I’ve seen a lot of bloggers speak about an important subject lately – social media comparison. It is something we are all guilty of whether we want to admit it or not.
When people only post the most flattering images of themselves or only show the best moments it can be easy to forget that this is just a brief moment in their day and not a true representation of what is actually going on behind the scenes.
It’s only natural that people want to share the good moments of their life.
I mean just take a look at your private Facebook account where you’ll see photos of new travels, wedding announcements, or purchasing of new homes/cars. Who would want to follow someone who always talks about their crappy days or shows photos of themselves in pajamas with no makeup sitting behind a screen all day (the true life of someone who works from home)?
Social media comparison even exists between influencers. Why can’t my home be more Instagram-able? How is she always traveling to these beautiful places? Why can’t my photos look like that?
I think it’s important to remember what actually goes into making these beautiful Instagram images that you see.
I think it not only reminds others of the hard work that influencers put into making these photos you love to see but also is a great reminder that these photos are not fully representative of real life.
That is why I love to do these Instagram vs Reality posts where I share some of the photos from my Instagram account and tell you what it took to create these beautiful images you see or funny stories along the way. It’s a great way to break down that barrier and who doesn’t love a good laugh too.
If you would like to see my other Instagram vs Reality posts click here!
INSTAGRAM VS REALITY
This is a classic example of the behind the scenes world of blogging or creating Instagram posts. Sometimes there are just days where you don’t feel like putting on makeup or posing so you take a shot like this. No face required! I’ve joked in the past that I like to consider flowers a business expense since they are the perfect prop.
I literally sat on a walkway in front of an apartment building and proceed to take about 400 photos of me sitting with these flowers on my lap in various positions. I have figured out by now that my neighbors must think I’m crazy.
I am sure you have realized that the last few years there has been a marble decor craze. It is basically a requirement that every blogger or millennial has something marble in their home. Living in Switzerland I don’t quite have that option as the price would be astronomical so I decided to create my own marble “table” to get the same effect.
I purchased some matte marble contact paper on Amazon (found some options here and here) and adhered it to a piece of cardboard. It acts as the perfect marble backdrop without the expensive price tag.
I was inspired by all of these adorable leaf pictures on Instagram and wanted to create my own. It seems like such a fun and cute picture for Instagram, but in reality, it is not that easy to recreate. To find that perfect Instagram worthy leaf took some time and probably posed with at least 10 different leaves to find the best one in someone else’s yard. It also quite awkward to pose with something covering one of your eyes.
This is also a great example of blogger life. I wrote a blog post this Summer about tips on taking photos in public from a fashion blogger, and number one was not to care what others think. It is so rare when you’re outside that there won’t be a person in sight (unless you go early in the morning before the work crowd).
You have to get used to people staring at you, watching what you’re doing, or thinking you are conceded for posing like you’re on a magazine photoshoot while someone takes hundreds of photos of you. This was one of the busiest areas of Zürich with people continually passing by, and that Starbucks coffee I’m holding…I never actually drank it.
This was a sponsored post by my favorite phone case brand ever. I wanted to add a touch of pink to my photo so I thought rosé would be the perfect compliment. I was at my parent’s house and this was the only rosé they had – not quite the pretty light and bright pink I was going for.
It was also a Sunday so in Switzerland that means all shops are closed so I couldn’t go out and buy any wine for the photo. I used my editing apps to lighten the color a bit, and once the photo was done I poured the wine back into the bottle. Sometimes you do things just for the photos. However, I did enjoy the wine later.
Isn’t this what you look like when sitting around your home? Just kidding! I don’t know about you, but I am strictly a pajamas girl when I am at home and working on my blog. My work “uniform” consists of the comfiest pajamas, my hair up in a bun or ponytail, and definitely no makeup (unless I just shot some content).
I changed out the pillowcases in the background to bring out the colors in this J.Crew shirt, and I don’t normally sit with a beautifully decorated tray of cookies and flowers when I work at my computer. That would be nice though!
What do you think of these Instagram vs reality posts? Would you like me to continue sharing my stories and some behind the scenes aspects of blogging? If you would like me to discuss social media comparison in a more in-depth post then feel free to leave any comments down below! Your feedback is always so helpful.
