictures will be sharper and clearer than those iPhone pics you’ve been producing thus far. If you want high-quality and affordability, this is a great option.
Fuji X-M1 Camera
If both of those options aren’t exactly floating your boat, this entry-level camera from Fuji is a great option for learning the basics of photography without a steep initial investment. It’s also got Wifi so you can instantly transfer the favorite shots to your phone for Instagram stories and travel posts.
It’s got a built-in flash drive for easy storage and eight different advanced art filters. That makes creating follower-worthy posts even easier.
GoPro HERO8 Black Waterproof Action Camera
If you haven’t heard of GoPro yet, you’ve got to check out their products before your next adventure outing. They specialize in cameras and equipment designed to embark on radical excursions with you and capture every moment. Whether your girlfriend has you bungee jumping off of something together or deep-sea diving you’ll want this for capturing her in the natural world flawlessly.
The GoPro HERO8 model boasts all the same features as other models with a few key additions. You can now choose between On, High and Boost stabilization modes so you’ll get the smoothest shot possible. They’ve also unleashed TimeWarp 2.0 so your time-lapse videos will adjust automatically based on speed, scene detection and lighting.
GEEKOTO Ultra-Compact Lightweight Tripod
If stable is what you’re looking for or you find yourself setting up in the same spot for long periods of time, investment in a tripod is non-optional. Free your hands and travel light with this model from GEEKOTO that only weighs about 2.8 pounds and stores at 14.5 inches long. The legs can be adjusted to three different angles and lengths so uneven ground won’t get in the way, and the 360-degree panorama ball-head allows you to get the perfect shot each time easily.
UBeesize 10″ LED Ring Light
If great lighting is your priority, check out this LED ring light. This light style is the go-to for many influencers these days for its brightness options and compact design. Set it up easily using your laptop via its USB plugin and the mobile phone clamp allows for easy recording.
You’ve got options when it comes to the type of light you want as well — choose between white, warm white and yellow depending on your preference that day and the Bluetooth remote allows you to control your camera or phone from a distance.
VILTROX LED Mini Portable Video Light
If you’re looking for a more portable lighting option, this photography lamp fits in your pocket and provides up to 720LM of brightness. You can adjust the brightness between 10% to 100% and it’s battery-powered so movement is not a problem. Throw this in your bag and take lighting worries out of the equation.
3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for iPhone
Transform your shaky, handheld footage into an effortlessly smooth take with this stabilizing device from Hohem. This model includes the standard features like zoom/focus controls, all following and pan following modes as well as a screw hole for the addition of a tripod or video light.
The brand new “inception” mode means you can vertically rotate your phone up to 360° any which way without any shakes or stirs and the “time lapse” mode can run for up to 12 hours continuously.
Peak Design Everyday Backpack
With all of your new gear and, let’s be honest, new persona, you’re going to have a lot to carry. This gear backpack is sleek, strong and designed to carry everything tech-related easily with internal dividers. It’s completely weatherproof, made of 100% recycled nylon and the wrap-around zipper is great for easy retrieval of bulky camera equipment. If your goal is to be the perfect partner, then investing in a solid backpack is one of our top Instagram boyfriend tips.