While capturing the perfect Instagram photo can be a struggle for most, a quick scroll through Olivia Culpo’s feed shows that the former beauty queen is a pro when it comes to taking social media snaps.
The 25-year-old shares her picture perfect life with over 2 million followers through an array of flawlessly curated outfit of the day shots, selfies, flat lays and travel snaps.
At a social medial workshop for retail giant DSW, Olivia revealed to FEMAIL how one can take their Instagram account to the next level.
THE PERFECT POSE
Instagram star: FEMAIL caught up with Olivia Culpo, 25, to get the scoop on how to take the perfect social media snap and what trends you should wear this fall
According to Olivia, the key to a good outfit snap is to emphasize a certain mood or highlight a specific hero piece that you want to standout in the photo.
‘The easiest pose is to put one foot in front of the other and place all of your weight on your back foot. If you are wearing flats it helps to go on your toes to add length to your look.’
While Olivia suggests playing around with different poses until you find the right one, she thinks the best photos are always when you are most comfortable.
‘If you are posing with your hand on your hip, place it where you would naturally put it if you were waiting in line somewhere.’ The more natural and relaxed you are in photo, the better!’
THE KEY TO SELFIES
Find your light: ‘Natural light is everything. Posing facing the sunlight through the window makes a huge difference,’ said Olivia
Selfie Queen: Olivia often shares her killer selfies with her 2 million Instagram followers
The DSW Style Ambassador says there are only two important things you need to take into account when it comes to selfies – lighting and angles.
‘Natural light is everything. Posing facing the sunlight through the window makes a huge difference,’ she said. If the light is coming from behind you, your face will get lost in the shadows.
Once you’ve found the perfect light, it’s time to work on your angles. ‘Everyone’s face is different, some people look best from the side while others photograph better dead on. Be sure to take the time to try out different camera angles to find the one that works best for you!’
‘It’s always good to shoot selfies from above, but you don’t want the camera to be so high up, your neck has to strain,’ she added.
PLAY WITH FLAT LAYS
All in the details: ‘Flat lays should tell a story,’ said Olivia. ‘Choose items that you’ll use throughout the day with a similar color scheme and position them in natural light.’
Looking to show off your clothing in an artsy way? Try a flat lay shot!
‘Flat lays should tell a story,’ said Olivia. ‘Choose items that you’ll use throughout the day that share a similar color scheme and position them in natural light. Have fun – there are no rules!”
Adding different textures and backdrops will add interest to the photos, but if you want the items you’re featuring to be the focal point, Olivia suggests shooting them on a clean white background.
KEEP THINGS AUTHENTIC
Work it: Olivia says the key to a good outfit snap is to emphasize a certain mood or highlight a specific hero piece that you want to standout in the photo
To make your Instagram feed feel authentic and stylish, Olivia recommends staying away from too many filters. ‘I go no filter, but I do like the app VSCO to help with fixing shadows and the photo’s exposure’.
There is no perfect time to upload your photos, but Olivia suggests not posting photos too late in the day. ‘You should post before you go to bed,’ she suggests. And be sure to limit the amount of images you share daily, ‘I think over five photos a day is killing it.’
While you may be obsessed with your outfit and want to show it off at every angle, Olivia says to only post a maximum of two photos of each look to avoid over saturating your feed with the same content. ‘Unless it’s your wedding day, then there are no rules and you can go crazy!’
TRY THESE TRENDS
Red hot: Olivia is already wearing the fall’s hottest color. Earlier this week she donned an Altuzarra sweater, Emanuel Ungaro skirt, and Gianvito Rossi heels
Bright and bold hues typically do well on social media, so it makes sense that Olivia plans to wear a lot of red and magenta this fall.
The former beauty queen was already seen in next season’s ‘It’ colors earlier this week as she posed for an #ootd shot in an Altuzarra sweater, Emanuel Ungaro skirt, and Gianvito Rossi heels.
While Olivia thinks mules are the perfect transitional shoe to invest in now, come fall the three items she thinks every woman should have in her closet are ‘an over-the-knee boot that goes with everything, a pair of high-waisted jeans and a classic button-down.’
SHOP OLIVIA’S FALL ESSENTIALS BELOW