How To Photograph Hair For Instagram: 7 Pro Tips

Here’s How To Take Instagram Photos Like A Pro

Let’s talk about Instagram, specifically, taking photos of hair for Instagram. You know your page is your portfolio—a free way to showcase your work and get new clients in your chair. But do you ever feel like you need a Photo Taking 101 class STAT in order to take your Insta to the next level? We got you. Below, BTC Team Member Jessica Scott Santo (@jessicascotthair) is breaking down how to photograph (and take videos of) hair for Instagram. Keep scrolling to get all seven pro tips!

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jessica Scott Santo (@jessicascotthair) on Jan 21, 2020 at 5:19am PST

1. Step Outside

For Jessica, outside lighting is key! But we know what you’re thinking: “Why not just use a selfie light?” Jessica says natural light shows the true colors of the hair vs. relying on inside lighting or salon lighting. 

Pro Tip: “If you can’t capture that perfect picture, create a couple second video of what you did, the blend of the hair or brushing out curls…Get creative,” shares Jessica. 

2. Make Sure The Finished Look Is Basically Perfect

We know your work is always flawless 💁🏼 but before you snap any pics, make sure the hair looks smooth and all flyaways are tamed. The goal is to shoot an eye-capturing photo that will make people want to stop and stare at your page!

3. Know The Best Poses

Not every client will be a natural in front of the camera, and that’s totally okay! It just means you need to know how to give them direction because posing can make or break your pics. Jessica recommends checking out other accounts you follow and seeing how they pose their models as inspiration. And if you feel like you need a little work on posing, don’t be afraid to experiment with a co-worker or friend!

4. Remember THIS When Posting A Video

If you’re going to post a video to Instagram, make sure the cover photo is something attention grabbing. “There are so many times where I am browsing on Instagram and I come across a blurry or even black cover photo of a video,” shares Jessica. “Do you think that makes me want to stop and watch it?” (See what Jessica did with the video below that got 155k+ views!)

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jessica Scott Santo (@jessicascotthair) on Dec 12, 2019 at 6:47pm PST

5. Clean Up The Background

Make sure the background isn’t messy! If too much is going on behind the client, it tends to distract people from the hair. Jessica’s go-to trick for drawing more attention to the hair is blurring the background just slightly using the app FaceTune 2. 

6. Take Hundreds Of Photos

Chances are, snapping a photo won’t be a one and done process. (And if it is, what’s your secret?!) So go crazy on the photo taking! “Take 100+ photos if you have to,” advises Jessica. “You can get so much content out of one head with different angles of shots to use on Instagram!”

7. Make Time For It

If you feel like you don’t have time to take photos of clients, just like with exercising, you have to make time for it. Jessica says it can be as easy as blocking out 15 minutes of extra time to take pictures at the end of an appointment. “That one picture you post can get you five more clients in the door,” says Jessica. “Social media is where I get new clients! It is my portfolio! Showcase your creative talent and what you can do!”

Use This Simple Foil Trick To Prevent Lines Of Demarcation