10 Tips for Instagram-mable & scroll-stopping content creation
- Authentic Chica
- Apr 5
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 8
If you’re looking for content creation tips to help you create those Instagram-mable shots and scroll-stopping videos that will make your (personal) brand, concept or business stand out, without wasting time or money. Or if you just love photography and want to have real success online by generating more organic reach on either Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube or whatever platform you prefer, then this blog is for you!
Why take content creation tips from me?
I love creating content through photography and video, and have made custom content for many destinations, companies, brands and travel organizations the past 10 years. Based on that I think I have a good grasp on how to do this effectively.
And it also comes quite naturally to me, as I have always been a visual and creative person and love to experiment with unique angles, fun locations, new gadgets, fashion, accessories and styling.
For my own social media accounts I prefer creative, colorful, fun and fairy-tale like content, which makes my pictures stand out.
And I also love to create video content, like Reels, which generally helps to grow your account faster and gets more reach organically!
My Instagram accounts: @AuthenticChica and @ACTL_PR_Marketing currently have over 220,000 followers combined. And 8,5 years ago I started my own company: Authentic Chic Travel and Lifestyle PR & Marketing through which I have helped about 300 entrepreneurs, brands and destinations so far with social media- and influencer marketing, custom campaigns and content creation.
If you want to know more about my freelance work and see references and reviews from my clients go to this page or my company website.
But that’s enough introduction, because I'm sure you want to read more about how to make your own content stand out and are wondering why Instagram is so important for your (personal) brand or business!
Importance of social media & Instagram
Social media keeps growing and Instagram has become one of the most important social media platforms worldwide with over 2,1 billion monthly active users.
Instagram has proven to generate 58x more engagement than Facebook and 11x the return on investment compared to old school marketing.
Convince yourself on: Benefits-of-Influencer-Marketing
Furthermore, collaborating with a professional content creator, blogger or influencer is an innovative and effective way to promote your company, brand or products to the right audience. Influencer marketing is big business and can also become a lucrative full-time job, if done right!
Social media is the perfect place to showcase your creativity and personality, however, to have real success, creating visually appealing pictures & videos that stop the scroll is essential. But what exactly is ‘Instagram-mable’ & ‘scroll-stopping’ content?
In simple terms, Instagram-mable content is anything that’s aesthetically pleasing, interesting, and shareable. It’s content that grabs the attention of your followers and encourages them to double-tap, comment, or share. Scroll-stopping content is even better as it makes people stop mid-scroll and pause to admire or engage with your post.
These are my best posts of the past 6 months based on engagement:
It's important to analyze your best posts in your statistics regularly to see what's working well for your audience and can also help identify your niche and content pillars.
My 10 tips for Instagram-mable & scroll-stopping content creation
Based on this analysis, my personal experiences and best practices from the past 10 years, hereby 10 tips to help you get those Instagram-mable shots to elevate your feed:
1. Invest in the right equipment & experiment
To make your Instagram content look more professional, using the right equipment can make a huge difference. While smartphone cameras are more than capable of capturing stunning shots, investing in the latest model and other gadgets like a DJI Neo or Hoverair drone, or bigger drones like the DJI Mini or Mavic, but also, a GoPro or Insta360, can open up a world of possibilities for unique, high-quality content.
Drones allow you to capture breathtaking aerial views, perfect for landscape and travel shots.
GoPro and Insta360 cameras are excellent for action-packed content or creating 360-degree photos and videos, adding a dynamic edge to your feed. These gadgets also enable me to experiment with different angles and perspectives, like underwater shots.
The right gear can transform your Instagram posts from great to unforgettable, by extending the boundaries of your creativity.
I create most of my content with my Iphone 15 Pro Max, which I love for its portrait and cinematic functions. And it has great video stabilization built in.
But I also have a Nikon Z50 camera, which I use to take pics, and love to experiment with my Insta360, also perfect for underwater photography and filming.
See my latest Insta360 Reel here:
Furthermore, I love drone content and am very happy with my DJI Mini 4 Pro. It's much lighter and a bit easier to use than my previous DJI Mavic Pro 2.
And I just added a small DJI Neo drone to my collection too, as it’s quite affordable and has a self-flying and follow function which can't wait to test soon!
2. Location & photogenic spots
When it comes to Instagram, where you take your photos can make all the difference. Look for unique and visually interesting spots, like colorful buildings, an iconic landmark, a quirky café, or a hidden alley with beautiful street art.
Pay attention to the surroundings and the natural light. A well-chosen location and good timing can instantly elevate your shot and add a special vibe to your content.
Rather than going for those overly popular Instagram spots, like Santorini for example, I prefer to look for hidden gems and lesser-known destinations to differentiate my account and pictures. These unique locations, originality and the element of wonder can help you stand out too!
Once you know where you want to shoot, focus on finding spots with vibrant colors, street art, flowers, cool framing or architectural features that can make your photos pop.
Seasonal settings, beautiful murals, overhanging flowers, colorful buildings as a background, flower fields, a pristine beach, palm trees and turquoise colored waters, or a funky chair or hammock. All things that stand out visually, which will make your content instantly Instagram-mable.
