How to Train Your Husband (Or Partner)
Is your man a prince in front of the camera, and then a total klutz as soon as he steps behind it? It’s not his fault! He’s trying his best, trust me.
There are two types of perfect Instagram partners. The ones that look great on camera are nice to have for sure - they know exactly how to smile for that perfect date night selfie, or how to be the supportive arm candy while you’re getting ready to conquer the world. We all can benefit from having that kind of support in our lives.
But so many of us are trying to excel on social media despite having an Instagram Husband who’s absolutely clueless the second they step behind the lens. You know your look is flawless, so how does he keep turning you into a sea witch every single time just by clicking a button? It doesn’t make any sense!
No matter who your partner is, it can be really frustrating if you’re trying to take social content and they’re just not good at capturing you at your best. They don’t need to be an award-winning photographer, but there are a few key tips they can learn to at least help them do a serviceable job. Without further ado, here are a few tips on how to create a better ‘Instagram husband’:
The rule of thirds
Maybe your Instagram husband has never studied photography, and that’s okay! If that is the case, take the time to teach them the rule of thirds. Any portrait (upright) image that you see can be divided into a grid, like a Tic Tac Toe board of sorts, and your smartphone camera has features built in where you can actually see those grid lines as you shoot.
Photos are always more interesting to the eye when there’s something happening at the intersection of the grid lines. Instead of placing your superstar dead-on front and centre, try taking photos where the focal point is at those grid lines. It makes for an image that people actually notice.
That’s terrible, take another one
We sound dramatic when you hear us say this, but it’s true. Don’t just take one photo and walk away. We might take 7 or 8 versions of a selfie and you laugh at us, but it’s because we notice the subtle differences, and we can pick out and edit the best take.
The same goes for when you’re behind the camera. Give us options! Fellas, don’t just take one photo and walk away thinking that your job is done! The more takes, and the more options, mean that we’ll be able to select the best of them and have something that we can actually work with!
My eyes are up here…kinda
If you’re with someone taller than you, you’ve no doubt been the victim of the bad angle. If your partner is taller than you are, they’ll usually try to compensate by holding the camera by their chest, or somewhere off to the side where they think they’re being helpful. The result? Two nostrils, at least two chins, and shadows reminiscent of a 1940s horror movie.
It’s not you! You look great - just make sure that your partner knows to hold the camera at eye level. Let them try and experiment with angles a little bit and they’ll see - the right angles can make all the difference.
Play around a little
Even if you have an older smartphone, you may not know all of the features that your phone’s camera has to offer, and they don’t always have to be the fanciest ones. Teach them to experiment a little even with the tools that they do know, and then show them a few of the ones that they haven’t seen before.
Taking multiple photos with those tools means that you’re going to get different shots that you can use for different things. Try some with flash, and some without. Turn the camera to get a few in landscape, as well as portrait. Move around to try different angles, or zoom in on different things. The perfect photo can quickly become the perfect photos that can have different uses.
Pinterest is a girl’s best friend
You know in your head what you want your photo to look like, so why can’t they see what’s going on inside your brain? Well they can’t, BUT, that does not mean that all hope is lost! If they can’t see it in their mind’s eye, show it to them.
Break out the pinterest board, and if they don’t have the app then show them on their phone. They may not have an artist’s eye all the time, but if they know exactly what you’re looking to recreate then they’ll have a much easier time of doing it.
Keep it simple, stupid
You don’t need thousands of dollars worth of editing equipment to look great on social, and your partner doesn’t have to be a professional portrait photographer. It’s fun to look great, but remember that honesty and authenticity are what’s winning today. There’s no shame in playing around a little, but remember that you don’t have to look perfect. You just have to be you.
Want an extra set of hands behind the scenes? Contact us today to get started.