Who else loves Instagram? Who else uses Instagram to show the highlights of their day? (*Insert hand-raised emoji for both those questions). Once you are media literate, meaning that you don’t take photos or information for face value, social media can be fun.
But first, my rules:
1) Always remember the 72 other pictures taken to get the perfect one
2) The filter(s)
3) The flattering angles
4) That the photo you see is one second of someone’s day
In order to practice what I preach, I wanted to share the full story behind some recent Instagrams. This is NOT to say that my pictures or captions are fake (not the case at all), but you can’t always capture/write everything going on that moment. Know what I mean? Check out Behind The Instagram #1 here.
Behind The Instagram
1. One of the rare days that I didn’t have oatmeal for breakfast. I woke up at 6 a.m. with a burning throat so I waited until Jugofresh (smoothie bar/heaven) opened at 7 and drove to get breakfast. I needed something cool to eat and I needed it fast. This acai bowl kept my throat happy for a few hours but I actually got another smoothie later that day.
2. I absolutely love living in Florida, but I can’t help but miss this time of year up north. I specifically drove out of my way to The Fresh Market because I KNEW they would have super seasonal decorations. I was right. It was also nice to escape the Sunday crowds at my local Whole Foods.
Not from Instagram, but this was inside the market…
3. This was the night before my 18-miler a few weeks ago. Even though I did all the “correct” things (resting, hydrating) the run wasn’t the best. Everything may look great here but the next morning was rough. Ironically, sometimes the best runs happen when you are the least prepared (but I won’t be purposely testing that out anytime soon).
Oh, and that book definitely picked up. Highly recommend!
4. In order to take this photo I stood in front of the entrance of Whole Foods and (temporarily) blocked people from entering. Oops…I think it was worth it though, right?!
So there you have it…the story behind the pretty pictures. I’m starting to enjoy the challenge of taking different photos and adding an “artsy” feel to my profile. I’m not trying to be a perfect but it’s fun to get creative sometimes. Stick with me as I figure out a balance of real and filtered life. More thoughts on Instagram one of these days…
P.S. Happy October (???)….crazy!
LOL Emily I love this. Especially the last one. I think we’ve all been there. So true – social media is only what people choose to share with you! Love love love.
Christina recently posted…Be Your Own Inspiration: Mizuno Wave Inspire 12
Whole Foods is the perfect place for photos. I swear I see other people taking pictures there too!
Oh I love this post! Could not be more accurate. Or how about when you’re sneakily trying to get a photo in public but trying to act casual at the same time? Yeah, doesn’t happen for me ;-)
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen recently posted…WEIGHT TRAINING WORKOUT #4 [Super Slow Sets]
YES! Selfies in public are the worst. At least I know that so many other people are doing it (even if they aren’t near me at the time)
I’m amazed how much time I can spend planning and taking the “perfect” photo :)
AmyC recently posted…Best Parts of a Running Group
I’m with you! It’s kind of embarrassing.
Emily!!! I love this post so much! It’s so true and I love how real you are! Also the last one… I’ve done that way too many times ??
I turned around to the people I was blocking and said “the flowers were too pretty to pass up a picture!”
UMMMM How am I just following you on Instagram!?! So glad I rectified this…
Jamie recently posted…#TOLT Rabbit Rabbit
*Insert hands-rasied emojis for a third time*
lol this post was too funny! I have been trying to get an “artsy” theme on my Instagram too! x,kenz
http://sincerelykenz.com
I’m starting to overthink the artsy thing though and don’t want to get too obsessed with it.
Hahhaa this is awesome. My husband and I joke because when we take a picture of our son, we take AT LEAST 10. Maybe one will look good. Maybe. All of my pictures on the ‘gram are one of many until I got an okay one. (Unless I post one of the crazy, weird ones on purpose because it’s funny.)
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…This or That?
I like those crazy ones AND the cute ones :)
I love these! I think the notion that pictures capture 1 moment in time and not a full picture is so important. It doesn’t mean they are false, they are just one piece. <3
Exactly! Like regular photos, there’s always more to the story.
Yaaasss! This post is just so true haha! It’s hard to capture a photo that really shows exactly how you feel in that moment.
Sometimes I want to do a “follow up” Instagram showing what’s behind the scenes or just outside the frame. I saw an article that showed that (what’s outside the frame) and loved the idea behind it.
I LOVE these kinds of posts! I don’t have Instagram, so fortunately I don’t get too caught up in that madness, but I certainly still check in on people’s Instagrams, so I love these pieces of reality where you get the full story :)
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted…Thursday Things
I have to catch myself from thinking people’s lives are so perfect based on what they post. Not the case at all, at least for me it’s not!
I love your comment about being one second of someones day! It is so true, it’s hard to realize sometimes that while someones life might seem perfect their social media posts don’t always tell the full story.
I love most fitness accounts on instagram mainly for the quotes but the fall pictures have been a nice change of pace lately!
Kristin recently posted…Pepped Up Forever Release Day
I love seeing the fall pictures because I get none of that down here!
Totally guilty of overthinking those runs…And they sometimes are the hardest. I think we mentally exhaust ourselves thinking about it rather than just doing it. You never know though what you’ll get on any run. Like I have said before, running is like dating…LOL!
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…Thinking Out Loud October
Sometimes the weather can be perfect and I WANT to feel good, but I just don’t. And the other way around!
Hi Emily! Instagram is by far my favorite social medium to scroll through. And I love your pictures, but yes, it definitely takes a while to get the right shot perfect for the square. :) I’ve been known to say “JUST ONE MORE” about ten times…
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Get your mouth right with proper oral care
Now that we aren’t confined to the square image it opens up more possibilities! (Or more stress of taking different sized images…)
I love how relatable you make this to what it takes to actually take an Insta pic. So fun…going to follow you now
Allison Gallagher recently posted…Fall Booties I’m Loving
You can always tell when someone is taking a picture to be posted on social media. The staging and posing is quite comical!
I am working on getting more stuff on Instagram. I love your pictures. I will definitely be checking out your Instagram. I love food and outdoorsy type pictures. Thanks so much
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
I like the nature/scenery pictures as well. I need to post more regularly on Instagram though!
Its easy to get caught up in social media and be drawn into the corner of believing it represents a complete lifestyle, but as you say, each Instagram photo is actually only one (very well posed!) moment in a far more complex existence.
Nonetheless, it is good fun to be creative with photographs- I love bright foodie pictures with arty backgrounds- and I am definitely looking to improve my skills once I get a phone without a shattered camera lens!
xx
Charlotte recently posted…Currently… September 2015
I love the creative, bright food photos too. Ah cracked phones are no fun…treat yourself to a new one? ;)
Love this post! I always enjoy following cute dog accounts :)
Gretchen recently posted…Monthly Goals : October
I’ve been reading your blog (and love it) and this post is SO true! I love instagram, but I’m honestly not the best photographer in the world. My favorite pictures to look through are those of professional runners. They are astounding! And I’m not sure how people get such good running shots… a) I pretty much run alone and b) I am probably one of the most hideous runners! My favorite account is macymakesmyday especially because its October and Downs syndrome awareness month!! https://instagram.com/macymakesmyday/?hl=en
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Addictive Roasted Veggies w/ TBD Dressing
Hi Margaret! Thank you so much for your comment. I’m with you…I have no idea how people get good running shots! I’m convinced they are all staged or they have a private photographer following them. That sounds like a great account, will check it out now!