Instagram is a place where sneakerheads converge and share what's on their feet. What might have started as a simple way to document what one is wearing has turned into a big contest to not only prove who has the best sneakers, but, also, who can take the best photos. Naturally, those with good cameras and good sneakers have the upper hand, but there are a plethora of poses that can step up the average sneakerhead's 'Gram game. To help out and let y'all get more likes, gain more "influence," and just have better profiles, here's A Field Guide to Stunting Your Sneakers on Instagram.
Instagram is a place where sneakerheads converge and share what's on their feet. What might have started as a simple way to document what one is wearing has turned into a big contest to not only prove who has the best sneakers, but, also, who can take the best photos. Naturally, those with good cameras and good sneakers have the upper hand, but there are a plethora of poses that can step up the average sneakerhead's 'Gram game. To help out and let y'all get more likes, gain more "influence," and just have better profiles, here's A Field Guide to Stunting Your Sneakers on Instagram.
Pointing one foot in the air.
There's something very in-your-face about posting sneakers on Instagram. It's saying, literally, "Look at what's on my feet." The easiest way to show this mentality is by pointing one foot out in the direction of the camera.
The "Ronnie Fieg."
Ronnie Fieg has done a lot of things for sneaker culture as a whole: collaborations, opening retail spaces, and reviving forgotten about brands and silhouettes. He's also responsible for one of Instagram's most popular sneaker poses: having one sneaker on-foot and laying the other on its side in the same picture. It gives a look at how the pair looks when it's worn and from another angle. Consider this a two-for-one 'Gram.
Shoot runners on a slant.
The toe of a runner should point down, and some do this more than others. The fanatics behind these silhouettes often go out of their way to stand on a slanted object—curbs, banks, tree trunks, rocks, whatever—just to prove the superior shape of their sneakers. With this type of picture, the more ridiculous the slanted surface, the better.
Let the feet dangle.
Are those sneakers so awesome that they're flying through the air, suspended in time? No, not at all. It's just someone sitting on a ledge, letting their feet hang. But it looks cool, doesn't it?
Snap a quick shot on an escalator.
The experience of going on an escalator is very brief. It's usually over before you know it, and it's not the easiest place to have a photo opportunity, with people trying to walk past you. But if you have your camera or phone ready, an escalator pic can be taken quickly and let's you tell people that you're going places.
When in a helicopter, take a sneaker selfie.
Helicopters can now be seen in most major cities, giving people rides around and showing them all what they usually can't see from the ground. Riders are strapped in, and they're allowed to hang their feet out the side of the chopper, creating the effect that they're in serious danger. Like the dangling pic, the helicopter one is all about an illusion. It just looks 10x more badass.
Show what's going through airport security.
Sneakerheads are important people, and that means they often get flown to various locales to attend events or just live it up. Part of this process is going through airport security, where one has to remove their sneakers and put them through the metal detector. When traveling, the average person goes for something that's easy to slip on and off the foot. Sneakerheads, though, are another animal. They'll often wear their best pairs, just to put them in the plastic bin and snap a pic for the 'Gram. We can't really blame them.
Take cozy to a new level by shooting pictures in bed.
It's not strange for someone to remove their sneakers when going into a home. And no one, really, wears sneakers in the comfort of their own bed. Except for sneakerheads. Maybe it shows how clean the pair is, or maybe it just looks cool. It's something we'll never really understand, but it continues to pull in the likes. Make sure that the soles are clean before doing this stunt.
It ain't no fun, if the homies can't have none.
When sneakerheads unite, it can be quite the scene. And one thing that will happen for sure is the ceremonial sneaker circle photo. It allows everyone to get in on the action and shows the rest of Instagram: This is how on-point my crew is. Just make sure everyone puts the same foot in the photo.
Share what you're currently eating or drinking.
It's hard to beat the popularity of sneakers on Instagram. But if there's one thing that does, certainly, it's food pics. That's why combining the two is a no-brainer. Whether it's by hash-tagging a photo "#coffeenclothes" or getting a slice of pizza into a 'Gram of the latest pickup, it's bound to overlap the #sneakerporn and #foodporn spaces. And it also proves that you have more on your mind than Michael Jordan.
