By Kelsey|4 Comments
5 Notorious Instagram Girl Poses Explained

Navigating the world of Instagram is a daunting task, let alone trying to figure out what the heck us ladies are doing in our photos! Before I started taking lots of travel pictures I would just be BAFFLED at these travel Instagram accounts! Like why am I only seeing the back of your head? Or why are you wearing a dress and a hat on the top of a mountain, I KNOW you had to hike up to that!! Little did I know these gals had it figured out. These are the essentials to making beautiful wanderlust-y photos. Here is the behind the scenes explanation of 5 that I have (sort of) figured out and am totally guilty of!

1. The Walking Away To Nowhere Shot

This is a BIG one in the Instagram world. You will see us Instagrammers aimlessly strolling along a street, or Riviera or some other picture-perfect place. Somewhere that yes we probably did walk but WHY are we being photographed doing it. Well, let me tell you!

I’ll start with the no BS reasons why I like to take pictures walking away from the camera:

Firstly, facing away from the camera covers up the fact that it’s probably 150 degrees and I’m sweating a lot.

Secondly, it also covers up the fact that I’m definitely wearing no makeup and look like a tired traveling goblin.

Thirdly, it disguises that I probably have a stomach ache and I am in pain. Also if I extend one of my slightly chunky-ish legs it makes it look s’long and lean which works for me! It’s like Photoshop for real life.

Now the more *~artsy~* explanation – Basically, this effortless aka totally planned picture is supposed to beautifully recreate what we are actually doing which is probably walking down a beach or alleyway but with the intent to transport you there as well!

Showing only the back of my head makes it way easier for random Instagram viewers to imagine themselves exploring the beach or shopping in a local market.

 

2. The Hat *also face turned away* Shot

Basically this kind of picture is the same as the one above but just add a hat to it! Why? Because the hat is the face of the back of the head! It adds interest, it covers up a bad hair day, and hats are just cute right?!

3. The Dancing Twirl Shot

This is a classic Instagram photo — you know that like dress or skirt which has the, as 7-year-old me would say ‘twirl factor.’ Why are we spinning? Its fun, and that ‘funness’ is conveyed by the movement of clothing. But yeah I don’t really get this one but I’m totally here for it.

4. The Smiling At Literally Nothing Shot

Okay this one is a go-to of mine, and may only be applicable to me, but I’ll explain anyway. A lot of people can pose in a shot and look super moody and mysterious by not smiling but your girl ain’t one of them. If I am not smiling I look a bit constipated and my face just looks puffy, overall not cute. SO that’s why I am smiling, and usually, I am genuinely happy to be looking at whatever dumb thing I am looking at. ~*~miles of smiles~*~

5. The Scenery With You Being Very Tiny In The Frame Shot

This one is a popular one, and is actually a basic rule of thumb for photographers and hobbyists alike. These type of shots are used mostly to show off a view or something in the background and if you put a person in the frame it instantly creates more intrigue along with showing off what is in the background! It also creates a scale so that the HUGE mountain will actually look huge next to a person.

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Every person you will ever meet knows something that you don't, learn from them // Bill Nye ✨💛 ☼ Did you know that Malaysia is predominatly Muslim country? While I was in Kuala Lumpur thought it would be fitting to learn a bit more about its religious culture, so I visited this absolutely ~*stunning*~ Mosque. Up until then I had never been to a Mosque before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect! ☼ I went on a short tour of the building and was amazed by the intricate tiling, and impressive architecture but even more so by the people who were there. They were kind, patient, and knowledgeable. We chatted about religion, art and just life! It was an absolutely amazing experience as a whole and totally what travel is all about – educating yourself! ☼ Tell me about a time you learned something completely new whilst traveling, let's share the knowledge! 🤓❤️

A post shared by Kelsey Lynn (@milesofsmiles._) on

 

There ya have it, 5 poses that I am guilty of using explained. I hope that this provides insight and (perhaps) less eye rolls when scrolling through your Instagram feed.

 

Do you have any others that you see or use often? Let me know what they are and why below!

 

Keep smiling (at nothing while twirling and walking away)

xx Kels

RELATED: Are You Making These 5 Instagram Mistakes?

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