ADVERTISEMENT

You probably know that feeling when, scrolling through the Insta world, you start wondering how on earth some of the pictures are self-made. From glossy selfies to elaborate compositions, some of the shots look so good they would better fit the cover of a fashion magazine.

But it turns out, we don’t see much of the real deal that’s going on behind every picture. And trust me, there’s a whole lot to uncover.

Luckily, influencers are now sharing their “The Setup and The Shot” images side by side so we can get an idea of how much creativity, skill, and savviness it takes to make a single drop-dead gorgeous image. Looks can be deceiving, they say, so never judge a pic before seeing its backstage.

Bored Panda reached out to Jordan, an Instagram photographer and social media influencer based in Virginia Beach, better known by his Twitter handle @Jayflvcko__. Jordan said that when it comes to producing an Instagram-perfect picture, it should have a deeper meaning behind the photo. “I personally feel some people don’t truly understand how one simple picture can be worth 1000 words and a million captions,” he said.

Moreover, Jordan said that photographers customize their setups to come up with a good shot, and “it is always the one that brings out details in every picture.” “The kind of setup I made to come up with that shot was a regular pink sheet for a bed that I used as a backdrop and put in the water,” Jordan commented.

ADVERTISEMENT

Often, to produce a unique shot, influencers use DIY setups and makeshift tricks that take both time and effort which remain invisible to people.Inspiration is key when it comes to Instagram photography.

For Jordan, it’s all about the emotion and colors that “give off a distinctive vibe that can be used to set the mood in a photo.” Music is also a source of endless inspiration, just like his family and the people around him.

ADVERTISEMENT

These days, when everyone has an Instagram account, building your personal brand and standing out from the rest may be harder than ever. After all, scrolling through some of the viral posts and jaw-dropping images, it feels like influencers are now full-on social media professionals who take the Insta world to a whole new level.

It doesn’t mean you can’t do it too. Of course, there are some basic principles of composition and lighting you should know. Because the blurry and random vacation shots you take on your DSLR are not likely to help you make it in the big game.

ADVERTISEMENT

All you need for the beginning is a pretty decent smartphone camera, which most phones have anyway. You may be tempted to edit the original shots immediately, but remember that filters look rather obvious and there’s nothing worse than overexposure. In most cases, little editing with natural light captures the Insta magic so much better than artificial lighting with elaborate filters.

Then, remember to keep your eyes open and pick the right time of the day for shooting. It’s no coincidence that photographers love golden hour—it makes the colors dewy and creamy, and your skin looks like it’s covered in gold.

Most importantly, don’t forget to get creative. There are no rules when it comes to a truly captivating picture, so get ready to experiment. Instagram photography is all about developing your own style and look that will make you stand out.

ADVERTISEMENT
#14

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

#15

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
userh6478 avatar
Heather Althouse
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

such beauty.. white red(more like orange, i guess lol) and blue

williamjmahoney314 avatar
pragyafating_1 avatar
Jaded Queen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1st red heads r very rare compared to other types.so what u see has a very unique effect. 2nd they edit these pics for perfect contrast. They r always more brown in pics than there actual pasty a*s self.reminds me of burning log when it's white. They look incredible pretty tho

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#31

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

drvn_mel Report

Add photo comments
POST
#32

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DouglasJoyaPics Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#34

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

cnhphotography Report

Add photo comments
POST
copper-fractions avatar
Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's wearing totally different material in these and the second one is indoors.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

samtheyang Report

Add photo comments
POST
#40

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#43

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#44

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

carolinelinsph Report

Add photo comments
POST
#45

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

LanaCole0 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#46

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

LanaCole0 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#47

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#49

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
victor-cq-li avatar
Valquerys
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine just seeing someone laying on the grass while holding a fat mirror I-

View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
jacobblocker avatar
TabledTurnsxddd
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

imagine seeing someone siting on the roof and someone is below them with a camera xddd

#55

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

drvn_mel Report

Add photo comments
POST
#56

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

drvn_mel Report

Add photo comments
POST
#63

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#68

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

ChrisWTheStar Report

Add photo comments
POST
katrinac avatar
Myxomatosis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hahahahahaha! I see what you did there :) hahahahahahahaha thank you for the smiles.