Want to find the best Dutch photo spots to get the most Instagram-mable shots then check out my: Ultimate Netherlands Guide.
3. Be prepared & accessorize
Preparation is key in getting the perfect Instagram shot. Don’t just bring your camera, drone and phone, but also accessories and extra outfits that can change the vibe of your content.
When you've followed me for a while you must have noticed that I love dresses and especially hats, of which I have about 40 different ones😊
But items like scarves, sunglasses, or other props can also add an extra layer of interest to your photos.
Bringing multiple outfits on an eventful day with different locations also helps to create a variety of looks in a short amount of time, keeping your content fresh and versatile. And this will also make your content creation more time efficient.
4. Dress to the occasion
Your outfit can make or break an Instagram-mable shot. Whether you're going for a classic, chic, or bold look, make sure your outfit complements the location and theme of the photo.
Think about the colors and location to either match them or make them contrast. It’s also important to dress in a way that makes you feel confident and authentic, because comfort and style do go hand-in-hand and your followers will pick up on that energy.
I adore the dresses and garments of Sondeflor and wear them regularly to elevate my shots, as you can see in this gallery;
The unique linen fabrics they use, the beautiful prints and colors, the lovely flowy fit and unique style really makes my content stand out.
Their items are always comfortable and classy and will give your content that vintage and romantic feel with ease!
Interested in their new collection? Find your own favourites at: Sondeflor.com.
5. Find trends & trending music but make it your own
Trends are an inevitable part of social media, and although I prefer to create content from my own creativity and passion, trends can help get more reach from the algorithm, which is vital to have more success with your posts.
Especially for Reels these trends and music selection are very important!
However, instead of blindly following these trends, make them your own. If there’s a viral challenge or trending song, think about how you can creatively incorporate it into your feed in your own way to keep it creative and fun.
Personalizing trends or adding your own twist will allow you to stay relevant, while also maintaining authenticity.
6. Keep it fresh & original
While it’s tempting to follow popular trends, one of the best ways to create Instagram-mable content is to keep it fresh and original. Find your own unique style and showcase it.
Experiment with new ideas, perspectives, and creative angles. Originality is what will make your photos stand out and keep your audience coming back for more.
7. Edit, create video content & use templates
Editing your pictures is essential to make them visually more appealing. You can do this by always tweaking at least the light and colors to freshen up the mood and make your pictures pop.
Video content is however just as important as photos when it comes to social media. Platforms like Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram Reels thrive on engaging video content!
Read even more about the importance of this for your (personal) brand here: Video-marketing-social-media-strategy
An easy way to create professional-looking Reels is by using templates on video editing apps like CapCut. The (free) templates on this app are perfect for creating fun and dynamic videos without requiring expert editing skills and can reduce time and money spent on editing.
You can use these templates to add creative effects, transitions, and soundtracks to your content, like I did for this Reel:
Read more about the other apps I use for editing & creating scroll-stopping content in these blogs; Scroll-stopping-photos-apps & Phone-photography-video-editing
8. Re-use, create themed content & use content pillars
To make your content creation less time-consuming and more efficient, maintain consistency and keep your audience engaged, think about creating content around specific themes or topics, like content pillars. Whether it’s fashion, travel, beauty, or lifestyle-related, having a content strategy will give your feed a cohesive look.
Also don’t be afraid to re-use what works! If a particular post or style of content resonates with your audience, implement it again in a new setting. See how I did that with this slo-mo walking Reel: a theme I used several times already:
Read all about my Instagram and social media strategies here: AI-secret weapon & Instagram-algorithm-tips
9. Make it colorful or contrastful
One of the quickest ways to make a photo stand out is through color. A photo with a striking color palette can instantly catch someone’s eye.
Play with bold, contrasting colors or focus on bright, vibrant tones that pop, as you can see in these Instagram-mable tulip field shots:
You can either use natural elements, like colorful murals and flowers, or enhance your photos through editing apps to create the desired effect.
10. Have fun with it & keep it authentic
At the end of the day, Instagram is all about creativity, connection and expression. Don’t stress too much about perfection, or about trying to be a professional photographer, just focus on having fun and letting your personality shine through.
The most Instagram-mable shots are often the ones that feel real and authentic.
How to do this?:
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your poses and outfits
go out often with your phone or camera to catch some seasonal shots
bring a friend to take pics of each other
practice, shoot much, but focused, while also creating video content
and take plenty of candid pictures too,
all while staying true to your style and vibe.
This will certainly help to get the most creative shots and have fun while doing it. I am sure that your followers will appreciate your authenticity, and this will also help you build a loyal, engaged audience!
Find all my social media tips with many more blogs about this topic on my social media tips page.
Creating Instagram-mable content isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about capturing moments that are visually engaging, authentic, and true to your personality.
By following these 10 content creation tips - focusing on location, preparation, creativity, and originality you can create Instagram-mable scroll-stopping content that resonates with your audience and will make your Instagram feed stand out, without wasting time and money. So have fun with it and let your creativity shine!
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