Instagram vs Reality #1: Behind the Scenes of a Fashion Blogger’s Instagram Posts

Welcome to my first Instagram vs Reality blog post!

We have become addicted to social media whether we want to admit it or not. I don’t think it is such a bad thing as we live in a digital age. Social media is how I find out about new releases from brands, discover new designers, and keep up with old friends from the different countries I’ve lived in.

We see these perfectly curated images, but it’s important to remember that these images are just that. This is what the “poster” wants you to see, and aren’t always representative of real life. In the industry I am in, this is something I know to be too true.

As a fashion blogger:

I post images daily so when I see these beautiful images on my feeds I now have a better idea of what it took to create these, and sometimes it is quite comical.

500 near identical images to create that perfect selfie, sitting in awkward positions to make your legs look longer or wearing springtime clothing when it is nowhere near that temp where you live (this happens a lot to me).

I thought it would be funny and a bit eye-opening to share some of my Instagram images and let you know a little something about how they were created.

I’d be happy to do more Instagram vs reality posts if you enjoy it. Let me know in the comment section below!

INSTAGRAM VS REALITY: Behind the Scenes of My Instagram Posts

Original Instagram Post // Blog Post

This picture was actually taken on the grounds of a two-story office building. Architecturally the building was beautiful and it was on the grounds of a park so perfect for blog photo opportunities.

However, it was actually sprinkling when this picture was taken. I just kept hoping that my hair wouldn’t frizz up and that nothing would happen to my favorite Louis Vuitton handbag. I tend to baby my bags because when you spend that kind of money you want to look after them.

Luckily, I was ok on both fronts but I kept wondering if people sitting at their desks would look out the window to see this silly girly taking pictures of her outfit. I guess I’ll never know!

Original Instagram Post 

This is actually a photo I am really proud of. I love the way it turned out (thanks mom for your patience), and I was really honored that one of my favorite skincare brands reached out to me to share the release of their new Vitamin C serum.

This was my first sponsored Instagram post so I felt pretty official shooting this.

To get this image it took about 500 photos of different poses (the usual…haha), ironing the duvet cover so it was crisp and not too wrinkled, and changing out the pillow covers to that great pop of blue in the background. Sounds so simple, right?

Original Instagram Post 

I shared the behind the scenes story of this Instagram photo in the caption, but it was too funny to not share again. What does this look like to you? A photo of a casual coffee on a marble table complete with the bag and sunglasses I wore to the cafe where this photo was taken.

First, this was taken in my home on the ground in front of a big window. Got to get that natural light! Second, this marble table is actually matte marble contact paper on a piece of cardboard that I bought off Amazon. It was only $10!

To get the perfect image I was moving objects around, but I think I was moving too quickly and spilled the coffee all over my new Gucci Dionysus.  Fear came over me and I thought I just ruined one of my favorite bags.

Luckily:

Both the bag and I are fine. It all wiped off and you would have no idea that I spilled coffee on it.

Original Instagram Post 

This was one of those weird weather days where it was cold, sunny, but raining all at the same time. I knew it was going to be really difficult to find a great location outside so I decided to sit on the ground on my balcony and proceeded to take at least 500 selfies to find the right one.

My balcony tile was really cold because it was near freezing temps outside, but you gotta do what you gotta do. My mom says I take great selfies. Who wouldn’t when you take hundreds?! Remember with selfies that it took an embarrassing amount of photos to get that Instagram worthy one.

Original Instagram Post 

I took this photo right after shooting a blog post about my favorite Zara coat and wanted to build up my content bank. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a collection of photos you can use for Instagram when you don’t feel like shooting or putting on makeup that day. I threw this sweater on over the top I was already wearing and added a hat.

It was so cold that day and my boyfriend and I were frozen. Unfortunately, my phone died mid taking these photos. I grabbed my blog camera for the last few photos, and this was one of them. I look super relaxed but it was actually really frenzied to get this shot as I worried you could start to see how red my hands and nose were.

It ended up working out though because I realized I prefer to use my blog camera for Instagram photos.

Original Instagram Post // Blog Post

This photo was taken before my boyfriend went to work one morning. He works close to where we live (in fact he can actually walk to work) so I decided to find a location along his walk to work. We decided to leave at a certain time, and he kept telling me the night before to be completely ready by that time.

Well, typical boy behavior he woke up late and it left very little time to shoot and get the right shot. So another frenzied session of photos hoping we got a few good ones. My original location, which happens to be the side of a pink building was under construction.

Luckily, this house was a few doors down, and it worked out with my neutral look.

Original Instagram Post 

This is a great example of Instagram vs reality. I went to visit my parents and was waiting for them to get ready so we could take a Sunday walk. When it’s sunny in Switzerland you better take advantage of this rarity and get out of the house. I stepped out on my parent’s balcony, grabbed some pretty flowers my mom had, and threw on a cute outfit.

Sorry guys, it was too cold to wear this cute look while walking around Zürich.

I’m sure the neighbors thought I was crazy. A girl standing on a balcony in different positions with a camera. My blog camera is a bit heavy to take a shot one-handed or maybe I just have no upper arm strength so it wasn’t the easiest angle for this cute photo. I do love the way it turned out though.

Do you like these Instagram vs reality blog posts? If you enjoy seeing the behind the scenes of my Instagram posts let me know in the comment section below!

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