25 Creative Instagram Photo Ideas For Your Next Post

Instagram is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. You can congratulate a friend on their pregnancy announcement or show your support for a family member’s new talent with the click of a button. It’s easier to connect with people when you can scroll through a feed of important life moments they’ve shared.

On the converse, your followers are looking forward to seeing what you’re up to. Each time you post, you’re sharing a special piece of yourself with them. To help spark inspiration, we’ve come up with 26 creative Instagram photo ideas that you can fit to your life. Try some of them out and use your favorite shots to create an Instagram photo book.

1. A Tip

a dog looking at a pie

They say hindsight is 20/20. Have you recently been through something that you can share with your followers to prevent them from making the same mistake? Maybe you have some puppy proofing tips or restaurant recommendations? Share your experience so that others don’t have to clean up the same mess.

2. Behind the Scenes

person taking a photo of food

Have you ever looked at someone’s post and wondered how they took the perfect photo? Show some transparency with your photos by posting a behind the scenes shot. This will illustrate the bigger picture to your followers.

3. Accomplishments

a girl running up stairs

Is there something you’ve been working hard at? Share your success with your friends and family. Not only do you deserve some appreciation, but it may motivate others as well. Your personal achievements are something to celebrate.

4. Something Simple That Represents You

person's feet with a guitar and coffee

Try sharing a photo of things that represent you. If you had to pick only three objects to represent who you are as a person and what you like, what would they be? Post a picture of them and in the caption, describe why you chose them.

5. Collage

A collage of coffee photots

Some days are more photogenic than others. To keep from overposting all at one time, try creating a collage of things. Instead of focusing on one object or one photo, combine them all in one post.

6. Get A New Angle

holding girl's hand above the clouds

Grab your follower’s attention with a new angle. This holding hands shot is a popular choice and easy to recreate. Just take your significant other by the hand as if you were leading them somewhere. Have them position their hand in the bottom corner of the shot and snap away. This unique shot will be perfect for the cover of the photo book you create by saving your Instagram photos.

7. Current Interest

bike lays against a red wall

What has been consuming your thoughts or time lately? Do you have a new favorite author or have you started a new activity? Share a shot of your current interest.

8. Favorite Place

Cabin in the woods with hammock

Everyone has that place that makes them feel completely content. Whether it be a relaxing beach in Hawaii or a woodsy expanse, if it brings you joy, share it. Inspire others to explore new places or, even better, journey there with you.

9. Boomerang

friends holding wine glasses in center of table

Life isn’t two-dimensional—neither should your photos. Display the constant movement that happens in your day to day with a Boomerang video. These short movie clips are both fun to create and watch.

10. Flat Lay

map and passport lay flat on table

Take an artistic approach to your Instagram post. Lay a variety of objects flat on a surface and take the picture from overhead. This shot comes across more natural if it includes everyday objects. Try incorporating a cup of coffee or tea to make your photo feel more current and spur of the moment.

11. Gratitude

A sign that says give thanks

What are you grateful for? Try taking the day and noticing little things that you appreciate. Keep a list of them and photograph it for your Instagram. If people make it on the list, make sure to tag them so they feel the love.

12. Close-Up

boots with a little chick

It’s the little moments that make life big. Give your followers an up-close look at your life by documenting the little moments of everyday life. These peaceful memories will be nice to look back on later in life.

13. Hidden Talent

person painting trees

Do you have a talent that not many people know about? Instagram is the perfect place to reveal it because you have the support of your friends and family. You never know, someone else might also come forward with a similar talent that you can bond over.

14. Life’s Milestones

guy graduating from college

The most exciting Instagram moments are the big life moments. Make sure to document life’s milestones such as graduation, your engagement or your pregnancy with photos. Share your joy with your followers and let them celebrate alongside you.

15. Life’s Realities

Notebook with quote in it

Honesty goes a long way in a post. Not everything is picture perfect and by sharing both those pinch-me moments and the tougher times, you’ll gain even more love and support when you need it most.

16. Friends and Family

mom and son sharing a moment

You already have hundreds of photos of your family and besties to choose from, might as well share some. Show your appreciation for these individuals that mean so much to you by also including a heartfelt caption with a memory or time they inspired you.

17. Nature

girl with red hat looks at nature

Highlight the natural beauty around you. Whether that’s your planter box of succulents or a camping trip to the woods, take a moment in between appreciating your environment to capture a photo.

18. Something New

girl with brown purse

Did you recently receive a gift that you haven’t been able to put down? Share your obsession with your Instagram followers. Make sure to tag the person who gave you the present to ensure they feel the love as well.

19. Sneak Peek

person setting up dinner table

Are you throwing a dinner party or preparing for a big day? Share a detail of the event to get the people who will be in attendance excited. Try asking a question in the caption to provoke some interaction.

20. OOTD

girl in yellow skirt in field

Display the fashionista that you are with an outfit of the day post. Is it one of those days where the clothes jumped out of the closet and immediately worked? Make sure to document the moment and hashtag #OOTD.

21. Quote

quote on paper with pizza and coffee

Need some inspiration? Find a quote that really speaks to you and share it on your Instagram. Make the post personal by handwriting the quote in a notebook and creating a caption explaining how you relate to it.

22. Selfie

girls taking a selfie at the beach

When in doubt, take a selfie! This is a trend that isn’t dying out anytime soon. Use your front-facing camera to snap a pic of you in a cool place. This angle will keep you the center of attention while also showing off your unique background.

23. Bright Colors

girl with flowers on her head

Nothing catches people’s attention like color. Try finding a brightly colored wall or backdrop and striking a pose in front of it. The post will radiate positivity and energy to your followers.

24. Something You’re Working On

person holding a camera

What’s been taking up your time lately? Is it a new project at work or refining a new skill? Whatever it may be, if it’s such a big part of your life you should share it with the world. Your friends and family will be there to encourage your progress.

25. Tell A Story

girl on edge of a cliff

Once upon a time, you were on a trip somewhere and something you weren’t expecting happened. Share these moments with your friends and family. Sometimes the most spontaneous and random occurrences make the best stories.

Capturing photos and posting them on Instagram is a fun way to share life’s moments, big and small, with friends and family. These creative ideas will help spark inspiration by reminding you of daily moments you can capture if you are ever running out of things to post. When you take the perfect photo, make the memory last even longer by printing it out and creating wall decor for your home.