Picture Perfect: 4 Books About Instagram
Maybe you saw the recent article on Instagram-famed Caroline Calloway and dug up your Instagram account to see what was up. Maybe you’re a huge fan of the app and spend a good amount of your day refreshing your feed and connecting with other users. And maybe you have watched the follower counts of Instagram superstars go up and up and up with no seeming end in sight wondering to yourself, “How do they do it?” Now, many of them are sharing their secrets. From how to get started with the basics to figuring out prime post times, color schemes, and sticking to your mission, these books about Instagram cover it all. Whether you’re looking to be an influencer yourself or want to polish up your account for your own gratification and enjoyment, it doesn’t hurt to take a bit of advice from the pros. Grab these three books about Instagram for applicable wisdom, gorgeous inspiration, and a bit of cheerleading.
Capture Your Style: Transform Your Instagram Photos, Showcase Your Life, and Build the Ultimate Platform by Aimee Song
Diane von Furstenberg’s introduction of this book says it all: “[Aimee Song] has finally written a guide to the platform that addresses everything that goes into a successful feed (and brand!).” Song emphasizes Instagram as a global community throughout her book and makes the platform accessible for new users while providing advanced techniques for more advanced users. With instructions for both Android and iOS, this complete guide also includes visual examples, practice exercises, and tips on photo composition and editing in general. Song provides a list of recommended supplemental apps. Find out how to get your foot in the door of your chosen Instagram community and building your brand with Capture Your Style.
Hashtag Authentic: Finding Creativity and Building Community on Instagram and Beyond by Sara Tasker
Building on her podcast and other resources, Sara Tasker shares her approach to Instagram with a focus on storytelling. Hashtag Authentic is not only full of beautiful imagery, but also of clear instructions on how to piece together an Instagram account that is authentically you while still appealing to an audience. Tasker suggests a number of strategies to increase engagement with your account as well as practical ideas to get the most out of your camera, whether it’s a smartphone or DSLR. Pulling in wisdom from other Grammers, Tasker views Instagram as an opportunity to connect with others and to live more mindfully as we record the little things in our daily lives via photography. As far as books about Instagram go, this is not one to miss.
InstaStyle: Curate Your Life, Create Stunning Photos, and Elevate Your Instagram Influence by Tezza (Tessa Barton)
With experience in collecting hundreds of thousands of followers, Tezza shares her Insta knowledge with short chapters on specific elements of growing your followership and making your account the best it can be. This is a book for users beyond the novice stage, and includes lots of tips on how to take your Gram to the next level. Tessa takes advantage of her network, pulling in profiles from several different successful Instagram influencers to share a little about their workflow and things that have worked for them—this means you’re sort of getting many books about Instagram (albeit mini books) in one. In easily digestible sections, InstaStyle will help you on your way to a beautifully curated account. InstaStyle has a particular kind of user and aesthetic in mind, but adapting the lessons from the book to your own style is easy.
Influencer: Building Your Brand in the Age of Social Media by Brittany Hennessy
With over 14,000 Instagram followers, Hennessy gives her social building knowledge to the masses. Find secrets to building a following, engaging with your favorite brands, and making some sweet, cold, hard cash through your account. Though Influencer does not focus on Instagram alone, the many lessons can be applied throughout the app for your success. This is the book you need if you want to go pro.
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