Small Business Tips
Tips & Tricks in Styling & Content Creation for Instagram | Q&A with an Instagram Influencer
One of the coolest aspects of social media is, well…The social aspect. We have met so many talented and creative individuals through our Instagram community, and we’re constantly learning and growing our own skills by hanging around fellow creators.
One of our favorite IG connections has been up-and-coming social media influencer, content creator, and designer, Lizzie Darden, who is basically taking Instagram by storm and landing collaborations with major brands such as Miu Miu, Budweiser, Pocky, and more. She has an Instagram following of almost 100K, a pretty astonishing feat for someone relatively new to the world of IG content creation. She’s been featured by Candy Minimal rockstar Matt Crump, the wildly popular lifestyle blog A Beautiful Mess, and more. And most importantly? She’s done a phenomenal job of building a community of followers with high engagement and authenticity.
We caught up with Lizzie to learn more about her experience and top tips for creating original content and styling, and she dropped some really useful knowledge on us.
Q | You graduated from your design program pretty recently, right? Did you always want to go into digital media and carve your own niche as a social media influencer? Or was there another plan for your career?
Yup! I graduated in December 2015! Social media was never really part of the plan. Initially I wanted to pursue a career in branding and logo design (maybe that’s why we get along so well!) and I worked at a creative agency for a bit after graduation doing that sort of thing (on a smaller scale — I was such a newbie!) but my Instagram kind of took on a life of its own at that point and I left after a few months.
Q | Your styling and content creation chops have brought LIFE to brands like Pieology and Miu Miu and Pocky. What inspires you when styling different products?
Thank you! I really enjoy working with brands that have such established styles like that because it’s a fun challenge to mesh my distinct brand with theirs. I like to take a step back and try to see the product as part of a larger art piece, instead of just something to sell. Miu Miu was especially fun because they wanted the photo series to really tell a story, so ever since then I’ve tried to incorporate a narrative into my styling.
Q | What supplies are you constantly reaching for when styling a shot? What should newbies stock in their kit to make shoots go smoothly? (Aside from chocolate, obvs)
Paper towels! I feel like I have dozens of paper towel rolls strewn around my studio for whatever mess I’m making next (whether it’s intentional or not!) You never want to be on the verge of the perfect shot when an ice cream drop decides to go rogue!
I also like to have kid’s modeling clay on hand. I have one of those huge buckets of it and I’m always tearing off tiny pieces to use on the bottom of props (especially round ones) to get them to stay put for the shot. I used to use tape but the clay doesn’t tear up my backdrop paper.
Q | How do you tackle lighting for your photo shoots? Any tips for people just getting started in creating content for their social media?
Lighting is always so tricky, and I think I still have a lot to learn about it! But for now I’ve figured out a pretty basic system for myself. My studio space is pretty bright to begin with, I have a big window and lots of natural light, but then I set up two soft box lights pointed toward my object on the right and left, and a reflector board (sounds fancy but it’s just a white foam board from the craft store!) underneath my camera to bounce more light.
Lighting kits can get pretty pricey, but if you’re just starting out, you really can get by with some basic softbox or umbrella lights from Amazon and strong daylight bulbs. I still use my $80 kit I got from there and it works great!
Also I’d say, don’t underestimate natural light, especially if you have access to it by a window or in a backyard. Experimenting with shooting at different times of day and playing with shadows really helps you understand how lighting works and helps you develop a style all your own.
Q | What’s the most important thing you’ve learned when it comes to styling and content creation? If you were mentoring a newcomer, what advice would you give?
That it’s okay to say no. I think in this line of work it can be really hard to turn down clients, because there’s always a sense of uncertainty when the next project will come, especially in the beginning. It’sreally hard for me because I can be such a people pleaser to a fault, but it’s really important to have confidence in your work and in yourself as a business. Don’t be afraid to say no to projects that you don’t think are a great fit for you, or if clients are being a bit too pushy with a direction you don’t feel comfortable. When you create something that you don’t love or advertise a product you don’t fully endorse it just ends up feeling icky. At the end of the day the work you put out reflects YOU and your business.
Q | Your feed always looks so curated and beautiful. How did you find your “style,” when it comes to styling? (Pun totally intended)
It took me a while to really refine it. When I look back at my earlier work it seems so all over the place now. I’ve always been drawn to minimalism in design, so I think that’s been a major factor in my style. I also have a weird sense of humor, so I find it really funny when a picture is so pristine and pink and girly, but then there’s a little quirk in there that makes you do a double take.
Q | Do you have any major NO-NOs or Don’ts when it comes to creating imagery for social media?
I definitely try to keep my audience in mind — I have a lot of younger tween followers, so I try to stay away from anything too provocative or drug-related. I don’t want to be an influencer in that sort of way, ha.
Q | How the heck do you plan for photo shoots? Any tips for streamlining the process?
Time management is definitely not one of my strengths, eek! But I try to keep a handle on it with my planner and a big wall calendar to map out long term shoots. I use Monday mornings to evaluate everything I have to do in the coming week, make a list of what props I’ll need to buy, and then try to shop for all the shoots at once that afternoon. Sometimes when I’m shooting for myself I just sort of wing it, but for brand projects I like to sketch out my photo ideas so I’ll know exactly what I need in the shot, what angles work best, that sort of thing!
Be sure to drop by and visit Lizzie to see more of her amazing work or shop her store for fun stuff like this pin, which we totes have in our collection! You can also follow her on Instagram at @lizzie_darden
Have you picked up any tips for creating original content for social media? Share in the comments below!
