Creating A Strong Image Aesthetic Online

Creating a strong cohesive image presence online is something that's a lot easier said than done. For years, I've worked hard to find my style and it is something that's a constant work in progress and changes on a daily basis. However, I've found along the way there are a few things you can do to help make the process easier and lots of fun along the way and I'm excited to share them with you today as it's a question I see cropping up a lot online.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO MAKE MISTAKES

Making mistakes is a natural part of life but that doesn't mean it's easy on the ego. Of course, we all want to be the best we can possibly be at something. But to get to that point we often need to make a lot of mistakes. This is especially true when it comes to an art form like photography because it's such a complex, subjective hobby/career. When things go completely to plan and perfectly it feels amazing but there aren't many lessons to be taken from something going just the way you want. However, when things go wrong and something isn't quite what you expected, of course, it feels terrible at the same time. But we can look back and we can learn and grow from it.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH PLANNING IMAGES

I come from a photography background so the thought of planning an image down to every last detail is something that seems very natural to me. But a lot of people believe in the blogging world that this is false and wrong but in the photography sphere, it's completely normal and encouraged. Unless of course you're a documentary photographer it's different but if you're someone whose passionate about still life and lifestyle work. Capturing everything in its natural state often isn't very alluring or very pleasing to the eye. Putting a huge amount of work and effort into an image to make it look as beautiful as you possibly can isn't something that should be sneered at. And it's still realistic because whatever subject you're photographing, it's still real. It might just be styled in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

OR HAVING A THEME

Personally, I think it's awesome to create a strong theme with your work because it makes your photographs distinctive to you and when someone can recognise your images as yours that's awesome. If you're someone who feels super passionate about having an Instagram theme there's nothing wrong with that, it's not for everyone but that's just like anything in life. Here are a few things to bear in mind when it comes to having a theme or certain aesthetic;

Colour palette.
Props.
Angles.
Image quality.

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE PEOPLE ONLINE WITH AWESOME CONSISTENT AESTHETICS

HAVE YOUR OWN AESTHETIC, NOT SOMEONE ELSES

Possibly one of the most important things to bear in mind when you're starting out on your own photography journey is to try and find your own way and style as much as you can. We all have our outside influences that come across when we take images but adopting someone else's style is something that never ends well. And it's so easy to do when it's something that you admire so much but there is a fine between inspiration and copying which probably isn't something anyone strives to do. The same thing goes for following trends, they only last a short time and staying away from them is really hard. It's something I know all too well but sticking to what you're passionate photographing in the long run is always so much better.

MAKE IT SOMETHING YOU CAN ACHIEVE

I'm a complete daydreamer when it comes to photography, I like to dream up really elaborate shoots or convince myself I live in a stunning mid-century home that was just made to be captured on a daily basis. And whilst it's nice to have that daydream every now and again I have to be realistic with myself. Not only is it important to be realistic about what you can achieve in terms of your surroundings. I also believe it's pretty vital to take into consideration things like your schedule, the weather and your equipment as those things are all things that play large roles when it comes to your style and keeping it consistent.

DON'T POST SOMETHING FOR THE SAKE OF IT

There is a lot of pressure to constantly be active on social media and post about absolutely everything and be a constant stream of dreamy images. But unless you're just making your social media feed a Pinterest board then it's a lot easier said than done. In the past, I've found myself posting just for the sake of it even if I wasn't 100% happy with what I was putting up just to have something go live that day. And I've really regretted it. There is nothing wrong with having a slower approach to social media and online content. And when you're really happy with something and you get to share it with the world it's always so much more gratifying.

Do you have any tips for having a strong image aesthetic online?

R x

Check out: Rhyme & Ribbons