#69

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#71

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

lilmissleila Report

Add photo comments
POST
#76

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

kihmberlie Report

Add photo comments
POST
#77

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

heyitsbao Report

Add photo comments
POST
#78

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

shayla________ Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#79

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
katrinac avatar
Myxomatosis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

great light work, everything else.... is... obvious. She looks so uncomfortable. Maybe have a woman hold that soft-bounce.

#81

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

CareemGilbert Report

Add photo comments
POST
#82

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

drvn_mel Report

Add photo comments
POST
#85

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

artxlo Report

Add photo comments
POST
#88

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#89

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

drvn_mel Report

Add photo comments
POST
#90

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

beigenights Report

Add photo comments
POST
#92

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

Rasta_Teferi Report

Add photo comments
POST
#93

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#94

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
katrinac avatar
Myxomatosis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

uurrggick. <-that is the sound my spine just made as it crinkled at this photo. I could not stand in that.

#97

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

hopetrue_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#98

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

guccicheesecake Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#99

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

ColeBuns Report

Add photo comments
POST
#100

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

dannidivagates Report

Add photo comments
POST
#101

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

priyankap_patel Report

Add photo comments
POST
#102

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

FabiBarrientos Report

Add photo comments
POST
#103

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

dananinha_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#104

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

dananinha_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#105

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

LanaCole0 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#106

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#109

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#110

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

LeviMorman Report

Add photo comments
POST
#111

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

aromani_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#112

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

marchioniphoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#113

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

lindsaylmao Report

Add photo comments
POST
#114

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

ImNathanBennett Report

Add photo comments
POST
#115

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

celest_co_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#116

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

MCHLPhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#117

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

clicksessionss Report

Add photo comments
POST
#118

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

BEACASSO Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#119

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

fatherrich_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#120

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

Trentdad_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
#121

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

emiaustin Report

Add photo comments
POST
#122

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

SpeedGrapher82 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#123

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

spncrmr Report

Add photo comments
POST
#124

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

elizasidecar Report

Add photo comments
POST
#125

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

khairidzwan Report

Add photo comments
POST
#126

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

Kassiey8 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#127

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

HOTNFROOT Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#129

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

tremendousviz Report

Add photo comments
POST
#130

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DanielStagner Report

Add photo comments
POST
#131

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

notjoeleene Report

Add photo comments
POST
#133

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

cinemandcoffee Report

Add photo comments
POST
#134

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

jordanblake587 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#135

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

hayyyedu Report

Add photo comments
POST
#136

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

SantaiJai Report

Add photo comments
POST
#137

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

dmthecreator Report

Add photo comments
POST
#138

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

dmthecreator Report

Add photo comments
POST
See Also on Bored Panda
#139

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

hvn_solo Report

Add photo comments
POST
#140

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

AkimanaRoxanna Report

Add photo comments
POST
#141

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

DruePhoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#142

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

ttlytierra Report

Add photo comments
POST
#143

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

toricrews1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#144

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

savslabtweets Report

Add photo comments
POST
#145

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

ricosphoto Report

Add photo comments
POST
#146

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

grovymango Report

Add photo comments
POST
#147

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

butavv1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
#148

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

danowanox Report

Add photo comments
POST
#149

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

5kvisions Report

Add photo comments
POST
oberlinmom1 avatar
Susan Egan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's too muted for me. I'd like it if he was lit like the "set up" shot. My son has very dark skin and I spend a lot of time trying to pull him out of the background. I want to see him clearly.

#150

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

yusvfasnawi Report

Add photo comments
POST
#151

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

yusvfasnawi Report

Add photo comments
POST
#152

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

heyitsbao Report

Add photo comments
POST
#154

Setup-Shot-Result-Photography

anauaht Report

Add photo comments
POST