An easy guide to maintaining an aesthetic bookstagram feed

Scrolling through the posts under #bookstagram across social media platforms has been my favourite pandemic hobby, but the sheer amount of effort it takes to maintain a lively and aesthetic feed can be daunting. From finding the right props to setting up a shoot, the many ways of curating an interesting Instagram profile can be easier than it appears to be. 

Pick a theme and colour palette

Most bloggers ignore this trick but sticking to a particular theme makes your feed look cohesive. It creates a sense of individuality about your style and reading preferences so people can associate certain props with your pictures. I have been maintaining a bright and cozy theme that goes well with warm colours. And even though I found my perfect theme after experimenting with different filters, there is still a lot for me to explore. Once you have finalised a theme, try to find props that go with this idea.    

Depend on locally available props

Bookstagramming as a hobby is pretty stressful as we do not have enough props available in the local markets and buying special editions or boxes of vintage stamps can put a hole in our student-friendly pockets. In this case, it is best to stick to locally available props. These could include seasonal flowers, food items, or the pretty notebooks you have been keeping safe for years. My feed mostly features locally bought material and regular household items. Remember, your book blog should be a source of pleasure, not worries! 

Candles and coffees can never go wrong

A beginner's guide to creating aesthetic bookstagram pictures would be incomplete without mentioning a cup of coffee. Caffeine featured in your pictures does not have to be the perfect latte served in cafes; what matters is the warmth it adds to a shot. Some bibliophiles also like hoarding candles for their reading nook and using them as props. I love colour-coordinating my mugs with book covers and this adds a touch of personalisation to each picture. 

Explore different locations and angles

Flat lays are undoubtedly pretty but a feed full of flat lays may seem disorienting. The same goes for shoot locations. Even if you set up all your shoots at home, try to explore different corners or add new elements to your standard set-up. This will ensure that your pictures are not monotonous despite following a similar colour theme. I arrange most of my pictures around a cozy flat lay on my bed but recently have been focusing on different angles. 

Use an editing tool

This is the part most of you struggle to understand: bookstagrammers are not magicians who come up with perfect shots every time. How good your picture ends up looking depends a lot on your proficiency as an editor. Every picture featured on my feed has gone through its fair round of edits. Since I use my phone for taking the shots, most of the edits include adjusting brightness, changing colour tones, and adding a filter. Some handy apps in this regard include Snapseed, Lightroom, PicsArt, and VSCO. 

Maisha Islam Monamee is a medical student who likes reading, scribbling, and blogging. Follow @monameereads on Instagram.