The perfect Instagram.
We've all seen the posts. The photos that shows up on your newsfeed and make you actually stop and look at them instead of mindlessly double-tapping and moving on. Perhaps the photo looks professionally taken and you gasp at the quality. Or it's an adorably candid snapshot. Or maybe the Instagrammer just looks really good.
Either way, these posts are sure to bring in 100+ likes and at least twenty comments raving, "Can I be you?" or, "OMG you're perfect," or (the classic) *heart eyes emoji* or, "Ugh I just love you sooooo much." In reality, these "perfect" Instagram photos really aren't perfect. No one effortlessly snaps a flawless photo.
The Candid Going Out Insta
What You See: A group of two to seven girls outfitted in adorable rompers, crop tops and sky high wedges with perfectly curled hair and winged eyeliner. One of them must have said something really funny, because everyone is laughing and hugging each other as if they're really LOL'ing.
What's Really Happening: This is probably the girls' 50th attempt at perfecting this photo. After numerous failed attempts at "normal" cute pictures, someone decides to ditch the cute pics and go for a candid one. Someone hesitantly agrees to be photographer and snaps an excess of photos while saying, "Okay, now pretend I said something funny," and, "Wait, let me fix my hair," and, "Just one more I promise!"
The "Selfie"
What You See: A girl with perfect hair. And makeup. And a really cute top. If only you could look this perfect when you were "Bored doing homework" as her caption suggests. Or maybe she took a more basic route and chose to use an irrelevant-but-inspirational song lyric as a caption. Either way, she looks hot and she knows it, so what better way to show her followers than snap a causal selfie and post it for all to see?
What's Really Happening: There are a few scenarios when it comes to selfies:
1. She hasn't even started her homework because she has been too busy taking selfies at different angles to find the perfect lighting.
2. Despite her going-out-worthy face of makeup, she's really about to hop in the shower and watch Netflix for the night as the likes roll in. Or ...
3. It may look like she just snapped the perfect selfie and posted it, but a quick scroll through her camera roll will reveal that this selfie attempt took about 100 tries (and 100 different edits).
The Gym Mirror Pic
What You See: Outfitted in head-to-toe matching Lululemon or Nike, this girl must hit the gym all the time. Despite her "On that gym grind *muscular arm emoji*" caption, her makeup looks perfect, and there's not a drop of sweat to be found. Or perhaps it's one of those fitness Instagrams you follow, filled with girls with perfectly toned arms and six-pack abs. Regardless, after seeing one of these photos, you're almost motivated to get out of bed and head to the gym. Almost.
What's Really Happening: This is the first time this girl has been to the gym in two weeks. She has to go into the private workout room to take this selfie to avoid awkward looks from other gym-goers. After trying several different angles, she finally finds the one that makes her look skinniest. Really, she just wants to show off her new Nike Frees. As for those fitness Instagrams, to attain bodies that perfect, the girls must work out 24/7, be blessed with incredibly great genes and literally never eat any ice cream or pizza.
The Formal/Semi/Date Function Pic
What You See: A girl plus her beau dressed to the nines for whatever sorority function they're headed to. Her dress looks like something taken out of Lauren Conrad's closet, and his outfit coordinates perfectly. He's actually smiling and his eyes are open (you can't say the same for your date, ugh) or, better yet, he's looking at her while she beams at the camera. If this photo has anything to say about it, these two will be dating by next week.
What's Really Happening: The caption might read "Best date ever!" but he was far from the best date ever. She forces him into this little photo session, where he refuses to smile about 90 percent of the time until she finally is able to get an Insta-worthy photo. Thirty seconds later, he has run off and is flirting with every other girl at the function. He proceeds to ditch her for the rest of the night. When he texts her the next day, she thinks maybe he can redeem himself with an apology, but instead, all he wants to know is when he can pick up his formal shirt and if he can have her sorority sister's number.
The Pic Taken at the Bars
What You See: Two or three girls out at the bars, colorful drinks in hand to match their colorful ensembles. They look so flirty & fun and you can't help but be a little jealous since you are looking at Instagram from the library. The caption is an inside joke from earlier that night, and at least one of them is laughing in the photo.
What's Really Happening: The girls awkwardly have to ask a stranger to take this photo for them. It turns out blurry, but stranger No. 1 has already disappeared, so they ask another random person. Stranger No. 2 kindly takes a few photos and even remembers to put on the flash. The flash goes off for way too long and the girls receive a few dirty looks from around the dark bar. Despite the caption and the laughs, the night is actually a bust, and the girls are about to leave and go get pizza.
The Travel Selfie
What You See: A girl in a fashionable outfit in front of an iconic landmark: Times Square, the Eiffel Tower, the Hollywood sign, the Louvre or a picturesque beach. She's either smiling, looking as if she should be signed at a modeling agency, doing a touristy pose like touching the top of the Louvre or holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa or throwing what she knows.
What's Really Happening: Her mom insists on taking a solo shot of her in front of said landmark, and so she decides to embrace it and perhaps get an Instagram-worthy photo out of it. However, the wind is acting up, and she has to decide whether to control her hair or her skirt in the photo. Mom doesn't understand what "candid" means or why she needs thirty different poses to choose from. After a few minutes of awkward photo-snapping and dirty looks from passersby, she gives up. To her surprise, her mom actually did snap a few cute photos.
Now you know what's really happening behind the scenes of the "perfect" Instagram. In reality, there is no such thing as a perfect photo. Instagram was made to highlight only the happy, exciting times that you want others to see. The ability to ignore mediocre moments may give off the impression that the beautiful girl you follow on Instagram leads a perfect life, but this is not always the case. Behind a impeccable Instagram photo is a very normal person living a life the same as you. There is no need to judge someone or be envious of their Instagram posts, but instead double-tap and comment away to commend them for their efforts. Everyone appreciates a well-executed Instagram post.
Happy editing!
