LSU alumna, freelance photographer and Manship Theatre graphic designer Jordan Hefler shares her tips to capture the perfect Instagram.
There’s an app for that:
VSCO Cam app is a great tool to edit pictures “because it’s free, and because it has its own little community within it,” Hefler said.
Accessible tools:
Use techniques within the Photos app that’s built into iPhones. Hefler uses the heart icon at the bottom of the picture in the Photos app to “favorite” a picture, which sends it to a “Favorites” album. This way, she can find the picture later, she said.
There are also filters built into the iPhone Photos app. She recommends trying the black and white filters on the Photos app because she said it’s better than the one on Instagram or VSCO Cam.
When taking a picture, tap different parts of the frame to find good exposure, which determines how light or dark the picture will look once it’s taken, she said.
The color correction tool allows you to change the tone of your photo from cool to warm. This is a good way to pick lighting and complement skin tone, Hefler said.
Try it out:
“I always click on every single [filter] just to see the differences,” she said.
Keep it simple:
Don’t edit the picture too much.
“I don’t want something to look [unreal] ever. It may be enhanced but not fake,” Hefler said.
#Hashtag it:
“This is a really great resource to meet people and for people to find [you],” she said. An example of this is an Instameet. Hefler attended #thatLCinstameet, a part of the popular local hashtag #thatLAcommunity. People met in Lake Charles and explored the city to take Instagram photos together and socialize.
Lighting:
Find natural light, perhaps near a window, but don’t Instagram at noon, she said. At this time of day, the sun peaks in the sky, causing the light to cast unflattering shadows, she said. Hefler recommends taking photos or shooting an hour or two before sunset or after sunrise.
She normally takes portraits around 6 p.m. for optimal lighting. However, once good lighting is found, act fast, she said. “Once lighting is good, it’s only good for a couple of minutes,” Hefler said.
Front camera vs. back camera:
The back camera has better resolution than the front-facing camera. However, it’s easier to see how the picture will look with the front camera, she said.
All about the angle:
To each his own, but Hefler suggests holding the picture slightly above eye level. This can also prevent red eye when using the flash, she said.
Perfect posture:
Hefler’s favorite pose is “shoulders back, chin out, head high,” but she encourages experimenting with different postures.
Catch the move:
When capturing movement, use the rapidfire tool to take several photos with one touch or use the video feature and record, then screenshot, she said. This is great for people who blink in pictures, she said. This feature can catch the perfect play at a football game or a great shot from a concert.

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