This post is all about Instagram photo ideas - and how to recreate them!

If you’re someone who loves all things Instagram, photography, and aesthetics, keep reading.

In this blog post, I’m sharing 5 cute Instagram photo ideas with easy poses that you can recreate in your own pictures.

Posing for pictures can be awkward!

Sometimes, you just don’t know how to make your poses look natural, what outfit to wear, or what background to shoot in front of.

This post will focus on easy pose ideas for beginners and I’ll share my best tips on how to recreate them so you get those aesthetic photos for social media.

Picture Perfect Instagram Photo Ideas

#1: The “Look Over The Shoulder”

The first Instagram photo and pose idea I want to share is the “look over the shoulder” pose.

For this one, you’ll want to position yourself about ⅔ facing the camera, and ⅓ facing away.

Simply put, face the camera, but not quite all the way!

You’ll want to have your leg farthest from the camera slightly behind yourself, as though you’re in the middle of taking a step.

Then, turn your head to face towards the camera and give a subtle smile.

You can also look further over your shoulder if you prefer to not look right at the camera.

How to pull it off: wear clothes you feel confident in! Don’t take pictures in an outfit you hate or that doesn’t feel like you.

You’ll be tense and unnatural, and it’ll come across in your photos.

Most importantly, you should be able to express yourself and feel confident in your own skin. Relax, and have fun with it!

#2: The “Casually Sitting On The Stairs”

The next cute photo idea I want to share is a casual stairs pose! For this one, simply start by sitting on a set of stairs.

Take the leg closest to the camera and put it on the farthest step you can reach while still bending your leg.

Take your other leg and place it one or two steps closer to you. Use the arm closest to you to support yourself.

Take your other arm and lean it on your other knee.

You’ll want to do something with that hand, like casually touching your face, sunglasses, or hat.

This is another pose, similar to #1, where you’re mostly facing the camera, but not all the way.

How to pull it off: Since this is a casual pose, try wearing a casual or sporty outfit to match the vibe of the photo.

Athleisure, baseball caps, and chunky sneakers look great with a pose like this!

My other tips would be to use natural light and stay “loose.”

You have your arm for support, but don’t lean too heavily on it.

Try to keep your body loose and relaxed so those casual vibes come across.

#3: The “Look To The Side”

This next Instagram pose idea is probably my favorite and likely the easiest one on this list.

Start by facing the camera, and sticking one of your legs out to the side.

Take the arm on that same side and point it as a similar angle to your leg.

Turn your head so that it’s looking towards the side, but not quite all the way to the side, and look in the direction your head is pointing towards.

Your other hand will casually touch your hip, pocket, or shirt bottom.

How to pull it off: When you're pointing your arm and leg out to the side, don’t straighten them all the way.

Leave just a little bit of bend in them for a natural, casual feel.

This will help avoid the pose looking too rigid and “planned out.”

This is a similar theme that you’ll find in all of these poses!

#4: The “Long Legs”

The name of this one highlights the most eye-catching part of this photo!

I’ve been loving picture ideas that angle a certain way to make your legs look longer, and that’s exactly what’s happening here too.

For this cute pose, find a set of stairs and sit on them.

Take one leg and bend it almost underneath you, except it’ll be on the step below the one you’re sitting on.

Take your other leg and cross it over that leg so it’s pointing right towards the camera.

For your hands, you’ll notice that the subject in this photo has her hands pretty much in mid air, but I’d recommend just placing them casually in your lap.

Face your body and your head towards the camera.

How to pull it off: For this one, the angle is everything!

Whether you’re using a self-timer or having someone take the photo for you, you’ll want your camera to be below you and angled up.

This will give you that elongated leg look that’s been so popular recently.

To exaggerate the angle even more, wear chunky sneakers like in the picture or other statement shoes!

#5: The “Look Away”

This pose idea is a great one if you’re camera shy because you don’t have to look directly at the camera.

It’s a pretty simple one to recreate, too!

For this Instagram picture, your side will be facing the camera. Then, just turn your head and look in the opposite direction of the camera.

Have fun playing around with different props you can hold in your hands.

I love the idea of holding an iced coffee, but some other ideas can be your handbag or tote, your sunglasses, or water bottle.

How to pull it off: Since this pose is a simple one, adding an extra special detail or something visually appealing will help make your shot look even more aesthetic.

This can come down to choosing a cool background, your outfit, props, or something else to make your Instagram picture pop on social media.

Outro & Closing Thoughts

Today, I talked about 5 picture perfect Instagram photo ideas.

Maybe you’re just getting into photography or maybe you’re having trouble getting a photoshoot idea.

Either way, I hope this post helped you and left you feeling inspired to go out and take some aesthetic pictures!

Thanks for reading my post: “5 Cute Instagram Photo Ideas (Plus Picture Perfect, Easy Poses For The Camera-Shy).”

Read this next: 5 Cute Ways To Style Platform Sneakers + Trendy Outfit Ideas!

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5 Instagram Photo Ideas For An Aesthetic Feed! (Easy Poses)