Great reminder AND great photos!
Author
Thank you so much Jen! I really appreciate that 🙂
I’m actually going to follow you religiously because of this post right here. Honestly, I’ve felt so frustrated trying to recreate high end looks on an EXTREMELY tight budget. It’s roughhhh.
Author
Thank you for your really kind comment! Honestly you made my day and comments like that make the long hours behind a screen well worth it 🙂
So fun to see the behind the scenes of the photos!
Author
Thank you for your comment! Have a great day 🙂
Ah this is such a fun post! My friends take photos of me taking those “candid” coffee shop photos, and I always laugh when I look at them later… They involve so many props + different angles. So fun to see the behind-the-scenes of your Instas!
xoxo, Cecilia // sunnysidececilia.com
Author
Thanks, girl for your comment! I think it’s always interesting to see the behind the scenes of other people’s photos too. It’s funny what we do to get that perfect image 🙂
Beautiful photos and tips, Love! Thank you for sharing!
Author
Thank you Jackie! I really appreciate that xoxo
Love this post! Really enjoyed the back story to your posts and they were hilarious!
Author
Thank you so much for your comment! I am so happy you enjoyed my post 🙂
I love how you shared what really goes on behind the scenes in your beautiful photos! I am a new blogger myself, so getting used to people looking at you strangely when taking outfit photos outside is definitely hard! And, I agree that flowers do make the perfect prop 🙂
Author
Thanks so much for your sweet comment! It is weird to say that you eventually get used to it. It’s never fun to have people stare, but I always try to remember the end result. If I get a beautiful photo out of it then I am happy 🙂
Hahah, loved the lounging at home look remark! It’s a great post idea- I think social media has its place and its role in offering inspiration, but it’s imperative that we all understand it is inspirational material, not day to day life necessarily.
Author
Thank you so much for your comment! That is exactly what I was hoping to express. Happy you feel the same. I hope to inspire people with beautiful photos, how to dress differently, etc. I also hope that people understand my life is not always what I show on my blog or Instagram 🙂
This article couldn’t be more accurate! Thank you for sharing babe! I think people need to remember how hard being a blogger really is and all the work that goes into it!
Author
Exactly! People get the impression that it is easy and all you have to do is pose for photos. I feel like that’s the point behind our “jobs” to provide inspiration. It wouldn’t be a lot of fun to see all of the admin that goes into doing this 🙂
I love that you are sharing these Instagram vs reality pics! It’s crazy how many unflattering photos I take before getting that one shot that I decided to put up! BTW I do love all of your pics!!
Tracy
https://www.findyourdazzle.com
Author
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I take so many shots too to find the right one 🙂
I looooove this! I always joke with my co-workers that my apartment neighbors must think I’m crazy too! 😂
XOXO, Nikki
The Casual Blonde // http://www.casualblonde.com
Author
It must be part of the job right?! Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂
I love the idea of this post! It’s definitely easy to give into comparison. I loved all the stories behind your photos!
Author
Thanks Emily for your comment! I’m happy you enjoyed reading my post 🙂
I love seeing behind the scene posts!
Author
Thanks for reading Jessica! Have a great day 🙂
Loved this post and the stories behind your photos! Loved the one with the flowers, and I would totally count them as a business expense!! Thanks for sharing!
Emily Aagaard // https://www.emilyaagaard.com
Author
Thanks for reading Emily! Happy you totally think the same about the flowers. I hope you have an awesome day 🙂
Nice post. My biggest challenge with Instagram is the photos. I have lots to share but sometimes I get stuck on the picture deal and don’t post for days. I don’t take a lot of pictures.
Thanks for sharing this.
Judy @sensibledove
Author
I’ve realized I just have to take photos even when I don’t think they are good. Some of the pictures I thought weren’t my best were actually my highest performing on Instagram. We are truly our own harshest critic 🙂
Oh my gosh. This is fantastic. And SO true! Now I have to subscribe to wait and see if you post more. I love your honesty!
Author
Thank you so much Tara! I really appreciate your comment. You make what I do completely worth it 🙂