Think the life of an influencer is all latte art, free clothes and trips to Bali? Think again. Instagram's filtered images rarely tell the full story; behind those seemingly perfect shots is the IRL version. To prove that it's not always as glamorous as it seems, ELLE challenged influencer Natasha Ndlovu to take us behind the Insta-scenes and reveal what it really takes to reach those covetable grid goals…
'After much trial and error, I've perfected the art of the outfit shot. I like looks that showcase my personality, that are effortless yet aspirational and feature key accessories. But they're not as easy as they might look.
'I always plan in advance, from styling outfits that fit the scheme of my grid (I stick to neutral, tonal colours to keep it consistent) to ordering a bunch of clothes from sites like ASOS and co-ordinating delivery times.
'An iPhone snap isn't going to cut it, but I don't have the resources to hire a professional photographer every time so I ask up-and-coming photographer friends who are happy to help. We'll spend a while scouting out quiet streets where I won't get (too many) odd looks from passers-by and look for simple backdrops that keep the focus on what I'm wearing. A white house or brick wall is ideal.
'We're living in an age of endless social media and that has the power to make anyone feel inferior— I'm certainly not immune to the comparison trap. Seeing incredible photos of what others are wearing and who has the latest 'It' bag can take its toll and knock my confidence. But it's important to remember that we're all on our own path. There's plenty of room for everyone.'
'It’s important to have variety on your grid so I spend a few hours shooting still life images that don’t feature me! Morning light is perfect for casting shadows so I wake up early, collect various items in a similar colour palette and arrange them into a pretty set-up on a simple marble surface. I avoid props that are too distracting but may pop to the shops to buy a fresh bunch of flowers. What you don’t see is the absolute clutter that I've shoved out of view.’
'Bright, natural lighting is best so I'll stand by a window and aim to shoot at golden hour. The light is super flattering and brings a soft glow to your face. If not, I'll set up LED spotlights to create a similar effect. Either way, I always brighten and sharpen my photos using the Snapseed app – the filters are way better than Instagram’s.
'My top tips for influencer life? Keep working on your style, develop a clear voice, only post things you genuinely like. And the main thing to remember: everything looks better on Instagram.'