With all your might, press down the toe.
The shape of running sneakers has become increasingly terrible over the past decade or so. The silhouette that most enthusiasts prefer is one where the toe box slopes down instead of lifts up. To exaggerate this look, and to cement a sneaker's O.G. status, a lot of IGers will point their foot forward and press their toe forward, naturally creating this effect. It may require some strength training to pull off this pose.
When at a sporting event...
With the increasing prices of going to a game, it's getting tougher and tougher for fans to take in a live sporting event. Sneakerheads, though, always seem to find themselves at one, and their favorite pasttime is flexing what's on their feet. This is done by propping them up on the seat in front and capturing the game's action. Just remember to thank whatever brand sent you there in the first place.
Shoot the sneakers on a blank canvas before UNDSing.
There are several reasons that people take photos of sneakers that haven't been worn yet. The first is to get an accurate view of them while they're still pristine. The other is to give a look at the sneakers in an undisturbed environment. A real white backdrop isn't necessarily needed, just find an all-white desktop and make due.
If there's water, make a splash (but not too hard).
We've written on length why it's extra corny to intentionally ruin a pair of sneakers with water for the sake of Instagram. It is, however, cool when the soles of a sneaker make a brief splash. Getting the perfect shot might take more than a few tries, but the end result is ultimately worth taking the risk of getting a sneaker damp.
One in the hand is worth two on the 'Gram.
It takes minimal effort to put on most sneakers, but for the sake of keeping sneakers on ice (or just getting a better shot), there's nothing like holding up a sneaker and snapping it. It gives a look at what's happening at that moment, like a beautiful sunset, or it's just the easiest way to gain a few likes on Instagram without actually having to wear anything.
Search out rooftops.
Everyone loves rooftops, except those with a fear of heights. They allow people to see the "world," and they also serve as cool places to take photos. For Instagram, it's not uncommon to see people hang their feet over the edge or post up and do their best Mobb Deep impersonations. If neither of those sound exciting, just hold up a pair of sneakers and let the city serve as the backdrop.
Get creative.
With an unsurmountable amount of people posting their sneaker photos on Instagram everyday, it's hard to stick out—unless you put in a touch of thought and come up with something new and original. For the crafty ones out there, it's possible to play optical illusions or distort the photos. If executed properly, this will give people reasons to actually follow you and keep up on your profile.
Jump, jump around.
There's something cool about sneakers floating in the air. Don't think too hard about it. Just show the Internet that you have hops and a self-timing camera.
Explore nature.
Sneakers, more times than not, are associated with urban environments. The majority of the famous boutiques are located in cities, and sneaker culture itself was born in New York City. That doesn't suggest that our precious footwear can't travel outside of the city limits, though. And nature shots give Instagram a new perspective. Climb a tree, go down by the ocean, or take that limited collaboration on a fishing trip. It might garner a few new followers.
Show off the whole outfit.
Having stellar footwork means nothing if the rest of the outfit looks awful. Too often, sneakerheads focus solely on what's on their feet when taking pics for Instagram. They should incorporate a few head-to-toe pictures, too. It will give followers a chance to see who's really wearing the sneakers—and a chance to see if that person is stylish or not.
Flex the rotation.
One pair of sneakers should can be worn at once. But people will always have the desire to showoff more than what's on their feet at any given moment. This is where the sneaker rotation comes in to play. It can be comprised of what was worn over the weekend, the past week, or can even be a collection photo, made to show off every pair of Air Max 1s or Jordan Vs that someone owns. Use this as a chance to showcase how diverse, or not diverse at all, your sneakers are.
From above.
It's not fun having to bend all the way over just to shoot a sneaker selfie, so just take a picture from above. It allows you to show which pants are being worn and bit of that day's outfit. It also professes, "Hey, I'm really not trying too hard at this whole Instagram thing."
Hit it from the back.
Sneakers are all about the details, and a lot of brands love to hide them on the heel. This can be tricky to capture on Instagram. But if you have a real camera or a friend who's willing to get in on your rise to the top of Mount #Influencer, then you're in luck. You'll not only have a unique photo, but one that gets the branding or logos that most pics don't show.